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Polk Audio db5251

5-1/4" component speaker system

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Item# 107DB5251 offer details

Item# 107DB5251

Review Sumary

 
In Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Your price $189.99
 
 
 
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Also available - Open Box $170.99 
 
 
 
Polk Audio

Our take on the Polk Audio db5251

Good music becomes great when you hear it through Polk's db Series car speakers. Polk engineers use laser imaging to determine the ideal combination of speaker materials and design to eliminate distortion. The resulting technology produces speakers with smooth frequency response, sharp detail, and the ability to play music at high volumes without strain.

Polk's versatile db5251 component speaker system features 5-1/4" woofers made from a polymer/mica composite and durable rubber surrounds that won't fall apart under stress from heat, moisture, or time. Liquid-cooled 1" silk/polymer dome tweeters use powerful Neodymium magnets to deliver precise high-frequency reproduction, enveloping you in bright musical detail. You can surface- or flush-mount the tweeters with the included swivel-mount cups. Just aim the tweeters so they broadcast toward your ears, creating a powerful stereo image.

External crossovers direct the right frequencies to the tweeters and woofers to maximize their performance, and their housings let you hide all wiring for a clean, professional look. All db Series speakers feature rustproof baskets and stainless steel mounting hardware, so they're suitable for marine use. If you're custom installing these speakers, the muscular ABS grilles will add a stylish touch to your car's audio system.

Ready to tackle the car or marine environment, Polk db components will provide you with great-sounding music in your vehicle or on the water.

Get more info on this product

Highlights:

  • component speaker system includes two 5-1/4" woofers, 2 tweeters, and 2 crossovers
  • Dynamic Balance polymer/mica composite woofers with butyl rubber surrounds
  • Kapton voice coils
  • 1" liquid-cooled silk/polymer composite dome tweeters
  • flush- and surface-mount swivel cups
  • Neodymium tweeter magnets
  • electronic tweeter protection circuits
  • 2-way external crossover network (12 dB/octave, 4,000 Hz high- and low-pass)
  • ABS wheel-design grilles
  • stainless steel mounting hardware
  • certified for marine use
  • power range: 10-100 watts RMS (250 watts peak power)
  • frequency response: 53-23,000 Hz
  • sensitivity: 93 dB
  • top-mount depth: 2-5/16"
  • warranty: 1 year
  • Our 60-day money-back guarantee

Priced per system
 

Hands-on research from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)

Features and Specs

Features and Specs
General
Speaker Size
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5 1/4
Design
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2-way
Tweeter Design
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1" Dome
Tweeter Composition
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Silk polymer composite
Woofer Composition
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Polymer mica composite
Woofer Surround
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Butyl rubber
Parts Warranty
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1 Year
Labor Warranty
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1 Year
Specifications
Sensitivity
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93 dB
Frequency Response
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53 - 23k Hz
RMS Power Range (Watts)
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10-100
Peak Power Handling (Watts)
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250
Impedance (Ohms)
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4
Top-mount Depth (Inches)
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2 5/16
Bottom-mount Depth (Inches)
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N/A
Cutout Diameter or Length (inches)
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4 3/4

Product Research

Product Research
What's in the box?

Download owner's manual

  • 2 Woofers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 2 Tweeters (each tweeter has attached 38" speaker leads)
  • 2 Flush-mount cups
  • 2 Metal flush-mount clamps
  • 2 Surface-mount cups
  • 2 Crossovers
  • Four 39" lengths of speaker wire (each length of wire has female quick-slides on one end and tinned wire on the other end)
  • 16 Self-tapping screws
  • 10 Speed clips
  • Owner's Manual (Eng/Span/Fren/Ger/Ita/Port)
  • Online registration sheet

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team — they open the box, verify contents, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

Woofers
Tweeters
Crossovers

Woofers

Dynamic Balance: Dynamic Balance is a proprietary Polk Audio technology using laser imaging to determine what combination of speaker materials create the least amount of resonance. Eliminating resonance in speakers results in a wide, smooth response and low distortion.

