Stock Sound System

[tyusha]

Thanks Servoyes for looking after a fellow nepoc member. I'll check them out. I don't want huge bass, just a bit more and a bit cleaner than now. I hope you know what i mean. Subs are def. a no go for me. OK. thanks, recearch time. And also once i get it can i ask you install q? And another one, will it work fine with the p5 stock head unit, and what tipe of wiring should i get/would you recomend

 

[servoeyes]

Thanks Servoyes for looking after a fellow nepoc member. I'll check them out. I don't want huge bass, just a bit more and a bit cleaner than now. I hope you know what i mean. Subs are def. a no go for me. OK. thanks, recearch time. And also once i get it can i ask you install q? And another one, will it work fine with the p5 stock head unit, and what tipe of wiring should i get/would you recomend

an amp install kit from Knuconceptz.com will do...either the 4ga or 8ga (depending on how much power the amp will have). You can get a 4 channel LOC from davidnavone.com...or you can just use an amp with speaker level inputs (like the EA3422). I think you'll need extra speaker wire to do that, though...but extra speaker wire should cost you less than a high quality LOC.

As for install...there's plenty of us that you can ask! Craig (1stMP3) is the resident NEPOC install genius. I'd am a lowly apprentice...but I can find my way around.

 

[Poseur]

You could hit someone up for their stock spare-tire sub setup. Trying to get bass out of your door speakers IS possible, I was AMAZED before I had my sub hooked up howmuch excursion you can get outta 5x7's, but just be wary of pushing them toohard full-range. That's where you get to the speakers' mechanical limits.

If you're going 4 way I'll vote for the eclipse as well. and if you ever bychance feel the need for a little more bump, you can always bridge the rear channels and have a bit to push a sub with.

I used to push power to my rears in my honda, at that I had a component set with the tweeters not connected so they were prettymuch crossedover from 3000hz to the 100hz I'd set the amp for. It sounded pretty good for "fill" but anymore I don't like having noise behind me.

 

[tyusha]

You could hit someone up for their stock spare-tire sub setup. Trying to get bass out of your door speakers IS possible, I was AMAZED before I had my sub hooked up howmuch excursion you can get outta 5x7's, but just be wary of pushing them toohard full-range. That's where you get to the speakers' mechanical limits.

If you're going 4 way I'll vote for the eclipse as well. and if you ever bychance feel the need for a little more bump, you can always bridge the rear channels and have a bit to push a sub with.

I used to push power to my rears in my honda, at that I had a component set with the tweeters not connected so they were prettymuch crossedover from 3000hz to the 100hz I'd set the amp for. It sounded pretty good for "fill" but anymore I don't like having noise behind me.

Are you talking about eclipse sub pr amp. I got the i want an amp bug again... Have you heard anything about the new lightning audion bolt multichannel amp. It got preatty good reviews. Kind of impressive actually for a cheap amp. Also what are other good amps besides alpine at more/less affordable price?

 

[tyusha]

bumpidy bump

 

[melicha8]

Sir Nuke that is some great info there. Now I have a real excuse not to upgrade my head unit. I'm not an audiophile so the addition of maybe a small lightweight amp and some nice speakers sounds great to me. Sir Nuke good to have you back...and you are still kicking my ass on posts

 

[pr5owner]

the stock deck in the 2K2P5 is paired up pretty good with the speakers

the deck puts out 25x4 W MAX (100W max total)
the speakers are 25W MAX and theirs 4 of them

 

[1sty]

Hello guys. I was wondering if you could recomend a good budget amplifier. I am not at all looking for an outstanding sound system, i just want decent sound quality. I can't spend too much money on this at all. 300 dollars on amp and wires would be pusing it too far for me. I would be willing to even buy a used amp. Also I am an absolute noob as far as car audio goes, but would prefer to do the job myself. I have no idea how hard/easy it would be. I am not planning to add a sub - need my trunk space and want to keep the weight down. So any sujestions are welcome. Thanks, Vik.

I would stick around the $200-$250 range for the amp. The wiring will eat up the rest. There are alot of good units but I like eclipse and alpine. Just stay the hell away from Pioneer. I would highly reccomend getting an amp with an adjustable crossover for both the frontand rear channels. Also a switchabel one so that the channels can be high pass, low pass or fullpass.

If you need a hand, I am usualy around to help and I am only in Nashua.

 

[tyusha]

I would stick around the $200-$250 range for the amp. The wiring will eat up the rest. There are alot of good units but I like eclipse and alpine. Just stay the hell away from Pioneer. I would highly reccomend getting an amp with an adjustable crossover for both the frontand rear channels. Also a switchabel one so that the channels can be high pass, low pass or fullpass.

If you need a hand, I am usualy around to help and I am only in Nashua.

Thanks, First. I am not sure you saw my last post. What do you think about lightning audio amps. They were rated preattu high. The alpine I am looking is is priced nicely, and has just enough power, but i am concedering my options. Maybe i could find i nice used amp somewhere. I don't care, i am just tired of awesome quality at low volume and distortion when cranked. I know that our stock system is nice, and i like the simplicity of the controlls, and the size of the buttons. Anyway, tell me what you guys think...

 

[chuyler1]

Lightning Audio is basically low-end Rockford Fosgate...However, unlike RF, they are worth the price you pay (since they are cheap). I haven't heard any bad things about them either. If you are on a budget that is one way to go...another is ebay.

I'm planning my system right now around the stock deck and a pair of ebay-purchased MTX amps. My ID8.V3s just came in mail this weekend so I am ready to start once I get a nice weekend.

 

[1sty]

They seem very over rated as if they don't have a shot in hell of making there claimed power. Without a CEA 2006 sticker verifying its power, I don't believe them. I have a feeling they will be exactly as you describe and will be fine at low volume but will distort to high hell when pushed. I would go for a different amp.

