? 2005 Mazda3- Crappy Audio: Should replace deck and/or speakers
- Thread starter blondee_yvr
- Start date
200$ a pair... hell mine cost 1000$$... s*** aint cheap man... and polk are some good speakers... check the 500$$ audio challenge thread in the main board audio section for some good tips on building a nice system on a budget... as well as the 1000$$ audio challenge...
good luck with it
good luck with it
cbc said:
That's MSRP, and no one pays MSRP. I paid $147 at my local shop just so I'd have a warranty, but they can be had from eBay for about $100. Right now, there are two auctions for these speakers that, after shipping, come out to right at $100. That's not bad at all for these...
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blondee_yvr said:
Honestly, it's so easy, you really don't need pictures. Just follow those instructions and you'll be golden. Or, pay someone to do it. However, I recommend doing this when it is warm or you may break some of the clips (but they are easy to get at the dealership). I pulled my doors off in 70degree weather and didn't break any of them.
Now, if you like pics (and because I like to show off my handiwork
) here are some of my trunk false-floor install:
If you're looking to do something simple, speakers would be your best bet. After reading Crutchfield's article on what OEM speakers are usually made of, I'm seriously considering changing the speakers.
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/learningcenter/car/speakers_why.html
http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/learningcenter/car/speakers_why.html
blondee_yvr
Member
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- 2012 Mazda3
I'm in Canada and even with a stronger CDN dollar I don't know anywhere where I can find a decent [new] amp (HUD) for less than $200, in fact, I am seeing them for around $300+CDN.cbc said:
I saw several pair of those Polks mentioned earlier on ebay for around $80/pair, which is a pretty good price. Cheapest retail I could find on them was $160-170US
I also think the best/least expen$ive thing you could do for now is replacement speakers for the oems.
You *will* hear a difference!
I also think the best/least expen$ive thing you could do for now is replacement speakers for the oems.
You *will* hear a difference!
cbc said:
Those Polks will be good if you use an amp. Otherwise, they won't have enough power to get them going. If you plan on only using deck power, Pioneers (or something similarly priced) sound decent at that power range.
Yes, first step is almost always to replace the speakers. That's usually the biggest bang-for-the-buck. Then, if that isn't enough, get an aftermarket deck, which will give you more power. Some aftermarket decks have built-in crossovers so you can set the deck to output only mids/highs to the main speakers. That will let them play a bit louder without distortion. Then, you can add a small (8" or 10") sub and small 100w amp to round out the bass.
Sample system from Crutchfield:
- Headunit that plays MP3/WMAs which includes wire harness and installation kit for about $130
- 10", 200w Powered sub which includes wiring kit for about $300 (less if you get one with a smaller sub and/or less power)
- Front speakers for about $80.
- Total cost: $510+shipping.
This won't be competition level and some people don't like bass tubes, but the price is pretty decent and simple to install and includes all the wiring that can add up quickly if purchased seperately. You can get better deals on some stuff through E-bay, but you might have warranty issues if something goes bad.
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blondee_yvr
Member
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- 2012 Mazda3
Thanks for the info guys. Is our stock deck that weak? What's the power rating of it and the stock speakers? ARe the speakers 6x8 all around?
I think I'll have to get it professionally done as I dont want to take any chances (i'll likely break the clips or do something else...believe me, if there is any chance of something going wrong, it will. Besides, I dont want to have any warranty or rattle noise issues as a result of the work.
I think I'll have to get it professionally done as I dont want to take any chances (i'll likely break the clips or do something else...believe me, if there is any chance of something going wrong, it will. Besides, I dont want to have any warranty or rattle noise issues as a result of the work.
stuckclboy
Member
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- Mazda 3
blondee_yvr said:
speakers are all 6x8, the stock deck is weak and lacking bass big time, not sure what the rating is,
Seems kinda strange that those Polks wouldn't sound ok with just the OEM HU. They are rated at 90db , which is pretty efficient, so unless you are seeking Metallica-esque sound levels inside your car, I'd bet they would sound fine. Mos def an improvement over the stock ones. And protecting your hearing for the future ain't such a bad idea either.
cbc said:Seems kinda strange that those Polks wouldn't sound ok with just the OEM HU. They are rated at 90db , which is pretty efficient, so unless you are seeking Metallica-esque sound levels inside your car, I'd bet they would sound fine. Mos def an improvement over the stock ones. And protecting your hearing for the future ain't such a bad idea either.
