Major difference in sound: Polk db651 vs mm651?

[zelone]

I had the MM651's on my old boat and they sounded amazing. I was driving them with a Fusion head unit only. I no longer have that boat, now have a 2010 L/S and have to start upgrading from scratch. If I could save a few hundred bucks by going with the DB651's, it frees up some cash for all the other upgrades I need. Anyone have experience with the DB's? TIA

http://www.polkaudio.com/db651s/d/1101C2682
http://www.polkaudio.com/mm651/d/1151C2778

 

[smthng]

The MMs are better in the low range, 44hz vs 50hz on the DBs. I used DBs in my open top jeep for years and loved them, but I did add an 8inch sub to get the lows back. I'd do the same in the boat, but with a larger sub if I replaced mine. Other than not have the bass "oomph", the DBs are great speakers for money.

 

[zelone]

Thanks! that's kinda what I was wondering. I didn't have a sub on my last boat, but it was on my to do list. I plan to add a sub on this boat, but will the sound be kinda weak until I do? Or can I get away with it for a season? I am wondering if I use the DB in the bow and MM in the cockpit. I don't think the bow speakers are a factor when under way.

 

[smthng]

The DBs will sound weak compared to the MMs. They don't have the power handling capability or the low range that the MMs do. Of course, you're paying for that on the MMs. I think you'll be disappointed with the DBs if you don't have a sub to back them up (I was). With MMs in the cockpit, you might be okay with it, but I suspect you'll be doing the sub install sooner rather than later. DBs are good speakers and they're tough (I hosed them down in the Jeep repeatedly) but they're really lacking in the lows.

 

[zelone]

Ok, I think I'm just gonna go with what I had before. 2 sets of MM651 and a set of MM6501. I remember being really happy with that setup with no amp and no sub. Thanks for the info!

 

[OrangeTJ]

I haven't had db651's but I can tell you that the MM651UMs in my boat sound better than the db691s I use to have in my pickup truck.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Ok, I think I'm just gonna go with what I had before. 2 sets of MM651 and a set of MM6501. I remember being really happy with that setup with no amp and no sub. Thanks for the info!

These speakers really need an amp to sing and do what they are supposed to do. If you can swing it I would add an amp and you might be happier with the low end response of these speakers better then you thought. You haven't heard polk until you back them up with the right power.

 

[d_coyne1984]

Thanks! that's kinda what I was wondering. I didn't have a sub on my last boat, but it was on my to do list. I plan to add a sub on this boat, but will the sound be kinda weak until I do? Or can I get away with it for a season? I am wondering if I use the DB in the bow and MM in the cockpit. I don't think the bow speakers are a factor when under way.

I was rather impressed with the bass responds from the DB's. I don't even really feel the need for a sub while not under power. While at speed I kind of wish they had a little more power handling capability on the low end, but that is where a sub would really fill in well. I am going to add a sub eventually to mine, but I don't feel like I need to have it and I consider myself to be a bit of an audiophile. I just have mine running off the stock clarion deck. If you are someone who likes to be the host of the cove party though, you will definitely want a higher power handling speaker.

 

[zelone]

Thanks for the comments. I went with the MM's. I also ordered the 10" JBL powered self enclosed sub, based on reviews on Amazon. Now I just need to figure out where to mount that thing.

 

[Irvs]

Can you guys recommend an upgrade to the clarion m502 stereo?

I have a 2015 Yamaha sx192 and want to upgrade the stereo.

Does this boat come with the polk db651 speakers?

 

[zelone]

Honestly, I only recommend Fusion head units. I'm impressed by their build quality and they have a 3 year warranty, which is uncommon for any electronics, let alone marine. Their head units also put out the most RMS power of any I've researched (Been about 2 years since I researched), so you can get pretty good sound without an amp.

 

[Matthew]

Right now I am running the Stock dB651's and 5251 (rear deck) that came stock on my 2014 212x with a JL M600/6 amp. They really sound fantastic. I had thought about upgrading them to JL M650 or M770's to match my subs and amp but until the Polks fail, they are staying. I don't think the upgrade would be worth it at this point given the cost of the JL M series. Someday I do with to add a 2nd set of speakers to the cockpit however.