Marine Certified Woofer: Polk db Series speakers are built to withstand exposure to moisture and UV rays, so they work well in boats and cars. They also include stainless mounting hardware for corrosion and rust resistance.

Woofer Cones: Each speaker features a Dynamic Balance polymer/mica composite mineral-filled cone. The cones are stiff and lightweight for big sound and low distortion.

Butyl Rubber Surrounds: For a smoother response and improved durability, the woofers use butyl rubber surrounds.

Kapton Voice Coil Formers: The low-mass 2-Layer 1" Kapton Voice Coil formers are lightweight for high sound output. Kapton's high melting temperature ensures high power handling and excellent reliability.

Pole Plate Heat Sinks: The pole plate heat sinks promote better heat dissipation for superior power handling and reliability.

Tweeters

Silk/Polymer Composite Tweeters: The 1" liquid-cooled, silk/polymer composite tweeters provide clear, detailed highs.

Marine Certified Tweeters: Polk db Series speakers are built to withstand exposure to moisture and UV rays, so they work well in boats and cars.

Mounting: The supplied mounting cups allow you to surface- or flush-mount the tweeters. The tweeters swivel in the flush-mount housings, allowing you to adjust them for optimum imaging.

Tweeter Mounting Dimensions:

  Surface Mount Flush Mount
Mounting Height 1.046" 0.364"
Depth 0.825" (screw depth) 0.938"
Frame Diameter 2.002" 2.297"
Cutout Diameter   N/A 1.951"

Crossovers

2-Way Crossovers: Each Butterworth outboard crossover features a 12dB/octave, 4000Hz high-pass network for the tweeter and a 12dB/octave, 4000Hz low-pass network for the woofer.

Tweeter Attenuation Switch: You can adjust the output of the tweeter to match a level appropriate to your vehicle or your system. On the end of crossover (opposite the terminals), the tweeter attenuation switch can be set to 0dB, -3dB, or +3dB.

Electronic Tweeter Protection Circuits: Each crossover has a built-in protection circuit that guards the tweeter against accidental damage from high power.

Crossover Connections: The crossover inputs and outputs are screw terminals. The crossover housing is vented, giving you a choice of hidden wire channels for easier, more professional-looking installs.

Mounting: There are two mounting holes in the base of each crossover.

Crossover Dimensions: L=5.029", W=3.072", H=1.075"

 

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs

Product reviews from the Crutchfield Labs (what are the Labs?)
Video: Polk Audio db Car Speakers

Video: Polk Audio db Car Speakers

Ken Nail, J.R. Stoffel
1/21/2009
based on 9 ratings
 

Learn about the features that make Polk Audio db series car speakers a popular choice for improved sound.

 

Product Reviews

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1-10 of 32 items >> Sort Results By: Date Reviewed | Rating | Helpfulness
 
5 out of 5

First component set of speakers...not disappointed at all!

Written By Blaine, Louisiana on Monday, September 05, 2011
 
This is my first set of component speakers in a vehicle. They are powered by a Boston Acoustics GTA-504 amplifier and I couldn't be happier. They are only getting about 50% of rated RMS power, so they wont make your ears bleed. However, they get plenty loud for a nice SQ system. Mids are tight and highs are crisp on the -3 tweeter setting. Makes my system sound like a concert in my 99 Mustang GT.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Excellent Sound Quality

Written By Pete B, New England on Tuesday, July 12, 2011
 
I bought these speakers as well as a set of Polk 6X9s for my Honda. Installation was fairly straightforward. The speakers are being driven by a 300W Rockford Fosgate amplifier and are mounted in my doors (Stock location, tweeters a bit above diagonally from the speakers). The sound quality is excellent and you can really hear the difference going from a 2 way to this component setup. As previous reviewers said you may need a sub with these if they are your primary speakers. In my car the 6X9s provide a bit of bass but I am looking to eventually add a small sub.
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
4 out of 5

