About to buy all my audio stuff ? Look Good

[LoganSheehan 10+ year member]

I have an 04 Mazda Rx8

I alerady have a sub and amp in the trunk

Just want to redo the headunit and the 4 speakers

Thoughts on my speaker choices?

Double Din Metra Kit

Mazda RX-8 Factory Integration Adapter Lets you install a double-sized stereo in your 2004-up Mazda RX-8 at Crutchfield.com

$150

Pioneer AVIC-X910BT 5.8-Inch In-Dash Navigation A/V Receiver with DVD Playback and Bluetooth

Amazon.com: Pioneer AVIC-X910BT 5.8-Inch In-Dash Navigation A/V Receiver with DVD Playback and Bluetooth: Electronics

$549

Pioneer Cd-Iu230V Ipod Audio/Video Direct Cable

Amazon.com: Pioneer Cd-Iu230V Ipod Audio/Video Direct Cable For Avic-F900Bt & Avic-F700Bt: Electronics

$38

PAC SWI-PS Steering wheel control interface for Pioneer, Jensen, and Sony

Amazon.com: PAC SWI-PS Steering wheel control interface for Pioneer, Jensen, and Sony: Electronics

$41

Image Dynamics 6.5 Component Speakers CTX65CS

Amazon.com: Ctx65cs - Image Dynamics 6.5" Component Speaker System: Electronics

$180

Alpine SPR-69C Hi-End 6" x 9" Coaxial 2-Way Speaker Set

Amazon.com: Alpine SPR-69C Hi-End 6" x 9" Coaxial 2-Way Speaker Set: Electronics

$100

MB QUART 2000 Watt DSC4125 4 Channel Car Amp

MB QUART 2000 Watt DSC4125 4 Channel Car Amp Amplifier - eBay (item 390159856133 end time Apr-20-10 13:40:32 PDT)

$160

6x8/5x7 to 6.5 Speaker Adapters

Amazon.com: Scosche SA68 Convertible 6x8-Inch Speaker Adapter - Pair: Automotive

$12

Click to read more...

 

[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

looks good to me

some people will tell you not to run rears, but if you want to go for it.

I am one of the people who will tell you not to. Just keep the stock rears

Once you get a good front stage set up the rear isn't really worth the money spent.

Now if you have people ridding in the back, maybe, but even then they wont care about sound as much as you.

 

[LoganSheehan 10+ year member]

looks good to me
some people will tell you not to run rears, but if you want to go for it.

I am one of the people who will tell you not to. Just keep the stock rears

Once you get a good front stage set up the rear isn't really worth the money spent.

Now if you have people ridding in the back, maybe, but even then they wont care about sound as much as you.

Thanks for the input. I've debated on this, I do have passengers in the back frequently, and I think I want to go ahead with rears.

Any other thoughts guys ?

 

[RJesus 10+ year member]

First off I have to say nice car //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

As for the rear fill debate; i think it adds some fullness to the music to have a little rear fill. I have quite a few rear passengers, and they defiantly noticed when I took out the rear fill.

I have a pair of jl evolution vr690 cxi 6x9 coaxials forsale, $85 shipped.

Image Dynamics makes nice speakers, and if I weren't so cheap I'd say go for them. But if I were you, I would browse around the classifieds here in search of a set of components.

I haven't heard much on the MB QUART DSC amps. But most of MB quarts products are pretty good. Personally, I would probably get a sundown 100.4.

You can also try checking out some products at Woofersetc.com They're sort of like crutchfield, but don't always rip you off.

 

[S.B.C. 10+ year member]

First off I have to say nice car //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
As for the rear fill debate; i think it adds some fullness to the music to have a little rear fill. I have quite a few rear passengers, and they defiantly noticed when I took out the rear fill.

I have a pair of jl evolution vr690 cxi 6x9 coaxials forsale, $85 shipped.

Image Dynamics makes nice speakers, and if I weren't so cheap I'd say go for them. But if I were you, I would browse around the classifieds here in search of a set of components.

I haven't heard much on the MB QUART DSC amps. But most of MB quarts products are pretty good. Personally, I would probably get a sundown 100.4.

You can also try checking out some products at Woofersetc.com They're sort of like crutchfield, but don't always rip you off.

