[DHVictory]

Wanting to upgrade the speakers in the fairing, have no plans to add an amp at the moment and plan that stick with a 5.25" speaker. So I'm between 3, alpine sps-510, Polk audio db-521, and the Polk audio bd-522. Any recommendations or any others in the <$100 price range I should look at?

 

[RoadWarrior09]

Look on Amazon for whatever you choose. Likely cheaper

 

[Blubyu]

Hmmm.. not sure how much of an upgrade it's going to be without some additional power from an amp. I don't think you will realize the full sound potential of the speakers without one.

I'm running the Alpine SPR-50 with the normal RF300 amp. I love it... it turns heads!

 

[mr-b]

No animosity here, but you're prolly turning heads cause you're pissing people off by forcing your choice of music on them by blaring it.

 

[bulldog1]

I have the Polk 521. With the RF. 300×4 amp . And it's a big ( not huge ) improvement over stock. I'm already looking to upgrade to 6.5 and bag lid speakers. So. How do I get a 6.5 in a 5.25 hole. Anyone?????????

 

[NWidder]

I have the Polk 521. With the RF. 300×4 amp . And it's a big ( not huge ) improvement over stock. I'm already looking to upgrade to 6.5 and bag lid speakers. So. How do I get a 6.5 in a 5.25 hole. Anyone?????????

V-Twin Audio has adapters made specifically for the cross country fairing.

 

[AVGJOE4]

I have the Polk 521. With the RF. 300×4 amp . And it's a big ( not huge ) improvement over stock. I'm already looking to upgrade to 6.5 and bag lid speakers. So. How do I get a 6.5 in a 5.25 hole. Anyone?????????

Adapter rings. Do a search on them.

 

[DHVictory]

I guess my big question is are the Polk bd series speakers worth the extra cost over the Alpines? ($50 vs $80)

I may add an amp down the road but right now my focus is on other upgrades. Just looking for a better/cleaner overall sound than what I have now.

 

[bobzinger]

I'm no expert but from what I've read a higher sensitivity speaker is better for a low power amp like the Cross Countrys. An efficiency or sensitivity rating tells you how effectively a speaker converts power into sound. The higher the number, the more efficient the speaker and the louder it will play with the same input power. An efficient speaker helps you maximize your available power. Most sensitivity ratings measure the speaker's output with 1 watt of input, 1 meter from the speaker. Some speakers' sensitivity is measured with 2.83 volts of input, instead of 1 watt. Since the stock Cross Country amp is low power get a higher sensitivity.

Alpine SPS-510 $55
Sensitivity 87 dB
Frequency Response 80 - 22000 Hz
Impedance (Per Voice Coil) 4 ohms
Top-Mount Depth 2"
Tweeter Composition: Silk
Woofer Composition: Polymer/Mica Composite
Woofer Surround: Rubber

Polk DB-522 $63

• Polypropylene UV tolerant cone
• Waterproof inner and outer surround
• 0.75" shallow tweeter design
• Top-mount Depth: 1.74"
• Cutout Dimensions: 4.76"
• 4 ohms impedance
• Frequency Response: 55-22,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 91

Polk DB-521 $80
Driver Complement Mid / Woofer - Type Dynamic Balance driver with polymer/mica composite cone with rubber surround
Driver Complement Tweeter - Diameter 3/4 (1.91cm) "
Driver Complement Tweeter - Quantity 1
Driver Complement Tweeter - Type Silk dome
Electrical - Efficiency 93 dB
Electrical - Nominal Impedance 4 ohms
Electrical - Total Frequency Response 60Hz-22kHz
Electrical Power Handling - Continuous 45 watts
Marine Certified

Polk DXi521 $70
Tweeter Composition: Aluminum
Woofer Composition: Dynamic Balanced polypropylene
Woofer Surround: Butyl Rubber
Peak Power Handling: 135 watts
RMS Power Handling: 45 watts
Sensitivity: 93 dB
Frequency Response: 60 - 22000 Hz
Impedance (Per Voice Coil): 4 ohms

I like the specs on Cerwin Vega H452 BUT haven't tried them. $40
Mica-injected Reinforced Polypropylene Cone with Oversized Rubber Surround
* Linear Woven Treated Red Spider
* Power Handling: 35W / 250W.
* Woofer / Tweeter (in.,mm) 5.25" /1.0 (25.4mm).
* Mounting Depth: 1.850" (47mm).
* Frequency Response: 75Hz-18Khz +/-3dB.
* Sensitivity: 93dB.

