Nothing like cruising across North America, at twice the legal speed limit with your favorite tunes playing from your 200 watt MP3, CD-R, CD player.

Hope Mazda will take that Protoge MP3 sound system, less the boom box in the trunk, and push it into the dash of the RX-8.

I am sure you will be able to get nice sound system, if maybe with some extra dough ;-)...

but when I drive fast, I preffer to hear the road, tires and engine... since I will be mostly driving on backroads and two lane roads...

Yeah, I hope the sound system will be good or at least there will be an option of an upgrade.

One thing I definately don't want is it to only be decent but still not great. That's the situation I'm in with my RSX-S. It comes with a 6 CD in dash HU and a 6" sub. Nice Right? Well the sub isn't that powerful (very little thump) and the HU is only okay. That makes it difficult to justify buying an aftermarket HU and sub. If it was a 1 CD HU and no sub I would definatly spring for good sub.

Danner,
I also own a Type S. I'll agree that the Bose system is quite weak. Are you familiar with http://www.clubrsx.com ? They have a great forum there that might be able to help with your stereo desires.

Also, what is the VIN on your S? If it is before 16,XXX, as mine is, there was a problem with the wires to the sub being backwards when put in at the factory. It is a simple fix that is covered on clubrsx, or you can take it to the dealer and they will fix it for you. There was a bulletin in December and they should know about it. After fixing mine, the sound was substantially better, but still not what I'd expect from a Bose (the Mazda Millenia and Nissan Maxima systems are WAY better). Definitely worth the fix.

Let me know. ;)

Originally posted by Jerome81
Danner, I also own a Type S. I'll agree that the Bose system is quite weak. Are you familiar with http://www.clubrsx.com ? They have a great forum there that might be able to help with your stereo desires.
Yeah of course I know about clubrsx. Go there all the time :D. I haven't done the fix (Partly afraid to mess up the wire, and partly just lazy). Still wish it had a bigger sub or at least the option to get one.

a veri good sound system is a NEED for me, my fd has the bose and it was a very nice system for a 93, but for me ..TODAY i would need something with alot more umpff

Better yet, a "radio delete" option so I can put my own stuff in, but we won't see that in a million years.

Shots of the interior show the HU is integrated with the climate controls, so upgrading would be a real pain. Might be the HU stays in and everything else gets upgraded.

interior is not finalized yet, which is why none of the mags that drove the car, said anything detailed about interior... i would wait until production version before making conclusions

I would also like to see a radio delete option. But also design the interior so an aftermarket head unit could be installed without looking out of place. Not sure if I like it, but the s2000 seems to be designed this way with the stereo behind a fold out panel.

Originally posted by alear
I would also like to see a radio delete option. But also design the interior so an aftermarket head unit could be installed without looking out of place. Not sure if I like it, but the s2000 seems to be designed this way with the stereo behind a fold out panel.

It is easy to install an aftermarket radio in the S2000 and make it look integrated. However, its a real problem integrating with the audio controls next to the steering wheel. I think there is a fix available, but it was expensive (www.s2ki.com). I'm wondering if the radio controls on the steering wheel stay on the RX-8 that we'd have the same kind of troubles. On the s2000, most just disable them.

Believe it or not, I actually have a lot of experience interfacing steering wheel controls with aftermarket head units. Most systems are not difficult but I haven't dealt with all of them. Most systems were for friends and just for fun. I also have experience reverse engineering popular data buses (alpine, sony). I have an electrical engineering degree and would have no problem creating a simple system to interface any wheel controls including the Mazda's.

If thats the case, I may be giving you a call Alex! :)

personally i think that i would rather have a cheap system in there so i could just buy my own system and install it..just because i know what i would like and it would suit my tastes better

Has anyone heard about Satallite Radio offerings in the RX-8? Do you know which of the two systems will be offered?
Have any of you tried Satallite radio and if so, what do you think of it? Thanks.:cool:

No mention of satellite radio in any of the stuff I've seen written about the '8, boowana. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Do any of the auto manufacturers offer this currently? I can't think of any that do, but that may just be brain fade.

I've never tried it. Radio that you pay for seems strange to me (I have trouble paying for cable :p ). But if it is commercial free and really high quality like its supposed to be, I might consider it. How much a month is it anyway? Anyone know?

A bunch of the GM cars are availible with an XM Radio option. The subscription fee is $9.99 and I think there are over 100 stations.

Ah yes, of course. I forgot about GM.

Hmmm... I don't think I'd subscribe for $10/month. Maybe if I drove more.

Here's what I know.

XM and Sirius are the two satellite stations. XM is 9.99/mo, but only about 30 of the 70 music channels are commercial free. Those that are commercial free are things like oldies, jazz, classical, etc. The channels with all the latest music HAVE commercials, though the commercial time is less than most FM stations.

