Its got to be small(Madza MX-5) Advice

[ozziefudd 0]

Knowing I would at the very least replace the factory speakers in my 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata I did not go with the Bose System when I purchased the car. It does have the PRHT or power retractable hard top as well as system controls on the steering wheel which is why for now I am going to try to keep the factory head unit. A couple of local installers have suggested I replace the current four speaker system with a better component system and amp. The factory four speaker system is all in the doors and consists of a a 3 1/2 tweeter and a 5 x 8. I need the little bit of trunk space I have so a sub box and amp board in the trunk are out. I have a passenger enough that a sub mounted in the passenger foot well is not practical either. This leaves me installing amps under the seats and buying high quality woofer/midbase/tweeters. The build the local installer is suggesting is:

JL Audio ZR650 http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_components.php?comp_id=65

powered by

Alpine PDX-4.150 http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/p...ng=en&tab=F

The JL Audio sound good but I think I can do better and I think the alpine amp is way overpriced. Also driving with the top down I know I already lose alot and am thinking instead a 3 piece component system might be a better choice if I can mount the tweeter in the pillar and the mid and woofer in the current factory door locations. What I had in mind was the following.

Dynaudio system 360 If I can fit the 8inch in the factory door location or if not dropping down to the system 340

http://www.dynaudiousa.com/products/car/3way.htm

I have never liked Alpine equipment and loved the US Amps I had in my old Celica. Since I need something quite small if I am putting it under the seat I was thinking a pair of US Amps MD-21 which I think I could buy for less then the cost of the single Alpine unit.

Does anyone have any experience with the 2008 Miata's, in talking to half a dozen different installers in the Dallas area no one had had any experience with the latest Miata. I've had alot of misinformaiton infact from people just looking to get a sale. What do you think about the two different builds and could you offer any suggestions of other similiar quality products to those mentioned that I could look into. Whats the general thinking Alpine PDX vs US Amps Merlins? I've heard the Dyn's and they sound fantastic, they produce enough base I think if powered and installed correctly I will not need a sub, which other manufacturer might offer me the similar bang for my buck.

Edited July 31, 2008 by ozziefudd

[helotaxi 46]

You should be able to get the Alpine unit online for much cheaper.

You don't need to keep the factory HU to retain the steering wheel controls, either. PAC makes an interface that allows full steering wheel control function with most of the higher end aftermarket units.

No experience with the newer US Amps stuff. If you want another option for a small amp, the Memphis S series amps are very similar to the PDX and JL HD series.

The Dynaudios are great speakers. I'm not sure that there is another company out there that will be able to deliver a passive 3-way system that will outperform them.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Look for the JBL 755.6II on ebay. Plenty of power for a 6 channel and great price. As for the US Amps models, we have the US Amps tech support forum right here.

[///M5 2,833]

The footprint on the JBL is huge though. If you are running passive though you don't need six channels. Are you going to add a subwoofer anywhere or just the fronts/

[ozziefudd 0]

I do not want to give up the tiny bit of trunk space I have, its just large enough to get a golf bag inside if I remove the drivers before putting it in the trunk. This leaves me almost no options for the placement of a sub since I can't do passenger footwell since the wife has to sit someplace. The one option I hope I have is behind he passenger seat infront of the storage area for the hardtop when the roof is in the down or stowed position. When I ask installers about using this space this is pretty much where I get the 1000 yard stare and lots of suggestions that I put a sub in the trunk or footwell despite my having told them thats not an option. In this space on the drivers side are the workings for the powered hard top, but on the passenger side the area is empty. The problem with this spot is depth since the hard top is stored just behind it.

I can not find anyone that has done anything with the new generation miata's that can offer up any kind of solution. Trucks are KING in Texas and it seems thats all anyone installs aftermarket systems. I guess aside from myself, 08 Miata owners are all happy with their Bose system.

Any comments on the Alpine PDX amps? Footprint is a huge issue and with all of the PDX series having the same footprint its what is being suggested to me most often.

[ozziefudd 0]

Spec's on the JBL are great but at 19 X 13 has to large a footprint to go under the seats.

[helotaxi 46]

The PDX get great reviews. Like I said, the Memphis S-class amps and the JL HD series are very similar and also have a small footprint. I guess Arc Audio makes a truly tiny 2x100 amp now, too, though it's quite pricey.

If you have any inclination toward a DIY project, molding a fiberglass sub box for an 8 or 10 into the space behind the passenger's seat should be fairly straight forward if a bit time consuming. A custom install shop worth the name could bo it for you, but I shudder at what they'd charge. I've been trying to get the Mazda homepage to load to see what space you have to work with, but I'm getting no love on my work computer.

[ozziefudd 0]

I am not very handy so this will be something an install shop will have to do for me. I've looked around at quite a few shops and run into the problem that no one has done any work on the late model Miata. I got alot of this might fit or we might be able to..... I am beginning to wonder if the only thing people put custom systems in around here are trucks.

