GETTING STARTED
Please inspect each loudspeaker carefully. Notify your Polk Audio dealer if you notice any damage or
missing items. Keep the carton and packing material. They will do the best job of protecting your
speakers if they need to be transported. Check that you have the following parts:
•2 Speakers
•8 Mounting clips
•2 Grilles (GXR4, GXR5, GXR6 & GXR69)
•8 Screws
•1 Mounting template (Separate Sheet)
• Online registration card
• Mail-in registration card
Installing car speakers is a serious project. If you have any doubts about your ability to execute any of
the installation steps found in this manual, save yourself a lot of grief and contact a professional
installer. Your Polk Audio dealer is a good place to find one. If you intend to do the installation yourself
we assume you possess some skill in the proper use of hand and power tools. No matter how much
installation experience you have, we recommend that you…
• Read this manual thoroughly before you begin
• Plan your installation carefully
• Allow enough time to complete the installation without rushing
• Take steps to protect your car and upholstery from unwanted scratches and punctures
NECESSARY TOOLS
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flat blade screwdriver or putty knife
• Door panel pry-tool (available at most auto parts supply stores)
• Electric drill
• 1/8" (3mm) Drill bit
• Tin snips (for removing flanges on GXR4 modes, for some import car applications, if necessary)
• Hole saw of appropriate diameter for the speaker size (for “new location” installation only)
• Permanent ink marker for marking the cutout (for “new location” installation only)
• Metal file
• Crimping tool
• Safety glasses
• Wire strippers and cutters
For more info and accessories, visit www.polkaudio.comContact Polk Customer Service: 800-377-7655 polkcs@polkaudio.com
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Contact Polk Customer Service: 800-377-7655 polkcs@polkaudio.com
INSTALLING GXR SERIES FULL RANGE LOUDSPEAKERS
Installation in a factory location
1. Carefully remove the grille covering the factory speaker. In most cases it will be “press-fit” or screwed
to mounting tabs molded into the surrounding area. If you experience any resistance, consult your
dealer or your car’s owner’s manual to determine if there is any special way the manufacturer has
secured the grille.
2. Remove all screws, mounting clips or lock washers holding the factory speaker in place and save
them for reuse. Lift the speaker out of the hole a short distance.
3. Before unhooking the speaker wires, identify the positive speaker terminal (usually marked with a
red dot or [+], or it is the terminal that is larger or wider) and identify the negative speaker
terminal (usually marked [–], or having no marking, or whichever terminal is the smaller or
narrower of the two). Mark the wire connected to the positive terminal for later identification. Use
a permanent ink marker or piece of tape.
4. Disconnect the factory speaker. After disconnecting the factory speaker, connect the wires to your new
Polk Audio speaker, hooking up the positive [+] wire to the wider of the two GXR terminals and
the negative [–] to the narrower GXR terminal.
5. Mount your GXR Loudspeaker using the mounting hardware you saved from Step 2.
6. Remount the factory grille cover.
7. Repeat Steps 1-6 for the other speaker(s).
FIG. 2
Example of a
typical mounting
procedure.
SCREW
SPEAKER WIRES
MOUNTING
CLIP
FIG. 1
Template for
description
purposes only.
SCREW HOLE
TEMPLATE
Installing your speakers in a “New Location”
Factory locations uncool? Pick a new location. Be sure to take into account both your vehicle’s design
and your sonic goals. Door panels, kick panels or dashboards make the most sense for round or 4"x6"
speakers. Before you begin, read all of these steps. If you have any doubts about your ability to execute
any of these steps, save yourself a lot of grief and contact a professional installer. Your Polk Audio dealer
is a good place to find one.
1. Using the door panel pry-tool, carefully remove any door panels, kick panels, molded parts or fabric
coverings to expose the surface that will need to be cut to install the new speaker.
2. Check the dimensions around and behind the installation area for fit. This includes any moving
parts behind the speaker (move the windows up and down) or the sides of the speaker (open and
close doors).
3. Locate the template over the desired location. Draw the inside circle and mark at least two opposing
screw locations. (FIG. 1)
4. Cut the circle with the appropriate tool. Drill pilot holes for the screw locations. File the edges of any
bare metal surfaces until smooth, then coat with primer to prevent rust.
5. When primer is dry, slip mounting clips over the screw holes. (FIG. 2)
6. In the meantime, run wires from your amplifier or radio to the speaker locations. Use grommets
when passing through doors.
7. Insert speaker into beauty ring.
8. Connect the wires to your new Polk Audio speakers. Hook the positive [+] wire to the widerof the
two GXR terminals and the negative [–] to the narrower GXR terminal.
9. Carefully align the speaker and beauty ring holes over the new screw holes and mounting clips.
Tighten the screws firmly to secure the speaker to the mounting surface.
10. Install mesh grille into beauty ring.
11. Repeat Steps 1-10 for the other speaker(s).
For more info and accessories, visit www.polkaudio.com
54
Contact Polk Customer Service: 800-377-7655 polkcs@polkaudio.com
GXR4 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR IMPORT APPLICATIONS
(TOYOTA/MITSUBISHI)
GXR4 models have flanges that can be removed to facilitate easy placement in tight spots, such as in
some import vehicles (FIG. 3). Remove only the flange(s) that are necessary to make the speaker fit the
chosen location. Secure the speaker with at least two opposing flanges. In some vehicles, you may have
to bend or angle (but not break) one of the two flanges to get the proper fit when installing the speakers
in your dashboard. To remove flanges, use tin snips. Do not use a sander or grinder, as that could cause
fine metal shavings to fall into the voice coil and driver suspension units.
FIG. 3
EX340
USE TIN SNIPS TO REMOVE FLANGES