Polk Audio Speaker Replacement on the RT

[Lamonster]

I finally got around to changing out my speakers on the RT. At some point in the RT's life I must of cranked up the power a little too much for too long and blew out the stock speakers. This is not the first set of stock speakers I've blown out so it was time for a change.

A few folks on SpyderLovers have gone with the Polk Audio DXi525 for the front's and the DXi400 for the rear. These are "Marine Certified" and that means the DXi525 DXi400 are built to withstand the harshest environments on the water so they should work great on a motorcycle or Spyder.

To install the front speakers you're going to pull the upper side panel on both sides so you can pop the speaker screen cover out and get to the screws that hold the speakers in. It's a little tight and if you're feeling ambitious you can remove the dash for easier access. This is what I did but I had some other work I was going to do that required I do that.

Now that you have the speakers out you'll notice that there is a positive and a negative lead going to the speaker.

• Left front speaker Red+
• Left front speaker Red with Black-
• Right front speaker Green+
• Right front speaker Brown with black-

You'll notice that there are two different spade connectors for + and -
You're going to want to replace at least one of the connectors to fit right on the Polk speakers. The big connector (ground) needs to be replaced with a smaller connector.

If you want to replace both spades these are what you want to use.
The .110" goes on the negative side and the .187" goes on the positive side of the Polk speakers.

This is a pic of the stock 5.25" on the left and the Polk on the right.

Now I added these little foam buckets to the fronts but I couldn't get them to work on the rear with out a lot of work that I wasn't willing to do.
UPDATE- These things sux, don't use them. They kill the bass, now that I've removed them they sound much better.

This is what the front looks like installed. They sound great but to be honest they weren't as great as I hoped they would be. They are better than stock but they aren't going to blow you out of the water. I think you need to spend some real coin to get that.

The rear speakers were a little more work seeing I have the radio and CB hooked up. Once you get both armrest off you can start taking it apart to get to the speakers.

I was able to leave the shorty antennas on but you may want to pull yours off if you have the long ones.

This is the cover you want to take off. There are two screws holding it on.

4" stock and Polk

Now you need to change out the ground connector.

Hook everything back up and you're ready to rock. :thumbup:

 

[docdoru]

At some point in the RT's life I must of cranked up the power a little too much for too long and blew out the stock speakers. This is not the first set of stock speakers I've blown out so it was time for a change.

Lamonster "The Destroyer" :roflblack::thumbup:

 

[Sopher]

Lamont, I'm glad I was able to inspire you to do an upgrade. Its an honor. :bowdown:

For those not wanting to search: this was my original post... http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22018 :2thumbs:

Now the question is this: Would an AMP make it any better? I have a slim line Alpine AMP meant for these, but have not opened it yet.

 

[SpyderRider]

:agree:

I too changed mine early on to the Polks as listed after much discussions with Sopher. I was also pleased somewhat with the change but found the fronts still lacking while the backs were dramatically changed. I feel Sopher is on the money with the thoughts of an amp...I feel that would supplement the anemic wattage from the stock HU (head unit). :shocked:

Possibly my spring project!!!

 

[Lamonster]

Lamont, I'm glad I was able to inspire you to do an upgrade. Its an honor. :bowdown:

For those not wanting to search: this was my original post... http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22018 :2thumbs:

Now the question is this: Would an AMP make it any better? I have a slim line Alpine AMP meant for these, but have not opened it yet.

I'm not sure that you inspired me but my blown speaker for sure did

I am surprised that nobody else that has done the install has mentioned that you need to change the ground connector. I hope you guys aren't using the big spade on that little post. :dontknow:

 

[Lamonster]

Took a long ride yesterday with these speakers and to me they were not worth the money, I'm very disappointed in them. I guess I'll wait till I hear some good speakers before I lay any more money down. pps:

 

[clueless]

if you are looking for BASE then you will not be able to just swap speakers unless you go for something more efficient but then they tend to be sonically less true...

if you want BASE you need watts. and its logarithmic the amount of power you need to get the next db increase. ie a small increase a few extra watts then increase will take double that extra watts and so on..

I put in base blockers off ebay. -6 db roll off at the low end to just cut off the low frequency that really these size speakers can not produce around 20 hz and slightly higher is rolled off with the filter. its just an inline plug in and its waterproof the ones i bought off ebay

 

[docdoru]

Took a long ride yesterday with these speakers and to me they were not worth the money, I'm very disappointed in them. I guess I'll wait till I hear some good speakers before I lay any more money down. pps:

You may need an amp. opcorn:

 

[clueless]

Took a long ride yesterday with these speakers and to me they were not worth the money, I'm very disappointed in them. I guess I'll wait till I hear some good speakers before I lay any more money down. pps:

i think it is because the baffles

read the comments on the crutchfield site:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lgfqsT...wAll=Y&pp=T&pp=T&page=All&page=All&tab=review

you want to cut a small hole in the baffles to let them breath for better base.

