Polk speakers upgrade problem

[Baloo]

I just received the Polk speakers I ordered to do the upgrade on my IS. So, tonight, I started with the installation of the rear speakers.

I followed the instructions posted here and the mod went just fine, no problem. When I finally had the pods back on and everything connected, I could not resist give them a try and compare the fronts that are still the originals, since I did not have time to replace them with the Polks at the rear. Well... nothing! Not a sound from the rear. So, I removed the pods again, disconnected the Polks and tried reconnecting the originals, still nothing!! I'm positive, the rear speakers were working when I started.

I must confess that during the install, despite the care that I took not dropping anything, the left pod slipped out of my hands and disconnected from the wiring.

I took one of the Polks and tried it on my home stereo, it works fine, so the speakers are not at fault.

My question is: Is it possible that I blew something in the radio, because the back were Polks and the front are the originals? I noticed that the originals are marked 3 ohms while the Polks are 4 ohms... Or maybe, I created a wiring problem when I dropped one? I did not have time to check the wiring harness tonight, but will check the continuity as soon as I have a minute.

Any toughts?

TIA

[ptgb]

Just did the same upgrade a few months ago (winter project). I replaced all the speakers, but I did try it out with rear Polks and front OEM speakers... worked fine so that shouldn't be the problem.

Did you check that your fader setting hasn't been changed somehow so it is only playing from the front speakers?

From the dropping/disconnect of the left speaker, should have no effect on the right speaker.

Also double check your connection under the right side cover.

Good luck

[Baloo]

Yes, I did check the fader setting. To see the difference between the speakers, I actually set the fader all in the front and then, all in the back. That's when I found I had nothing from the back.
Your answer reassure me on one thing: I shouldn't have done any damage to the radio by trying the 2 different types of speakers together.
It is strange that both of them aren't working. I'll check the wiring and try to see what's going on...

[GJS]

Hi Baloo,

I'd trace back the wiring to the right side cover. Separate the connector and look at it for clean contacts and/or separation of the ground. When I looked at mine recently I had a lot of road grime up in that area.

The difference between 4 ohms and 3, would not be an issue. A 4 ohm speaker will draw less power than a 3 ohm at the same setting, but you will still hear it.

The fact that both are down sounds like a disconnect.

Good luck!

Glenn

[PAVALKER]

Hmmm, does someone have a link or reference part number to these Polk speakers upgrade?   Can they just be swapped out without modification?  Is there a significant increase in sound quality?   Do you change both front and rear or just rear?

[ptgb]

Hmmm, does someone have a link or reference part number to these Polk speakers upgrade?   Can they just be swapped out without modification?  Is there a significant increase in sound quality?   Do you change both front and rear or just rear?

The Polk speakers are DB501 they are on eBay or can be had from Crutchfield or many other retailers.

There is some modifications to swap them out mostly involves cutting into the rear speaker pods a tad and you have to cut the mounting ring from you old front speakers and use them with the new ones. i don't have the link handy that is a pictorial of the mods required.

As far as sound quality... I had factory fronts (of course) and J&M aftermarkets in the rear. After changing out to the Polks I honestly think that the difference is really not that great. They are better, but not like going from vinyl to CD was 30 years ago  

[DavRed]

OK.... It is time for me to change the IS speakers. I understand that I need the Polk Speakers. And at some point I ran accross a link to all the cutting and such for that mod. But can't seem to find it after a day's search.
Anyone got that link to help me out?

Thanks in advance....

[Baldwin]

Here is the link that I bookmarked some time ago.  I think it is what you are looking for.

http://forums.delphiforums.com/valkyrie/messages?msg=12890.1

[DavRed]

Thanks Baldwin
Thats the one I was looking for