Polk DB691 or Kicker 055KS693 for replacing stock speakers.

[Remedial]

Newbie here. I'm on the market to purchase some speakers to replace my stock speakers in my 2007 Toyota Camry LE. My main gripes about my current speakers are that the vocals seem to be very indistinguishable sometimes and the soundstage leaves a lot to be desired. Also, the bass can get very muddy and the midrange is very prominent. Right now I just want to replace the speakers especially because one of the cones in the rear appears to be torn or something of that nature, giving off a very distorted sound sometimes. I eventually plan to replace the head unit and the amp, but just want to deal with the speakers for now.

So, to that end, I was looking at both the Polk DB691, http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Polk-6-x-9-Speakers-DB691/sem/rpsm/oid/174707/catOid/-13092/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

and the Kicker 055KS693:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Kicker-6-x-9-3-way-Speakers-055KS693/sem/rpsm/oid/132001/catOid/-13092/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Both of which are available at Circuit City for pickup today, which is my birthday, and seem to have good reviews. Also, the buy one get one half off will allow me to change both my front door and rear speakers at once. Finally, I hate ordering because I detest the wait, but would be willing to sacrifice if there are some speakers that are better than either of these two for a little less or the same price and deal.

I would like to know you guys' opinion on either of these. I plan to just buy the Polks but probably won't be installing them until tomorrow, so, if a flood of yays for the Kickers come in, I'll just return the Polks for those.

Lastly, as far as my research serves me, installing these speakers is basically just drop them in and connect whatever wires were previously attached to the stock speakers, correct? I ask this because I really don't plan on paying CC to install these puppies and would like to do it myself. Let me know guys. Thanks.

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[tbasile1 10+ year member]

Since its your birthday, treat yourself nice and make a baffle to fit a 6.5 speaker and run an amplified component set //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif:yumyum:

 

[Remedial]

Since its your birthday, treat yourself nice and make a baffle to fit a 6.5 speaker and run an amplified component set //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif:yumyum:

That sounds great, but I'm not ready for running a component system as of yet. I will eventually, after upgrading my head unit and amp, but for right now I just want instant gratification.

 

[tbasile1 10+ year member]

So you just want some decent coaxials for the time being, thats fine, good idea tho in the future to upgrade!

What is your budget?? Ill can give you some other recommendations other than Polk and Kicker

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

Pioneer REVs 100%

Those will respond down to a fairly low frequency and sound **** good doing it.

 

[tbasile1 10+ year member]

Pioneer REVs 100%
Those will respond down to a fairly low frequency and sound **** good doing it.

No Deja

10000000000000000000000000000000%

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Remedial]

So you just want some decent coaxials for the time being, thats fine, good idea tho in the future to upgrade!

What is your budget?? Ill can give you some other recommendations other than Polk and Kicker

Cool. I'm not really trying to spend more than $150 for my speakers. I was also looking at the Eclipse SE8495:

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Eclipse-6-x-9-4-Way-Coaxial-Speakers-SE8495/sem/rpsm/oid/146004/catOid/-13092/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

and the Alpine SPS-69C3:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7652685&type=product&id=1134701298255

 

[tbasile1 10+ year member]

REVs FTW!!!!!

 

[Remedial]

REVs FTW!!!!!

'
Are you saying that I should get the REVs or not? I wasn't able to get anything today because they only had one pair of Polks at the CC that I went to. But, after that, I've been considering the Kickers more after hearing them.

'

 

[tbasile1 10+ year member]

Yes you should get the REVs

and DejaWiz think so too, and the Wiz is a genius a very respected poster!

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

Are you saying that I should get the REVs or not? I wasn't able to get anything today because they only had one pair of Polks at the CC that I went to. But, after that, I've been considering the Kickers more after hearing them.

I say get the REVs. Your ears will thank you. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

Try to find a dealer near you and audition them. It's likely going to be time well spent.

 

[Remedial]

I say get the REVs. Your ears will thank you. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif
Try to find a dealer near you and audition them. It's likely going to be time well spent.

Well, if I can get them for around 120, then I'll get two. I see there are a couple places in my area that should carry them, so I'll check them out. If I decided to go with just one pair of the Rev's and wold like to spend the rest of my funds on something else to improve my listening experience, what would you suggest I get first: a head unit or an amp? Or should I just deal with the speakers first and foremost since they're my main problem.

I'm thinking that since my rear speakers are my main concern, I could just deal with those, leave the stocks in the front door for the mean time and go for either a head unit or amp?

Or I could just be getting ahead of myself here...

 

[bikejunkie223 10+ year member]

I have some older Polk DB6500 components in my wife's Element, and they are decent but the tweeter is so bright it will saw your ear off- I'd go with the Kickers personally. Rev's are good too.

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

Well, if I can get them for around 120, then I'll get two. I see there are a couple places in my area that should carry them, so I'll check them out. If I decided to go with just one pair of the Rev's and wold like to spend the rest of my funds on something else to improve my listening experience, what would you suggest I get first: a head unit or an amp? Or should I just deal with the speakers first and foremost since they're my main problem.
I'm thinking that since my rear speakers are my main concern, I could just deal with those, leave the stocks in the front door for the mean time and go for either a head unit or amp?

Or I could just be getting ahead of myself here...

I'd just focus on the fronts and sub stage and forget about the rears.

If you can't afford everything at once/in close proximity, then replace things over time piece by piece like this:

If you want coaxs now:

1. Speakers

2. HU

3. Amp for speakers

4. Sub + Sub Amp

If you want a full replacement system:

1. HU

2. Comps + Amp for speakers

3. Sub + Sub Amp

...or just save up until you can afford to do it all in one shot.

 

[tbasile1 10+ year member]

Agreed^^

Your rears are not and should not be your main focus, stick to the fronts, you sit up there and you want the good sound to come at you!!!!

You ALWAYS want to have a great frontstage before rear lol, why waste time and money on rears, rather than the fronts