Sub and Amp ?

[Kosh]

Has anyone installed a sub and amp to their mazdaspeed 3 sport themselves? I already have both and all the wires from my old car and I was wondering how easy it is to get in there and get it all connected to the stock cd player and through the firewall. Just picked up my MS3 from the dealer last night so i'm still a noobie (boom05) I did read somewhere you need an Adjustable Line-Out Converter to get RCA composite from the system to the amp so if anyone has any other tips or suggestions they would be greatly appreciated.

Zoom Zoom

 

[Kosh]

Well I ordered my line-out converter last night and soon as it comes in I'll go through with the install. I know ya'll love pictures so I'll post the install for those of you who are interested.

 

[tsunami]

www.davidnavone.com is a great source for some nice LOC and whatever else you may need. also i don't think there is anything different internal wiring wise with the ms3 vs the new na3 so i would follow the wiring diagrams that are avialable now and you should be fine... if you have the bose system you may want to look into the jl clean sweep or the rockford fosgate version or there are a couple more out there to bring back your levels to flat and then adjust them as you see fit due to the fact that bose especially has some odd curves and dips that with a/m amps and subs you will notice a lack in certian ranges....


good luck and keep us posted as to what you get and how you do it...

 

[Kosh]

Thanks for the info Tsunami. I'll keep ya posted after I my order comes in 1-2 weeks.

 

[Euphorism]

i would like to add ill be doing a very thorough write up as i install my system into the ms3. itll be a little while since im waiting on a couple parts.. but itll be a good one. its suppose to be done before june.

 

[Kosh]

I dont have the bose system, just whatever came with the sport since I didn't see putting any more cash into something I knew I was going to upgrade later. Right now I'm scared of doing anything to void my warrenty so I'm sticking with audio mods for now until I learn whats ok by mazda standards inside warrenty.

Soon as I get home from work I'll post what I'm putting in, just know its a JL 10in and Alpine amp.

I almost feel bad for putting anything in since I like the mute button so much for listening to engine noise when accelerating (drive2)

 

[Kosh]

I think I found 3 options here and am looking for some feedback.

Option 1: I go with a dash kit and install my old head unit (Pioneer DEH-P47MP). It already has rca out and amp control and it also plays mp3/wma. If I do this will I still be able to use the steering wheel controls?

Option 2: I forget about the LOC and going with speaker level output to the amp. I hear this won't sound as good but it is a lot easier than installing a dash kit and new head unit.

Option 3: keep the head unit and install the LOC.

I'm assuming you can't control the amp from the stock head unit so that is why I am leaning toward option 1 right now. I think I just talked myself into going with the dash kit and my old head unit but feedback is still appreciated.

If you haven't guessed already I'm an audio noob so if anything I said is wrong then please correct me. I'm here to learn (huh)

 

[tsunami]

you will be fine with the LOC it is the easiest and most efficient thing you can do... i use one b/c 1. the dash kits for our car look horrible. 2.you loose steering wheel controls without adding more a/m pieces ot get them back. and 3. on the new 3s you guys have climate control and other info displays that you will loose...

LOC is the way to go you won't loose any control the only thing you can't do from your deck is adjust the cross over point or the gain setting but you still have volume control if thats what you were asking??

 

[Kosh]

Thats exactly what I was asking. Just saved me $30 and a lot of time and probably a big headache too. Didn't think about the climate control but a good point to add.

 

[Kosh]

So yesterday after work I tried to get the thing installed, got the dash apart and the H/U out and just sat there wondering what the hell I was doing. I'm at a loss for where to connect the LoC... Can anyone help me out here? This is the one I got http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/sisloc80.html and I have the factory H/U, but not the Bose package one.

 

[Euphorism]

So yesterday after work I tried to get the thing installed, got the dash apart and the H/U out and just sat there wondering what the hell I was doing. I'm at a loss for where to connect the LoC... Can anyone help me out here? This is the one I got http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/sisloc80.html and I have the factory H/U, but not the Bose package one.

find the 4 wires on the wire harness that lead to the rear right pos, rear right neg, rear left pos, and rear left neg. those are the 4 wires you attatch to the harness on the LOC. you will lose the use of the rear speakers, but gain rca outputs for the use of an amplifer.

 

[Euphorism]

So yesterday after work I tried to get the thing installed, got the dash apart and the H/U out and just sat there wondering what the hell I was doing. I'm at a loss for where to connect the LoC... Can anyone help me out here? This is the one I got http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/sisloc80.html and I have the factory H/U, but not the Bose package one.

find the 4 wires on the wire harness that lead to the rear right pos, rear right neg, rear left pos, and rear left neg. those are the 4 wires you attatch to the harness on the LOC. you will lose the use of the rear speakers, but gain rca outputs for the use of an amplifer.

looks like there are 7 wires on that LOC, and i cant tell what they are from the pic, but you probably have a pos and neg for the LOC to hook up.. but i dont know what the 3rd is without seeing it in person.

 

[Kosh]

It came with only 4 wires I dont know why there are so many in the pic. But thanks for the info I'll give it another go when I get home.

 

[tsunami]

you have to connect them to the + and - wires for either the front or rear set of speakers... i connected mine to the front as i knew my set up was not going to include rear speakers so i wanted to be able to use the fade towards the front without taking away the input signal to the amp.

i will see if i can find the link to the wire colors... i am at work so i may not... do a search of the how to forum iirc it was a link to some guys car domain page or something and he had all the wire colors listed.

 

[Kosh]

This is what I found for speaker colors: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123659121

rear speaker wires left rear "+" is white w/purple stripe. "-" is gray w/white stripe. Right rear "+" is white, "-" is gray.

 

[Rotus8]

This is what I found for speaker colors: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123659121

rear speaker wires left rear "+" is white w/purple stripe. "-" is gray w/white stripe. Right rear "+" is white, "-" is gray.

Wow! Those are some fancy colored speakers!

Oh, you meant the wires.....(hump)

 

[Kosh]

Um ya I meant speaker wire.

Refering to http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123659121 again...

4. The remote wire on the HU is yellow with silver dots. NOT orange with a black stripe (this is constant and will drain thy battery).

Does this wire get cut or split to run to the amp? I'm guessing split but I don't want to screw anything up so asking to be safe.

 

[benzo]

So this is what you would go with right....It's the 5th one down?

2 CHANNEL SPEAKER LEVEL TO PRE AMP LEVEL LINE OUTPUT ADAPTER
N-7V $34.50

 

[Kosh]

Who can tell me a good place to run power from the battery through the firewall? I have a 07 speed 3. This project is turning into quite a b**** and I almost wish I would have just paid for hi-fi buys to put it in...almost

 

[fourthmeal]

best place is right where the factory wiring enters the engine bay. Look on the passenger side, right behind a heat shield. I sliced mine, and slipped 4 gauge right through. BE CAREFUL. The wire will pop out right under the dashboard, passenger side, behind the glove box, approximately.