What? I can't hear you.
Anyway, they DO work, there's just a night and day difference between HU power and amp power. I was using deck power (and aftermarket HU power at that) while I was working on my amp rack and they sounded dull and lifeless. Now driving them with 100w rms x 2 and the sound is MUCH better, although >=50W w rms will work perfectly fine. Besides, why pay $100 or more for really nice speakers when driving them with crap HU power (OEM or Aftermarket)? Pioneers or equivalent are fine for that. I suppose you could get them anyway if you know for sure you are going to amp them later on.
I don't really trust sensitivity numbers. That value may be the sensitivity at a certain frequency or across the full audio range, or some other trickery. Most entry level speakers are designed to reproduce most of the frequency spectrum at decent levels with lower (deck) power. Higher-end speakers tend to use higher quality materials tp produce a better and flatter range of frequencies; maybe a heavier surround, or thicker cone to prevent cone flex, or a tighter spider to increase clarity, etc. These things make a speaker less sensitive due to added mass or "stiffness", but sound better overall. Unfortunately, more power is needed to make up for the reduced sensitivity.
Really it would be best to take a ride to a local shop that has the models you are looking at hooked up and take a listen test. Make sure they use the power source you plan to use (HU power vs amped). Maybe do it with your eyes closed and have the sales guy switch between the two to prevent "brand bias" (where you know brandX should sound better, so you think it does). Also, any speaker set will most likely sound different in a car vs an open room, but at least you'll get an idea of the relative sound quality difference between the various models. No matter what the numbers say or don't say, it only matters what sounds good to your ear and your wallet.
By the way, about 25w rms (50w "peak") x 4 is about as much as you can get from a 14.4v DC electrical system without the use of a switching power supply (which is what amps use to turn 14.4v into much higher amp power supply rails). OEM decks don't usually use the "higher-end" amp IC's or adequate cooling that will allow this. I would say from some experience you can expect from 10-15w rms tops from a run-of-the-mill OEM deck. This equates to the useless "peak" rating of 20-30w, which is the number you are most likely going to find listed, if anything.
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I run the Infinity reference(front) and Polk DB's(back seat) off aftermarket HU power. The speakers can be found for under $55 shipped a pair for either brand online and they sound great and are super efficient. Running both sets off a Sony HU, most people would think there was a amp somewhere in the car. I am very happy with the sound quality and they get very loud, even at 3/4 volume you can't hear distortion. Bass has more punch and highs are nice and crisp. I have a 02 Z28 with a Kenwood upper level HU, stock amp(500 watts peak, aprox 50 watts rms) Infinity Kappa 6.5 2 ohm speakers x 4 and a mtx amp running 2 memphis audio 10's....The overall sound in my Mazda 3 for the highs and mids is better than in the Z28....Bass is not as good, but that is because I focused my $ into the bass in the Camaro.
I really think the Infinity reference speakers are some of the best low dollar speakers out there for highs and mid range for the price. For awhile I drove around with the Infinity's up front and stock ones in the back seat and was very happy with the sound...sounds better now with the Polks in the back, but for the average person, a aftermarket HU and some Infinity references up front, should make them happy.
I really think the Infinity reference speakers are some of the best low dollar speakers out there for highs and mid range for the price. For awhile I drove around with the Infinity's up front and stock ones in the back seat and was very happy with the sound...sounds better now with the Polks in the back, but for the average person, a aftermarket HU and some Infinity references up front, should make them happy.
