Where to put the amp?

[mastadon]

Hi guys, i really want to upgrade my sound system in the MS3 but i am not sure where to mount an amp in this badboy. This is my first car that doesn't have a proper "trunk" and i dont want any equipment in the hatch area. Here is what i am looking to do: Upgrade the door speakers front and rear, buy the "stealth" box and put a nice 8" sub in there. So, i need an amp that will power everything (either doing a 5 channel or a 4 channel and running the rear channel to the sub). So where do i put the amp? Under the passenger seat seems like the only logical choice, but there is some stuff under there and i want to find out if any of you have tried any other creative ideas. Also for those who have done it, how big of an amp can i even fit under the seat? TIA

Edit: it is a sport model, so no blose

 

[jam_asian85]

you could place the new amp under the trunk mat, just storage tray from the MZ3, part # B32H-68-8F0D

 

[mastadon]

^hmmm, sounds interesting but i am not sure what you mean. care to explain a little more or have any pix?

 

[jam_asian85]

here you go, pics from john_in_the_LBC

 

[mastadon]

oh, cool. Does that take place of the current carpet that covers the spare, or does it go underneath it?

 

[User Name]

I thought that tray didn't fit the MS3? I'm getting one to store s*** if it does.

 

[jam_asian85]

oh, cool. Does that take place of the current carpet that covers the spare, or does it go underneath it?

It goes underneath the current trunk mat

I thought that tray didn't fit the MS3? I'm getting one to store s*** if it does.

I'll be ordering mine next week so if you wanna wait till then, I'll let you know if it fits for sure.

 

[StealthWyvern]

i wisd they made something like that for my p5

 

[User Name]

I'll be ordering mine next week so if you wanna wait till then, I'll let you know if it fits for sure.

That'd be awesome, thanks.

 

[AllLostThings]

Have it custom mounted in the left side of the hatch where the jack goes.

 

[JimmiV]

I have not tried this with the speed yet (less then a week old) In my old focus, I took out the tire(or turn the tire over depending on the size of the amp) and mounted the amp under a new carpeted floor with a piece of plexi-glass flush with the carpet. Real clean and you can still use the hatch. Add some lighting and look all showey in your in to that typ of thing. let us know what your thinking is on types, speakers and amps and such.

 

[blkspdfreak]

i think that might be a problem with cooling and air circulation. i mounted my amp on the back of the seat of my msp. its a compition amp my buddy builds and it doesnt have fans or any thing. id try and leave a space, or do a false floor and flush mount it.

 

[Super Unique]

we were looking @ mine today trying to plan my amp and sub installation. Here is what we came up with?

under the cardboard trunk in the rear we found where the current jack handle is mounted, I could cut that thick black foam to fit my amp, relocate the jack handle to the passenger side of the foam, this will locate the amp under the floor where it's out of sight. Use a fish tape to run the low level input wires to the hole in the carpet next to the bose amp under the seat. tap these into the bose amp connector to pull a signal from the headunit without cutting wires / destroying the integrity of the factory system.

still have to plan more for the power line through the firewall to the battery. Not sure I like the method shown here where you remove the windshield trim.

Any thoughts on the idea for the amp in the back?

 

[Super Unique]

Also, how well does the bose system react to better quality replacement speakers and tweeters?

 

[6262MS3]

My stealth plan is to get an alpine pdx 5 channel (75x4 + 300x1) which is pretty tiny and should fit under the driver's seat in place of the bose amp. That should run a decent 8", a pair of tweets and a pair of mids no problem (I'm planning on running an active setup).

 

[MS3077]

here you go, pics from john_in_the_LBC

Meguiars quick detailer FTW!!

 

[Super Unique]

I will look into that tray.

This should sound awesome when I am done. I am using the custom sub and amp I had from my jeep. JL audio dual 8 inch subs in custom built box, and jbl 500 watt amp that should rock the hatchback sufficiently......

 

[NTIMD8R]

Here's a picture of mine. Rockford Fosgate Punch 60 amp w/8" RF Punch sub in a custom enclosure. Granted the amp just powers my sub but I imagine you could easily power the rest of your speakers. Mounting the amp on the side of the cargo area really doesn't take up any space, plus it really helps keeping it cool! I've never had problems shoving things in the back of the car and wishing that the amp wasn't there so I'd have more room. Just giving you more ideas...

 

[brad28]

I will also have this situation come up when I proceed with mine.....but if buying a nice looking amp do you really want to hide it or do a good job installing it where its going to look nice? Also thinking alpines pdx's

 

[jam_asian85]

well i called the manager from a local mazda and there might be a slight problem he said ... but he's going to test it out and then lemme know before he ships it out