Getting a Protege5, need some audiophile direction.

[Celco]

So i am new to the Mazda scene. At the moment i drive a 2000 Ford Focus. But I have a 2002 Silver Protege 5 (5speed) waiting for me when i get home for summer break. Ill have about 3 weeks to tear down my Focus and ready it for sale and get the P5 to my liking. I plan on taking out my system that i am running minus the door speakers.

As of right now I am using and will be putting into the P5 is.
Headunit - Pioneer DEH-P7800MP
4 Channel amp - Audiobahn A4004T
Subwoofer amp - Rockford Fosgate P2502
Subwoofer - MB Quart DWG 254

Since space is kind of an issue with me driving back and forth from MI to GA, Ill be making one of the fiberglass boxes for the drivers side trunk compartment. I am also thinking of mounting one amp under each seat, this way i save trunk space and have clean look.

I also have heard that there is some road noise with the P5's. To combat this i have seen the threads about striping and sound deadening the cabin with "dynamat' type materials and carpet padding.

Questions for the P5 experienced....
-Is there enough room to easily put an amp under the front seats without having an ill effect?
-Is https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned) over https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned) worth the extra $36?
-What is, where is, how much are my options for the carpet padding?
-I'm getting conflicting speaker sizes, Best Buy and BrandsMart is saying 6"x9" all around. The guide says 6"x9" front, 6" - 6.5" in the rear. Who is right? (i assume its you guys)
-What speakers should i be looking for to put in the doors? (I got to hear some alpines and infinity, both sound good... give me your opinion)


Some pictures of my Focus. Not the most current, but best looking. I never finished the trunk, but you can see my blacked headliner and pillars (use to be gray from the pillars up)

 

[chuyler1]

Welcome to the club!

First off, make sure you read through the following threads. Many of your questions about installation kits, wiring harnesses, and speaker sizes will be answered.

Speaker Sizes, Harnesses, and Kits of all Mazdas!
Protege5 Fiberglass Subwoofer box
How to install MSP Radio pocket in P5/ Sedan

Now that you have all the resources, I'll quickly answer your Q's.

You can fit many amps under the front seats. Just measure and make sure you buy something that will fit between the rails. There is a vent under there too, you can trim the vent, install the amp over the vent, or install the amp under the vent. Just get creative.

Use Raammat and Ensolite for the best sound deadening results. It is more affordable and works great. The website is www.raammat.com and there are numerous discussions about applying it at www.diymobileaudio.com.

Speaker sizes are 6x8" front and 6" rear. As the threads above note, you can fit most 6.5" speakers in the front and rear so don't limit yourself to the stock sizes. I really can't recommend a brand/model for speakers because they all sound unique. I will mention that component speakers, even cheap ones, are a much better investment than any coaxial. If you want to buy new speakers, go to a few stores and bring a cd to demo.

 

[nogirlsatgt]

I'm undertaking a similar enclosure as well. I'm also in GA if you need a hand.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123669735

 

[Celco]

anyone?

Nogirlsatgt, ill be in Michigan doing all this work. But thanks for the offer. I am normally just north of Atlanta in Marietta. If you ever have any g2g info let me know.

 

[chuyler1]

Dude, I answered all your questions above.

 

[Celco]

I am just looking for all my options as to what i can have for the deadening materials. Yes i know there are the best products out there, but im a poor college student, i dont have a lot of money to spend (but i will if i have to).

 

[chuyler1]

Raammat is the best and cheapest. This discussion has come up many times and although there are alternatives they are either more expensive or not suitable for the high temperatures you may get in a car interior during the summer months.

 

[FoxPro5]

Second Skin is giving a way a quart of Spectrum spray deadener. Check it out: http://www.secondskinaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2798

 

[chuyler1]

Nice deal Fox. I just spent hmm lets see, about 6 hours working on the front doors of my speed6 this weekend. I ran a power cable to the back, ran two pairs of speaker wire to the back (still can't get the OEM wiring harness back in the slot in the door (doh!). Then I pulled the center portion off the door and layed one layer of raammat and one layer of ensolite. I added more to the center portion and more to the back of the door panel. Now I've got to fab up some baffles and tweeter pods so I can actually install my speakers.