Not Bad

Written By Wayne, Georgetown KY on Tuesday, June 21, 2011
 
I got these for the roll bar on my 2003 jeep and they are a big improvment over stock if you have a amp. But do not expect any lows I mean after all their 5 1/4. Highs are great and mids are good would recomend.
Was this review helpful?    Yes | No
 
2 out of 5

Disappointed with sound

Written By Bill H, Apex, NC on Monday, March 21, 2011
 
I just paid this much for a set of these speakers and am so far really disappointed. I was replacing STOCK stereo speakers with these and yes I went with the 5 1/4 vs the 6 1/2 I had in the car. I am still on the factory head unit. These speakers require much more power than I can produce with the current head unit. Replacing with a kenwood double din and am going to add a amp. I expected much more out of these speakers and in hind sight I should have got the 3 way 6 1/2 inch speakers.

I hope these sound better with a nice big amp on them.
1 out of 15 people found this helpful
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4 out of 5

Good, but you'll need a sub

Written By , Columbus, OH on Monday, February 21, 2011
 
These speakers sound fine....but get a subwoofer. I just ordered an 8" Bazooka
tube because I can't hear any low end from these Polks with the engine running.
I realize they're only 5.25", but even my factory (Jeep) 5.25" speakers had SOME
low end.

Crutchfield experience was great as always.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Polk Audio db5251

Written By Franklin, tyrone, pa on Sunday, January 16, 2011
 
speaker's sound great in my ridgeline. it was my first time buying after market speaker's
and will all ways return to polk audio if i need to buy for any other car or truck
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Huge improvement over stock

Written By TMS, Belleville, IL on Friday, October 01, 2010
 
These are a huge improvement over the stock Bose components in my Mazdaspeed3.
They are being fed 60RMS from an external 4 channel amp (not the stock Bose
amp). Nice clear, crisp music; this was a good purchase decision.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful
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5 out of 5

Fortunately My Initial Thoughts Proved To Be Wrong!

Written By Aaron, Tucson, AZ on Monday, August 16, 2010
 
I installed these in my 2008 Nissa Xterra with a Pioneer DEH-P6000UB head unit and powered by a 2x100W and amp they sound amazing!

The installation was a bit rough but that was because of the size of the speaker wire I was using and the tight fit/angle of the rubber boot between the door and body. I also had to fabricate a bracket from ABS plastic to mount the tweeters. I was still able to use the stock tweeter grills on the dash after some trimming so nothing looks any different.

Once everything was in installed I cranked the volume and was initially disappointed. There was no bass to speak of and the treble was harsh and piercing - almost unlistenable! I thought I'd give them a few days to break in. After a week I didn't notice much change and thought I'd be returning them but first I decided to try and change around the EQ and sound settings on the stereo. That did it, as I was adjusting the settings my stock speakers had I could hear the bass coming in and I was able to remove the tinny sound of the treble. After a few more days the sound got even better!

It's been a few months now and I'm still impressed at how good the speakers continue to sound! They just seem to keep getting better. I've since bought a second pair for my wife's car.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful
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2 out of 5

Expected better from Polk

Written By waxtadpole, Northern Va. on Thursday, June 10, 2010
 
The lesson I learned from these speakers is that a speaker maker's "sound" doesn't always carry over from its home speakers to the car. I based my purchase in part on the clear, transparent highs of my girlfriend's Polk bookshelf speakers and was very disappointed. The previous reviewer who was dissatisfied with the lower treble got it exactly right. To my ears they are splashy, smeared and totally lacking in fine detail. I've read in several forums that these speakers will calm down in a few months, but when you only have a 30-day window to decide of you'll keep them that's just not good enough. IMO speakers should sound good right out of the box and get better as they break in. The Boston speakers I replaced the Polks with do just that. Granted the Bostons cost about twice as much but they're worth every penny.
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5 out of 5

