Is this a decent system (will it all work well together)?

You've asked for opinions and help because you're apparantly not entirely familiar and everyone who's spoken up is pretty dang knowledgeable... as far as decks go, I'd look at something like a pioneer 3700 or 4700 maybe? http://www.cardomain.com/item/PIODEHP4700MP Either way you'd need an adapter for aux-in, and they're a bit spendier, but again, why buy crap? you're spending scarce money on something you want to sound good, so saveup another week, or go without new speakers for now, and get an atleast somewhat decent deck. Something that won't be sitting on a shelf half-functional collecting dust in a couple of months.
 
I am actually going to hit the hay for tonight, but thanks for the advice man. I will check out that deck and the AUX adapter later.
 
Since this hasn't been touched upon let me give the voice-coil schpeel. Before you select a subwoofer you must first select the amp, then select the subwoofer that will maximize that amps potential.

If you choose a 4-channel amp and plan to bridge the rear channels or you choose a 2-channel amp and plan on bridging it then in most cases you want a 4ohm total load. There are some amps that can handle a lower impedence but with your budget you won't be purchasing one. You can get a 4ohm load with a single 4ohm subwoofer, two 8ohm subwoofers wired parallel, or a single 2ohm DVC subwoofer. If you buy the IDQ sub, you want the 2ohm DVC, got it?

If you choose a monoblock amp, chances are it can handle a 2ohm load across the single channel. You can achieve this with a single 2ohm subwoofer, two 4ohm subwoofers wired in parallel, or a single 4ohm DVC subwoofer. If you buy the IDQ sub, you want the 4ohm DVC version, got it?

For more information on subwoofer voice coils, wiring, ohms, and maximizing your amps potential please read through the tutorials at the following link BEFORE you buy anything.
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/support_pages.php?page_id=141
 
Go with Pioneer, it should meet your budget and it will actualy be something worth buying. Also, don't think that you have to do this all at once.
You can expend a system as your budget allow.

Ebay is just a bad idea in general in my expeirence. Atleast go with an online vendor that will give you a 1 year warrenty through them as neither them no an ebay seller can give you a factory warrenty. With cheaper gear, you will save less though. With gear this cheap, you are only going to be saving 15% or so which with one returned product ends up the same price as buying from a dealer. Also, don't forget that most dealers will cut pricing for you if pushed. Hell Tweeter has stores where people do it without being asked. Its only the North east that is under heavy watch and if you are up here, I can get you around that.
 
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"Its only the North east that is under heavy watch and if you are up here, I can get you around that."
What do you mean by that? I am located in VA so I dont know if thats classified as NE.
I read the tutorials at that site, but still dont get it.
Will that Power Gold amp be able to maximize the potential of the IDQ Dual 4 ohms Sub?

Also, have any of you heard of this JVC HU?
It has a Front aux input, costs $5 more, and comes with the free installation kits.

Thanks.
 
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Will that Power Gold amp be able to maximize the potential of the IDQ Dual 4 ohms Sub?
No. You want the IDQ Dual 2 ohm sub. When you wire the voice coils in series it creates a 4ohm load. You then bridge this across the rear channels of the Phoenix Gold amp.
 
Thanks. So I'd need a different amp to get the max use out of the dual 4 ohm sub since itd be wired in a series which would be 8 ohms? Will the extra 2 ohms make THAT much of a difference? I can get either for $160 from this store
Thanks.

Also, what do you think of that JVC HU?
 
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Everything you need from www.cardomain.com. I chose a factory refurbished amp to save you some money. If that doesn't suit you, then I can pick another one that is new. If you bought everything here (please note that the installation kit and wiring harness for the head unit are free) you won't need to buy anything else.

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<TABLE class=formtable style="BORDER-RIGHT: #999 1px solid; BORDER-TOP: #999 1px solid; MARGIN: 5px 0px 0px; BORDER-LEFT: #999 1px solid; WIDTH: 574px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #999 0px solid" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=label> </TD><TD class=label style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">Product</TD><TD class=label style="TEXT-ALIGN: right">Quantity</TD><TD class=label> </TD><TD class=label>Price</TD><TD class=label>Total</TD></TR><TR><TD class=prodimage> </TD><TD class=proddesc>Image Dynamics IDQ10 D2 v.2 Subwoofer
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then00b said:
Thanks. So I'd need a different amp to get the max use out of the dual 4 ohm sub since itd be wired in a series which would be 8 ohms? Will the extra 2 ohms make THAT much of a difference? I can get either for $160 from this store
Thanks.

Also, what do you think of that JVC HU?
Yes the 2ohm version WILL make a difference. It will cause the amp to put out almost twice as much power. The JVC you posted is a much better option than the other one you were looking at.
 
