Aftermarket Stereo Questions

russman · Postby **russman** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:15 pm

Hello!

I've just snooped around my NA6 and have found that there were headrest speakers installed but not connected and partially uninstalled (one speaker with no wire behind it).

So I'm thinking if I'm going to install headrest speakers, I might as well buy a better stereo and door speakers, as well as a sub

Looking for:

Questions are:

Do the headrest speakers wire in as rear speakers?

Would a subwoofer cause any problems with the headrest speakers?

What size subwoofer would be appropriate? Don't need anything monstrous, just something to even out the tones

If you have any recommendations, info or anything, I'd love to know.

Thanks,

russman

bartmanftw · Postby **bartmanftw** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:00 pm

The headrest speakers should be wired in as rear speakers. I reckon sub isn't needed if you get some decent door speakers powered by an amp. I'd get better door speakers first and then decide afterwards if you need a sub or not and go from there.

Roadrunner · Postby **Roadrunner** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 8:05 pm

If you go an aftermarket headunit it will have 4 channel speaker output and most likely have multiple RCA outputs.
So I would wire the front speakers as normal, the headrest speakers will be your rear speakers and if you pick up a compact/slim active sub (sub with built in amp from focal etc) you run RCA from headunit to sub mounted either behind your seat or secured in the boot.
The other thing to watch out for is glare on double din HUs
I have a pioneer that is a matte finish screen but still in a convertible during the day it's hard to see.
Obviously it's impossible to test glare in a shop so google some user reviews to see what's best with that.

Postby **NitroDann** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 9:19 pm

Can't you test glare using the light on your phone?

Dann

emily_mx5 · Postby **emily_mx5** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 9:35 pm

lol what Dann ?

Yes the headrest speakers are wired in as rear speakers, just remember there are 2 in EACH seat, meaning stereo, so left and right in each seat.

Sub is pretty hard in mx5s, due to space.
You can fit 8 - 15" in the boot, and loose all boot space.
You can fit 8 - 10" in the passenger footwell, and loose all leg room.
You can fit a slim sub behind the seat, and loose alot of seat travel.

You can fit 8" free airs in the parcel shelf, I loved this set up on my NA, and will be re-doing on my NB soon.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:12 pm

emily_mx5 wrote:You can fit 8" free airs in the parcel shelf, I loved this set up on my NA, and will be re-doing on my NB soon.

You just won't be able to do that if you also want a roll-bar or style-bar of any type......

Postby **NitroDann** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:21 pm

If you want to know how much a decks screen reflects can't you compare one to the other with a phone light in the shop?

Dann

noddi85 · Postby **noddi85** » Sun Apr 20, 2014 11:26 pm

Would still be possible to do this with a roll bar. Hole mdf ring mounted under that. Then sub mounted under that so all there is is a hole visible on top. Could cover with a bit of mesh if you really want to worry about it. Just need some longer bolts to go from sub to top sheet metal. The mdf ring would Prob help the low tones travel as well. There is always a way to do something.

Postby **Okibi** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:15 am

I had 2 8" speakers in my rear parcel shelf with a rollbar, it wasn't easy to do but there's a way.

If I did it again i'd look at some of those square subs.

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 1:31 am

NitroDann wrote:If you want to know how much a decks screen reflects can't you compare one to the other with a phone light in the shop?

Dann

LOL ... don't think anyone realized what you were referring to there ...

But yeah that will give some idea. But I've found very few aftermarket HU's give good readability in sunlight ...

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk

russman · Postby **russman** » Mon Apr 21, 2014 7:09 pm

Thanks for the responses guys!

Glare is something that I'll definitely have to check out somehow.

As for the headrest speakers, how does the wire travel through the seat?

The parcel shelf subs look like they might be a bit difficult for me considering I do want a roll bar to replace my style bar. But the slimline sub looks interesting. Considering I'm a small guy (164cm, 65kg), I need to sit pretty close to the steering wheel and pedals to not have my knee lock out when I'm clutching in so it might not be bad having a slimline sub behind my seat. Or placing a slimline sub in the boot, what's your experience?