Polk, Infinity, or MB Quart?
 

Snow is starting to melt, but it's still too cold to buff, wax, etc, so I'm looking at speakers...

I'm not adding an external amp, so the four 6x9s will be powered by the head unit only. Because of this, I'm looking for something with 92+sensitivity. Infinity has the 6912M, which has the highest sensitivity at 96db, but has a foam surround (and blue exposed cones that match nothing). They also offer a 6952M at 92db with rubber surround. The MB NK1 series and Polk MM series are 92db and 93db respectively, both with rubber surrounds.

My brain says go with the highest sensitivity due to the lower power supplied, but my gut says to stay away from the foam in a marine environment (exposed in the cockpit).

Suggestions or reviews from those that own any of the three brands would be appreciated. I'm wagering any of the four models will be an improvement over the late 90s era speakers currently in service.

I have two Polk MM691's in my 292. According to their website they are rated at 94 dB and 2.7 ohm. Being lower resistance than the typical 4 ohm helps get a bit more out of the head unit. Mine are powered by an Alpine PDX amp feeding them 150W each. They are INSANELY loud with zero distortion. Very happy with them. They come with an external cross over, so you would have to consider mounting options. Not sure how they will sound off just a head unit, but if you happen to upgrade to an amp, you would be all set!

Yeah, you're right on the MMs, the db series are 93@4ohms, the link from an online retailer led me to the wrong page on the Polk site. The MMs are the ones I was considering. I have room for the crossovers from the MMs. Are you running them free air or enclosed?

Focal mid and highs. JL subs. PPI amps. That's how I roll.

How do the Focals hold up to sun, salt and the occasional splash?

Free air. These are the only two speakers I have in the cockpit and given a lot of power they really hit hard. New people in the boat assume I have a sub somewhere. Mid-bass is strong.

I'd say as well as any non-marine application stereo equipment in a marine environment. I've had countless stereos in my boats and have NEVER run marine equipment. Just don't soak them and you'll be fine.

I just put 4 Polk MM651UM 6 1/2" speakers in my boat powered by a JL 400 watt amp. They are very loud with no distortion and actually have pretty good bass. I like them better than the 4 JL MX 770 7.7" speakers in my last boat

A bit different, but no less awesome I have an Audison /Hertz speaker setup in my rig -and they absolutely jam.

UD

I am updating mine this spring from four Sony 6.5's and a Sony 10 to four Polk db651's and a JL 10. It should sound a ton better I hope lol.

You guys have all taken a hard left turn off of the OP's question,,,

He wants 4 6x9's powered off the head unit

You guys are all talking amps etc.....

I have the infinities. 2_ 6x9 and 2-6" round. They would break up and distort with my old head unit. I just put the Jbl Bluetooth receiver in. Its the one that is made to fit in a 3 3/8" gauge opening. I can turn it all the way up without any distortion. They are in open air application. The mids and the bass great. Best part is that I can turn the bass all the way up on a rap song and they don't break up.

I'm with you the blue matches nothing, but the quality is really nice. The cover is part of the speaker so they doesn't come off or have to 4 more holes in the boat between the speaker and the cover. I hope this helps.

I may have to add an amp... I was in the boat this morning and realized I have two 5.25 speakers in the cabin. I'm assuming they're wired in series with the front two 6x9s (battery is out and I'm installing a second aluminum tray today). Regardless, two speakers on 18w RMS isn't going to cut it. I just hate messing with the wiring on this boat because it's so sanitary. I guess I can feed the front 6x9s and the cabin 5.25s from the head unit and use the pre-outs to feed a small 2ch amp for the rear 6x9s.... But then I'm like "well, might as well get a 4 channel and a pair of 10s", and once again I see money disappearing from my checking account in the near future.

Well... If you are going to go the amp route... Im running an oldschool hifonix zues into 4 7.7 mts coax and 2 mtx free air 10s. similiar sized boats.

You location says southeast mi.. not sure how southeast you are but your welcome to look at it/listen to it. the MTX's I got off ebay pretty cheap actually. Its loud! Im half deaf and its freakin loud....

I may take you up on that when the weather breaks, I'm about 45 minutes from Dave's shop. I'm not going to switch to round speakers because the holes are already there for the 6x9s. Right now it has 100w/40RMS Clarions and a Technics pull out tape deck with an AUX input. Looked in the manual (thanks previous owner!) and its rated 25x4 RMS. It doesn't sound bad, I just want to update the gear and get a head unit from this century with BlueTooth and iPod controls. I think for the 6x9s I'm going to go with the Polks simply because they're a decent upgrade and I can get black grilles for the ones under the rear deck where it's carpeted, and white grilles for the front where it's gelcoat.

Edit: I just looked up the model number on the speakers to see if I could find their sensitivity.... The only thing that pulls up is a Fretter ad from the 89 Chicago Tribune archives, they were $69 a pair!

Found this online.... Won't have to fish a 2/0 power and ground all through the boat, can use the 4 preouts to run the 6x9s (decided on the Polks due to sensitivity and grille options) and the head unit to run the 5.25s in the cabin. 45w/4 RMS, and I can run it from a 15a breaker on my panel.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500KTP4...9227185&awdv=m

Mixing amplified and non-amplified speakers doesn't net the best results.

Neither do 6x9s, neither do fake amps, and neither a $500 budget... LOL!

Don't get too hung up on sensitivity numbers when selecting speakers. The audible difference between a 93 dB and 96 dB spec, driven by the same power level, would be practically nil. It would be very doubtful you could tell the difference.

B-reak
O-ut
A-nother
T-housand

Already did that this spring... New gas tank, new sunpad, new rear seat, new pillows for the stabbin cabin....which may become my "apartment" if I keep spending!

So cheap out the first time, then buy again, more money.

Fittin' to annoy one, maybe two neighbors....
It's not going to win any SPL contests, but it should sound better than some 6x9s and a head unit from 1992.

http://i1342.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0fyqlqea.jpg

Crutchfield has a great deal on those Polks MM series I just purchased 2 sets of 6x9's and 2 sets of 6.5's for my 38 sunsport they are almost half off