Anyone have an aftermarket headunit?

[RXMmazdaspeed]

I was looking through the audio subforum and couldn't find any pictures of a 3/ms3 with an aftermarket headunit..... so who has one with pictures?

I have a nice headunit sitting around and want to see how it'll look in a 3...

 

[ecniemann]

Here's mine. It uses the kit Crutchfield has, forgot the name of the brand. There are others out there, I think even a double-DIN. A lot of people do not like the look, but audio for me outweighs the looks of the kit vs stock.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123684643

 

[chuyler1]

The kits I've seen for both the Mazda3 and Mazda6 have good fit, but not so good finish. The plastic fits perfectly as a replacement for the factory radio, but the texture and color isn't quite right, as seen in ecniemann's photos. I'm a stickler for stuff like that so I've been just sticking with the factory Bose radio in my MS6.

If your 3 has the factory Bose radio, it comes with line-level pre-outs which are ready for aftermarket amps and speakers so I wouldn't bother replacing it. If your 3 doesn't have Bose then one of these kits is pretty much your only option for getting great sound in your ride.

 

[ecniemann]

Yeah, I have a Sport non-Bose, on purpose, because I knew I would be changing it anyway. No need to pay for something I will not use!

The color/texture is off, but honestly I really do not notice it much. In pictures, it comes off much more noticeable. I'd say it is a bit more glossy, more black (blacker?), and the texture is slightly rough. It would have been nice if they could have matched the gray color we have, since that kit is car specific, but oh well.

 

[chuyler1]

You can always sand and paint it for a nice custom look.

 

[ecniemann]

You can always sand and paint it for a nice custom look.

That's a good idea. What do you estimate that would cost. I have also been thinking of putting some kind of rubber sticky mat (similar to our cup holders) on the bottom of that utility tray. I put my phone, glasses, or other things in there, accelerate too hard (which is easy in this car), and my stuff is all over the place; in my lap, floor, console!

 

[chuyler1]

Well, you might as well try painting it yourself. You can pick up various grit sandpaper at a hardware store (or Walmart). Get some automotive grade primer and paint in a rattle can and give it your best. If you screw up, sand it off and try again. You can also get clear-coat in a rattle can which will help seal the finish and prevent scratching. When you're done, wax it like the outside of your car for more durability.

 

[RXMmazdaspeed]

i have a sport as well, but in being a stickler as well (no offense to your setup ecniemann) i really don't like the look. the stock looks great to me and an aftermarket piece would have to be comparable or better.

has anyone installed subs with the stock headunit in the sport edition? is it possible?

 

[ecniemann]

i have a sport as well, but in being a stickler as well (no offense to your setup ecniemann) i really don't like the look. the stock looks great to me and an aftermarket piece would have to be comparable or better.

has anyone installed subs with the stock headunit in the sport edition? is it possible?

Nah, no offense taken. It is all about trade-offs sometimes. To me it was definately worth it. A lot of people like the stock look only. I actually like the industrial look of high end home audio components, so performance is > looks to me. I have some Outlaw home audio gear that has an Incredible Hulk like green power button and Outlaw logo. A lot of people on the forums there bitched about it, but I think it is cool.

I have been enjoying my car audio system for over a year now with no regrets.

You can use a LOC (line output converter) to use an amp with a sub, but I am unsure exactly how to do it. Do a search of LOC and see what comes up.

 

[chuyler1]

A LOC is always an option... Its great for adding subwoofers or for a mid-level all around system...but if you are in search of hifi heaven a LOC is not in your future. Even a cheap $100 head unit with a single set of pre-outs will have better quality sound than a factory unit + LOC.

Why? Because most factory head units use some sort of EQ to make the factory speakers sound better. This EQ never translates well through aftermarket amps and speakers. Additionally, the factory head unit amp usually cuts out bass below 50Hz significantly in order to protect the factory speakers. Hooking up a LOC and power subwoofers will give you more bass, but it won't give you earth shattering sub-bass that you can achieve with an aftermarket unit that has a pre-out producing the full spectrum of audio down to 20Hz.

 

[ecniemann]

A LOC is always an option... Its great for adding subwoofers or for a mid-level all around system...but if you are in search of hifi heaven a LOC is not in your future. Even a cheap $100 head unit with a single set of pre-outs will have better quality sound than a factory unit + LOC.

Why? Because most factory head units use some sort of EQ to make the factory speakers sound better. This EQ never translates well through aftermarket amps and speakers. Additionally, the factory head unit amp usually cuts out bass below 50Hz significantly in order to protect the factory speakers. Hooking up a LOC and power subwoofers will give you more bass, but it won't give you earth shattering sub-bass that you can achieve with an aftermarket unit that has a pre-out producing the full spectrum of audio down to 20Hz.

Yeah, agreed 100%, that's why I went that route. Some people are using the JL audio Clean Sweep or equivalent (MTX, Alpine, a few others make these sound flattening processers) in addition to an LOC. Apparently it works, but to me it would cost more to do this than to just get a new HU. To each his own though.

 

[chuyler1]

Cleansweep isn't worth the price. It sets up a flat response from your head which is good, but it doesn't allow you to compensate for what your speakers actually produce. The Rockford Fosgate 360 is a much better option in that regard since it gives you the EQ to mess around with. However, both solutions cost significantly more than a new head unit so you'd have to really love your stock unit to go that route (prolly if it has built-in Navigation for example).