Speakers for 2007 Mazda Miata

What is your budget and how much trunk space can you sacrifice?

It isn't that simple - replacing the speakers won't really make the music heard with the top down.

Now if you are adding a powered sub or a subwoofer and an amplifier and either a new head unit (receiver) and/or a main amp and speakers ...

Hope This Helps!!!

Anyone else have suggestions?

I don't know anything about any of this really. 

I would like to be able to get this down for around $200, maybe a little more...definitely adding a subwoofer, could do an amp as well.  As far as trunk space, we really don't travel overnight in it, so we could take up half if necessary.

Do you have any suggestions on what kind of speakersand subwoofer?  I was told the space for the existing speakers is 6"X8" X 3 1/2".  One company suggested either Kenwood or Hertz.  Another company suggested Infiniti Kappas. 

Thanks!

You can forget the $200 budget.

These for the doors - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R1682/Rockford-Fosgate-Prime-R1682.html?tp=105

new head - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KDA535/JVC-Arsenal-KD-A535.html?tp=5684

4 channel amp - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777M4050/Sound-Ordnance-M-4050.html?tp=35782

subwoofer - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R1L1X10/Rockford-Fosgate-Prime-R1L-1X10.html?tp=112

Up to $440 without wiring.  Nice setup for a small car for someone who wants a little extra bass and good sound, tho.

GLH did a nice job here.

Can't argue with the choices, but if budget is a main concern it could be done for in stages, i.e.:

• For around $300 you could install the subwoofer and amp that GLH recommended only.  That would give a LOT of added bass and then later you could come back and do the other upgrades.
• For around $250, you could do the amp and main speakers and then come back later and do the head unit and subwoofer.  This might be the best all-around option as it would give a LOT more depth and good bass in the frequencies that most rock music usually uses.
• For around $200, you could do the head unit and door speakers and come back later and do the amp and subwoofer.  This would give more options and better sound and a bit more volume than than the stock system and give a good baseline to expand on later.

Hope This Helps!!!

Anyone else have suggestions?

The Miata has two speakers in each door.  A 6x8 speaker as well as the 3.5 speakers.  The 3.5 are just above the 6x8 speakers.  It sounds like the middle option would be a good one for him.  It would probably be a good idea to replace the smaller speakers at the same time to save money.  Does anyone have a suggestion for the smaller speakers?

We plan on  replacing just the speakers and getting an amp at this time.  My hubby already has a subwoofer that he can use.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Miata Info.

The Bose system uses 6x8 Woofers and 3.5-inch tweeters.

The speakers GLH recommended are 6x8 full range speakers.

Personally, I would cut the input wires to the Bose amp and run that wiring to the new main amp and run the speakers GLH recommended from those and ignore the factory 3.5's (disconnect them and leave in place or remove).

Alternately, you could find 6x8 component speakers and use the tweeters from the components in place of the 3.5's.

BTW - I was relieved the Bose was wired the way it is.  On some cars the woofers are fed off one amp channel and the tweeters are fed off the head unit and you really can't replace the speakers without replacing the head unit, but your/his car is not that way.

The new amp and speakers should make a great upgrade - don't forget that you will need a wiring kit for the amp also.

Hope This Helps!!!

Anyone else have suggestions?

I think I read that you believe the stereo is a Bose.  This stereo system isn't a Bose stereo and are just cheap speakers.  Does that make a difference?

I appreciate the inputs!

Thanks!

Probably not.

Crutchfield's info was only for Bose.

I found a photo on gtcarlot:

As long as the lower door speaker is getting a full-range signal, you should be okay.

I would operate on that assumption and worst case, you might need to replace the head unit as well when you get into it, but I don't think you will.

Hope This Helps!!!

Anyone else have suggestions?

bonbon, were you able to make a decision based on the information provided?

TigerHeli,

How can I do the amp and speakers for $250?  The amp that was suggested is $300.  What are your suggestions for speakers and amp?

Thanks!

Where did you get $300 for the amp?

The amp was $140:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777M4050/Sound-Ordnance-M-4050.html?tp=35782

Go with this one instead:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KAC2404/Kenwood-KAC-2404S.html?tp=35782

(It's $10 more and LESS power, but it accepts speaker-level inputs, so it saves you the cost of a LOC (line-output converter) and another RCA cable - unless you think you might eventually replace the head unit).

The speakers were $70:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R1682/Rockford-Fosgate-Prime-R1682.html?tp=105

You need a wiring kit (but not RCA's) for $35:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_211ZN3K08/StreetWires-ZeroNoise-3-ZN3K-08.html?tp=635

You're at $255 instead of $250, but ...

Thanks again for the info, but have another question.  How is the Kenwood KFC-C6894PS vs. the Rockford Fosgate that you suggested?  Would it be better to get both Kenwood speakers and amp?

Thanks!

The Kenwoods are rated to handle more power than the RF's, but not necessarily better quality. I have an older version of the Kenwoods and give them 50 watts RMS each now for several years without any problems and I listen loud every day.