Genesis

Gave my 8 a well deserved "upgrade" today by replacing the stock speakers. Put in Polk 6x9's in the rear and Polk 6.5 components in the front. Simple, not too expensive upgrade but the difference in soundstage is definitely worth it.

I can confirm that the head unit delivers enough punch to drive a reasonable amount of bass in the rears (both rears and fronts are 4 ohm impedence) and the overall effect is quite good. One nice touch...the installers put the tweeters in the angled plastic bits in the corner of the doors...see the attached pic.

Btw, the stocks are the worst pieces o' crap I've ever seen in speakers

wootwoot

it fit in perfectly? where u find the housing?

8citing

Genesis, where u do the replacement? price? I intend to replace the speakers n get some sound proofing on the doors....

Manwe

8citing, sound proof the front and scattered the rear if you wanna save $$$ you can't really tell the diff....

Genesis

Did the mod at Class Auto in Paya Ubi. The tweeters on the Polks just happen to fit perfectly in the angled plastic bits, no extra housing required. Can adjust the midrange, treble and bass perfectly to your tastes using the head unit. The crossover unit also fits nicely just beside the speaker mount in the doors. The guys doing the mod had worked on previous 8's....RX8_666 your's comes to mind... saw your 8 today at Class waiting for a new upgrade? Do tell. Btw, nice MS 6 pots...I was admiring (and your Volks too of course)

sqflyer

Genesis, your ICE setup looks like a pretty good package and seems like what I'd be interested in (along with some other members here I'm sure) - a simple and cost effective upgrade to the stock crap that we get from a $130+K Mazda "flagship" model. So what's the total damage?

Shamblerock

Ya, how much? Any model numbers of the drivers used would also help so I could do some research on them.

Thanks.

Genesis

Hi guys, hope everyone had a good weekend and happy new year!

I had the Polk DB6500 components installed in the front and Polk DB690's in the rear. These are not high end car speakers, more like middle of the road. Both sets have mica/polymer composite cones and the tweeters are silk/polymer. You should be able to get the whole package installed anywhere from S$700 to S$800 depending where you shop around. If you know an installer, or want to DIY (it's not really all that complicated after watching the guys, but be careful with the crossover mounting) then order them direct from the US and get much cheaper (depending on shipping costs and GST I guess)

There are certainly cheaper alternatives to consider like Blaupunkt and many other lesser known brands that are still very good quality. I chose the Polks "just in case" I want to upgrade further, which I'm already considering The soundstage is good and the detail crisp and clean, but starts to get a bit harsh around volume 15 on the HU. I found out the HU in our non-Bose Mazda 8's has an internal 4-channel 25-W amplifier (at 4 ohms) which is 12 W RMS. Hence not a lot of juice is being delivered to the speakers. Yet, bass response is adequate and midrange is excellent. The tweeters need to be toned down a bit, I set them at -2.

I'm thinking my next step is to get a not-too-expensive 4-channel amp with speaker level inputs, around 75 to 90 W per channel and get it mounted under the rear deck between the 6x9 cutouts. This way it wouldn't take up any boot space. The Polks are quite efficient (92 db) and can maintain 100 watts of continuous power handling so I'm wondering if the addition of the amp will significantly reduce the harshness at the higher volumes? Some research I've done indicates that the stock non-Bose HU delivers a very clean signal and therefore not really necessary to replace it.

Since the 8 generates a lot of noise while driving (road, engine, etc.), I've noticed the bass almost gives away at higher speeds. I hope that the amp will help to compensate, also by fading the HU a notch or two further into the rears. If that still doesn't cut it, then my final upgrade option is to get a single 10" subwoofer installed in the boot. I saw a self-contained Blaupunkt unit with an internal mono amp and 10" cone for about S$400 that might do perfectly....mount it in the boot to one side so it wouldn't take up too much space. It's got line level inputs tho, not sure if the HU has pre-outs?

Cheers,
Gen

Shamblerock

Gen, I trust you have the non-GT model or the base model because the GT model in Canada comes with, IMHO, a pretty powerful sound system which is Bose (so they claim) and sounds pretty good. In fact, I can almost bet you that the woofers in the doors are at least 8" probably 9" and and an outside chamce of being 10" and provide tremendous base, givcen that they are not aftermarket subwoofers. In fact, if I have the CD player @ level 15, its blairing and I can't hear anything at all outside of the music playing and often have to turn it down so I can hear the car/road/outside. The system can reproduce the whole range of frequencies easily and at full power (level 33) with very very little to no distortion/clipping. The one fault of the system IMO, is that it is strong in the mid section which is perfect for classical and rock music. But for my taste, I like it heavy on the bass and heavy on the tweeters with the mids tuned down a bit. My settings are Bass+5 ands Treble +6. The only thing missing is an equalizer and if probably set. I doubt you would want to change it after that unless you want your 8 to be the DJ for a street party of 1,000 people. The stock GT system is strong and very efficient. Probably 95-98db @ 1 watt/1 meter.

My point to you is this: Listen to the GT model system with the upgraded stereo/Amp at Mazda. Bring your own CDs. If you like what you hear/feel, you could probably pick up a system from someone who is replacing their system in their GT model and save yourself some serious money in the process. Because it is my experieince with Polk, is that they are clean but a little weak up high and can't deliver strong/clean bass at high output. However, when not pushed to hard, they are dam clear, which is where their strength lies.

My challenge would be to somehow add an EQ at some point in the future.

Genesis

Hi Shamble,

The Bose system and Bose HU in your car is completely different than my stock unit. In Sing we can't get the Bose system. The Bose HU doesn't have an internal amp, it's all line level outs to the various amps placed strategically around the car with the various speakers/components attached. It's a totally different HU and system compared to stock.