Fantastic speaker when set up

Written By myles, Beverly,Ma on Friday, May 14, 2010
 
Ive had these speakers 3 days and love them !!!! At first they didn't put out but AFTER setting them up on my kenwood head unit and AMPLIFIER for speaker,bass,treble,speaker throw ect they came to life! I replaced an old pair of Boston Acoustics components that I blew up! My subwoofer was stolen and I over drove all my OLD speakers to make up for the missing bass!! Needless to say old component speakers even good ones can be blown up when pushed by a good amp to make up for a missing subwoofer! I bought a JL 12" 175 watt subwoofer and LOVE IT! It is clean and not muddy !!!!!So I went back to Crutchfield to get new component 51/2 speakers and decided on polk after speaking with crutchfield at length! I always buy the best$$$$$$$But this time I asked for advice and instead of shelling out $800+ But I took there word for these Polk speakers and was not disappointed! I know $800 speakers sound better but these speakers are great sounding speakers!!! And with the money I save I will get a new Kenwood head unit that puts out 4 volts to the amp not 2 volts like the old kenwood and will sound a LOT better!!!!!! So I win all around!! Reciever next then new rear 6 by9"for the back Great customer support!!
3 out of 3 people found this helpful
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1-10 of 32 items >>

Learn more about Component Systems

Learn more about Component Systems

Component Speakers Installation Video

Component Speakers Installation Video

Todd Cabell, Danae Marshall
6/20/2006
based on 68 ratings (1 comment)
 

A 5-minute video that shows the basics of installing a component speaker system in a car.

 
What Are Component Car Speakers?

What Are Component Car Speakers?

Ken Nail
10/7/2009
based on 76 ratings (4 comments)
 

Component speaker systems are the audiophile's choice for superior mobile sound. But what are component speaker systems? We'll take a look at what they consist of.

 
How Tweeter Design Affects Sound

How Tweeter Design Affects Sound

Ken Nail
12/9/2011
based on 35 ratings (3 comments)
 

When you're shopping for speakers, don't forget the tweeter. It's shape and the material it's made from have a direct impact on how your music sounds. Tweeters reproduce the upper frequencies in...

 
How to Make Your Speakers Sound Their Best

How to Make Your Speakers Sound Their Best

Ken Nail
6/1/2005
based on 73 ratings (13 comments)
 

Brand-name speakers will make a big difference in your car's sound, there's no doubt about it. But with some simple, relatively inexpensive extra steps, you can make them sound even better.

 
How to Get the Best Stereo Imaging & Soundstage

How to Get the Best Stereo Imaging & Soundstage

Ken Nail
7/28/2008
based on 56 ratings (5 comments)
 

Achieving great imaging is a matter of understanding your components, and how they interact with your vehicle and the people sitting in it. Properly tweaked, your car or truck can be a dynamic...

 

Accessories

Accessories we recommend

Dynamat
Reduce ambient road noise and your vehicle's "rattles," for better sound inside your car.
Dynamat 10415 Xtreme Speaker Kit
Two 10-in. x 10-in. Sheets
$26.99
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Dynamat 10435 Xtreme Door Kit
With four 12" x 36" sheets — covers two doors
$99.99
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Dynamat SuperLite Tri-Pak
Triple package — 3 sheets, 12 square feet (Model #10612)
$69.99
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Speaker Wire
You'll need speaker wire to connect your speakers to your amp.
StreetWires 14-gauge Super Cable™ Speaker Wire
Translucent blue jacket — priced per foot (Clear)
$0.99
In Stock
 
 
StreetWires 16-gauge Super Cable™ Speaker Wire
Blue jacket — priced per foot
$0.40
In Stock
 
