I just purchased a pair of Polk DB651 and DB351 for my 2009 CLubman S. Looking online as much as I could, it seems like these new DB series speakers may not fit too well. Here are the specs, can anyone quell my anxiety? Should I cancel the order and reorder something else!? AH!

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/sp...s/3-1-2/db351/

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/pr...peakers/db651/

 

The db651's should fit with very little trouble, you may have to enlarge the whole slightly.

The db351's may be a problem as the holes are made for a 4" speaker.

 

The 651's are no problem. When I get home, I'll check the line drawings on the Polk site for the 351 against the stock MINI speakers I pulled (did one side a week ago, and the second side this last weekend).

Just be careful taking the trim panel off and don't knock off you door lock **** (that sticks up through the panel) like I did...

 

Aren't the stock speakers technically 3.5''? I figured it was safe to just go with another 3.5'' set. Should I cancel my order and get the 4''? Thanks.

 

How was it taking the panel off? Any other specifics I should worry about? What did you end up doing about the wires since the harness aren't made to work with aftermarket speakers?

 

The panel comes off easy enough but you end up pulling off the area around the door lock **** (that goes up and down) last, and since the door lock needs to be up when you pull the panel if you are not careful (like me) you end up yanking the door lock **** out of the socket. Then you need to take the door apart to get the lock back where it belongs.

Anyway, the DB351's might be too small unless you make a mounting plate. The MINI speakers are about 4 1/2" between the centers of the screws, and the DB351's show 4" between the screw areas.

As far as wiring, I put components in and they came with their own set of wires, so I didn't even need to do anything to the stock connectors. I has one set of wires that came with a small spade that slipped right into the lower (bigger) speaker socket.

I think I may end up putting in new 6 x 9 speakers on the back after I get my door **** fixed. I have a friend who will help me this weekend as the door glass needs to be pulled to get the inner panel off.

 

After reading this thread, https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nt-how-to.html I assumed the 3.5 speakers were sufficient. Just my luck that nothing ever works out as easy as I would hope for haha. Anywho, I'll return the 3.5'' once they arrive since I just ordered some 4''. Are you saying the new set of wires just slipped onto place? There was no splicing or soldering involved? Thanks a bunch mate.

 

The Polk MM6501 speakers come with a crossover box, a woofer, a tweeter, and "two" speaker wires. One speaker wire slips on to the spade connectors on the woofer and has solder tipped ends to connect to the crossover. The other wire has the solder tipped ends on one end with the other end having a small blade that is meant to be slid into the spade connector the wire connected directly to the tweeter.

However, the direct wire to the tweeter was long enough that I could connect it to the crossover, connect the woofer using the supplied wire, and then use the "tweeter extension wire" to go from the crossover to the existing MINI speaker wire connector, and the mini spade slid right into the MINI speaker plug.

If your speakers do not come with wires, then you will need to supply your own and deal with the MINI speaker connector as you see fit.

Good luck. If you need any more info, let me know.

 

imo cancel what u got and get the db6501 component set its the way to go. make a plate to mount the tweeter where the factory excuse for a tweeter is

 

Thanks for the info mate! I can't wait to get started on mine. Speakers should be here on Monday.

 

Thats the more expensive and extensive route, I want to avoid as much complicated work as possible. Thanks for the suggestion though!

 

the 6501 components can at best cost 20 dollars more then the db651 and db351, i bet they are damn near the same cost, u just have to make a mount for the tweeer. this will sound 100x better if u ask me its a matched component set not 2 coaxial speakers tossed into a door.

not trying to say what u are going to do wont work just suggesting the components are prly a much better option

 

I don't disagree at all, however I've already purchased the db651s and db351 as well as the db401 (will be returning the db351 since they're too small). I'd hate to take an even longer time going through with this installation. Thanks for your input mate. You DO make a compelling argument though, we'll just have to see how things work out in the next few days.

 

Sent you a PM, I was just about to order the DB651 and DB351 speakers for my front doors until I read this.

I can't see how a single component (DB6501) would be better than 2 pairs of coax. The sound might be a bit clearer when parked, but having most of the sound pointed at my ankles w/ all the road noise in the Mini just doesn't sound like the best idea.

 

FWIW, I installed Polk DXi 650s and 350s in my 2010, same mounting as these DB 651s and 351s. My 3 1/2" 350s went in just fine. Used an OEM screw location to mount the first tab (upper most location), then when I had the speaker located just where I wanted it (centered with the speaker housing), a small drill bit into the mounting flange lip and threaded in a second OEM screw. As a heads up, if you mount the speaker dead center in the mounting hole, the cone will not be aesthetically centered in the speaker grill. Don't asked me why, something with the speaker housing itself. To be centered in the speaker grill, the speaker itself will be just north of dead center.

Here's pictures of my 3 1/2" DXi 350s and DXi 650s mounted.

 

I saw your post about doing the Dxi350s & dxi650s in the million post replacement-how-to thread. I was wondering if those were the slim versions you used, since only the 6.5" seems to come in a slim. ie, was that the Dxi650s or Dxi650's that you used.

 

either one will fit fine fyi

 

DXi650, about 3" deep...so kinda shallow.

They can be had at Best Buy for $100, as well as the DXi350s for $60...huge improvement if you're not looking to spend a ton of money but want hella better sound. 650s have a 92db sensitivity, and the 350s are 91db.

650s:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Polk+Aud...&skuId=9985099

350s:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Polk+Aud...&skuId=1002724

 

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I'm definitely going to grab the 650's now.

only question left, I wonder if NeuroticRobot ever got the 4" (401's) and if they fit ?

 

You might find the high ends a bit brighter than what you're used to stock. I personally have my on board settings at +3 Bass +1 Treble...but it's personal taste. Start dialing the treble into the negative numbers, and the brightness virtually goes away.

When I first installed, my treble setting went from +3 to 0...but after some adjustment time, I settled on +1.

What's nice with these speakers is the sensitivity level on a base system if that's what you have. The stereo will seem to be louder than before, purely based on decent speakers and sensitivity. Your head unit will run out of power before the speakers distort. And they have more than enough headroom if you ever add an amp in the future.

I know they aren't a high dollar indestructible speaker, but they provide plenty of good sound at a reasonable price. Personally for me, they made my base boost system sound night and day, and I'm very happy with it. Total investment on my particular replacement....$160.00 for front speakers, $0 for a channel swap, and $100 for a small powered sub in the rear (did all the work myself).