I've installed amps, aftermarket stereos and speakers in pretty much every car I've ever owned. I really don't want to do that with the CX-9, but I'd like to "brighten" up the sound a bit. I'm thinking the easiest way is to just replace all 4 door speakers, possibly with Infinity Kappas... any one else done this and been satisfied at that point? Any speaker recommendations?
Has anyone just replaced the 4 door speakers?
- Thread starter 911jason
- Start date
Nope... I was too impatient to wait for them to find the color combo I wanted with a tech package. Made the payment easier to swallow too! 
I actually don't think the system sounds all that terrible, especially when turned up quite a bit. It's just very muffled at low volumes, even with the treble turned up to max.
I actually don't think the system sounds all that terrible, especially when turned up quite a bit. It's just very muffled at low volumes, even with the treble turned up to max.
You should see an improvement for sure. The bose systems are garbage paper coned drivers and proprietary biamping. If you have a bose system you pretty much have to go whole hog or nothing at all
If you have the standard stock system then you'll see an improvement for sure with better drivers.
If you have the standard stock system then you'll see an improvement for sure with better drivers.
Bose = Better than OEM System Eh.
If you spent the same amount on aftermarket gear as you do the Bose system you're almost guaranteed to have a better sounding system. The centerpoint and all that is great but the weakest link is the power output and thin paper cone speakers. They are designed for dynamic response at moderate to low listening levels. By dynamic I mean, perceived dynamics by over emphasis of midbass to make it sound louder than it actually is. Simply put, people that Bose sounds good have never heard a great sounding system.
If you spent the same amount on aftermarket gear as you do the Bose system you're almost guaranteed to have a better sounding system. The centerpoint and all that is great but the weakest link is the power output and thin paper cone speakers. They are designed for dynamic response at moderate to low listening levels. By dynamic I mean, perceived dynamics by over emphasis of midbass to make it sound louder than it actually is. Simply put, people that Bose sounds good have never heard a great sounding system.
i know it's generally garbage. by surprised, i mean it actually sounded (or appeared to sound) better than i expected it to. the bose system in my old titan was awful, and the system in our mazda 3 is awful. but in the cx9 it's significantly better. bass actually thumps pretty good.
I think that this is the problem, Mazda does not limit the bass and the speakers become muddy, not crisp like I would expect. If you are happy with your system then that is all that matters, it is YOUR ride. Enjoy it!
Chuyler1 get it straight, BOSE = Boy Our Sh*ts Expensive.
If you think the Bose system sounds crappy, you should come over here and listen to what many of the sound systems are like in these Italian cars (F'in kidding me). My Italian friends love to ride with and listen to the stereo. That said, I have to say the dumb idea of using a paper coned speaker was not well thought out. The door has no plastic vapor barrier to protect the back of the speaker, so when you roll the window up and down on rainy or damp days, the speaker gets wet. I mean they could have used at least a wax impregnated cone. I have had to replace one door woofer because it was water damaged/warped.
I attempted to replace the door speakers with an Infinity Kappa, with variable impedance, but they just didn't cut it. Like stated, you either have to go all or nothing with a Bose system.
If you think the Bose system sounds crappy, you should come over here and listen to what many of the sound systems are like in these Italian cars (F'in kidding me). My Italian friends love to ride with and listen to the stereo. That said, I have to say the dumb idea of using a paper coned speaker was not well thought out. The door has no plastic vapor barrier to protect the back of the speaker, so when you roll the window up and down on rainy or damp days, the speaker gets wet. I mean they could have used at least a wax impregnated cone. I have had to replace one door woofer because it was water damaged/warped.
I attempted to replace the door speakers with an Infinity Kappa, with variable impedance, but they just didn't cut it. Like stated, you either have to go all or nothing with a Bose system.
Most american cars have the same issue, especially if while replacing speakers you remove the plastic drip guard. Rain gets in whether the windows are up or down. I've never seen an OEM Mazda speaker damaged from rain. Usually the glue that binds the surround gives out and you end up with a cone flapping freely.
