Speaker Comparison

[cep022]

Does anyone have experience of the following speakers?

Polk Audio MM651
http://www.polkaudio.com/products/mm651

vs the
Polk Audio dB651
http://www.polkaudio.com/products/db651

I've got the db651 installed now and maybe considering upgrading if any difference is there. I'm powering them by the
Polk Audio D4000.1 http://www.polkaudio.com/products/pad4000_4 125watt per channel

 

[BravoMike]

Check with @PEARCE I believe he has them in his boat. I currently have the 2 pairs of the db651's and a pair of db691's with a 6 channel amp. For what I paid, very happy with the setup.

 

[SCSTWG]

I am using the DB651's and they are considerably better than stock, but not a high-end speaker by any means.

 

[jcyamaharider]

I have mm651's . Way louder then the dbs ( not knocking the dbs they are great speakers) they (mm's) just need to make sure that they have a crossover that can tune the speakers. They are ear piercing loud and clear. I would buy them again and I am thinking about buying a set for my tower cans.

edit: I bought mine through eBay at 100 something a set. They were factory reconditioned with a full warranty direct from polk.

 

[PEARCE]

I do have the MM651UM in my boat. The cockpit 4 are on a 5 channel amp with a sub and I have 2 on the swimdeck on a separate 2 channel. They have a high quality and very clear sound. I'm very pleased with the investment. Keep in mind that with the db's you can get away without using an app, but the MM's like power put to them to make them really sing.

 

[cep022]

Thank you to all. Like I said I've got the db series with amps.. just looking for some extra sound and it looks like the MM series might just be the way to go.

 

[jawsf16]

You might be better off installing another set mid cabin. Depends on what kind of better sound you want.

 

[cep022]

I changed out the db series to the MM series. What a difference in clarity and volume these things make. Next step is adding two more mid cabin as suggested. That will come over winter project and with courage to make the holes in the boat.

 

[txav8r]

Glad to hear! There is a night and day difference between the DB series and the MM series. The only thing they have in common is the name, Polk Audio. While the DB series might be ok for some, it is an entry level speaker. You can amplify it, but it will never be more than a powered entry level speaker. There is truth in "it is what's up front that counts". I am not bashing the DB guys either, but it is what it is. The MM651UM is priced and competitive with the JL MX 650. In some reviews one wins, others the other wins. Both great speakers. Not at all priced like the DB's and getting them on Ebay for $100/pair was a freaking steal! @jcyamaharider ! That is a DB price!

 

[jcyamaharider]

Yeah I keep looking and have not seen them again. I went and looked back and I got them for 125. Yep those were a steal!

 

[OrangeTJ]

The MMs should be sweet, but it's probably a good idea to at least cross shop them with the JL MX650s or the Wet Sounds 6.5 inchers. I've been reading a TON of reviews between those three. Everybody seems to like what they have, which is good news, though there are a few reports from people who have had durability issues with there MMs. Those could just be a fluke, though, and I'd be willing to bet there are more of them out floating around on boats than there are either JL or Wet Sounds. For me, when I do pull the trigger, I'm almost certainly going with the JLs based on the reviews and on the pre-purchase support I've already received from Earmark (authorized dealer of JL with some pretty nice package deals).

 

[DCB-270]

This is the speaker I'm going with now http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobile-audio/voice-optimized/vo-m65 Look at the power handling, Sensitivity and price. They sound pretty good.

 

[OrangeTJ]

That is a component midrange, not a full range speaker. Are you intending to piece together a setup of component woofer, component midrange and component tweeter?

 

[DCB-270]

That is a component midrange, not a full range speaker. Are you intending to piece together a setup of component woofer, component midrange and component tweeter?

It sounds good by it self but I may add tweeters in the future. I do have subwoffers.

 

[CFD3Captain]

I had the mm651's in my Harley a few years ago and they were GREAT!! Its MORE of a challenge getting good audio out of a motorcycle and they performed great! My boat now has the db's (they were stock) and I can't see replacing them with MM's. Is there a difference, I am sure, but not enough to warrant the upgrade when there are other things to spend $$ on

 

[David Analog]

This is the speaker I'm going with now http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobile-audio/voice-optimized/vo-m65 Look at the power handling, Sensitivity and price. They sound pretty good.

A paper cone midrange in a boat. Pressed paper absorbs moisture.
A domestic size basket with an odd sized opening and non-marine grill options.
The frequency response is unqualified, meaning it could be down - 20 dB at 13 kHz and probably is.
The higher the SPL, the narrower the bandwidth, and the more erratic the response. Standard design trade-offs. Just fact.

 

[DCB-270]

Thanks for you insight David.

 

[woodard1983]

I love my MM's, comparable to the JL and wetsounds, but at a much lower price (at least when I bought them)....have had 2 sets in the boat for the last 2 years and have not had a single problem with them...