Polk stereo speaker trouble shooting.

[jjdeneen918]

 

[MrMikeyG]

Well dang, that should work!

 

[jjdeneen918]

Making progress.

Speakers are in, amp in, sub & box are in.

Dash is apart & wiring modified to bypass factory amp.

Just have to run wires to amp & install head unit.

I did buy a CB antenna/stereo antenna splitter to use the same antenna for both applications.

Purchased on Amazon. ProComm Im-AF Splitter CB AM FM Radio Audio Stereo Antenna MultiPlexor.

 

[MrMikeyG]

That's the one thing I did not do was wrap my wiring harness after it was all together. Do I really want to pull everything again?....Not likely unless there are issues.

 

[jjdeneen918]

Sounds amazing!!

 

[jjdeneen918]

The front speakers are components (separate tweeters & crossovers).

The guy put the tweeters & crossovers where the 2 dash mount speakers are, totally hidden behind the factory grills.

 

[MrMikeyG]

How does that tweeter location affect the overall sound stage? I had wondered about putting something in there as well, but it seemed like an odd direction to have the "highs" pointing.

 

[jjdeneen918]

I’m no audiophile.
I’m sure higher up would be better.
But I think it sounds a million times better than stock speakers.
And it’s a clean install.

 

[MrMikeyG]

That's really all that matters, you're happy with the quality and look of the install, and happy with the sound.

 

[ERG80]

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

Thread revival for future readers on what fixed my similar issue. I installed some Polk db6501 component speakers and the same thing happened to me. I Installed the speakers, tweeters, and crossovers, everything worked when tested so I assembled the doors, closed up the cruiser and went inside. A little later went out to run an errand, jumped in, shut the door, fired up the cruiser looking forward to some tunes, and all speakers were dead. Tried fm radio, CarPlay, turned on the radio button beeps. Nothing. All speakers dead dead. Demoralizing.

After the errand I checked fuses and they were good. I opened the right side door to take the door apart and see what I did wrong . I tested the radio and speakers worked! Slowly shut the door and it would intermittently work until the door completely shut and everything was silent again. I Left the RH door open and tried the same thing on the LH. No issues so at least I narrowed down the problem to the RH Door.

I pulled the speaker and open and closed the door with just the tweeter going and all the speakers worked properly so I ruled out a break in the factory door wiring.

I looked in the door as I opened and shut I and noticed the little metal bar that limits the door from opening too far was moving in and out right around where I had some of the new wiring. I inspect the wires and relocated them and that seems to have fixed the issues. I’m not sure what that limiting bar was pinching, pushing, or touching but that was my issue. I don’t know why it killed all the speakers but moving the wires fixed everything. Thank goodness it was an easy fix.