Polk stereo speaker trouble shooting.

[jjdeneen918]

Old speaker being replaced above.

Hear shrink connectors. Above is passenenger door.
Passenger was blue to negative, green to positive.
Drivers (not pictured) was purple-negative, pink-positive.

Dynamate, cuz why not.

Speaker installed.


So here is my dilemma:

So I installed some new Polk 6.5” DB652 speakers the other day in the front doors.
Installed Polk 5.25” MM522’s in the rear doors.

The DB series is bottom line speakers & MM line is the top shelf line.

So today I installed the Polk 6.5” MM652 speakers I ordered on Amazon, to upgrade the front doors to the high-end series of speakers.

I used some spacers to clear the window guided. Everything bolted in, I checked the stereo & everything seemed fine.

The MM652’s just cleared the window guide or barely touching, but windows operated smoothly.

The MM652’s have adjustable/directional tweeters. I noticed that it was a VERY close fit when I gently opened/closed the doors. But everything worked.

I picked up tools, slammed/closed the doors & showered.

When I came back to the LX450, all four speakers had zero sound!

I noticed then I normally shut the doors, the door gasket must compress & the tweeters come in contact with the interior dash sides.

I know this because I see that the tweeters are pushed inward on the side closest to the door jamb, where they would make contact.

I was able to easily move and change direction of tweets after, so I’m hoping the tweeters weren’t shoved into the speaker at a force that would break anything. The speakers don’t look damaged.

On a side note, the center console speaker is function. With other speakers dead, I was able to hear the bass sound coming from it. It sounds like crap! I intend the ditch the center woofer anyways & swap to Toyota console into the Lexus.

Why would all four speakers be dead after I tested them at install?

 

[Marine7]

View attachment 1849980
Old speaker being replaced above.


View attachment 1849981
Hear shrink connectors. Above is passenenger door.
Passenger was blue to negative, green to positive.
Drivers (not pictured) was purple-negative, pink-positive.

View attachment 1849982
Dynamate, cuz why not.

View attachment 1849983
Speaker installed.


So here is my dilemma:

So I installed some new Polk 6.5” DB652 speakers the other day in the front doors.
Installed Polk 5.25” MM522’s in the rear doors.

The DB series is bottom line speakers & MM line is the top shelf line.

So today I installed the Polk 6.5” MM652 speakers I ordered on Amazon, to upgrade the front doors to the high-end series of speakers.

I used some spacers to clear the window guided. Everything bolted in, I checked the stereo & everything seemed fine.

The MM652’s just cleared the window guide or barely touching, but windows operated smoothly.

The MM652’s have adjustable/directional tweeters. I noticed that it was a VERY close fit when I gently opened/closed the doors. But everything worked.

I picked up tools, slammed/closed the doors & showered.

When I came back to the LX450, all four speakers had zero sound!

I noticed then I normally shut the doors, the door gasket must compress & the tweeters come in contact with the interior dash sides.

I know this because I see that the tweeters are pushed inward on the side closest to the door jamb, where they would make contact.

I was able to easily move and change direction of tweets after, so I’m hoping the tweeters weren’t shoved into the speaker at a force that would break anything. The speakers don’t look damaged.

On a side note, the center console speaker is function. With other speakers dead, I was able to hear the bass sound coming from it. It sounds like crap! I intend the ditch the center woofer anyways & swap to Toyota console into the Lexus.

Why would all four speakers be dead after I tested them at install?


View attachment 1849984

So, after you installed the speakers today you tested them, and they all worked, then you shut the car off and cleaned up? Then after cleaning up you went back to the Cruiser, turned on the stereo, and no sound except bass?
You have a remote? Check the mute? Stranger things have happened! If your still using factory amps I would Get rid of them also. Good luck!

 

[jjdeneen918]

So, after you installed the speakers today you tested them, and they all worked, then you shut the car off and cleaned up? Then after cleaning up you went back to the Cruiser, turned on the stereo, and no sound except bass?
You have a remote? Check the mute? Stranger things have happened! If your still using factory amps I would Get rid of them also. Good luck!

Only the tiny factory woofer is working.
All four of the new speakers are dead.

Still have factory head unit & amp.

I do intend to delete the factory amp when I install my Pioneer head unit.
That was going to be my next weekend project, but now it looks like I’ll be trouble shooting instead.

Is it possible the factory head unit & amp could be the problem?

I’d say I doubt it, since they were working while in the process of the install.

 

[jjdeneen918]

Any car stereo guys in the SoCal LA/OC area that would like to make a little cash trouble shooting the speakers & install my Pioneer AVH-2300NEX head unit?

I have the wiring harnesses to bypass the factory amp for the install...Just got to put it all together.

 

[jjdeneen918]

I’m thinking I’ll order some Polk MM6502 speakers. They have the separated tweeter. That may help with the clearance issue.

Any thoughts? Not sure how more complicated the install is, I see a separate tweeter & a little wiring box.

 

[Climr]

Where did you mount the crossovers for the MM6502? Can we see pictures of how you have that wired up?

 

[jjdeneen918]

Where did you mount the crossovers for the MM6502? Can we see pictures of how you have that wired up?

I just ordered the MM6502 speakers on Amazon today, so they aren’t installed yet.

Tweeters will probably go on the A-pillar or somewhere on the door. Whatever is easier.

I imagine I’ll double side tape them under the dash, zip tie somewhere in the door, ect.