Sirius is 100% commercial free on music stations for 12.95/mo. Both XM and Sirius subscribe to things like Fox news, CNN, etc which have commercials.

The interesting thing is that it is usually either one or the other. For instance, Sony, Pioneer, Clarion, and Alpine support XM decks, while Kenwood, Jensen, and Panasonic are Sirius. I believe this is going to be changing, and all makes will have stereos that will do either service.

As far as factory decks, most car companies plan to sell cars ready to go for satellite radio. GM owns a stake in XM, so it will use XM, as will Honda, Suzuki, Isuzu, and Saab, and Porsche. I'm sure a few others will but are not listed. Sirius on the other hand will be used by BMW, Chrysler, Mercedes Benz, Mazda, Ford, Jaguar, Jeep, Dodge, Porsche (again), Lincoln, Volvo. Sirius sounds as if it will be installed in the factory more than XM.

I have heard this technology is here, and will be spread to nearly all vehicles within the next model year or two. It would not surprise me to see the 6 be Mazda's first car ready for Sirius, and I'm sure the RX-8 will be as well. Especially when you look at how both the 6 and RX-8 have unique radio controls and displays with controls located mid center stack, but the display information is at the top of the center stack.

The sound quality is AMAZING. Stop by Best Buy, Circuit City or something to listen. It is as crisp as a CD. Personally, I really like Sirius. Great programming and 100% commercial free music. I don't mind the extra $3/mo. It is still cheaper than a CD per month, and will probably make CD's relatively useless because of such a wide selection.

You can listen to live stream of Sirius at their website at http://www.sirius.com It is actually VERY good quality for internet radio too. I found the selection of music to be very very good.

Hope that helps.

At www.caranddriver.com there is a mouse-over banner ad at the top of the front page that has some high level info on programming choices.

Also, I have recently noticed on my Direct tv programming guide there is a channel devoted to XM radio - a 24/7 infomercial. I think it is channel 347 or so. If you have Direct TV, spend about 5 minutes and you'll hhave enough info to make a decision.

BTW...my stock club has purchased some XM stock (symbol is xmsr). There might be some opportunity there for investing - if you're into that.

I have yet to hear a factory system that is good...

--jax

Ok, well this is my first post here, but it's actually something I know about so here's what I think. I've worked as a car installer at a high end stereo shop and as a salesman as well.

Factory RCA's - Not a Snowball's chance in H---. Car manufacturer's are doing everything in their power to make life difficult for aftermarket stereos. In the last ten years I have yet to see a OEM stereo become easier to work with. Only harder. Bose is probably the worlds worst about this one.

Not to say that aftermarket stereo can't be done. My RX-8 will be my show car. I'm planning to compete USAC with mine, so it'll have a system in it that I plan to WIN with. So, the factory stereo is going to go.

As far as getting the vehicle with no stereo, probably about the same chance as getting factory RCA's. Nil. Most companies just won't do it.

And yes, integrating the head unit into the dash will probably present its own challenges because it seems that the display might be integrated with the display of the Climate control. But then I'm sure there's a way around everything. There almost always is. Just give it a little time. Someone will put a kit out that you can get at your local stereo shop. Even if the Climate controls are integrated. It'll probably just cost a little more.

Sirius Radio. Ford has been planning on offering Sirius with all of their cars. What it's looking like is that you'll get a year or something like that of free Sirius with a new car purchase, after which you start paying the subscription fee. Whether satellite radio will be a factory installed option yet when the RX-8 comes out is so far unknown, at least to my knowledge. The question is when Ford will begin putting the satellite into cars. The RX-8 should get it at the same time as all the rest of Ford's cars.

6-disc in-dash changer, capable of reading MP3s. 6 speakers with a decent sub. I don't need the kind of sub that offends everyone over the age of 21, just something that provides adequate bass fill.
I don't really want a bose system, they are impossible to fix/modify.

I'm not a total audiophile, I just want something good. not competition quality, just factory stocker stereo good.

I noticed a whole lot of manufacturers who force one sattelite or the other. I also noticed nissan wasn't listed, recently I was configuring a car online and you can get either sattelite if you want. Just thought this would be of interest.

Does anyone here know for sure, can Canadians purchase one of those radio satellite systems here?

I am willing to bet that our good old CRCT will kill that idea due to the fact that they will loose control of our airwaves, and that B$ about lack of Canadian content. :mad:

I think it would be better for manufacturers to offer a choice. On the other hand, there are probably major kickbacks to manufacturers to align with one or the other.
With that said, enjoy your Sirius equipped RX-8.:o

while we are on the topic of satellite radio... anybody know the difference between the two brands: Sirius vs. XM?

Sirius supported primarily by Chrysler & co, Ford & co (incl Mazda), Kenwood. Uses 3 rotating satellites and fewer terrestrial repeaters. More commercial free music stations.

