? 2005 Mazda3- Crappy Audio: Should replace deck and/or speakers

[blondee_yvr]

My Mazda3 sedan has the stock deck (one CD) and I am not happy with the way the CD or FM sounds.

Was thinking of replacing the speakers, but I can't recall where, but I read somewhere that the speakers aren't the problem, but the deck. I find the sound to soft and tinny.

Any suggestions on which to replace?

 

[tsunami]

neither.... buy some butyl based sound deadening and deaden your doors.

if you still aren't happy with the sound then buy a 4 channel amp/wiring kit/component front speakers/10" sub/sub box/Line Out Converter (loc) to make it all work from your factory deck. depending on your tastes you can get all of this for less then a grand then you can either install it yourself or get it installed locally


check out the 1000$ dollar audio challenge in the forums maine audio section (not vehichle specific) for other ideas.

 

[abracc]

I didn't like my sound out of my stock HU and speakers. I found another mazda 3 owner parting out his upgraded 3. I got a Memphis Belle 4x75W 1x1000W amp with 3 12" Memphis subs. Had a local installer put that in plus an LOC, and the stock speakers and sound approved almost 100%. The music I listen to, I really don't need the 3 subs....but I figure I can always trade a couple of subs for some new speakers.....But the sound I have now from the stock speakers and HU is pretty amazing compared to before.

 

[blondee_yvr]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, spending $1000 or even half that much for an upgraded sound system is not on my list. Neither is tearing apart the doors to insulate the sound.

I guess I'll have check out the other Mazda forums to get an idea of more "modest" stereo upgrades.

 

[TheMAN]

upgrading the 3's sound system has always been drastic because of the non-standard system that's on the car... you have to buy a dash kit that kills the functionality from the LCD display unless you pay big bucks for a nice dash kit... then upgrading the speakers costs money too

if you're not a big time sound guy, then the stock bose system would've been better for you

 

[blondee_yvr]

upgrading the 3's sound system has always been drastic because of the non-standard system that's on the car... you have to buy a dash kit that kills the functionality from the LCD display unless you pay big bucks for a nice dash kit... then upgrading the speakers costs money too

if you're not a big time sound guy, then the stock bose system would've been better for you

Bose sound system? Hmm, I have a canadian model and that never was offered as an option. In fact, I just looked at the accessory brochure and it's not in there.

It's odd that you mentioned the functionality of the LCD cuz our LCD's don't show anything except the time and fader controls. Up north, we can't even have satellite navigation in our 3s. So, the LCD surely can go, I just would like to keep the steering wheel controls, either through a PAC or Auxmod control.

However, I don't know how much of a difference there would be in changing either the deck or speakers. I would like to go the cheapest route while improving the sound. There is really no bass and too much highs, in my opinon in the stock system. I've heard other stock systems that have a helluva lot better sound, even some cheap aftermarket units sound better. But, I dont know which is the problem, the deck or speakers. And I only seen 1/100 Mazda3s have an aftermarket deck.

 

[keleko]

can't wait until i get a few $$ together and install a custom 'glass box in the spare tire well in my hatch for my 2 12's....

 

[cbc]

blondee-
I'd look into replacing the oem speakers with something better. The HU will make the most out of good quality speakers, and it is a cheaper way to go than replacing the HU itself, w/ all the custom mounting you will have to do.
Also some sound deadening in the doors will help & can easily be DIY.
Just a thought....

 

[stuckclboy]

I say replace everything, HU and Speakers, I did and its a huge difference.
I started out just replacing the speakers it helped but the factory HU just does not have any power. this HU cost me 200 and came with the mounting part.

 

[cbc]

Bose sound system? Hmm, I have a canadian model and that never was offered as an option. In fact, I just looked at the accessory brochure and it's not in there.

It's odd that you mentioned the functionality of the LCD cuz our LCD's don't show anything except the time and fader controls. Up north, we can't even have satellite navigation in our 3s. So, the LCD surely can go, I just would like to keep the steering wheel controls, either through a PAC or Auxmod control.

However, I don't know how much of a difference there would be in changing either the deck or speakers. I would like to go the cheapest route while improving the sound. There is really no bass and too much highs, in my opinon in the stock system. I've heard other stock systems that have a helluva lot better sound, even some cheap aftermarket units sound better. But, I dont know which is the problem, the deck or speakers. And I only seen 1/100 Mazda3s have an aftermarket deck.

