Anyone replace a MW6500 with a MW6503?

[adam2434]

Anyone ever replace a MW6500 with a MW6503 in a Monitor? What were the results? Good, bad, or ugly?

Per Polk, the 6503 is the closest replacement to the 6500 (which is no longer in stock), and per Polk, they should sound very similar. I'm looking for some first hand experience with this swap.

For reference, the 6500 is from some older Monitor models with Peerless tweets and the 6503 came in late Monitor 10s and 12s. 6500s and 6503s are close electrically and mechanically, but not exact.

Thanks,

Adam

[heiney9]

No personal experience, but if Polk has told you they sound very similar I would bet the difference isn't noticeable, especially in the Monitors. If you have an extrememly high rez system and listen very critically perhaps you might tell a slight difference. But, I'm guessing in this case you will be just fine.

H9

[jakelm]

I have laid the 2 side by side and installed them in my 7b's and did an A/B comparison. The 6503 had alittle less bass. But I think that was because, it was brand new and I would think after hours of playing it might loosen up like the 6500. As for midbass and blend with the peerless, identical. Ohms are within .2-.3ohms (both concidered 4ohm speakers, if my memory serves me right). It was and is very hard to compare a brand new driver with a driver that has played for 20+ years. But even so, it was remarkably close. Close enough, that if my 6500's do go out, I would not hessitate to replace them with the 6503.

[danger boy]

that's good to know.. i may have to buy two of the new MW6503's myself to get these 7A's back up and running if I can't find one MW6500.

[jakelm]

that's good to know.. i may have to buy two of the new MW6503's myself to get these 7A's back up and running if I can't find one MW6500.


I would not recommend mix matching the 2. They are not that close.

[danger boy]

I would not recommend mix matching the 2. They are not that close.

I know.. that's why i'll most likely end up buying two MW6503's, so that they both match.. then I may have one MW6500 for sale. :D ;) :p

[adam2434]

I know.. that's why i'll most likely end up buying two MW6503's, so that they both match.. then I may have one MW6500 for sale. :D ;) :p

Hey, how about I sell you my 6500 if I go with 6503s, and vice-versa if you go with 6503s? Sound like a plan?;)

[jakelm]

Here Adam , if your still interested

http://cgi.ebay.com/Polk-Monitor-MW6500-6-1-2-Midrange-Woofer-Pair-NO-RESE_W0QQitemZ190107545472QQihZ009QQcategoryZ50597 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[adam2434]

jakelm, thanks for the input and link. I'll check them out.

[adam2434]

Hmmm...my MW6500 (see pic) does not have that grayish ring like the eBay ones. Mine looks almost exctly like the drivers driver in my 7Cs.

Are there 2 different versions of the 6500? Keeping vintage Polk drivers straight is a little bit of a challenge.

[stereo_luver]

I bought a set of SDA 2B's with a few bad drivers. I opt'd to replace all the drivers (all six) with what Polk recommended. I guess I could have replaced only the 3 that were bad? (2 in one speaker and 1 in the other) But I decided to replace all 6 so all matched as they did when new. This is only my opinion/decision on the total replacement and may not be nessesary. Next will be the replacement of the tweets and rebuilbing the crossovers. 20 something year old speakers MUST be in need of refreshing. They sound damn good....but who knows what they will sound like after I follow the recomendation of the Guru's here that have tweaked and refined older Polk speakers.

[ben62670]

Hmmm...my MW6500 (see pic) does not have that grayish ring like the eBay ones. Mine looks almost exctly like the drivers driver in my 7Cs.

Are there 2 different versions of the 6500? Keeping vintage Polk drivers straight is a little bit of a challenge.

There are at least 2 different versions of the 6500. The newer ones are stiffer like the 6503, and I have older ones that have very soft rubber surrounds. I even have old old ones that have paper all the way around the mounting ring. The early 6500's popped when being pushed hard. The newer ones behave more like the 6503's, and can handle more power. That being said the older ones would have the best bass for lower listening levels, or tube applications. If you like to crank it I would suggest getting the 6503's. If anyone is interested in getting 6500's PM me, and maybe we could work something out.

[ben62670]

I bought a set of SDA 2B's with a few bad drivers. I opt'd to replace all the drivers (all six) with what Polk recommended. I guess I could have replaced only the 3 that were bad? (2 in one speaker and 1 in the other) But I decided to replace all 6 so all matched as they did when new. This is only my opinion/decision on the total replacement and may not be nessesary. Next will be the replacement of the tweets and rebuilbing the crossovers. 20 something year old speakers MUST be in need of refreshing. They sound damn good....but who knows what they will sound like after I follow the recomendation of the Guru's here that have tweaked and refined older Polk speakers.

I have had some old SL2000's, and some old SL3000's that sounded grainy/harsh. I also have some SL2000's that I think sound really good. All the speakers I have mentioned I have tested with an ohm meter, and got the same results between the good, and bad tweeters. I actually have a set of SL2000's that sound as good as their RDO replacements. The RDO's don't have that 12k peak, but most of the music I listen to doesn't tend to run that high on a consistent level. The speakers I used them in were upgraded with new solen caps, and mills resistors. I would have to say usage, and environmental factors have a big influence on SQ over the years. I used to be into Infinity speakers before Polk's, and I have had speakers that were 20 years old with good surrounds, and some went bad after 10 years.

[adam2434]

If anyone is interested in getting 6500's PM me, and maybe we could work something out.

Ben, PM sent.