XM supported primarily by GM, Sony, Alpine, Pioneer. Uses 2 stationary satellites and more terrestrial repeaters. Trys to emulate more like a radio station with DJ's for it's music stations.

Both will have talk radio, news, as well as carrying some nationally syndicated stations.

If you're looking at the RX-8 (a good assumption in this forum) then if it comes with one, which should probably be a good possibility, then it'll be Sirius.

As far out as it is, wouldn't a Mark Levinson system (same as Lex SC-430) be awesome! Whoa!

I think I'm in the minority (again), but I'm not too big on car stereos. I have a near audiophile quality system at home (B&W 802s, B&K electronics, etc.), but when I drive I want to hear the engine, tires, wind, etc. I occasionally pop in a CD, but the radio dial never varies from NPR unless I'm driving while a hockey game is on. In the first 300 miles I've put on my Miata, I think I've listened to the radio for fewer than 5 minutes. It just distracts me from the experience of driving, which is what I bought the car for. I have a feeling that if I ended up with an RX-8, I'd feel the same way I do in my Miata. Long highway trips are about the only time I pop in CDs, and I always take those trips in the sedan.

btw, I don't mean to come off as a minimalist snob here. I realize that I'm a bit wacky in terms of what I want from a performance car. Just trying to offer a different perspective.

Ahhh! Not that commie NPR! The only talk i listen to is WABC 77AM!

Yeah, I hope the sound system will be good or at least there will be an option of an upgrade.

One thing I definately don't want is it to only be decent but still not great. That's the situation I'm in with my RSX-S. It comes with a 6 CD in dash HU and a 6" sub. Nice Right? Well the sub isn't that powerful (very little thump) and the HU is only okay. That makes it difficult to justify buying an aftermarket HU and sub. If it was a 1 CD HU and no sub I would definatly spring for good sub. [/B]

No matter what comes in a car, if you have the money, you can always improve. Car Toys, Best Buy, even something like Circuit City has systems. Not to mention the hundreds of unknown little shops you can find in any major city. I'm everyone here knows at least one guy who knows a guy who knows a guy that can hook you up with a nice system for a cheap price. If you don't let me know, 'cuz I know I do.

Originally posted by JM'sRX-8


...I'm everyone here knows at least one guy who knows a guy who knows a guy that can hook you up with a nice system for a cheap price.

i know i guy in south philly who can hook you up and take care of any problems you have also. he can make them disappear. just don't ask him any questions ;) :D

I wouldn't want to spend money on some extra sound system like the one that's included in the MP3. What I like in a sound system differs from what others like, etc etc etc (which is why it is rare to find a car with a strong system), so I'd rather get a normal system, and upgrade it as I see fit. Some cars have systems where it is easy to upgrade a couple of pieces, while some (like BOSE systems) are very difficult, so I'll have to wait to see until I get the car.

---jps

If the BOSE system was standard equipment or even offered as an option that would be good enough for me. I think that the BOSE system offers decent sound.

I am just not interested in sinking hundreds or thousands of dollars into a sound system in a car, any car.

I have very good sound at home.

I simply expect it to be as good as a Camry or Accord stereo. I don't really want them to pour money into the sound system--I prefer better contruction quality/materials instead.

A freaking Mitsu Lancer has as good of a stero as my BMW's stock system :mad: , so this shouldn't exactly be hard.

Originally posted by ZoomZoom
If the BOSE system was standard equipment or even offered as an option that would be good enough for me. I think that the BOSE system offers decent sound.

I am just not interested in sinking hundreds or thousands of dollars into a sound system in a car, any car.

I have very good sound at home. Which is why car companies don't put mega-sound systems in their cars. What they put in is fine for some 95% of the population, which is fine. Personally, with road trips and commuting in big towns like Dallas, TX, a well balanced stereo is necessary for my sanity.

---jps

I'd love to have the 'stereo deleted' option.. Aftermarket sound for me too please..

I'd love a stereo delete option also. It just adds weight, and why would you ever turn it on when you can listen to the engine hit 9 grand?

I'd love a stereo delete option as well... But realistically speaking, the last time I saw a stereo delete option on a car, it was an option that you actually had to pay extra for.:mad:

So I'm just counting on ripping the whole thing out.:D

The Miata has had a stereo delete and A/C delete option a few times, IIRC. I don't think it cost any more than a base Miata.

No A/C!?!?

I guess you can get away with that in Colorado, or up North somewhere, but here in Texas where I am, it's absolutely unbearable in the summer in a vehicle without A/C. I grew up a little south of Houston, near the coast. The school busses that we had, like your typical yellow dog, had no A/C. In the summer, when it's 105 degrees in the shade and 90% humidity, even having all 40 windows around didn't help much. All it accomplished was blowing around all of the hot air. No, give me the A/C. I'd rather put the work into ripping out the stereo than cope without A/C.