Mazda3 stock speaker upgrade

[kuuler]

I'm looking for some guidance on this. I'd like a good component set for the front. Will 6.5's fit in place of the stock speakers without chopping things up? I know that 5x7s will fit, do they sound just as good as the 6.5's? The guy at the local shop here in town recommended putting in a Kicker 5X7 components set. I'd like to go with 6.5s if they sound better though. I asked about the 5 1/4 component set and he said that they were too small and would leave a gap in the sound. Anyways, any opinions would be great. Thanks in advance...

 

[servoeyes]

it really depends on your ears. Don't trust anyone who tells you to buy such and such a set because they're awesome. Only your ears can judge whether or not they're awesome.

In my opinion, though, the 6 1/2" speakers sound better than 5x7s, even though they're a little tougher to install...it's worth it for me.

As for good brands to check into: Kicker, Alpine, JL Audio, Boston Acoustics, CDT, Image Dynamics, Dynaudio, Adire Audio, Eclipse...among others. Basically, listen to as much stuff as you can. And then decide what you like best and buy it.

Don't forget, if you're getting comps, make sure you note how much power they're getting when you hear them...that's how much power you'll want to send them from and amp to get them to sound the same.

 

[kuuler]

Thanks for the response Servo, I'm not going to do the install myself, so getting the 6 1/2's shouldn't be a problem as long as they don't have to chop up too much. I'll probably go with that size. I do need to go listen to some , so far the only one's I've heard are the kicker 5x7's. I didn't think they sounded all they great.

it really depends on your ears. Don't trust anyone who tells you to buy such and such a set because they're awesome. Only your ears can judge whether or not they're awesome.

In my opinion, though, the 6 1/2" speakers sound better than 5x7s, even though they're a little tougher to install...it's worth it for me.

As for good brands to check into: Kicker, Alpine, JL Audio, Boston Acoustics, CDT, Image Dynamics, Dynaudio, Adire Audio, Eclipse...among others. Basically, listen to as much stuff as you can. And then decide what you like best and buy it.

Don't forget, if you're getting comps, make sure you note how much power they're getting when you hear them...that's how much power you'll want to send them from and amp to get them to sound the same.

 

[Poseur]

oh, c'mon do it yourself. It's fairly easy and much more fulfilling. (plus you can use that install$ you saved and get a really nice set of speakers) No cutting should be necc for 6.5's basically what needs to be made is a wood oval with a circular hole in it. The only real trimming is the plastic ring that extends back from the door panel.

Anyway, any of my speaker advice is prettymuch what servo said, as usual. 5-1/4 components will indeed fit quite nicely (you coudl put the mid and the tweeter next to eachother on the oval plate) but yes, they don't quite play low enough for most ppl. I will add a note on componetns and why they're superior. Basically it has to do with the crossover. The large outboard crossovers serve a good purpose. On Coaxes normally there's a simple "dap" ont eh tweeter part of the speaker that's designed to remove the low notes form the tweeter. but there's nothign limiting the midbass. Basically then your higsh are played twice, and when played by the larger cones of your speaker, they get a little distorted. The outboard crossovers of components will have a low-pass to limit the highs played by the midrange speaker as well. In the end it all comes down to money, etc, but first go listen and figure out what you want and are comfortable spending to get to it. I really recommend pushing a $2-300 range set of 6.5" components with about 50-80w of amp. This isn't exactly cheap, but Verymuch worth it for superior sound.

 

[kuuler]

I attempted an install on my old car and messed up the door kinda bad taking it apart. I really don't want to do that to my new one. I've seen step by step directions on how to take the 3's doors apart but I'm still scared to take a chance on messing it up. I definitely going to go with the 6 1/2's, I want the best sound I can get. The local shop carries JL's, I'm going to go have a listen. Thanks

oh, c'mon do it yourself. It's fairly easy and much more fulfilling. (plus you can use that install$ you saved and get a really nice set of speakers) No cutting should be necc for 6.5's basically what needs to be made is a wood oval with a circular hole in it. The only real trimming is the plastic ring that extends back from the door panel.

Anyway, any of my speaker advice is prettymuch what servo said, as usual. 5-1/4 components will indeed fit quite nicely (you coudl put the mid and the tweeter next to eachother on the oval plate) but yes, they don't quite play low enough for most ppl. I will add a note on componetns and why they're superior. Basically it has to do with the crossover. The large outboard crossovers serve a good purpose. On Coaxes normally there's a simple "dap" ont eh tweeter part of the speaker that's designed to remove the low notes form the tweeter. but there's nothign limiting the midbass. Basically then your higsh are played twice, and when played by the larger cones of your speaker, they get a little distorted. The outboard crossovers of components will have a low-pass to limit the highs played by the midrange speaker as well. In the end it all comes down to money, etc, but first go listen and figure out what you want and are comfortable spending to get to it. I really recommend pushing a $2-300 range set of 6.5" components with about 50-80w of amp. This isn't exactly cheap, but Verymuch worth it for superior sound.