 

[Lamonster]

i think it is because the baffles

read the comments on the crutchfield site:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-lgfqsT...wAll=Y&pp=T&pp=T&page=All&page=All&tab=review

you want to cut a small hole in the baffles to let them breath for better base.

I'm taking mine out right now, thanks. :thumbup:

PS- I know very little about sound systems, I just know what I like and don't like sound wise, thanks for your help.

 

[SpydermanCT]

I'm taking mine out right now, thanks. :thumbup:

PS- I know very little about sound systems, I just know what I like and don't like sound wise, thanks for your help.

Any change in your opinion after the change Lamont ?opcorn:

 

[Lamonster]

Any change in your opinion after the change Lamont ?opcorn:

Much better now that I removed that foam cup. :thumbup:

 

[effgjamis]

if you are looking for BASE then you will not be able to just swap speakers unless you go for something more efficient but then they tend to be sonically less true...

if you want BASE you need watts. and its logarithmic the amount of power you need to get the next db increase. ie a small increase a few extra watts then increase will take double that extra watts and so on..

I put in base blockers off ebay. -6 db roll off at the low end to just cut off the low frequency that really these size speakers can not produce around 20 hz and slightly higher is rolled off with the filter. its just an inline plug in and its waterproof the ones i bought off ebay

To a layman can you be a little more detail, what is etc???

thanks

 

[Lamonster]

How many ohms resistance does the stock system utilize? My HD has a 2 ohm system, and I've run the Polk dB series, which are 4 ohm speakers. On an amp they sound awesome, but on the stock head unit, you basically lose 1/2 of the potential power because the resistance doubled, and they sound tinny and distant.

Good that you took the cup out, sealing the enclosure doesn't let the speaker 'travel' when it displaces the air in the enclosure, severely limiting the potential volume.

There are some good M/C friendly amps out there that would fit in the trunk or saddlebag pretty easily.....

ARC Audio mini
http://store.arcaudio.com/products/... 125.2 BX Mini/1735.0.1.1.55640.0.0.0.0?pp=8&

Hawg Wired
http://hawg-wired.com/index.php?xPath=home&osCsid=02ab02119282ce1c2bbbc7df973ac544

WetSounds
http://www.wetsounds.com/pages/products/SYNMICRO.html

Thanks for the info, like I said I know very little about audio products other than what sounds good to me. :doorag:

 

[Sopher]

ARC Audio mini
http://store.arcaudio.com/products/... 125.2 BX Mini/1735.0.1.1.55640.0.0.0.0?pp=8&

Hawg Wired
http://hawg-wired.com/index.php?xPath=home&osCsid=02ab02119282ce1c2bbbc7df973ac544

WetSounds
http://www.wetsounds.com/pages/products/SYNMICRO.html

WOW those are expensive.
This is what I have waiting to get installed:
Alpine KTP-445 Power Pack - RMS is 45w x 4channels.

Crutchfield has it for $120.

 

[clueless]

Much better now that I removed that foam cup. :thumbup:

excellent glad that worked out. only need baffles if you worry about dirt or water getting into speakers from behind.

To a layman can you be a little more detail, what is etc???

thanks

see here= http://www.crutchfield.com/shopsearch/blocker.html?osp=base+blocker&nf=base+blocker

Speaker Size Cut-off Frequency
6-1/2", 5"x7"/6"x8" — 150 Hz
5", 5-1/4" — 300 Hz
3-1/2", 4", 4"x6" — 600 Hz (low power)
3-1/2", 4", 4"x6" — 800 Hz (high power)


the speaker size we have in our Spyders can not produce the lowest end of the base and it just distorts the speakers when you dont have enough watts to push the base plus the speaker size is not large enough.

so you install the base blockers in line with your speaker wiring on one side only of the speaker wire.

it blocks the lower freq from getting to the speaker so they sound cleaner and you can play louder slightly.

 

[SpyderRider]

I too have been disappointed with the Polk results but realize the issue was not the speakers, but the issue is there simply isn't enough juice (wattage) to push them. I am waiting and doing research into which amp can "fit" and have the goods to drive the Polks. Issue is there are so many limitations on the Spyder, electrical, storage, etc. :shocked:

 

[Lamonster]

I rode around with these yesterday and I'm still not that happy with these, I stick with my earbuds if I want good sound. nojoke

 

[keith1]

Good Tunehttp://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/images/smilies/pepper2.gifhttp://www.spyd

:yes::yes::yes:

 

[scooterexpress]

has anyone installed a amp for the radio on the rt? i have the polk speakers coming and i need to know if i need to get a amp also? thanks