Install 6" x 9" instead of OEM 6" x 8" rear speakers? 2008 Mazda5

[protege_lx99]

Anybody try to install 6" x 9" instead of 6" x 8" for rear speakers in a 2008 Mazda5?

 

[vmale]

I recently replaced the rear speakers in my 2007 Mazda 5, which should be pretty much the same back there as the 2008. The new speakers were the stock size 6X8 but they had a larger magnet and they hardly fit. The space behind was too shallow. But that is not the reason why I don't think you should do it. Replacing the rear speakers made little difference to me. When I replaced the front speakers with Infinities, the sound quality improved a great deal. Replacing the rear speakers did not have the same effect. Sure, they sound nicer and crisper when you are right in front of them (will anyone be???) but they do not create the rich deep sound the new front speakers do. I think it may have something to do with how the speakers are just mounted on the steel frame of the car in the back with a large (but shallow) empty area behind them while they are sitting in an enclosure in the front door. They are probably able to resonate better in there. Here is a wiki article on that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudspeaker_enclosure . In short, save yourself the trouble. Even if the 6X9 speakers fit, they will not make a big difference compared to your stock speakers.

 

[protege_lx99]

Thanks a lot vmale for those details, I really appreciate. I think I'll get better speakers, probably fit 6.5" MB Quart Reference Component in the front, and try this before change rear speakers. On Metra website, when you choose our car in the list, they talk about 5" dept for rear speakers. Seems to be less than those numbers. So I think I'm not gonna change rear speaker for the moment

Thanks again !

 

[vmale]

Wow, you're going all out! I see you also replaced the head unit. You should be set up for some nice sound.

Where will you put the crossovers? I was not sure if I could easily replace the tweeters so I just left the original ones in. Now I have two sets of tweeters: the originals and the ones in the new 2-way speakers but it does not bother me. I am just glad the sound quality is much better now.

Good luck!

 

[tapiajulii2]

I recently replaced the rear speakers in my 2007 Mazda 5, which should be pretty much the same back there as the 2008. The new speakers were the stock size 6X8 but they had a larger magnet and they hardly fit. The space behind was too shallow. But that is not the reason why I don't think you should do it. Replacing the rear speakers made little difference to me. When I replaced the front speakers with Infinities, the sound quality improved a great deal. Replacing the rear speakers did not have the same effect. Sure, they sound nicer and crisper when you are right in front of them (will anyone be???) but they do not create the rich deep sound the new front speakers do. I think it may have something to do with how the speakers are just mounted on the steel frame of the car in the back with a large (but shallow) empty area behind them while they are sitting in an enclosure in the front door. They are probably able to resonate better in there. Here is a wiki article on that: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loudspeaker_enclosure . In short, save yourself the trouble. Even if the 6X9 speakers fit, they will not make a big difference compared to your stock speakers.

Hi, I have a quick question.I bought six x 9 4 way Speakers for my Mazda, 5 20 10 opened it up. Came to find out the magnet, did not fit, is there any? Product that can help me fit my speaker. In the rear of my Mazda, 5 20 10 really have no time to go and get new 1's. Please give me a solution to install my speakers.Thank you

 

[maykelcj]

Search for speaker spacers.

 

[theblooms]

Hi, I have a quick question.I bought six x 9 4 way Speakers for my Mazda, 5 20 10 opened it up. Came to find out the magnet, did not fit, is there any? Product that can help me fit my speaker. In the rear of my Mazda, 5 20 10 really have no time to go and get new 1's. Please give me a solution to install my speakers.Thank you

WIthout some major surgery, they 6x9's simply won't go where 6x8's were. It may sound like it's only a minor difference in size, but that's not true at all. It's a substantial difference.

What I did was fit some Dayton Audio RS180 7's in the doors via some custom Sound Mechanix PVC adapter rings. And even then, I had to trim the outside edge of the baskets of the drivers so the door panel would go back on. If you don't want to trim the speaker baskets, the Dayton Audio DC160 6.5's drop right in using those same adapter plates.

 

[dlarkin_dc]

Anybody try to install 6" x 9" instead of 6" x 8" for rear speakers in a 2008 Mazda5?

Gotta watch for the spacing behind! Crutchfield isn't super reliable these days but their matching database usually knows if shallow are needed or extra large magnets can be installed.

I just put full range 3-way 6x8 all-around when I upgraded and it worked out very well. The idea that is rears are for fill only makes sensor for saloon style cars with traditional rear deck speakers (windshield bounce puts HF out of phase)... but the 5's more of a rolling warehouse and putting some decent speakers all around worked out very well.

Whatever you do going forward, having enough wattage from the head unit is critical. The stock isn't half bad for clarity but it's not all that powerful.