Speakers/Amp Suggestion

[digitall]

I'm buying an 06 Mazda 3s (GT package...talked the guy into it for free!) and even though the Bose system will be nice, I'm going to strip out all audio. The speakers I plan to get are:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-bA9eyX...w.asp?g=51900&id=essential_info&i=065SL80#Tab

I've been reading these forums and noticed everyone recommends an amp that takes speaker-level inputs - easy enough. Anyone have any good amps they recommend tag along with these speakers though? I'll be putting these in all 4 available spots because I want it all to match (I can get them cheaper from other places besides Crutchfield) but I'm coming up short with an amp that is really going to match these speakers and make them rock.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[digitall]

Also, chuyler1 made a post in another thread about quick disconnects. Got any links to some of those that are good?

In general any suggestions you guys have would be great. I've got a lot of Professional Audio experience (sound mixing, etc) but in car audio I don't have as much experience.

I do plan to keep my head unit if at all possible because I love the seamless look it provides.

Oh yeah....dynamat, yes or no? Trunk, doors, etc. Are there rattling issues at all or is the car build very sturdily?

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

The only thing I have rattle is the spoiler\wing whatever you want to call it. I plan to take it off and just use some double sided tape to keep it from rattling. Im not sure how the doors hold up to rattles though. When you talk about quick disconnects are you talking about for the stock speaker connectors? I liked the HU as well, but ill be dammed if im going to not have mp3's in my car.

 

[digitall]

I didn't know if rattle was an issue because it sure as hell is in my 04 Civic (getting the Mazda to replace this). I even installed Dynamat inside the trunk and, although better, there is still a distinct rattle that annoys the hell outta me (pissed)

The quick disconnects was going to be for the subs but I think I am going to go a different route and not care if I have less trunk space

As for MP3's, I know how you feel...currently my Honda has a JVC KD-AR5000 and I love it. I did a little research and have decided to go with the carputer option (I'm a sys admin - not the first time I've built a computer ) for the MP3 support. I've already fallen in love with what I can do with this car and I *still* don't have it yet. That damn truck needs to hurry..

 

[tsunami]

40-60 watts rms is what those speakers are rated for so a 200/300 wattx4 amp with gains adjusted accordingly will work those are a 4ohm load so pretty much any 4 channel amp should be good... and yes dynamat the doors... i have one layer of dynamat extreme and am going to be adding one more to the door skin itself and probably a layer of closed cell foam for on the underside of the plastic door panel....

 

[digitall]

Awesome, thanks guys!

Side note: the car is finally in and being prepped. I will truly get to join the Mazda community in about an hour! (thumb)

 

[chuyler1]

This...
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2117820&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&allCount=251&fbn=Brand%2FRadioShack&f=Brand%2F1000094%2F&fbc=1&parentPage=family

Plugs right into this...
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103794&cp=2032058.2032231.2032280&pg=6&allCount=251&fbn=Brand%2FRadioShack&f=Brand%2F1000094%2F&fbc=1&parentPage=family

(or any other similar stereo connector)

 

[digitall]

Chuyler...I already knew about that (been in Pro Audio for years) but I'm sure there are plenty of people who didn't so thanks for the post!

Yeah, so...the car is here. And I'm definitely proud to be a new Mazda owner compared to having my old (04) Honda. I can see where "Zoom Zoom" comes from and its just a fun car to drive. The amount of upgrading I can do (audio specifically) compared to the Honda is just incredible. I've already spent my next couple of paychecks....

Now to strip the audio! (headbang)

 

[chuyler1]

If you don't use one of those terminal plates on your box you can find plenty of other connectors at radio shack (and I'm sure you knew that also, but I just wanted to put it out there).

For what they are, those speakers you posted are pricey. For $300 you can get a pretty nice set of real component speakers. They require a little more work to install but I'm sure you can handle it. For example, these speakers below will respond much better to an external amplifier...

http://www.cardomain.com/item/INFKAPPA6807CS

The 5x7 driver will fit right in the stock location, the crossover can be mounted somewhere inside the door, and the tweeter can be placed a little higher on the door (or perhaps the rear-view-mirror sail panel) to raise the sound stage. You will get much better midbass response from these.