The stock HU is not bad really. If it wasn't so low powered I'd be happy with my current arrangement. However, it needs some added punch and that's why I'm thinking of a speaker level out 4-channel amp to expand the 4-channel HU. The stock speakers in my car were so weak and lame it's a shame I paid what I did for the car. The door stocks were paper thin 5x7 and the rears 6x9 equivalents...made in Indonesia. Much different than what you describe. Plus, there's nobody here who wud install the Bose system into the cut-outs. Not only that, but I hear the Bose system is not all it's cracked up to be in terms of sound quality...can you confirm?

So I hear you, but we have different HU's and cars...the GT isn't an option in Sing I'm afraid...I have the Euro spec FE32 6MT from MM and the PI's here are JDM.

Manwe

Genesis,

Think if you really wanna compensate, you need to have additional amp for the sub. I actually have separate amp for all of them as the HU does not deliver enough for the them. I actually have 2 sub so it takes lots of power to drive them.

The stocks are big but...ahem...poor quality....

Genesis

Hi Manwe...yeah, that's what I'm thinking, but I'd like to do it in stages...get the 4-channel amp first and then see if it adds enough clarity/power before considering the sub. If the system still needs the sub, then I can get a single-unit contained sub with it's own (mono) built-in amp. Just a question of whether RCA line level outs are available with the HU...can you confirm?

Shamblerock

Wow, big difference in our sound systems. As for the quality/power, the sky is the limit as I am sure you know. I can say that I think its pretty strong and clear for a stock system for sure. Sometimes, people just have money that are burning a hole in their pockets!

- Is it the best system I have ever heard? No.
- Are there clearer systems out there that you can buy? Of course.
- Are the door rattling heavily from the base? Yes
- Do the side mirrors and rear mirror vibrate alot when cranking? Absolutely
- Can you carry a conversation in the car while playing at 15? No way.
- Can you hear the car/road on the highway at 10. No
- Are others in the know impressed? Yes
- What do my 2 son's freinds, who are 14-16 and know many others people with great car systems, think of my system: "wild" (with mouth dropping for certain songs)
- How much do I think you need to spend to beat this system overall? No less that CAN$2,500 US$2,000 if you know what you are buying, got good deals and installed it yourself. No junk.
- Can you hear the system outside the car when windows rolled up? Yes and how, especially the bass.

My understanding is that the system in my GT model was designed specifically for the car by Bose. Marketing gimmick? Maybe. But I think it is not as clear as a BMW 745 system but certainly louder and more base by a long shot.

You know, some people with change the intake, the exhaust, flywheel, etc.. and spend thousands just to get extra sound and 5 extra hp. I am not from that school and I need to see some bang for the buck before I invest in upgrading. These are probably the same guys complaining about their GT model sound systems. Many don't even know what their buying and what the specs of the system they bought are or mean. Just because they spent extra money, they think it sounds better or the car goes faster (FOR MODS) when in fact its proven scientifically it doesn't.

This reminds me of someone I know that spent over $4,000 for a car sound system 18 years ago for his Firebird through a car audio place. He was so proud to tell everyone how much he paid and it sounded like crap with zero bass. I told him something was wrong and he got mad. I told him to pop trunk and I quickly realized his system was out of phase so as one woofer pushes out the other one pulls in causing one woofer to cancel out the opther. Made a quick change of the wires and all of a sudden his mouth drops in disbeleif and now the bugger always calls me up whenever he is making a purchase of electronics.

Genesis

I like your post Shamble. When I was last in Miss I had an Intrepid, fully loaded with the Bose system! I must admit, it sounded great, and when I had catered some friends around listening to Kind of Blue it was awesome. Yet, it was a HUGE car and certainly lead to a much better soundstage than the 8...you know what I mean? So, as much fun as the 8 is to drive, it will never have as good a soundstage as some of the bigger NA cars. That's just acoustical physics. I guess it's just an attempt here to find a decent soundstage without spending a bomb. However, some of the guys here in Sing have some really great systems, but having to compensate by severly limiting the space in the (already small) boot and certainly spending the Sing dollar equivalent that you've suggested.

rockstar

Hey Gen,

Thats pretty nice.. I like it alot.. Do they have Bose tweeters? I m a cosmetic kinda guy

Genesis

Hi rockstar...in fact, not sure if you bot from MM, but in the multi-page glossy RX-8 brochure I got if you look carefully can see tweeters in the same location as mine. No doubt, Bose tweeters

Shamblerock

Gen, I agree with you on the space of the interior and trunk/boot making it a better platform for stereo systems. I hope you can get the right combination for your car. The stereo is important for sure if you enjoy music as much as I do.

Good luck.

Manwe

imo only, the boot is already small and there is no need to overkill the whole thing. If you want monster ice, go for a van. I squeezed in 2 10" and it already took up the whole inner compartment. I do not suggest going for 2 12" unless you want to rattle your car. Not nice. A single 12" might suffice as well.

Splitting is always nice as it would have better quality but the cost of amps, cabling etc could be quite significant. I would suggest those who are doing up their car for the first time to start slow(go easy with the cash) so that you will know what you like and do upgrades if need to. Another tip. Most of the ice-crazy fellows actually do upgrades once a year and they leave behind a lot of goodies at half price or less. So get yourself acquainted to all the tuners and get ready to grab those whenever they are available. You can get fantastic system for a cheap price. No one would know if your speakers/amps are 2nd hand but they would know if it sucks and you pay big bucks. Ultimately it is the quality that counts.

Depending on your taste, you might like different speakers more. Do go down and get them to demo to you b4 buying. What suits me may not be good for you. Do the system for yourself also since you are the one listening to it most of the time. If you think it is ok, it is ok. Don't let others influence you. If you don't think one system is better, then it isn't. Don't be fooled by the price.

Nuff said...