bare bones audio for speed 3?

[Capt Crunch]

I got a speed3 sport and I'm looking for a little better quality muzak. I'm not an audiophile and I'm talking bare bones... stock HU, change only the front speakers, amp, and sub. Has anyone done a budget setup like this that could offer any pointers on placement, install, and brands? I'm looking to spend $300 or so.

I was thinking maybe to buy the Bose setup from a GT owner who is upgrading. Bose sucks, but I've heard the GT bose setup is decent. Anyone want to sell it to me?

 

[speed3shon]

im not a bose fan, but i have been fairly impressed with the stock sound from the bose stereo in my GT...

I used to be big into car audio, and got out of it, and this does just fine for me...

 

[lzcztq]

I'll have to agree that the sound is decent on the Bose but the sound is a little too forward biased for me. I plan on just adding amp and a subwoofer to give it that extra dimension in the rear I think it needs. Right now I'm thinking about just getting the Infinity Basslink which is under $300 for sure.

 

[BLACKMS3]

I replaced the stock door speakers with Alpine SPS-17C2 6.5's. Made a big difference in quality and loudness. Cost me about $190 with specials going on...

I also added two 8" Subs in an enclosure for about $350 more..

 

[Abaddon]

If you are just adding on to the stock system, I would strongly recommend a 8" sub in a sealed enclosure. Say, about 150 watts.

The BOSE system isn't bad. It does have lots of mid-range kick and relatively good highs, just lacks in the low end extension.

BlackMS3, Nice install. But you do realize that you could get much more from that system if the subs were facing the other direction... right? Unless it hits hard enough for you like that.

 

[BLACKMS3]

Understand that he has a sport, not a GT, so no BOSE.

Thanks. I understand facing them backwards would yield a better result, but they are perfect for what I was looking for. I have a wife/child and if I needed more, I would've went with something larger than 8's..

Plus, I dont have to worry about puncturing one when I put stuff in the truck and it's pretty steathly!

 

[Abaddon]

Understand that he has a sport, not a GT, so no BOSE.

Yes, but didn't he say he was thinking about picking up the BOSE from someone that was putting in a full after market setup?

 

[BLACKMS3]

AH... but would that be more work than necessary?

Do the sports have the sub wiring under the seat already?

I know the HU wiring is somewhat different.

Either way.....

 

[Abaddon]

You are absolutely correct. It would require (at a minimum) running the extra wires through the doors for the component speakers (The sport doesnt have tweeters, does it??). So the BOSE option is out of the question. You might be able to pick it up for $300 or less, but after spending 10 hours of labor, you might as well have spend $600 on a new system.

So what other options does he have? Keeping things under $300 is HARD... I would say you are more looking at $500 (unless you buy stuff used or stolen from e-bay).

First off, does the sport have Component fronts, or just full-range in the doors?

 

[BLACKMS3]

full range doors and tweeters in the pillars

 

[1sty]

I got a speed3 sport and I'm looking for a little better quality muzak. I'm not an audiophile and I'm talking bare bones... stock HU, change only the front speakers, amp, and sub. Has anyone done a budget setup like this that could offer any pointers on placement, install, and brands? I'm looking to spend $300 or so.

I was thinking maybe to buy the Bose setup from a GT owner who is upgrading. Bose sucks, but I've heard the GT bose setup is decent. Anyone want to sell it to me?

$300 is a tough budget to do much with. Here is what $400 can do.
The $1000 challenge thread will give you some ideas of how poepl tackle this problem and what brands everyone likes.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26312

