OEM Protege/Tribute HU - good quality, worth it?

[vampirefish]

I'm seriously considering buying a used OEM unit from a Protege or Tribute for my 91' Miata (I've attached pix). I really want the 6 disc changer (not in the pix, but same style), clean look, etc and I've heard that they are decent sounding. I've found a unit that supposedly (from the ad) states that it was a premium sound package (from a Tribute) that powered 6 speakers and a sub. Does this sound right?

Can anyone tell me their opinion on how good sounding these OEM units are? I realize that question is loaded and kind of an oxymoron, however my wife drives our Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer Edition with the Mach audio system (with subwoofer) and it rocks (for OEM). I am still surprised at how good it sounds and that I (and she) didn't immediately want to change everything out.

I have upgraded my speakers to Focal 165CA1 in the doors. They actually put out some really nice bass at a loud level without distorting. Adding a sub... may not since Miata's are so small.

I have questions about the specs on these units:

• What's the power rating?

• Can an external amp be added to it?

• Anyone know of any of the freq specs on it?

• Is it true that you can add a sub too?

THANKS!

 

[chuyler1]

Compared to a factory stereo in a 1991 anything I'm sure the 200X Mazda dbl-din factory radio will sound much better. However, it is still a factory radio and even $100 aftermarket radios can potentially sound better.

The radio you are looking at has 4 channels, front L+R and rear L+R, just like any other unit. You will have to check the wiring diagrams in the stickies of this section to find out how to wire it up to your 91 miata. You'll probably need a 91 miata wiring harness and a 200X reverse-harness for the radio you want to put in.

 

[vampirefish]

Thanks, Chuyler1. Yeah, I have the info on how to wire it to my Miata. I currently have an aftermarket Blaupunkt mp3000 HU in it right now. I've never really been too impressed with it, especially because it seems that the radio sounds better than CD.

So how are people adding amps & subs to their systems with this HU?

 

[chuyler1]

You can either use a line-out-converter (since there are no RCA pre-outs) or you can follow the thread in the how-to section on adding your own pre-outs (requires basic soldering skills).

If your plan is to add aftermarket gear, I would stick with the blaupunkt unit (assuming it has pre-outs on the back). The quality will be much better once you have an amp for your speakers.

 

[sam1]

^^^what he said. although, my understanding is that the stock hu is of fairly good quality, just waayyy underpowered. I think if you got an amp and just used the speaker level inputs on the amp, you'd have a pretty good sounding (yet stock looking) system, not to mention a 6disc changer. I used my stock hu for quite a while, and while I'm much happier with my new hu, the stocker didn't sound bad for what it was. I also used the loc that chuyler mentioned for my subwoofer amp inputs, which also worked quite well, but i ended up just disconnecting my rear speakers and only running my two fronts + sub.

ps. ive never been fond of blaupunkt, either.

 

[TheMAN]

the 01-03 protege ES/P5 radio is better than the protege DX/LX/tribute radio shown above... but the thing is, it has amber illumination

harness connectors are not compatible between the pre 01 mazdas and 01+ mazdas... rewiring will be needed

 

[Foolish]

Just in case you don't already have them, or know this, the key to good sound in a 1st gen Miata is headrest speakers. Get them from PBC, they have their own brand, and they are fantastic. They also have the wiring harnesses and are great guys, too. Your car already has cutouts in the headrests of the seats, but a '91 won't have the wiring unless your car had H/R speakers before.

A good set of headrest speakers puts nice sound right up by your ears, allowing you to put much less volume through the door speakers, so they can put out more bass with less distortion. This is a great thing in a convertible.

Good luck!

 

[vampirefish]

Unfortunately, my 91 Miata was a base model, so no headrest speakers (would be cool though).

Ok, so it seems that if I could find a newer HU from a 01-03 protege ES/P5, that the quality would be decent .. and I could route an amp for more power - cool. And my speakers are pretty good... so maybe this 'could' work for me. With a Miata, I'll only have 2 speakers (in the doors). I really want a 6 disc in-dash (due to limited space for cd storage).

Here's another question I have then... If I wanted to buy an HU out of a 01-02 Millenia, but it's a Bose model... would I have to change to all Bose (like the amps, speakers, due to lower voltage/ohms?) Also, I've heard that those Bose models weren't much better than the other OEM... ever have any experience with this?
Here's a link to one as an example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=009&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=190046942283&rd=1&rd=1

I wish there was a double-din aftermarket, in dash 6 disc player... that did not cost an arm and a leg (and would fit my Miata)!

 

[Foolish]

You can retro-fit the H/R speakers to any 1st gen Miata.

Also, I've not heard many good things about the Bose units in Mazdas, generally speaking.

 

[vampirefish]

This is true... I'd need new seats with the cutouts and wiring or just cut into my existing seats...

Yeah... kinda heard the same think about Bose...

 

[sam1]

bose car audio = garbage. i just un-bosed my wifes 02 maxima and sound quality went up 800%

 

[Foolish]

This is true... I'd need new seats with the cutouts and wiring or just cut into my existing seats...

No cutting. This is what I've been trying to tell you: If your car has stock seats, the headrests are ready for speakers. Unzip the top of your seat, pull out the plastic panel with the perforations, and there are two big holes. Speakers go in there. Then you put the panel back. Since your car didn't have H/R speakers before, you'll need to run wires from under the dash to under the seats, and up through the seats, but the Miata is ready for this.

Anyway, do what you want. I just wanted to point out that H/R speakers are relatively cheap, easy to install, and really improve the sound in a convertible.