 

[jjdeneen918]

Crossover. Is that another word for the separate tweeter or the little box thingie that I assume the wires go to or from?

 

[Climr]

yes, it's the box that came with the MM6502, the original wires to your old speakers should go to the inputs on that box, and then 1 set of wires should go from the box to the woofer and 1 set from the box to the tweeter. It's purpose is to send only high frequencies to the tweeter and low frequencies to the woofer. Your old speakers probably had this crossover network internal.

 

[Marine7]

yes, it's the box that came with the MM6502, the original wires to your old speakers should go to the inputs on that box, and then 1 set of wires should go from the box to the woofer and 1 set from the box to the tweeter. It's purpose is to send only high frequencies to the tweeter and low frequencies to the woofer. Your old speakers probably had this crossover network internal.

I believe the Polks that he has in his doors now have the internal crossovers. The Polks he’s talking about ordering have the separate crossovers. Just trying to clarify for you Climr

 

[Marine7]

Crossover. Is that another word for the separate tweeter or the little box thingie that I assume the wires go to or from?

Lol..... yes, the “little box thing” is a crossover. They should be solidly mounted somewhere where they won’t get bumped or rain on them, plus you need to be able to get to them to adjust your crossover points.

 

[Marine7]

But, while you were installing the speakers.. they were working.... correct? Then, once you were done with the install,you shut everything off and cleaned up..... right? Lastly..... after you cleaned up, you went back out to admire your work... hit the key.... and nothing! Right? Lol.... just trying to figure out what happened... I feel like a detective.... like Kojak! Lol

 

[jjdeneen918]

But, while you were installing the speakers.. they were working.... correct? Then, once you were done with the install,you shut everything off and cleaned up..... right? Lastly..... after you cleaned up, you went back out to admire your work... hit the key.... and nothing! Right? Lol.... just trying to figure out what happened... I feel like a detective.... like Kojak! Lol

Correct, correct, & correct.

Now I purchased the MM6502’s hoping the new speakers, with the separated tweeters, will give me more clearance when doors are closed.

I think I’m going to install the 6502 speakers & see if I have more clearance when doors are closed.

I’ll probably take to a professional or someone with more experience for wiring & adjusting everything.

Is anyone local to me looking to make a little extra Christmas cash & finish install of the speakers & head unit?
I’d rather give $$ to a member here & not spend all my Xmas cash on this install. My kids will appreciate me not spending all their Xmas money on my rig!

 

[MrMikeyG]

Maybe someone more well versed in car audio will chime in; could it just be reversed wiring? Or will that result in speakers that still function but are out of phase? Some fuse somewhere? I'm pretty green on car audio, I did a head unit and 4 speakers in my rig, and my success was mostly luck and gleaned info from these forums. I did however delete almost every factory audio thing in the truck.

 

[Marine7]

I’ve been installing audio equipment for myself, and my buddies for 40+ years. So, I’m no expert, but I know my way around most audio set-ups,but I have NO CLUE why your stereo is doing what it’s doing! The only thing I could think of is someone accidentally hit a button on the head unit or remote........ I’ve seen it..... guy tore system almost all the way out when he looked at his remote while taking a drink, and said “ummm.... I hit mute”. Funny now. Not then!
Good luck and please let us know the verdict!

 

[Climr]

IMO the most plausible explanation is that you have a direct short somewhere in the system. Perhaps the speaker terminals got pushed up against metal the first time you closed the door hard and are now shorted? The amp may sense this and go into an overload protection mode shutting down all channels. The center sub probably has a separate amp which is why it’s still working. It may come back once the short is removed or there may be a fuse somewhere to replace, unsure.

 

[jjdeneen918]

I’ve been installing audio equipment for myself, and my buddies for 40+ years. So, I’m no expert, but I know my way around most audio set-ups,but I have NO CLUE why your stereo is doing what it’s doing! The only thing I could think of is someone accidentally hit a button on the head unit or remote........ I’ve seen it..... guy tore system almost all the way out when he looked at his remote while taking a drink, and said “ummm.... I hit mute”. Funny now. Not then!
Good luck and please let us know the verdict!

Still have the factory head unit installed, so no mute & no remote.

 

[jjdeneen918]

IMO the most plausible explanation is that you have a direct short somewhere in the system. Perhaps the speaker terminals got pushed up against metal the first time you closed the door hard and are now shorted? The amp may sense this and go into an overload protection mode shutting down all channels. The center sub probably has a separate amp which is why it’s still working. It may come back once the short is removed or there may be a fuse somewhere to replace, unsure.

I can check fuses tomorrow morning when I get into work.

A short is possible, but the speaker terminals have little clear covers over the terminals & wire ends. That’ll involve removing speakers, that’ll have to wait till later in the week.

 

[jjdeneen918]

Cigarette lighter & some light work, so it is t a fuse.

It has to be an intermittent gshort somewhere.

I turned on the rig & everything miraculously worked.
Turned off & back on, now speakers are dead again.

 

[jjdeneen918]

Huge change of plans!

I’m getting it installed professionally.

Front speakers will be Alpine S-S65C 6.5” component speakers

Rear speakers will be Alpinr S-S50 5.25” speakers.

Amp is Alpine MRV-V500, powering the 4 speakers & a subwoofer.

Subwoofer is Diamond Audio DMD102SH 10”.

Subwoofer & amp will go in the rear passenger side kick panel with a custom fiberglass encloser/box.

I’ll update with pics.

Head unit is Pioneer AVH2300NEX

All four doors are getting Dynomat.