Polk Audio EX402a

Price Paid:  $50.00 from eBay

Year / Model Reviewed:
 Polk EX402a

Strengths:
Crystal clear high frequencies, great durability, small size. Reasonable price. Good mid-range for 4" speaker.

Weaknesses:
Some harshness at high frequencies (could be my vehicle though).

Summary:
These speakers are an excellent value compared to several competitors'' speakers which I''ve tried (Pioneer, Sony, etc.) The high range from the speakers is excellent - clarity and imaging are audiophile quality. I do notice some harshness only at certain frequencies, but I attribute this to my vehicle. The mid-range is, as others have mentioned, a bit lacking, but you have to consider that this is only a 4" speaker. With this in mind, the amount of mid-range the speaker DOES put out is quite amazing. I use these speakers as a front stage, along with a JL Audio 10" sub and Polk DX4''s in the rear (small cab truck). Sounds awesome. If you get these speakers, be sure to use Speaker Savers to prolong their life. I use a 300Hz high pass, works great.

Similar Products Used:
Sony, Pioneer.

Price Paid:  $78.00

Strengths:
Very durable. Rubber surround and poly cone make them withstand the elements (90°F+ in summer and -10°F here in Minnesota). They are still running strong after more than two years

Weaknesses:
Poor bass/midrange response: For a while, in the Toyota, I was using just the pair of 4" Polks and one 10" MTX sub. While it sounded pretty good, there was very little midrange clearly defined.

Summary:
I have used these 4" speakers in several vehicles: '86 Toyota and '88 Pontiac. They have sounded great in both vehicles when hooked up to my Panasonic HU (21W RMS/40W Peak).

Similar Products Used:
DEI 3.5" sure were weak compared to these Polks.

Price Paid:  $86.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1995.5 Isuzu Rodeo

Strengths:
Crystal clear highs, lots of detail, excellent midrange. They sound larger than 4" speakers should.

Weaknesses:
Weak bass, although again better than any other 4" speakers I've heard.

Summary:
Good factory speaker replacements, they run great off my 47 watt Kenwood head unit. They do crave power for such small speakers making you crank the volume to get the same amount of sound as the factory speakers (albeit much much better sound quality). They underline the need for a sub for real bass.

Similar Products Used:
Clarion, Cerwin-vega 4"

Price Paid:  $70.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1992 cavalier

Strengths:
Quality pruducts/manufacturing, price, sound, price, sound, etc...

Weaknesses:
Bass is nearly non-exist but these are only 4" speakers. Get a sub and you'll be cool.

Summary:
Excellent product for the sweet price. Great highs and mid, but like I stated above, bass is nilch. These are great speakers for a mid-level system and power from the deck is more than enough to pump great sound out of these babies. Highly recommended. Just get a decent sub along with it and you'll totally be set.

Similar Products Used:
Kenwood (suck)

Year / Model Reviewed:
 1999

Strengths:
This coaxial, or two way speaker produces great highs and never distorts. High rms power handling for a 4 inch speaker. Great price and polk quality

Weaknesses:
none

Summary:
I paid 79.99 for these speakers and they sound great. These, along with the infinty reference line of speakers give you audio enthusiast sound for a great price. I have these hooked up to a sony 5 channel amplifier that puts out 40 watts to all of the main speakers. With 40 watts flowing into them, as well as only responding to frequencies above 150hz due to the filter and five band equalizer on my sony amp, they sound clear and crisp. If you have a small car, like a 97 corrola, you owe it to yourself to put these speakers in your car. Great buy for an audiophile or for a casual listener.

Similar Products Used:
cerwin vega, (the worst speaker company ever)