installed JBL GTO 329 speakers in the dash of my 2013 cx-5

[gogoputter]

Bose should be ashamed of themselves for the terrible speakers they put in this vehicle. I installed 3.5" JBL's in the front dash. The old wiring was not marked so I checked the polarity and found that the portion of the white plug to the old Bose speakers with the black writing is the negative side. I took the white plug off the Bose speakers and soldered the connections so I could use it with the new speakers. This sounds so much better.

 

[diakamo]

What size speakers can I install in the front and rear door wells of my Mazda CX5? I'm trying to change the stock speakers in my CX5 because they are terrible. Any ideas? Please share.

 

[nizzy1115]

6.5" in doors and 3.5" in dash if u dont already have bose.

 

[V8toilet]

No highs no lows must be Bose.

Mr. Bose just passed away. I used to work in their R&D center and they basically EQ high end full range drivers to get the most out of them. It's amazing what they can do with cheap speakers.

 

[gogoputter]

If you don't have the Bose system with their amp it is much easier. I put jbl p662's (6.5 inch) in the front doors only to find that the Bose amp had dedicated those speaker locations to bass probably with a built in low pass filter. I saw no adjustments on the Bose amp. So I have no sound from the tweeter portion of the 662's. I will have to rewire everything and add a 5 channel jl amp. I am told that 6.5 inch speakers fit in the back.

 

[Evan55]

good news. so no impedance mismatch?

the bose system on my 99 miata had non-standard impedance amp that made upgrading the speakers a pain

 

[BlackSpeed10]

good news. so no impedance mismatch?

the bose system on my 99 miata had non-standard impedance amp that made upgrading the speakers a pain

I wondered this as well. I figured the BOSE system would have something weird like a 1 or 2 Ohm impedance. Those JBL's are listed at 3 Ohms.

 

[HelloMello]

Bose home speakers are bad too - just a lot of hype. I returned a $2,000 Bose 5.1 (17 years ago) soon after I tried it at home, so I'm glad I didn't fall for the scam this time around. To OP, sorry you had to replace them but either of the Lansing brothers is a better choice.

 

[Evan55]

I still cant believe a 3.5" speaker is the primary speaker in the "upgraded" bose system. Anyone else replace theirs, or try to wedge in a 4"?

If you don't have the Bose system with their amp it is much easier. I put jbl p662's (6.5 inch) in the front doors only to find that the Bose amp had dedicated those speaker locations to bass probably with a built in low pass filter. I saw no adjustments on the Bose amp. So I have no sound from the tweeter portion of the 662's. I will have to rewire everything and add a 5 channel jl amp. I am told that 6.5 inch speakers fit in the back.

Is it at least better quality sound even though youre not getting any treble or mids from the 6.5" ? Ive noticed the stock 6.5 to be very muddy and uncontrolled.

 

[squibcakes]

Anyone else replace theirs, or try to wedge in a 4"?


Is it at least better quality sound even though youre not getting any treble or mids from the 6.5" ? Ive noticed the stock 6.5 to be very muddy and uncontrolled.

I looked at putting 4" 2ways in but cutting is required and because of the close proximity to the front glass it would be hard getting cutting tools in there and didn't want to risk cutting up the dash... I think it can be done but with any real improvement over 3.5" or good quality splits and a Sub - I don't think it is worth it.

 

[gogoputter]

Evan55...it is just a hair better...the noticeable sound clarity comes from the jbls's in the dash and the 6.5's I put in the rear doors

 

[Evan55]

any instructions or tips in getting to and installing the 3.5" in-dash speakers?

 

[gogoputter]

really simple...pry up the speaker covers using some type of mar proof tool..the two screws can be unscrewed using a small socket with a Phillips head in the socket...the white plug pry's off the old speakers, solder the old speaker wire to the new speaker connectors. Make sure there is enough clearance for the
new speakers so the speaker cover fits.

 

[BlackSpeed10]

Make sure there is enough clearance for the
new speakers so the speaker cover fits.

When you say to make sure there is enough clearance, what can you move out of the way to make sure the grills go back on with the new speakers?

 

[squibcakes]

When you say to make sure there is enough clearance, what can you move out of the way to make sure the grills go back on with the new speakers?

What speakers are you putting in? GTO329? Apparently they fit so no need to worry. If other type of speaker - maybe you can remove the tweeter grill to give more height clearance - otherwise you need a different speaker.

 

[Evan55]

The tweeters on those GTO speakers look to stick out as much (or more) as any other speaker.

I bought some polks that I will be installing this weekend, will give a report.



Im also currently shopping for 6.5" midbass drivers to put in the doors.

 

[gogoputter]

There will be height measurements for any speaker...the gto 329's fit perfectly and if you are putting in Polk speakers they most likely will fit. Mine were 2 1\16" or 52 mm from magnet to the top of the tweeter. This allowed the grill to be easily placed. Good luck.

 

[BlackSpeed10]

There will be height measurements for any speaker...the gto 329's fit perfectly and if you are putting in Polk speakers they most likely will fit. Mine were 2 1\16" or 52 mm from magnet to the top of the tweeter. This allowed the grill to be easily placed. Good luck.

Thanks for the information. Do you know what the difference is between the 329s and the 328s? From your pictures it almost looks like those you installed were the 328s with the wires on either side of the tweeter.

 

[gogoputter]

they are 329's...the tweeter is a different shape than the 328's

 

[Carat111]

Gogoputter: have you noticed any sound volume decrease after upgrade? I want to upgrade to either Infinity Kappa or JBl (both 2ohm) just not sure about watts of the stock Bose speakers