Suggestions for my first (ever) audio upgrade

[DaveJohnson]

Hi all

I've been avidly reading through the forums here - I've gotten lots of info, but I still feel a little lost. Allow me to explain...

We just bought an '09 Mazda 5 Sport that will be my primary car, used to pick up & drop off our 3 kids. Now, this is the first new car I've ever owned - I usually get my wife's hand me downs, and she is of the 'less money spent, the better' variety. I've been telling myself that if I ever got a new car, I would upgrade the audio to get decent sound (for once in my life!) I drive 70 - 80 miles per day, so crappy audio wears on me.

I'm really looking to upgrade the stock speakers - I don't want to get a new HU, and I don't need amps and bass boxes, etc. I'd like to do it with a minimum of fuss - I don't want to be drilling holes in the car or fabricating brackets for the speakers... but if I have to pop off door panels in order to add a component system because it is way better, then I'm game.

So - what should I be looking at? Brand names and models please! Links even better! I want to replace all 6 speakers, so fire away!

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[dima_rus]

well, let me just say that without upgrating the HU, there is really no point in upgrating the speakers. OEM sound system is not all that bad, and if anything, HU should be replaced first.

Dima

 

[Heat]

This radio supposedly sounds really good with stock speakers:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KDS100/JVC-KD-S100.html?search=jvc+kd-s100&tp=5684

I have this radio though I still haven't installed it. I also picked up two pairs of infinity speakers, one component and one composite - I hope to have everything installed by this weekend.

Tell me about your listening habits - do you primarily listen to the radio, music off of an iPod, or music off of another brand .mp3 player? Or do you still listen to CDs? Is the digital music on your computer in .mp3 or .aac format?

If money isn't really an issue, take a look at the Alpine CDA-105 - I almost went with that radio. $200. Speaking of which, how much money are you wanting to spend?

 

[DaveJohnson]

Thanks for the suggestions - the car is basically brand new, and it sounds like it's pointless unless I start with the HU - which I'm not terribly ready to jump into now. Maybe give the car a few years ;-)

The stereo does sound decent, I was just hoping for some simple improvements - thanks again!

 

[bootman]

I disagree.
Changing the speakers will change the sound.
The stock speakers are not really that good. (full range paper cones)

 

[joeym509]

check this out, http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123742020 , there are some other similar threads as well, I personally am very pleased with what I have done so far. Good luck

 

[nehvada]

biggest improvement in sound will be a new headunit! least expensive improvement will be new speakers.

BUT:

do not underestimate the work envolved in changing the speakers. especially the rear ones are a pain to exchange because of lots of covers to be removed, plus you might need to remove the third seatrow!

easiest way (my point of view):

add some tweeters to the front, cheepest will do the job. remove door panels and just plug it to the stock speakers.

add an active subwoofer. disconnect the rear speakers (who needs them?), connect the wires to the sub and get power from the rear power plug left in the trunk. sub can be placed within the rim of the spare wheel or simply somewhere in the trunk.

my setup:

- fortunately it came with stock tweeters in the front doors, good enough

- kenwood DNX5220 headunit with BT, iPod, DVD, navigation, rear view camera and way more power then stock unit

- this subwoofer here, which fits nicely in the sparewheel under the third row:

Pioneer Subwoofer TS-WX22A

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Consider this option....

Good luck!

Peace!(rei)