want to install a 2 new amps and a sub mazdaspeed 3 bose

Tooch

Member
:
ms3 2007
like the title says. I want to install 2 new amps and a twin 12" bandpass sub box in my mazdaspeed 3. bought it yesterday :D. I happen to have on hand a dual 530watt sub amp, a power acoustik 4 channel 1080 watt sub and a power acoustik 620 watt amp. I figured I would swap the 4 channel amp with the one under the drivers seat and remove the bose woofer and amp. then stick the power acoustik sub and amp in the trunk area. any tips or guides to help me through this? I have no idea about the car. I just want some more thump :D
 
Get the RF 3SIXTY.2. Itll clean the signal and give you high voltage low line outputs for your amps.
 
any idea where I can get that so its less than $400? If theres any way to simply swap out the existing amp and run a better amp and throw a sub amp on there I'd be happy or even just adding a sub amp and a subwoofer set to the rig. My first priority is getting some boom to my system. deffinetly lacking the lowend thump. The rest of the speakers are on the end of my list right now. does anybody know how hard it is to hijack the subwoofer output and throwing it into a sub amp?
 
any idea where I can get that so its less than $400? If theres any way to simply swap out the existing amp and run a better amp and throw a sub amp on there I'd be happy or even just adding a sub amp and a subwoofer set to the rig. My first priority is getting some boom to my system. deffinetly lacking the lowend thump. The rest of the speakers are on the end of my list right now. does anybody know how hard it is to hijack the subwoofer output and throwing it into a sub amp?

(google).... Plenty of info in the electronics section! JUST SEARCH FOR IT.
 
Honestly what I did was hook up a 300w RF amp and 2 12" 12w0s through a LOC to get some low end...its not the best but it works for now. When I add a 4 channel amp and mids\highs to the setup I'll ditch the LOC and get the 3SIXTY.2.
 
wow.


Dude, your equipment list just makes me sad.


Please, don't take this the wrong way, but I want you to be informed as to what you've got there.

A bandpass box is nothing that it should be at all. You simply cannot stuff any sub into a generic bandpass box and expect it to sound good. All you're going to get is a very narrow, very loud range of mid-bass. If you insist on a bandpass box, you need to have one made exactly to the specs of the subwoofer itself. Trust me, please. You're better off returning that box for a simple sealed box, especially in a car like the MS3. It is a hatchback, and as such it will enhance (if not overdo) mid 80hz frequencies on its own. This is known as "cabin gain". For my sub setup, I chose a unique LMT Eclipse sub, and gave it a large sealed space to work with.

You've got a lot of brands I wouldn't recommend to my competitors, let alone install them in my own vehicle. Again, do not take this the wrong way, I'm simply trying to save you the frustration and disappointment down the road.

First, lets go with Dual. I've not had any trouble with their head units, but then again I've not used many either. However Dual doesn't have their own speaker manufacturing facility, so what speakers you are buying from them (sub) simply is made by the lowest bidder and probably doesn't possess the right characteristics to sound great. I will say that the box choice and design probably makes more difference then the sub of choice though. I've put crappy subs in great boxes and had great results, but I've never seen an excellent sub run well in a crappy box.

Next, lets touch on Power Acoustik...Man this brand is all flash, much like Audiobahn and a whole lot like 100's of other no-name brands out there. You seem to have commented them by their "watts" of power, but in reality you'll never get what they're rated for. Well, unless you are talking about the "WLS" ratings (that stands for When Lightning Strikes), because then they could make their rated power for sure. the big deal on amps is people sell "WATTS", but really its not a wattifier, its an amplifier. In the end, if you have them and can't return them, feel free to use them since amps don't have a whole lot of effect on the final sound quality or quantity produced by a system, but just for future reference pick your amp brands more wisely.

Now, to address several issues you'll deal with along the way of your install:

Since you own an MS3 with the Bose system, you're among the lucky ones that will not need a processor like the RF 3sixty.2 (I have one, I know), instead you only need a quality LOC (line out converter) to get what you want. The Bose head unit actually sends out a good enough signal to run without adjustment, whereas the non-Bose unit definitely needs attention. So, consider running just an Audiocontrol LOC or something similar. Try to avoid those cheapie box things that seem to be popular, find something that actually can properly adjust gains and keep the noise floor down. Audiocontrol gets my vote for this job, and I also like the MTX Re-EQ though it isn't the best value compared with AC products in this field and with your needs.

Next, lets talk about something you completely left off your list: Sound deadening! This car needs it, BAD. Every car needs it in some way, but this one can really see a benefit from the job. Currently the best value I've found in sound deadening comes from Raamaudio. They sell raammat and ensolite, as well as the proper spray adhesive for the ensolite. If you want to do the minimum necessary, order a roll of mat and about 4 yards of Ensolite, and this will do the doors inside and out, and the entire trunk area as well as the rear fender spots behind the plastic, and finally the tailgate. This is what I've done, and it works great. If you want to go a bit more hardcore, feel free to order another roll and more ensolite and do the floor, the rear doors, and maybe the roof if you are so inclined. It will all help.

