Replaced center speaker...now my bass from the doors is better?

gmupatriot said:

Does the db351 require any modification to the dash are in order for it to fit or is it plug and play?

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Yes, I had to slightly widen the hole the speaker sits in otherwise it would not sit flush. I used an exacto knife and cut small slivers away until it sat flush. If it does not sit flush, it collides with the cover/grill that goes over the top.



Further, the old speaker had a clip to keep the connector/harness from moving around in your dash. I reused this connector by soldering the wires to the new speaker. What I did was wrap the connector up in a small amount of foam weather stripping and tape it down to the air duct. I was concerned the connector would bounce within the dash a bit and introduce a rattle.



I do have a spare db351 if anyone is interested. The problem is I'm sure it would cost a bit to ship it. I'd take $20 (exactly 1/2 the price I paid for 2)+shipping for it.

My Polk fit the hole without any mods. I had to pushing down and twist as I installed it. It sat flush. Grille snapped into place with no interference. Definitely like the sound difference.

So I'd like to try this but if I don't like the change I might want to go back to stock speaker - would that be difficult since you have to cut the connector to install the Polk? Any pics of the connector?

Southview said:

My Polk fit the hole without any mods. I had to pushing down and twist as I installed it. It sat flush. Grille snapped into place with no interference. Definitely like the sound difference. ��

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I used the same method to under mount my Polk, too. I did trim a little of dash material off where the cable pokes out with tin snips. I slid one ear of the Polk underneath and rotated/twisted the speaker until it was entirely below the dash. Lined up the bolt holes, bolted it in place and done. No grill modification needed.

I got mine in today. I did notice that the bass from the doors seemed more pronounced when I tested with the center speaker unplugged. Also noticed that with the center speaker unplugged that everything just sounded cleaner overall. My system was extremely muddy from day 1 and the center speaker would flood the front stage with crappy sound and wash out the right side. Installing the Polk seems to have lowered the center speaker volume to an appropriate level and really cleared up the overall sound for me. I definitely had to trim the speaker mount about an eight of an inch wider in diameter to fit the Polk. I used a box knife with a fresh blade and that made quick work of the job.

Bass was never an issue for me, just muddy sound (12 speaker). If I had to do it all over again, I would just replace the center speaker and the 3.5s in the door with coax’s as these three speakers made the biggest improvement for me.

Only took two hours taking my time. I give this mod five stars!:cheers:

Rash said:

So I'd like to try this but if I don't like the change I might want to go back to stock speaker - would that be difficult since you have to cut the connector to install the Polk? Any pics of the connector?

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Very easy to revert back if you want, assuming you know how to solder.

One thing is probably important to know - before you guys installed the Polk, was your stereo Occupancy Mode set for Driver or All Seats? I found that the Driver setting sounded MUCH better. I wonder if those who you feel the Polks made s big difference are comparing it to the All Seats setting - maybe if you were running the Driver setting you wouldn’t have noticed as big a difference?

Rash said:

One thing is probably important to know - before you guys installed the Polk, was your stereo Occupancy Mode set for Driver or All Seats? I found that the Driver setting sounded MUCH better. I wonder if those who you feel the Polks made s big difference are comparing it to the All Seats setting - maybe if you were running the Driver setting you wouldn’t have noticed as big a difference?

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I’ve favored the “all seats” mode. I didn’t even think to test the Driver mode after the Polk install.

Rash said:

One thing is probably important to know - before you guys installed the Polk, was your stereo Occupancy Mode set for Driver or All Seats? I found that the Driver setting sounded MUCH better. I wonder if those who you feel the Polks made s big difference are comparing it to the All Seats setting - maybe if you were running the Driver setting you wouldn’t have noticed as big a difference?

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The all seats mode sounds terrible. Also the source has a huge impact on sound quality.

Redcruzer said:

I’ve favored the “all seats” mode. I didn’t even think to test the Driver mode after the Polk install.

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Did you try it before the Polk install? I wonder how many Polk upgraders ever even tried Driver first. A lot of Shaker 12 speaker reviews say how crappy it sounds, and I agree when it All Seats mode. But when I switched to Driver, it was like a whole new system. I wonder how much better the Polk upgrade is compared to Driver mode, not All Seats mode.

Rash said:

One thing is probably important to know - before you guys installed the Polk, was your stereo Occupancy Mode set for Driver or All Seats? I found that the Driver setting sounded MUCH better. I wonder if those who you feel the Polks made s big difference are comparing it to the All Seats setting - maybe if you were running the Driver setting you wouldn’t have noticed as big a difference?

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I use and prefer Driver mode.... I tried both after installing the Polk, still prefer Driver mode.

catchthecarp said:

I use and prefer Driver mode.... I tried both after installing the Polk, still prefer Driver mode.

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Does Driver with Polk sound significatly better than Driver before Polk?

Yes.

Exactly what does “Driver mode” do as far as the sound stage? To me it almost sounds like it knocks out the rears and moves everything to the front and to the “driver side”... almost unbalanced...

Rash said:

Did you try it before the Polk install? I wonder how many Polk upgraders ever even tried Driver first. A lot of Shaker 12 speaker reviews say how crappy it sounds, and I agree when it All Seats mode. But when I switched to Driver, it was like a whole new system. I wonder how much better the Polk upgrade is compared to Driver mode, not All Seats mode.

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Sure I did. But understand I was having awful issuses with my front sound stage and driver mode amplified
it. Just put the muddy mess front and center. It was unbearable. I prefer the better balanced All Seats mode. But I will play with driver mode today and see what its like now.