 

[craigc10]

From what I was reading as I'm looking on doing the exact thing for now is the Polk 522's seem to be the only waterproof ones since I seem to attract rain

 

[X Ring]

Not to hijack the thread but, My 13 CC has the Kicker speakers which are fine for me. I also have the removeable trunk that I use on long road trips,and the sound from that is OK also. What I would like to do is utilize the rear speaker capability that I already have for the trunk, in a set of speakers in the bag lids. It seems to me that the factory head unit should support this since it supports the trunk speakers. I'm not wanting to run all the speakers (front,bag, trunk) at the same time, just the front and 1 set of rears. it seems that I should be able to hook up to the factory trunk wiring connection (plug/play) so as to retain handlebar fade/volume controls etc. Has anyone done this ? Or know of some reason that this wouldn't work? I realize that the sound quality would not be the best, but it'd be good enough for me and a whole lot cheaper and easier than going the whole additional amp route. Any constructive feedback would be appreciated please.

 

[DHVictory]

From what I was reading as I'm looking on doing the exact thing for now is the Polk 522's seem to be the only waterproof ones since I seem to attract rain

Only thing stopping me from picking the 522 over the 521 is there are not as many reviews on them as the 521. The 521 has been used many times and seems like a good speaker and is the one I'm leaning toward. I typically try to avoid the rain when possible and they are tucked into the fairing a pretty good ways.

 

[krb]

Any constructive feedback would be appreciated please.

No problem. Just tap into the speaker wires in the plug for the trunk.

 

[Victorya]

The 521 have a lower power rating which would be better if you're not adding an amp. The should be more efficient. Most speakers blow from lack of power, not too much power. The 521 would still be a good choice even if you do add a moderate amp in the future, such as those most mentioned on this site.

 

[DHVictory]

By all the info it looks like my first instinct on the Polk Audio DB-521 is the best budget option so I ordered them, hopefully get them later this comin week.

 

[bernomad]

Wanting to upgrade the speakers in the fairing, have no plans to add an amp at the moment and plan that stick with a 5.25" speaker. So I'm between 3, alpine sps-510, Polk audio db-521, and the Polk audio bd-522. Any recommendations or any others in the <$100 price range I should look at?

I replaced stock with the Alpines and no amp. I didn't gain much sound quality.

 

[slickvic]

Wanting to upgrade the speakers in the fairing, have no plans to add an amp at the moment and plan that stick with a 5.25" speaker. So I'm between 3, alpine sps-510, Polk audio db-521, and the Polk audio bd-522. Any recommendations or any others in the <$100 price range I should look at?

Polk MM series. Marine grade. 2.7 ohm and compatible with all 4 ohm music sources.
I am currently using the MM651 series with a Rockford Fosgate PBR300x4 amp. 75 a channel and my ears bleed.
Loud and clear on the open road.
They are light and powerful
$119 Crutchfield.

A note: I just pulled out my failed $350 HertzHCX6.5 coax speakers.
The rubber surround has become detached from the woofer cone and basket. Very disappointed. 3 yr warranty but for now I will not reinstall them when the new set arrives.
I'm sticking with the MM Polks.

Before anyone chimes in about a 2.7 Ohm speaker on a 4 ohm source. Crutchfield Tech (Norm) says they are just fine and explains clearly how they work. Polk states in their description that they are for all 2 or 4 ohm amps.

I used them 2 years ago and removed them because a member here said they would blow my amp. Not the case. They have been the best fairing speakers I have heard to date. Well the Hertz are nice too but obviously not built well.
Coupled with my new RF 6x9 lid speakers I now have what I was looking for. Good clear and powerful sound in the wind.
Amp $150
MM651 $119
RF Prime 6x9 $38

Pretty darn affordable system. For under $325

 

[DHVictory]

I had read some people had issues with the tweeters coming detached on the MM polks so that kind of took them out.

I've already placed my order for the DB-521 polks so we will see how they do. I may add an amp eventually but saving for bars and a couple other things like the 21 up front over the winter and some other performance things too.

 

[Victorya]

Number one question about these speaker on the Polk website is about the impedance and their own support staff warns of using these only with sources that can handle the lower impedance. The PBR300x4 is only rated down to 4 ohms.
Will it work? most likely, is it a risk you want to take? your call.

One thing the I really like about these speakers, and hope the SlickVic can confirm or correct, is that they appear to have a separate tweeter that can mount to the grill or elsewhere. This would mean there is no hole through the woofer to allow water behind the speaker and should also improve bass response.

If your source is capable of loads down to 2 ohms, I would certainly consider these.

 

[MRMAXX]

I have been using the Polk MM651 6.5 up front for over a year. Powering them with a Hawg Wired RS 400. ..no issue. I can turn it up so loud it hurts your ears....still working fine.

I had a RF PBR300...it is collecting dust, use it as a paper weight....