Hey guys, just got my RX8! Woohoo!! Its a bit of a change from my 250rwkw 200SX but its much easier to live with and is great fun! I look forward to learning more about this rotary beast... A few things I've noted about the car;

- They were right. The BOSE system absolutely sucks. My Mazda3's audio is better.. This is the first thing thats going to be changed.
-The engine is so smooth!
-Already got a nice dent in the oil cooler and its only been 1 day.
-Handles very well and stays composed when pushed. It rolls a little so perhaps some sways will tighten things up a tad.


Has anyone here upgraded their audio yet? I'm thinking of getting some parts from the USA considering our $A is going great...

 

well done on getting the 8!

Get hymee radiator and oil cooler protector, it's a black wire mesh. What colour is your car?

 

The first thing you shoud get are the racing beat a/c condensor and oil cooler covers.

and then take it from there! the only thing ive done to my sound system is add tweeters and a sub.

where abouts are you located?

 

Careful how you do your sound system. Its a very complex thing to do right.

The way I wanted it done would of cost me way too much money and provided an installer way too many opportunities to f&ck things up. So I decided to live with the mediocre sound. So I'd recommend planning it out well if you are gonna go ahead with it.

Drew where did you add the tweeters? Replaced the stock ones in the a pillar?

 

if you want to upgrade your audio, and live in VIC, i recommend you to go to GL Pro Sound. They've done a number of rx8s and they use this "pilot" thing from alpine or rockford fosgate that basically taps into your existing head unit, then you can plug in amps to this "pilot" unit. the unit can be controlled (alpine unit can be controlled by bluetooth!)

 

Oh..also, as for the Mazda 3 system being better than the 8? Hmm... I've gotta disagree with you there - but I take it you like your bass strong and heavy - since that's one of the key areas where I feel the 8 would lack against a premium mazda 3 system.

The RX-8 doesn't have a dedicated sub, but has much larger front speakers to bring the bass up front more - which I think is good in the cases where really low, bowel thumping bass isn't required. However when you start playing bass heavy songs, then yeah, it definitely lacks the real low down punch that only a subwoofer can provide.

But lack of subwoofer aside, I think the speaker setup is definitely better in the 8 though because the centre speaker brings the sound stage to the middle of the dash - avoids your ears being overpowered by the speakers that are on your side of the car. Although, most people don't care about this kinda thing, so take it as you will.

 

I followed a diy that was on the site

I just soldered them into the right spots so i didnt have to use the little box thingo (forgot the name) that you usually have to use.

I kept the old sail ones in the door and ran them along side

sub signal was obtained through use of a line out converter

 

Hi guys. I live in Sydney!

No point really posting up a pic of the Rx8, im sure everyone is familiar with the looks lol. Oh but its a Phantom blue one!

First port of call is the covers for sure. I'm going to see if I can bodgy up a DIY mesh otherwise I'll get an off the shelf kit.

As for the audio, I think I've had too high expecations. The soundstage sounds a bit weird to me with the center speaker. It sometimes seems as if it sounds better with just the front speakers going than F&R running though.

I did spend a good night reading about all the options on how to upgrade and boy does it sound like a headache. It seems a sub/tweeter add on is the first thing to try. I've done a few audio installs in the past so I hope nothing goes wrong! I dont have a complete overhaul on the cards - I was sposed to be 'done' modifying cars when I bought this one but I've already been bitten... again..

 

welcome mate.

I jump from a S15 to RX8as well ..I get what you mean by easier to drive and smoooth etc..

RX8 audio is a bit plain....but I have to say it is already better than a lot of standard cars.

let us know if you make up a DIY kit to protect the cooler..

All the best with your new 8

 

Hey mate..welcome...you're about the 5th person I know of thats come from an SX to an 8

As for changing the Stereo, beware if you start thinking replacing the whole head unit, its integrated with the A/C.

Cheers

Andrew

 

G'day & welcome aboard

You will find the RX-8 a modifiers paradise with plenty of factory & aftermarket goodies to keep you broke. I know I am broke just looking through the MAZDASPEED catalogue

If you want more power, you have until WED next week to upgrade your ECU for a few more KW via the KNIGHTSPORTS crew coming to MEL. (See seperate thread for that)

Cant advise on the stereo as I actually think its satisfactory for a factory system (each to their own here)

So what is the story with your Rx-8.

new or used. What year or VIN. base or LP version etc etc.

REgards

 

Hey,

Its a new '07 LP w/Sunroof. I would like more power but due to warranty concerns I'll stay with the factory tune. Even then is it really worth it? I've kept my SX as the weekend thrasher so if I ever feel the need for power, its there hehe

In the next couple of days I'll tackle the audio with an extra set of tweeters. I'm hoping it'll open up the soundstage as it seems as if all the audio just comes from the center speaker.. like listening to a monoaural souce. I think thats my biggest gripe..

But yeah the BOSE system looks like such a pain that a total speaker in the front doors overhaul is definitely too much work! Especially with the door wiring!

 

Where abouts in syd are you located?

 

I wish we had the Liberty GT system in our car.

2 way rears, subwoofer, front centre speaker, and 4 way fronts. Yum. That'll open up the sound stage.

busky I too am an ex S15-er. I miss the torque and the kick in the back sometimes, but I wouldn't go back for the world. Welcome aboard!

 

Welcome busky2k. Good to have some new faces in here.

There's a Sydney cruise this Sunday - https://www.rx8club.com/australia-new-zealand-forum-37/nsw-lets-cruise-10th-june-12th-august-118035/

 

Hey guys.. I live South in the Sutherland area.

Well I just installed some tweeters. I bought some Jaycar car tweets at $35, a few connectors and various caps. I found 10uf for me sounded the best which is roughly a 4khz cross over. I initally tried replacing the stock Bose tweet for the Jaycar but I found the Bose tweet reproduces the midrange better. Also if anyone notices, the Bose tweeter is not 'sealed' front from back so its worth using a bit of duct tape on the large gap on the mount to totally isolate the front and rear of the speaker for better midrange performance. Why they didnt do this factory is beyond me.

So how does it sound?? Absolutely night and day. No joke!!! I thought other threads about the tweets were a bit 'over the top' but I'm a firm believer now. The tweets widen the soundstage very well and the imaging is much more enjoyable. Everybody, do this mod!!

I just have to find a way of permantly installing the tweets w/o looking too suspect.

 

OK, for a non-stereo head like myself. What you say sounds reasonable & do-able but can you explain more please.

Do you remove the trim, then the tweeters, then rap them in duct tap....???

REgards