WIth you budget, I would start by hitting up a car audio store and looking at some coaxle speakers. Stick to the $150 range or less. Sample all that you can and buy what you like. Most poeple tend to gravitate to the Alpine's or infinity's offerings, I hate them both but all ears are different so buy what you think sounds good. Bring your own CDs along for a proper test.
Here is what I can come up with from Crutchfield.com
sub/box: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-f1zuqNWFUZh/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=510&I=575PL1110
Front Speakers: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-f1zuqNWFUZh/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=52200&I=107DB570
Amp: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-f1zuqNWFUZh/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=120&I=130GM4300F
Power Wire Kit: http://www.cardomain.com/item/STRPSK08R
If you can dig up the extra money, I highly suggest getting the Monster Cable power kit instead.
The crutchfield items come with free shipping and total under $320. Also they come with any adapters and very nice detailed directions on how to practicly dismantle the entire car.
The amplifier wiring kit is about $30 with free shipping so this will be perfect for your budget. The only other thing you will need is some speaker wire to go from the head unit to the amplifier and back to the speakers. These connections can all be made behind the factory headunit. The amplifier has speaker level inputs, no LOC required.
Here is some speaker wire, you'll need about 60': http://www.cardomain.com/item/ROCRFWP1630
16 guage is more then adaquit for the front speakers, and you can just double it up for the sub. Not this is only enough speaker wire for an amplifier installation under a seat, not in the back.

Enjoy

 

[Capt Crunch]

1sty, thanks for the great advice! If I get a aub with internal amp like one that fits under the seat, do I still need another amp to power the front speakers?

 

[1sty]

I always prefer to power any aftermarket speakers, as you will loose low end output otherwise and an amp is a hell of alot more powerfull and cheaper then a head unit if you are powering both a sub and speakers.
I would not bother with an all in one amp/sub, they are crap compared to a legit 10" in a box. That Fosgate I linked to is crazy price for what you get.

 

[voiceKoil]

I would get a line out converter, run that from the stock headunit. Thats how Im running mine and it sounds nice. OR get an amp with highlevel inputs, Then If your just talking about getting front speakers and a sub. I would get a 4 channel amp, get some new 6x8s for the fronts and run those to 2 channels on the amp, then I would get 1 12in sub and bridge the other 2 channels to the sub from that same amp. All you would need after that would be an amp kit w/ rcas... You could easily do a half way decent system for that much if buying from ebay. Go to walmart and get a cheap 4ga amp kit for $25. Spend $50 on a sub, $30 box, $50 speakers, $15 line out converter (maybe), and have $130-145 left for the amp. $300 is completely dooable.... Any questions feel free to ask!

and Im not saying to buy jenson or pyramid crap either, go with pioneer or another decent brand, I wouldnt get sony though...

 

[voiceKoil]

1sty, thanks for the great advice! If I get a aub with internal amp like one that fits under the seat, do I still need another amp to power the front speakers?

That will cost too much and wont sound half as good..... and yes then youull need another amp..

 

[voiceKoil]

You are absolutely correct. It would require (at a minimum) running the extra wires through the doors for the component speakers (The sport doesnt have tweeters, does it??). So the BOSE option is out of the question. You might be able to pick it up for $300 or less, but after spending 10 hours of labor, you might as well have spend $600 on a new system.

So what other options does he have? Keeping things under $300 is HARD... I would say you are more looking at $500 (unless you buy stuff used or stolen from e-bay).

First off, does the sport have Component fronts, or just full-range in the doors?

The sport has Tweeters in the front, which wouldnt really matter if he is buying new speakers would it?

 

[Capt Crunch]

Hmm... the more I think about it the less I like the idea of a 10" box sitting in my trunk. I want to have full practicality and maintain a stock appearance.

Would just an amp and a nice set of speakers do well? I don't really turn up my music, and I think the setup in my dad's M3 is fantastic, for example. If this is a reasonable idea, what would be a good choice of speaker?

 

[Capt Crunch]

another question, can a small amp be placed inside the deep part of the glovebox?

 

[1sty]

Hmm... the more I think about it the less I like the idea of a 10" box sitting in my trunk. I want to have full practicality and maintain a stock appearance.

Would just an amp and a nice set of speakers do well? I don't really turn up my music, and I think the setup in my dad's M3 is fantastic, for example. If this is a reasonable idea, what would be a good choice of speaker?

Nothing will replace a subwoofer.

THe box can be pretty small for a 10" and just take it out when you need the space. It takes all of 2 minutes to take in or out.

An amplifier in the glove box will probably overheat. Put the amp under the seat instead.

 

[tsunami]

use some sound deadening on your doors if you are going to go full range instead of amplified, where you would cut out the low end with a filter and have the low end from a sub only, i would want deadening either way but the doors in the 3 rattle like a mofo and the sound deadening will help stop that as well as make your speakers sound/perform better with a full range set up especially.