 

[digitall]

I had initially been looking at Kappas because I love Infinity audio but couldn't seem to find something that would work right on Crutchfield. I'm not sold on buying from them, just didn't know where else to look outside of Ebay or something.

Would those tweeters fit where the Bose tweeters currently are? I was going to do component speakers in my Honda but installation just wasn't prohibitive of the costs/value ratio. Then again, this Mazda kicks ass compared to a Civic.

What about subs? I know I'm going JL for the two amps (300/4 interior and something for the subs, undecided yet). I'm wanting to try getting that truly custom installation look that maximizes available trunk space but still looks really good too. Are there pre-built custom boxes for Mazda3's that almost make it look like a factory install?

 

[chuyler1]

There are no pre-built boxes for the Mazda3. You would have to fabricate something yourself or pay someone to do it. There are plenty of examples on this forum and others. Just search or browse the Car Audio section for words like "sub box", "fiberglass", and "custom install".

 

[digitall]

OK, can do.

The more I'm looking the more I'm thinking about ripping my dash out and getting an aftermarket hu. My civic had one (about to sell it - want something new if I'm doing this) and as much as I love the sleek look of the interior now, the lack of MP3 support and detailed imaging capabilities are really getting to me. I'm a big JVC fan for hu's and wanted to know if anyone has any recommendations. I'm willing to spend upwards of $400 without the installation kit but here are the requirements:

3 Preamp outputs (front, rear, subs)
AUX input (2 would be way cool)
Internal power doesn't matter - seperate amp anyways
Touchscreen in some form would be nice
High clarity screen (32,000 colors??)

What do you all have?

 

[chuyler1]

I recommend the following for head units:
Clarion
Alpine
Eclipse
Pioneer (Premier)

I'm using a Clarion DRX9575rz in my car now with an external DPH7500z processor. It doesn't have AUX input or MP3 playback but the SQ is about the best you can buy (it was top of the line back in 2001).

 

[digitall]

I've heard a decent amount about every one of those except Eclipse. Are they new on the market? Or newer anyways?

I was looking at some Clarion models today and I think this one has me sold: http://www.cardomain.com/item/CLADXZ855MP I am quite impressed, thats for sure. Ebay sellers have it for around $350 after shipping which is worthwhile to me. I'll obviously still need the kit etc but I'll save whatever I can, thats for sure.

With those Kappas you recommended...will they go well for the back speakers as well? One requirement is that everything matches for interior audio...I don't like different brands of speakers because imaging will be different, etc.

BTW - Mazda owners kick ass (thumb) This community is by far more active than the Honda one I had gotten on after getting that car. Good car, good people...awesome

 

[chuyler1]

Eclipse has been around for a while. They make great head units (one of the first to provide line outs with an rms voltage over 4v), subwoofers (aluminum cones), and speakers.

The clarion you picked out is a great unit. Make sure you visit their website so you know the difference between the units. Many people over-buy when it comes to head units. If there are features listed that you don't think you will make use of, then you can probably save money buy purchasing a lower model.

Purchasing from Cardomain is OK because they are an authorized vendor of Clarion products. I do not, however, recommend purchasing new audio components from eBay. They are sold as-is with no warranty and you don't even know if you are getting A-stock products. If you were buying used equipment then that is another story. You would be paying much less and with good sellers, you can get a history of the product (where it was installed and why they are selling it).

I always recommend to stick with the same brand for speakers although there is no reason to match subwoofers and speakers. But for typical installs, I do not recommend installing any rear speakers. You are better off spending the money on a decent amplifer for your front speakers. With the amplifier your fronts will be able to play just as loud (if not louder) as having rear speakers and it will sound a whole lot better. Since you mentioned "imaging" I will add that rear speakers tend to pull the "image" or "sound stage" to the rear of the car. It will give the effect of listening to a live band with your back to them. I'd rather have the band jamming on my dash board and that effect is best achieved with a single set of components mounted in the front of the car. If you are worried about rear passengers...dont. They will hear the sound just fine.