 

[servoeyes]

They seem very over rated as if they don't have a shot in hell of making there claimed power. Without a CEA 2006 sticker verifying its power, I don't believe them. I have a feeling they will be exactly as you describe and will be fine at low volume but will distort to high hell when pushed. I would go for a different amp.

Agreed...I'd stick with the Alpine any day over LA. The lower priced Alpines are excellent deals as well.

 

[tyusha]

Ok, i got the point fellas... Alpine it is. I just need to find a good deal. Any older alpine amps you guys can recoment. Or any older good quality amps in general. Any suggestions help. thanks, Vik

 

[tyusha]

Lightning Audio is basically low-end Rockford Fosgate...However, unlike RF, they are worth the price you pay (since they are cheap). I haven't heard any bad things about them either. If you are on a budget that is one way to go...another is ebay.

I'm planning my system right now around the stock deck and a pair of ebay-purchased MTX amps. My ID8.V3s just came in mail this weekend so I am ready to start once I get a nice weekend.

Yeah, I have LA front componnents and rear coaxial speakers. For the price i payed they sound really well. Very very clean highs. I just wish there was a bit more base, and that's why i am looking for an amp. I just want to get some more "clean" power out of them. So i do not need a powerfull amp, just a good SQ amp. By the way, if you look at the car domain web site, people are actually saying good things about the LA bolt amolifiers. However i still think i'll go with alpine, or some other good quality manufacturer.
Anything interesting you guys have to say about MTX amps, or any other amps...

 

[servoeyes]

For components there are very few mainstream brands that I would consider: Eclipse (which I have), Alpine, JL Audio (both the e and / series), Kicker, and Xtant. Even those are pushing the limits of mainstream...I'd also look into lesser known stuff like eD's new line by Avionixx, higher end Phoenix Gold, PPi, Polk Audio, Crossfire, Hifonics, and JBL. If I had money to spare, I'd look at ZapCo, JL's / series, A/D/S, MMATS, Nakamichi, and TRU.

It all depends how much you want to spend...but I'm not a fan of either MTX or RF for component speakers or full range speakers.

 

[p5tom]

stock spare tire sub - where - how?

You could hit someone up for their stock spare-tire sub setup. Trying to get bass out of your door speakers IS possible, I was AMAZED before I had my sub hooked up howmuch excursion you can get outta 5x7's, but just be wary of pushing them toohard full-range. That's where you get to the speakers' mechanical limits.

If you're going 4 way I'll vote for the eclipse as well. and if you ever bychance feel the need for a little more bump, you can always bridge the rear channels and have a bit to push a sub with.

I used to push power to my rears in my honda, at that I had a component set with the tweeters not connected so they were prettymuch crossedover from 3000hz to the 100hz I'd set the amp for. It sounded pretty good for "fill" but anymore I don't like having noise behind me.

Is this a stock spare tire sub for the P5? Where could I get one?
Any idea of cost? Is it worth it?

(scratch) (scratch)

 

[chuyler1]

Its not worth the price you will pay to get it and install it in a car that doesn't already have one. Check the other threads in the car audio forum and you will see that most people that have them are upgrading to something else.

 

[Chiguy_2002]

I had aftermarket speakers with the stock head unit. It did not put out enough power to push the aftermarket speakers well. I added an amp, much better sound. I added another amp and sub, and now am quite satisfied with the sound. I would like to upgrade my front speakers to components, co-axes have to be turned up a bit more in order to be heard...I am using a Navone N774V LOC, with the stock head unit. Very clean sound and no noise. The only thing I would want to do is upgrade the front co-axes to components, and I will have the sound I want. I'm going to keep the stock head unit for stealth and for the six-disc changer...(2thumbs)

 

[chuyler1]

I'm going to keep the stock head unit for stealth and for the six-disc changer...(2thumbs)

Same here. Until those double-din video/dvd/mp3 units come down in price I'm sticking with stock. I don't like the look of a single din with a pocket. It breaks up the interior, not to mention that night-time red glow which I love.

 

[Punkerstkb]

Adding a subwoofer to the stock system

I use the factory head unit and get excellent results. I upgraded the speakers, added a sub/amp combo, and finally amped the speakers with a 4 channel amp - 40 watts per.

Got good, but not great sound. 100% better then stock and something most people would be happy with.

To get the extra clarity, I added a Navone N774V adaptor. This is basically a LOC with a gain control to get higher input voltage from your stock head unit to the amp. Goal was to amplify the signal and not the noise in the signal.

This gave me the sound I was looking for & more. I found that the sound was as good as anything I'd heard at local audio dealers. It allowed me to bump up the signal before the amp gains, so I could run the amp's gains at a lower setting. This eliminated any turn on/off noise or amplified internal noises from the deck - like when seeking a track on the cd.

My goal was also to retain the factory look of the dash. The red/amber interior lighting on the ES is an outstanding feature of the car. I wasn't willing to give that up, unless I had to.

Fortunately, I didn't have to.

I just became the proud owner of a new Mazda3 s sunlight silver with the stock CD player and stereo system. I started playing with the audio settings, and the system sounds pretty good, but it is definitely in need of a subwoofer at minimum so you get the lows that are missing from the stock setup. I already have a subwoofer and amp from my previous vehicle, and I am just trying to find out if the stock system has a sub pre-out or some way of attatching an amplifier using RCA or another method. I don't really want to take out the stock system and lose the audio controls from the steering wheel unless it is 100% necessary to get my amp hooked up to power my subwoofer.

I have read in some of the forums that there may be some required hardware, like a "line out converter" or something, so I am curious what all I am going to need to get this sub hooked up and bompin' again.

Feel free to email me if you can, in case i can't navigate my way back here.