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blondee_yvr
Member
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- 2012 Mazda3
Ok, in summary. To avoid disappointment. Dont get the Polks unless I upgrade my HUD? Get the Pioneers for the front and back? http://www.crutchfield.com/S-DUw0s4oEqQh/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=52200&I=130TSA6871
Also, I am reading in the Canadian forums that I should NOT get 3 or 4 way coaxials speakers unless I get a components setup, otherwise I'll be disappointed.
Those younger folk are also telling me that I need a sub or a bazooka sub to improve the bass. I'm totally confused here. (bang)
Also, I am reading in the Canadian forums that I should NOT get 3 or 4 way coaxials speakers unless I get a components setup, otherwise I'll be disappointed.
Those younger folk are also telling me that I need a sub or a bazooka sub to improve the bass. I'm totally confused here. (bang)
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cbc said:
They are listed in my signature 6802CF...The Polks I have in the back seat are Polk DB570. The Polks don't have as crisp highs, but do sound very good and do not require a seperate amp. The Infinity's are 92 db sensistivity and the Polks are 93db sensitivity. Comparing the stock speakers to either of these speakers is a night and day difference..The stock speakers are weak sounding..full range speakers and they sound muffled..Adding either of these speakers will make even a stock HU sound better...any efficient speaker should sound better than the stock ones. I like the Polks in back, so the highs are not overpowering...Comparing the stock to these, the stock ones were half as loud.
blondee_yvr said:
The Polk DB570's would work great, I can take my aftermarket HU out and try out the stock HU if you want and let you know how they sound. I'm sure they will still sound much better than the stock crappy speakers. it only takes about 5 minutes to change them out, and was wondering anyway since my wife likes the look of the stock hu.
6x8 speakers are not made to put out the lower bass, so if you like bass then a seperate subwoofer would make it sound better. If you decide to get speakers on crutchfields I would get the Alpine SPS 570A, Polk DB 570's or the Infinity 6812's. Alpine normally makes a great product and are efficient, so any of those 3 will work great in your car if you have the 4 speaker setup like me. I have the other 2 speakers and the Infinity sound excellent up front. You may want to get some of the Alpines(cheaper than the others and high quality), stick them up front, listen to it and if you want a little more, then get some for the back seat. Overall, you are not going to see a huge improvement with adding the back seat speakers. The people in the back seat will be the only ones that really appreciate it.
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blondee_yvr
Member
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- 2012 Mazda3
Yes, I would like that, but that sounds a lot of work for you to pull out your old HUD. (wow)rotwiler said:
I heard a listen to the Pioneer 6x8's that you all recommend and I wasn't happy with them. They sounded a bit better than the stock. I dont need a helluva lot more bass but a noticable increase than what's in there now. I dunno about buying online as I cant seem to find a lot of product that is available locally to tryout or listen to.
Someone also suggested that I go for about 6 1/2 coaxical up front and maybe keep the stocks in the rear? I dunno about that. I dont like the idea of having kits installed and what not. Ideally, would like to have new speakrs all around in my sedan. I like your suggestion of getting new ones up front and take it from there.
I Will probably have to get my speakers professionally installed since I'll want someone to blame if I hear rattles or vibration coming from the doors.(hah)
blondee_yvr said:
Isn't a problem, I can take the aftermarket HU out in under 5 minutes, is very simple and just need to plug the stock HU in. I added the aftermarket HU and the front Infinity speakers at the same time, so never did listen to it with the stock HU. The 6x8's I added sound very good and I see no reason whatsover to put 6.5's in. i bought both brands off ebay...I know ebay can suck, but there are some good deals and can get them for 1/2 price of local, I just go with good sellers. If I have time tomarrow I will try to get the stock HU back in and listen to the Infinity's and the Polks seperate and sit in the back seat to give a opinion on the polks. As I said in past post, I did listen to the stock backseat speakers when I did the Infinity's and there was no comparison, poor highs and muffled sound and this was off the aftermarket HU...the stock speakers are not very efficient... I'll let you know how it sounds with the stock HU and post here as soon as I find out.
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