 
Stinger PRO Series 16-gauge Speaker Wire
Black jacket — priced per foot
$0.30
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StreetWires 14-gauge Ultra Cable™ Speaker Wire
Blue/copper jacket — priced per foot
$0.75
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StreetWires 12-gauge Ultra Cable™ Speaker Wire
Blue/copper jacket — priced per foot
$1.00
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Baffles
Keep your speakers clean and dry. They compress to fit behind your speakers.
XTC 5-1/4
Protect your speakers (Slim-line: 2-1/2" depth)
$6.99
In Stock
 
 
XTC 5-1/4
Protect your speakers (3-3/4" depth)
$6.99
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Extras

Installation Tools
The right tools will help keep your installation simple and clean.
Metra Crimp Tool and Connectors
Package contains crimp tool and over 150 pieces
$19.99
Out of Stock
 
 
Posi-Products™ Car Speaker Connectors
8 connectors for installing car speakers
$11.59
In Stock
 
 
S&G Tool Aid 87615
Window and Door Clip Removal Tool
$7.99
In Stock
 
 
S&G Tool Aid 87650
Door Trim and Panel Removal Tool
$9.99
In Stock
 
 
Bojo Trim Panel Tools
Set of 6 plastic tools — helps remove interior and exterior trim and door panels
$24.99
In Stock
 
 
Multi Wedge Trim Panel Tools
Set of six (flexible and rigid) tools — helps remove trim and door panels
$19.99
In Stock
 
 
DEI Heat Shrink Tubing
Black 4-foot length (Assortment)
$24.99
In Stock
 
 
Spec Tools SQR-200a Squeeze Wrench
Narrow space ratchet kit with 18 sockets
$49.99
In Stock
 
 
Skewdriver Pro SPK4042
Ratcheting straight and offset screwdriver set with 40 bits (Skewdriver Pro with ratchet handle, pictured)
$49.99
In Stock
 
 
Show more items
 
Add selected to cart
 

For a more in-depth review and enhanced detailed information on the Polk Audio db5251, please visit the Crutchfield website product page (/ISEO-rccbcspd/p_107DB5251/Polk-Audio-db5251.html ).

Recommended Accessories See more accessories

Your featured item

Polk Audio db5251
Polk Audio db5251
5-1/4" component speaker system
$189.99
In Stock
 
 

Dynamat

Dynamat 10415 Xtreme Speaker Kit
Two 10-in. x 10-in. Sheets
$26.99
In Stock
 
 

Speaker Wire

StreetWires 14-gauge Super Cable™ Speaker Wire
Translucent blue jacket — priced per foot (Clear)
$0.99
In Stock
 
 

Baffles

XTC 5-1/4
Protect your speakers (Slim-line: 2-1/2" depth)
$6.99
In Stock
 
 

Protect your gear with an extended warranty

Add 3 Year Warranty
Square Trade Warranty
$27.99
In Stock
 
 
 
Add selected to cart
 
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Compare with other Polk Audio models
  • Polk Audio db5251
  • Components sound better
  • 4.5 out of 5: IN STOCK
  • The Polk Audio db5251 has:
    • separate 1" silk composite dome tweeters for a clearer, more detailed stereo image
    • 2-way external crossover network with 3-position tweeter level control
    • lower frequency response for better mid-bass
  • Add To Cart
    $189.99
  • Polk Audio db521
  • 5-1/4" 2-way Speakers
  • 4.5 out of 5: IN STOCK
    • The Polk Audio db521 offers:
      • Polymer/mica composite woofer with butyl rubber surround
      • 3/4" pivoting liquid-cooled silk/polymer composite dome tweeter
      • certified for marine use
  • Add To Cart
    $99.99
  • Polk Audio db5251
  • 5-1/4" Component System
  • 4.5 out of 5: IN STOCK
    • The Polk Audio db5251 offers:
      • 5-1/4" polymer/mica composite woofers with butyl rubber surrounds
      • 1" liquid-cooled silk/polymer composite dome tweeters
      • certified for marine use
  • Add To Cart
    $189.99
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Polk Audio db5251