Lastly, I noticed you are focused on the bass first, then the rest later. I am a big proponent of doing it all at the same time, to make sure you've got balance and proper control of all the frequencies within the audio spectrum. If you need guidance on this issue, simply ask and I'll do my best to help.

My signature contains a few links to help you, and I can provide many more if you want. I recommend asking here rather then PM, so others can easily follow the topic if they need to. Sometimes too many PM's result in a lack of information on the board, where it needs to be.

I, along with a lot of the guys here, wrote up a couple of neat threads regarding these issues directly, so search around and you'll find a lot of great info.
 
Fourthmeal, can I ask your advice? I'm in a similar situation as the poster of this thread and I'm following your suggestions, but I want to see if this proposed system makes sense.......

An AudioControl LC7 line converter, and a six-channel JL Audio 75x6 amp to drive two JL Audio component speakers up front and two coaxial speakers in the rear and a 10-inch JL Audio sub in the trunk in a custom box.

Does this price seem way out of whack to you: $2,300 installed. I won't name the company suggesting that price, but it seems awfully high to me. Could be right on target though...ANyways, I only have $1000 now, so would you suggest waiting and doing it all at once, or could I leave out certain parts of the system until later?

Thanks for your help!
 
That's a nice setup, but IMO you could pretty much eliminate any rear speaker arrangement. Simply put, the rear passengers should be plenty happy with the stock stuff. Just run the stock speakers from the rear off the head unit as stock, and send the front signals to your aftermarket amp(s.) I think everything else sounds great. If you want to save some money without sacrificing much, you could go with Pioneer Premier ICEpower amps, get a 4ch and a mono sub amp, then run your JL sub and components you like. One advantage of the ICEpower amps is that they are efficient, so you'll tax your charging system and battery far less. I also LOVE the Alpine amps using ICEpower. By killing off the rear speakers from your system, you'll be able to bridge your 4ch amp into your components OR you'll be able to bi-wire amplify your components (send one channel of power to each tweeter and woofer separately...the best of all options.)

I noticed you didn't put sound dampening in your list, so I'd add that and at that point, around $2000 is about right.


If you want to build a system for $1000, here's what you could do:

Get your LOC like Audiocontrol or MTX RE-EQ, but you can use a lesser one that is only 2 channels or maybe 4 at tops. ~($110)

Get a quality 4 channel amp like the Pioneer Premier PRS-D4100F or Alpine PDX 4.100 ~($250 to $350) You can power either temporarily or permanently a system with a single 4 channel amp, depending on how loud you want your bass. Typically you'll do just fine with a quality 4 channel amp alone.

Because you like them, run JL XR650CSi 6.5" components ~($249)

You'll need some 4 conductor 16 gauge speaker wire that will fit through the Molex connector (~$30)

Because you like them, run JL 10W3D2v.3, and run the wiring in series to the bridged 4 channel amp ~($149)

Right there, you're at somewhere between $788 and $888, and you'll need just a few more things before you're done. You'll need a roll of Raammat, 4 yards of ensolite, which will total ~($166.80) This will do a whole car's basic needs

You'll also need to set aside roughly $100 for RCA cords, sub speaker wire, 4 gauge amp wire, a fuse setup, and so on.

Finally, if you want to install it yourself, set aside time, or give some GOOD installer some hard earned money to do it for you. But don't let them slip on the sound deadener, the wiring, or the install job itself, because its all important and will make or break how it sounds and how it lasts.

IMO, you're at $1054 to 1154 or so + shipping + a few hundred in materials like wood, carpet, vinyl, etc. if you do it yourself. NOT BAD given that you want to go with JL Audio on a lot of stuff. If you set your sights a bit lower, you could easily set a system up for under a grand including all necessary materials like deadening and all that. And it would still sound great.
 
Man, that's fantastic information.

I dont really have my sights set on those particular speakers. Those are just the ones that the people at this particular store recommended. I think becuase I was dressed in my work clothes (suit), they figured I had lots more money than I do.

I would like to be able to put a nice-sounding system with good bass (enough to feel it...don't need to rattle my skull, but need to feel it) for right at 1K, installed. I had put together a good system, over the years, in my RX7, but I just sold the car, and I included the system so that I could get a good price for it...Hated to part with it, but we're having a baby, so I need a back seat.

Anyways, given that I don't have any real attachment to a particular brand, would you still recommend the parts you suggested in your previous post, or do you have other suggestions? Again, need to stay at $1G installed, and would like maximum bang for the buck, of course.

Thanks so much for your advice. I truly appreciate it.