I'm suprised that you mention that "there is really no bass", cuz that is my biggest beef with the oem system - to me there's way TOO MUCH bass. My God , even having bass control set at -4, it is barely balanced enough to tolerate. What kind of music do you listen to?
I listen to a lot of lounge, jazz, rock,etc, & a lot of what I like has lots of bass in it, but if it is overwhelmingly over-exaggerated, it sounds horrible.
Then it ain't music, it's just loud noise!! (poke)

 

[Operator]

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, spending $1000 or even half that much for an upgraded sound system is not on my list. Neither is tearing apart the doors to insulate the sound.

I guess I'll have check out the other Mazda forums to get an idea of more "modest" stereo upgrades.

Thats really where we need to start. before we can really give you solid ideas it'd be nice to know your budget. But I'd reccommend a new HU and new speakers. And if you can afford it an amp.

 

[blondee_yvr]

My budget is quite modest..less that $400 CDN. I won't take apart the doors since everytime the doors are taken apart something goes a muck and it's always a hassle with lots of frustrtation to get the dealer or autobody to fix the annoying squeaks or rattles that come about as a result. It doesnt matter which one. Let's just say that all the cars that I have every had always have been B&E'ed, so I won't mess with that. I also would get everything professionally installed since I dont want to be given a hard-time with Mazda Canada.

I don't need anything powerful, just clean sounds. My OEM is really flat I listen to anything and everything, top40, hip-hop, rap, country, jazz, classical.

stuckclboy, nice deck. What kind of speakers you have? Have you integrated the HUD with the steering wheel controls?

 

[bacon]

im with stuckclboy, i did the same thing, replace HU and door speakers (thumb)

 

[bacon]

i got all of my stuff done for under $400, did the door speakers myself and i bought them at a flea market for really cheap, HU i got installed at a Bestbuy so it cost me around $250 for dash kit, harness, and HU

 

[stuckclboy]

stuckclboy, nice deck. What kind of speakers you have? Have you integrated the HUD with the steering wheel controls?

I have Rockford Fosgate 6X8 75watts RMS 150w peak, I have not integrated the steering wheel controls but it is posible. with the stock HU and those speakers sound was clear but still lacking bass, with the new HU much more bass.

 

[rotwiler]

My Mazda3 sedan has the stock deck (one CD) and I am not happy with the way the CD or FM sounds.

Was thinking of replacing the speakers, but I can't recall where, but I read somewhere that the speakers aren't the problem, but the deck. I find the sound to soft and tinny.

Any suggestions on which to replace?

I did Infinity reference 6x8's up front and Polk DB's in the back seat doors, sounds very good. Both the Infinity and Polk 6x8's can be found for around $45 on ebay. The Infinity's have better highs, but the Polk's have better bass, makes a great combination. I added a Sony 7700 model HU($150) and sounds very good. People tend to not like Sony HU's, is the first Sony I ever had and sounds great. All this could be done for around $300 if you get all the stuff off ebay. I added a pac swix and steering wheel controls work great too.

 

[blondee_yvr]

Cool, thanks for the info. I'll have to buy locally. Have had poor results on ebay and shipping usually kills most deals for me as I am in Canada.

 

[El Ropo]

Just a FYI for anyone reading this thread. I've opened up my doors at least 6 different times for various reasons, and have never had anything go amuck it's just 2 screws, and pull on the door panel with your fingers, panel snaps pop out and stay in door panel, no problems at all.

Then you just need a small flat tip screwdriver to help you disconnect the wire plug at the window and power lock buttons. I can get my front door panels off in less than a minute each. One of the rears, I forget which one, has the wiring plug reversed, which makes it hard to uplug, that door takes one extra minute because you have to unscrew 2 small phillips screws to get the door panel free. Not what I would consider a problem either.

 

[blondee_yvr]

Just a FYI for anyone reading this thread. I've opened up my doors at least 6 different times for various reasons, and have never had anything go amuck it's just 2 screws, and pull on the door panel with your fingers, panel snaps pop out and stay in door panel, no problems at all.

Then you just need a small flat tip screwdriver to help you disconnect the wire plug at the window and power lock buttons. I can get my front door panels off in less than a minute each. One of the rears, I forget which one, has the wiring plug reversed, which makes it hard to uplug, that door takes one extra minute because you have to unscrew 2 small phillips screws to get the door panel free. Not what I would consider a problem either.[/QUOTE]

Do you have any pics? Me like pictures. (crazy)

 

[BrianG]

If you end up getting an amp to power the fronts/rears (although rears aren't really necessary), these speakers sound very nice, clean, and fit without modifications, but DO require an amp to get them going (>=50w rms per channel). Just my $0.02...