calling all audio freaks - audio install question

[JSE]

im currently running 2 pioneer speakers in my doors and a 6inch JL tube sub sitting behind the passenger seat, off a 4 channel pioneer amp.

im wanting to get rid of the tube sub, speakers and amp and replace it with a monoblock or 2 channel amp and component speakers.

what are some good brand component speakers? don't really know much about audio but i would be looking at top of the range stuff so it replaces the tube sub. i heard that the kicker competition components are really good. what are your thoughts?

[Locutus]

don't buy anything audio related based on brand or other people's opinions. do to a decent car audio shop, bring your own music and buy the gear you like best.

[Okibi]

I would have to disagree with that ...

The reason you get peoples opinion would be in regard to build quality, value for money and what speakers seem to fit well into the MX-5.

Also various audio shops promote different brands and may try and sell you something that they get good mark up on, or is so sh*t no one wants to buy it so they'd do anything to get those products out the door to people who wouldn't know any better.

[Garry]

I agree with Locutus, but with a bit of Okibi's advice thrown in. Ask around to get a few suggestions, hopefully listen to a few setups in peoples cars then head to an audio shop with your own music and have a listen. And listen to everthing.

Bear in mind though that the speakers will sound differently when mounted in your car due to the different accoustics. The way they sound is also affected by the way they have been set up in the store. So it's a bit of a hit and miss thing.

My ears must be different to everyone else's because a lot of big name speakers that people rave about sound crap to me.

[NMX516]

In my opinion, Focal are about the best car audio speaker you'll buy. Alpine are also up there - at their top of the range end. There are a few other more select brands, but those two will give you some good starting points to work from when auditioning speakers for yourself.

Oh, and don't skimp on the install, otherwise you might as well have bought some voxson specials from supercheap. Spend a few hundred dollars on sound deadening the doors with Dynamat. The difference that alone will make, will amaze you! Decent cabling and mounting are also important. Oh, and if you're spending big on speakers, you'll also need a good quality amp and head unit, otherwise you've just wasted your money on the speakers.

[BlackMX]

All the above is good advice, by all means get peoples opinions and impressions as this will give you a good starting point. Then follow Garry's advice and have a listen to the different brands and let your ears decide. Remember you will have to live with them day in and day out and second hand speakers have worse depreciation than cars .

All the quality brands make good sounding speakers but each will have a different character and some will appeal to your personal taste more than others... Some others to try (in no particular order of preference) include DLS, Morel, Hertz , Rainbow, Dynaudio, OZ audio, SEAS Lotus and the new Polk signature series to name a few. The top spec Focal, Alpine and Rainbow are REALLY expensive but worth a listen if you get the chance or can afford them.

Most importantly as NMX516 stated put some money aside for a good install as it really does make a huge difference.

Then sit back and enjoy!

[Benny]

I have Focal splits in my 5, along with an Alpine sub.
I live on the nth shore, so if you want to have a listen to my system JSE, send me a PM, and we can arrange to hook up.

My install may also give you a few ideas.

[rwf]

in my last car i had just under $5000 of gear all alpine with splits have pods made for them to get them to face you and gives them a soild mount all gives better sound and a good amp for this is the only way to go

[marcusus]

I want my boot and some lightness back!

I hear that. I've currently got the boot full of speakers and it bugs the hell outta me at work when I need to drive myself and someone else somewhere with all our gear.

In the coming week operation reclaim bootspace begins. I'll be mounting the 6x9's on the parcel shelf. Then in the near to mid future I'll remount the sub on a side of the boot with something similar to SM's fibreglass install to remove the weight of the sub box.

[TieNN89]

Does anyone know what the speaker size is in the 1998 NB doors? (It also has tweeters)

[Okibi]

I think they're a 6x9 in a plastic cowl, a 8\" round is a direct fit without cutting any metal.

I have the 8\" pioneer 3 ways, they're good enough for me.

[Garry]

The stockies are 5*7 or 6*8 (They seem to be an interchangable size) 2 way splits using a capacitor as the crossover. 6*9's arent a drop in fit but you might be able to get them to fit with some mods.

I have Clearwater 8\" round 2 way splits in my car.

[Okibi]

The clearwater's get a good rap in the states, you happy with them Gary?

[TieNN89]

8\" are you kidding me

where on earth can i find some good 8\" speakers

How big is the tweeters?

Cause i was speaking to the guy at autobarn yesterday and he reckons i'd have to get tiny tweeters to fit in the factory place

[Garry]

Okibi,

I bought the Clearwaters because of the big wrap they got on Miatanet but I'm not overly impressed. These were sposed to be the new improved not as bright ones but I still found them way too bright. They dont have an adjustable crossover so I did a little bit of bodgy tuning with some resistors and they are much better now. I was expecting a bit more though, especially after reading their web page blurb about being tuned specifically for the MX5.

AZNTien,

MX5's use a standard size 1 inch ish tweeter. They should be available everywhere. On an aftermarket tweeter you might need to remove the actual tweeter from it's housing to fit it into the door though

There are a few 8\" speakers around. Pioneer, JBL and Phillips amongst others make some. I used to have the Phillips ones but swapped to the Clearwaters a few months ago when the exchange rate was good and Clearwater were having a sale.