Lame stereo in the 2012 Mazda5 GT

[drubinoff]

Hi,

I just purchased a 2012 Mazda5 GT for very practical reasons. The "upgraded" stereo in the Grand Touring package is a MAJOR step down from the high-end stereo in my old Volvo V50. This issue has become a real killjoy for me in my experience with the vehicle, and caused me to delay buying the vehicle for months until I finally got tired of spending thousands maintaining a five-year-old Volvo.

This is a major joy-denial by Mazda USA. I would have happily paid another $1k for the high-end Bose system in other Mazda premium vehicles.

I'm now toying with the idea of replacing the stereo (for yet more money than the GT already cost with its disappointing "upgraded" features). I'd like to know if anyone has successfully installed a more powerful system...with rich bass and crisp highs...yet maintained Bluetooth and steering-wheel functionality.

Thanks,
Derek

 

[90210]

I have the BOSE in my other Mazda vehicles, and if you think that is "high end premium" I got news for you. They are not. Look at all mazda forums, m iata.net people do what they call a Bosectomy (i.e. throw the Bose stuff away).

That said, I think my mazda 5 stereo is perfect. I mean it isn't a Nakamichi or Mark Levinson, but we have 8 cars in our garage, and the Mazda5 isn't the worst, my Lotus is.

As far as replacement, it is easy, you can go to a good stereo shop and easily have a system done that will rival your V50 stereo.

Good luck.

 

[Orangutan]

Sorry you feel that way. I'm not thrilled with the stereo either, but it's not that bad, especially compared to the one I experienced on a Focus test drive. Yeesh, that thing was awful. Anyway, you got taken for a ride if you were told the GT has some sort of "upgraded" stereo in any qualitative way. The "upgrade" is merely a six-disc CD changer and satellite radio receiver; everything else is exactly the same as on the Sport and Touring. Like 90210 said, just stop by a local audio store and get a new unit and speakers installed if it really bothers you. No big deal.

 

[vinisterz]

you might want to change the speakers out then. I have not but might just do that soon enough.

 

[dieseldriver]

It's not the stereo, it's the paper 5x7 stock speakers. I have some threads out there for the upgrade I did on mine. I have replaced the fronts with Focal 570CA1's and replaced the factory tweeters and replaced it with true wiring with crossovers. Rears were replaced with Focal 5x7's. Also added the sub, then Dynamat the whole car. All I did was add the JL amp for the sub, but kept the factory radio output for the speakers. It was well worth the effort and enjoy the audio almost every day.

Hi,

I just purchased a 2012 Mazda5 GT for very practical reasons. The "upgraded" stereo in the Grand Touring package is a MAJOR step down from the high-end stereo in my old Volvo V50. This issue has become a real killjoy for me in my experience with the vehicle, and caused me to delay buying the vehicle for months until I finally got tired of spending thousands maintaining a five-year-old Volvo.

This is a major joy-denial by Mazda USA. I would have happily paid another $1k for the high-end Bose system in other Mazda premium vehicles.

I'm now toying with the idea of replacing the stereo (for yet more money than the GT already cost with its disappointing "upgraded" features). I'd like to know if anyone has successfully installed a more powerful system...with rich bass and crisp highs...yet maintained Bluetooth and steering-wheel functionality.

Thanks,
Derek

 

[Nurburgringer]

Don't know what differences the GT stereo has over the one in my 'Sport' except for Satellite radio, but I wouldn't mind a bit more 'ooomf' so will likely someday do like Diesel did, at least with new speakers.

That said, I think my mazda 5 stereo is perfect. I mean it isn't a Nakamichi or Mark Levinson, but we have 8 cars in our garage, and the Mazda5 isn't the worst, my Lotus is.

Why even bother with a stereo in an Elise?
In all the ones I drove (including it's cousin, the Opel Speedster, for over 5000 miles in Germany) between the wind and engine noise a stereo was worthless. Unnecessary distraction from the joy of driving the things!

The sound system in my 308 is powered by a 32 valve, 3L V8 right behind your ears. No supplementary audio is necessary, or desired

 

[90210]

Why even bother with a stereo in an Elise?
In all the ones I drove (including it's cousin, the Opel Speedster, for over 5000 miles in Germany) between the wind and engine noise a stereo was worthless. Unnecessary distraction from the joy of driving the things!

It came from the factory with DVD player, nav, stereo. I prefer the Arqray titanium wailing.

 

[dieseldriver]

GT has the Bluetooth with both handsfree and audio streaming as well. I just play music off my phone most of the time now instea of burning CD's with MP3 files. Lot more convenient for me.

Don't know what differences the GT stereo has over the one in my 'Sport' except for Satellite radio, but I wouldn't mind a bit more 'ooomf' so will likely someday do like Diesel did, at least with new speakers.



Why even bother with a stereo in an Elise?
In all the ones I drove (including it's cousin, the Opel Speedster, for over 5000 miles in Germany) between the wind and engine noise a stereo was worthless. Unnecessary distraction from the joy of driving the things!

The sound system in my 308 is powered by a 32 valve, 3L V8 right behind your ears. No supplementary audio is necessary, or desired

 

[socialcarpet]

I'm about to buy a new 5 sport on Friday and I noticed the stereo seemed pretty lackluster on the test drive. I like the look of the stock head unit though, I don't really want to tear that out. Do you guys really think just upgrading the speakers would be sufficient, that and the tweaters and cross over wiring? Would it be possible to wire an amp for a little extra power to the stock head unit?

I'm not sure that's necessary for me, I don't need a ton of bass and volume, the stereo just sounded a little "muddy" to me. Not clear treble and sharp bass etc. I know the benefits of Dynamat, but I'm not sure I want to deal with the labor of installing it or the extra weight it would add. I'm thinking I probably don't need it if I don't bump the power up...

Thoughts?

 

[tuanies]

I've upgraded everything in various stages for a story that I still need to write.

But in my experience, the head unit upgrade makes the biggest difference in sound quality. The stock head unit has junk amplification that can only take you so far. There's a major difference between stock and aftermarket head unit with the stock speakers in terms of clarity. The stock mids don't offer much oomph, so I'd replace those next. I went with an Alpine INE-W957HD head unit with Alpine Type R components (inline filter so you don't have to mount a crossover box) and the KTP-445U power pack. It sounds great for most of my listening. I have an Alpine PDR-F50 ready to go in when I get around to it as well.