Thanks for the suggestions but I am going to have to object to some objects:
Head Unit- That head unit looks even more cheap than the Aiwa one I picked out. I think I am going to go with that JVC model perhaps since I found it for $122 on another site and sent that price into cardomain's 105% price matching policy.
Enclosure- No need for this. My friend is a carpenter and is going to build me one.
Sub- For the same price with free shipping I can get the 12" version at another site.

Great find on that Mazda piece that replaces the dash!

I cant decide on the speakers. I am debating between these Pioneers (custom designed for the Mazda cars) and the Infinities you selected. The Pioneers are 4-Way speakers as well and cost $10 less.

I cant see any difference in the amp you selected versus the Phoenix Gold one other than the fact that the Phoenix one has more rated watts?

So the lower the ohm number, the higher the amount of power allowed to be outputted?

Thanks.
 
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I just suggested it because it was cheap. The Phoenix Gold is a better amp but it was more expensive at sounddomain.

There are some catches with sounddomain's 105% price guarantee. Primarily, the seller must be an authorized dealer. Most are not.

What makes those speakers "custom fit for Mazdas?" They look like junk to me. There is no need for more than one tweeter. I'm willing to bet those sound really harsh. The infinities are a much better choice.
 
The manufacturer states that the speakers are customly fitted for mazda and ford vehicles (the speakers even say Ford and Mazda on them). The speakers have got great reviews also, but I guess Ill go with the infinities if you are recommending them. Do you own these speakers?
Will the infinities fit in the Mazda3 without modification? I thought the speakers were 6 x 8"?

Thanks.
 
Yes, any 6x8 or 5x7 speaker will fit in the Mazda3 without modification. The most you will have to do is drill new holes if the mounting holes for the new speakers don't line up.

I don't personally own the Infinities but I have heard numerous 3 and 4 way combo speakers like the ones you posted and they all sound like ass. You don't see competitors using 4-way speakers that have 3 tweeters...for a reason. You don't see 4-way speakers that have 3 tweeters in home theater setups...for a reason. You don't see 4-way speakers that have 3 tweeters in studio recording booths...for a reason. Catch my drift?

Anyway, the Infinities are the best sounding speaker for the price. If you are willing to spend more I could suggest numerous other speakers but for the price you can't beat these.
 
Sounds good. Also, you were right on that Cardomain price matching policy. It turns out the website I was looking at wasnt a JVC Internet dealer but they still gave me $10 off the unit.
 
Those Pioneer speakers sound like a tub full of mud. There's very little detail...we used to sell that model. The new model doesn't sound any better, either. But...then again, almost anything in that price range will. Still, something with one tweeter will generally sound a bit better (since less of the woofer cone is covered by some rediculous plastic structure).
 
Thanks for the input all. I hope to purchase the following soon:
Amp- Phoenix Gold R8.0:4
Sub- Image Dynamics IDQ 12" Dual 2 ohm
Head Unit- JVC KD-G510
Speakers- Infinity Kappa 572.5cf 2-Way Speaker
Wiring- Stinger Custom Pro SWK8RS Amplifier Wiring Kit (do I need any wiring for the subs?)

Can I get someone to get a final look over to make sure its all good and will perform well?

Thanks a ton.
 
One note about those speakers, I'd actually shoot for less expensive infinity refrence instead if that's an option. Those Kappas are somewhat power hungry and a bit bright. The refrence with silk dome tweeters are one of my favorite deck-powerd coaxes, they also manage to not turn to mud with more juice.

Beyond everything else, I shall state once agian, that everyone who's posting in here DOES know their stuff, and while it's easy to dismiss an educated opinion and years of experience for saving a buck, it's NOT easy to recoup losses.
 
I am actually only going to buy the Amp on ebay and buy the rest from cardomain.
What do you mean they are bright? They have neons/leds on the speaker? Also, the Reference speaker is more expensive than the Kappa ones.
 
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then00b said:
I am actually only going to buy the Amp on ebay and buy the rest from cardomain.
What do you mean they are bright? They have neons/leds on the speaker? Also, the Reference speaker is more expensive than the Kappa ones.

bright as in very crisp... many people prefer the softer sound of a silk or fabric tweeter, some prefer the "brightness" of a metalic tweeter. its just personal preference.
 
Actually, I did forget one thing. Since you will be using a four channel amp and you are selecting a head unit with two sets of pre-outs, you will want to utilize them by getting two sets of RCAs or one set that has 4 channels. Stinger doesn't have a 4-channel 8ga kit available but you can get one from KnuKonceptz at a better price...

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KOLAK84

That kit only comes with 20ft of speaker cable. That may not be enough to run wires up to the front doors for your new speakers. I use about 12-15ft when I run wires from the hatch of my Protege5 to the front doors. To be safe, I would order another 20ft.
http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KLE12BL
 
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