****EDIT: I should add that I also have an MP3 player (not an iPod), that I'd like to plug into the system via an RCA/Headphone jack. I think that the LOC will give me this input, correct?****
 
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I have 2005 Mazda 3, sport edition.

I know it's the Bose speakers but I'm not 100% on the deck itself. I would assume since the speakers are Bose that the head unit is too.
 
If your speakers are Bose (see on an MS3 sport they are NOT), then you have what people consider to be the Bose head unit. Its not made by Bose per-say (they don't make anything, really. They farm stuff out like all the rest), but it means you have a flat output head unit instead of some artificial "adjustment" that must be tuned out.

What it means to you is you don't have to spend any extra money on a damn expensive LOC!

So, here's a system for you:

Raammat - 1 roll and 4 yards of ensolite ~($166.80)

MTX RE-EQ LOC and bass optimization circuit (in case some bass gets lost in the signal from the head unit's EQ system) ~($110)

Pioneer PRS-D4100F 4channel amp ~($249)

CDT Audio CL-S60A 6.5" components ~($99)

JBL GTO1002D 10" dual coil 2 ohm sub ~($54)

This is all the major components, ~($678.80)

From here, you'll still need a good wiring kit with RCA's and power wire, etc. You can go with knukonceptz if you like here, ~($26.49) for a good 4 gauge wire kit KLM-K4. You'll also need a good 4 conductor wire to run (but it has to be skinny...knukonceptz doesn't make it small enough!) I found a decent roll of the right wire in my local FRY's, but you may not have one around you. At any rate, what you need is a jacketed, 4 conductor 16 gauge stranded (not solid like you'd use for A/C house voltage) wire, about 50 feet. It should cost no more then $40, but I found mine for $30 for 100 feet (could share with a friend or use it elsewhere.) For a car, speaker wire is speaker wire, but you need a 4 conductor to pass through the molex because space is super tight, and its almost impossible to do with the wrong kind of wire.

From that point on, you need to have either a box built to spec (.75 cubic feet sealed) or buy a premade one and reinforce it and seal it yourself. Universal boxes are the suck, but a slightly modded one might suit you for a while.

With roughly $735 on all materials except for wood and carpet, etc., you should be pretty close to $1500 if you give the job to an installer. Maybe $2000 including labor because labor is expensive to do it right. There is a lot of custom work to be done here. One thing you can do is take your $1000, and buy the gear I mentioned, then work your way back up to a budget for install, OR install it yourself or at least a bunch of it yourself.

But about $735 is the least I can figure out without really cutting into the quality of what the final product will be.
 
Again, thanks so much for the advice. Extremely helpful.
One last question (I think):

Does the AudioControl...or the MTX RE-EQ LOC....have an RCA input? ANd if so, my (very foggy) understanding is that I can use this RCA input for my MP 3 player's headphone jack (the output of the MP3 player into the input on the AudioControl unit.

Assuming that I can do it with either unit, how do I "tell" the stereo that I want sound to come via this input? Again, using the AudioControl as the input for the MP3 player is the route that this company suggested, but I don't understand how I will tell the head unit that I want sound to come via the RCA input rather than via the CD player or radio.

Thanks again!

By the way...my guess is that I'm going to need to tackle this in two parts, like you suggested: One, buy the gear with my $1,000, then save up $700 for an installation professional. I don't trust myself with it.

****EDITED INFO: I should clarify that I own a Mazda 3 sedan, sport edition. The grills definitely say BOSE on them. The head unit doesn't say anything though.....*************
 
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I used the MTX RE-Q it is a fine piece for what it is... it has rca inputs for sub, front, and rear. I highly recommend that you get a hu to get the most out of your system.
 
FYI he's talking about Inputs to send signal to the amps, not OUTPUTS like the MTX Re-EQ has (and other processors.)

For my iPod, I just simply use the Aux-In located in my center console that is stock with the car. Works great! I could hook up my aux-in via the 3sixty.2's processor's built-in input for this, but when I do, it doesn't sound quite as good for some random reason. So, I just happily use the stock setup.
 
Mariohardleft:

Do you have the Bose or non-Bose head unit, and on what car? This matters quite a bit.

I like the info you give so I will just ask you the question.

I have a MS3 w/ Bose. I have an sub amp and 2x 12" subs in a sealed box from my last car. I went to have them installed from a buddy of mine that works for bestbuy. He knows i'm picky about my car and don't want a hack job! He was not sure where on the fire wall to take the power thru from the battery to the amp. Its very tight and did not want to just start drilling and hope to miss things. So where do you go thru the firewall from???

Also, can you give me a link for a good deal on a Audiocontrol LOC? I believe I need one. Its just for the subs, I wont ever upgrade the rest. And also and amp install kit w/ 8 gauge wire (4 gauge is too big for my smaller amp)

Right now Im just trying to use what I have and put my money into car mods. Latter I will upgrade amp, subs and box, I like Rockford fosgate mid range stuff. What do you think?
 
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