Lex

Anyone got any stats on the default audio system (NOT Bose).

How many speakers, watts, sound quality, etc?

I need good audio in my next car, but not to the tune of $3000 for the Touring Pkg.

Thanks!

ReX-8

In the brochure it says 100 Watts AM/FM/CD stereo w/ 6 speakers, including 2 tweeters. For sound quality, I have no idea. Shouldn't be too bad.. I guess.

MrWigggles

Those numbers are for the stock system. No one knows at this point for the Bose.

(BTW, a couple threads down there is a lot of info on the Bose.)

-Mr. Wigggles

Lex

This thread is NOT about the Bose.

It's for those people that aren't getting the Touring Package, hence aren't getting the Bose.

RX-8 Zoomster

Lex,

Relax.

Everyone here is trying to be helpful. Mr. Wiggles' by-the-way comment, was to pass on where to find info about the Bose Premium System IN CASE anyone was interested.

What information Rex-8 gave you about the standard system should be correct, according to the brochure. I don't think that has changed from what has been printed. To most people, this is sufficient.

Sounds to me you are looking for something better. If that is what you want, and don't care about the rest of what comes with the Touring Package then you are probably better off buying the sound components after-factory. Then you can pick and choose the components to the level of quality you desire.

Lex

No, I just needed to emphasize that this is a thread devoted to the stock system. I'd like at least one sound system thread in this forum to not be hijacked by Bose.

On this web site there's a TON of info on all the high-end options, but little to no info for those planning to go the non-loaded route.

What I'm most interested in, apart from the raw stats on # of speakers and wattage, is any first-hand reports on quality. I guess no one knows yet.

Renesis08

This is from awhile back. Hope this is enough.

unpocoloco

This is digging up an old thread, and might have been answered many times over between pages 7 and 60. I only read the first 6 and the last 5 or so.

AT LAST, I have come across the official word from Mazda as to the speaker specs. Enjoy!

Astral

I have the stock sound system.

You should listen to it and see how you like it (test drive a base 8). My roommate was impressed with the stock sound.

The stock sound has excellent low-end for stock speakers. They aren't very bright. The overall sound is "warm". They don't get too loud, as in: they are just loud enough for most things (like rock) at highway speeds w/ windows down. Things w/ more bass you may find yourself turning down a notch due to distortion. Of course, "loud enough" differs person-to-person.

However, and these are just my impressions, I think the base stock system lacks definition and clarity. Sure, the low-end midbass extension is impressive, but a strong bass guitar or sound drowns the vocals to some degree. The vocals don't really stand out as well and things doesn't sound very dynamic (can't hear the pluck of guitar strings as well, for example).

Basically, the system sounds like someone threw a blanket over the speakers. Not much life, warm.

Now, probably upgrading the stock tweeter can have a very good effect in terms of the clarity and a lot of people would be very happy with that. However, you still have the mid that struggles to resolve complex passages cleanly.

BUT that's just me. I have never heard the Bose system, so I can't compare. You'd be really best served listening yourself.

unpocoloco

Is this a general comment or are you asking me?

I have the stock system and, well, it really isn't bad. In fact, for a stock system it's pretty good. I'm not looking for driving bass any more. However, it just sees to me that the music you play through the stocks sounds..well, flat I guess. Nothing stands out. It's as you said, as if you threw a blanket over the speakers. It doesn't inspire me to stay in the car a few minutes longer to finish up the song I'm listening to.

I think I'm going to upgrade the speakers and hope this is all I need. Since I'm not getting subs I don't think I'll need an amp. I'm not sure - will I need a crossover if I buy new tweeters? It seems like most speakers (6x8, 6x9) worth $150 or more have crossovers built in.