OK, now that the nice weather is around the corner, I'm looking into updating the speakers on the car. As most threads deal with the Bose system, I thought of starting my own thread for the base stereo. There is a similar one that gives some sketch details, but I want to confirm the size of the speakers and good brands to use.

-door panels: size 6x8 or 5x7 if one does not want to modify the brackets? How tall can those be (i.e., max 3.5")? Would need 2-Way ones to enhance the highs as well.

-rears: size 6x9 will fit without a problem. If too tall, mount from the truck side. Either a 3 or 4-way.

Brands: I liked Polk, Infinity (at Circuit City, not the Gamma series) and Rockfords (at Best Buy). I am looking for a nicer bass and more highs. Should I match them? What sort of power should I be looking for? Not sure what the HU for the base stereo power is, per channel.

If I am to change only one pair first, which should go out first, doors or rears? I tend to think the doors should be replaced first.

I am not planning to add a sub or an amp and would hope I don't need to solder things (they have connectors for their terminals?).

Thanks in advance.

 

I think that you should look into adding an Infinity Basslink 1st in the trunk. Then assess your speaker needs. You will never get the Bass you want fron 5x7's or 6x8's regardless of the cost. With the Bass taken care of you can tune the mid and highs with your speaker replacements.

 

I gotta tell you that the base speakers are so bad that even mediocre aftermarkets add a tremendous inprovement. To my base stereo, I added some cheapie Rockford-Fosgate 6x9's in the back, cheap Pioneer 6X8's in the door and component Infinity tweeters in the 'sail panel'. Improvement is unbelieveable. I agrees with Keyek, I still think bass is lacking so I've purchased the Infinity Basslink - I think that will be the key ingredient to really round out the sound. When it's a little warmer here in NJ (where is spring???), I plan on puttin' that in. Can't wait to blast some Monster Magnet !!

I think the HU provides enough level and quality for me so I'm in no rush to replace it or add amps.

I'm getting a profit sharing check from my company at the end of March, so I'll use part of that to add a Kenwood Sirius Receiver, head unit/ controller feeding a PIE aux input adapter. (Then my wife is taking away my credit card!)

I have an '05 so I was hoping for some coorperation from Mazda in updgrading my non-Sat ready radio to a Sat ready radio. I can't get a straight answer from my dealer or Mazda so I give up and I'm taking this different route.

Too bad...the 8 is a great car that I really love and such a dissapointent that the owner's of this car, who are really passionate rotary lovers as evidenced by this forum, seem to sometimes get the shaft.

Sorry to digress, I think a lot of us are frustrated over this.

 

While I definitely agree that the Basslink makes a very nice upgrade, I would still do the main speakers first. That's where you'll see your clarity and definition improve tremendously, and actually the decent 6x9s in the rear will make the bass much tighter as well. You'll probably still want to add the Basslink, but if you just want to do one thing at a time do the main speakers.

Everyone gets scared off by the fact that you remove the rear seats to get to the rear speakers...don't be. Seriously, that's the easiest thing in the world to do: Pull up the lower cushion, remove two bolts, and lift the upper cushion up and out...done.

Any of the brands you list should be fine. Audition them in the store and pick the ones you like that fall in line with your budget. They'll be such a major improvement over the stock speakers that you'll think you spent thousands!

jds