[freemind 0]

Knowing I would at the very least replace the factory speakers in my 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata I did not go with the Bose System when I purchased the car. It does have the PRHT or power retractable hard top as well as system controls on the steering wheel which is why for now I am going to try to keep the factory head unit. A couple of local installers have suggested I replace the current four speaker system with a better component system and amp. The factory four speaker system is all in the doors and consists of a a 3 1/2 tweeter and a 5 x 8. I need the little bit of trunk space I have so a sub box and amp board in the trunk are out. I have a passenger enough that a sub mounted in the passenger foot well is not practical either. This leaves me installing amps under the seats and buying high quality woofer/midbase/tweeters. The build the local installer is suggesting is:

JL Audio ZR650 http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_components.php?comp_id=65

powered by

Alpine PDX-4.150 http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/p...ng=en&tab=F

The JL Audio sound good but I think I can do better and I think the alpine amp is way overpriced. Also driving with the top down I know I already lose alot and am thinking instead a 3 piece component system might be a better choice if I can mount the tweeter in the pillar and the mid and woofer in the current factory door locations. What I had in mind was the following.

Dynaudio system 360 If I can fit the 8inch in the factory door location or if not dropping down to the system 340

http://www.dynaudiousa.com/products/car/3way.htm

I have never liked Alpine equipment and loved the US Amps I had in my old Celica. Since I need something quite small if I am putting it under the seat I was thinking a pair of US Amps MD-21 which I think I could buy for less then the cost of the single Alpine unit.

Does anyone have any experience with the 2008 Miata's, in talking to half a dozen different installers in the Dallas area no one had had any experience with the latest Miata. I've had alot of misinformaiton infact from people just looking to get a sale. What do you think about the two different builds and could you offer any suggestions of other similiar quality products to those mentioned that I could look into. Whats the general thinking Alpine PDX vs US Amps Merlins? I've heard the Dyn's and they sound fantastic, they produce enough base I think if powered and installed correctly I will not need a sub, which other manufacturer might offer me the similar bang for my buck.

This is a possible answer to your sub issue; http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs_pa...php?page_id=245

You should look into these for amps; http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=482

These should be your front stage(nobody here will argue the point); http://www.hybrid-audio.com/legatia_three_way.htm

What city are you in?

You should look into EVERY high end shop for a "good" installer.

Good luck

[Tirefryr 1,742]

Arc Audio Minis are the way to go for you.

http://www.arcaudio.com/productdescription...-125.2-mini.asp

If you're interested in a thin sub with tiny enclosure requirements, check out the new Stereo Integrity BM drivers coming out.

http://stereointegrity.com/forums/si-produ...oofer-here.html

You don't have to buy what the shop is selling. Your options are pretty much endless.

[freemind 0]

Arc Audio Minis are the way to go for you.

http://www.arcaudio.com/productdescription...-125.2-mini.asp

If you're interested in a thin sub with tiny enclosure requirements, check out the new Stereo Integrity BM drivers coming out.

http://stereointegrity.com/forums/si-produ...oofer-here.html

You don't have to buy what the shop is selling. Your options are pretty much endless.

I like those little buggers 8.25(L) x 4.8

[ozziefudd 0]

What city are you in?

I am in the Northern Suburbs of Dallas Texas.

You should look into EVERY high end shop for a "good" installer.

I have been to every shop within 25 miles of my home, DFW is a huge town though so I guess I might have to do a bit more driving. Maybe even find out who does the work on the Cowboys and Mav's cars.

[freemind 0]

What city are you in?

I am in the Northern Suburbs of Dallas Texas.

You should look into EVERY high end shop for a "good" installer.

I have been to every shop within 25 miles of my home, DFW is a huge town though so I guess I might have to do a bit more driving. Maybe even find out who does the work on the Cowboys and Mav's cars.

Go see these guys if you haven't already;

http://earmarkcaraudio.com/

Earmark Car Audio

(972) 612-6886

3132 W Parker Rd

Plano, TX 75075

They seem to be a good shop.

Let us know how it goes for your install.

[freemind 0]

Plus, it is possible to mount an amp or two on the underside of your trunk lid. But, only if is a

recommended mounting position for the particular amp.

Those ARC's would work really well under your seats.

[nbui89 0]

I actually have a 2008 miata nc and just happen to be in the process of doing almost exactly what you are doing except that i installed some pioneer components in my doors and Boston Acoustic rear speakers. I am also currently trying to make my subwoofer setup and get it to work. It started with the building of a fiberglass enclosure behind the seats in that little storage area that many people say couldn't work. But despite their warnings i went ahead and tried to shove the biggest 8" sub ever made: the DD1508. The volume I squeezed out was about 1.2 cuft. But since I kept on getting tons of port noise i scrapped that design and went with two separate sealed enclosures w/ 2 ed 8" subs. Now I'm currently trying to make them work. There are some people out there who did make their subwoofer set up work but they used much lesser volume then I am trying to squeeze out. You can check them out at http://forum.miata.net/vb/