100.4 is dumb expensive- for little power aswell..

 

[RJesus 10+ year member]

Oh, and for a bit more, you could get a set of 6x8 to 6.5 adapters made out of MDF. Its defiantly a noticable difference. I made a template using my stock speakers to get the holes right. It really doesn't matter what it looks like, because it'll be covered up. I cut it out real quick on the band saw and gave it a quick sand.

While we're on the subject, you might want to check out sounddeadeningshowdown.com

Its a few pages of information, but to save you the time;

get some cld tiles and put them on the center of panels that vibrate, particularly the front doors. you could build an enclosure for your mid bass driver, but that might be a little too much for your needs. But the cld tiles should help, and they're pretty cheap. You can head to soundsolutionsaudio.com, they have SPL tiles, same thing.

 

[RJesus 10+ year member]

100.4 is dumb expensive- for little power aswell..

I wouldn't buy a new one, I think I remember someone selling one in good condition for about $200

 

[CarAudioNewbie9 10+ year member]

For that kind of money, you could get a better setup.

 

[LoganSheehan 10+ year member]

For that kind of money, you could get a better setup.

Which is exactly why I wanted comments ?

What would be a better choice ?

 

[LoganSheehan 10+ year member]

Oh, and for a bit more, you could get a set of 6x8 to 6.5 adapters made out of MDF. Its defiantly a noticable difference. I made a template using my stock speakers to get the holes right. It really doesn't matter what it looks like, because it'll be covered up. I cut it out real quick on the band saw and gave it a quick sand.
While we're on the subject, you might want to check out sounddeadeningshowdown.com

Its a few pages of information, but to save you the time;

get some cld tiles and put them on the center of panels that vibrate, particularly the front doors. you could build an enclosure for your mid bass driver, but that might be a little too much for your needs. But the cld tiles should help, and they're pretty cheap. You can head to soundsolutionsaudio.com, they have SPL tiles, same thing.

Im thinking about making my own out of MDF with a jigsaw. I think I could probably handle that.

 

[RJesus 10+ year member]

Double Din Metra KitMazda RX-8 Factory Integration Adapter Lets you install a double-sized stereo in your 2004-up Mazda RX-8 at Crutchfield.com

$150

Well I guess its sort of needed, I'm not familiar with the rx8 interior, I did a quick google and couldn't find any cheaper prices, and crutchfield always has a 20% off coupon floating around.

Pioneer AVIC-X910BT 5.8-Inch In-Dash Navigation A/V Receiver with DVD Playback and BluetoothAmazon.com: Pioneer AVIC-X910BT 5.8-Inch In-Dash Navigation A/V Receiver with DVD Playback and Bluetooth: Electronics

$549

I'm not a big fan of double dins, I have an alpine 9887 and a TOMTOM GPS, you'll have to check out some reviews on double dins as its not my expertise.

Pioneer Cd-Iu230V Ipod Audio/Video Direct CableAmazon.com: Pioneer Cd-Iu230V Ipod Audio/Video Direct Cable For Avic-F900Bt & Avic-F700Bt: Electronics

$38

PAC SWI-PS Steering wheel control interface for Pioneer, Jensen, and Sony

Amazon.com: PAC SWI-PS Steering wheel control interface for Pioneer, Jensen, and Sony: Electronics

$41

This leaves you with 440 left to spend on speakers + an amp.

778 spent on a hu/gps/ adapter sounds like a bit much. So that $150 adapter is just some painted plastic with a few wires?

does your stock headunit have a GPS or any features? what goals do you have in mind for your stereo system? what kind of music do you like to listen to, and how do you like to listen to it? Do you have any trade skills (wood working, fiberglassing).

Personally, I like to listen to rock/ punk pop / a little rap music, I like it loud, and I like to feel the vibrations.

Some people buy expensive top notch equipment, then listen to it at 1/4th volume. To me, thats a bit of a waste. As you could get away with cheaper equipment and still be just as satisfied.

Answer these questions, and we'll build you a system from scratch //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif $1100 is a lot of money //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

 

[LoganSheehan 10+ year member]

Well I guess its sort of needed, I'm not familiar with the rx8 interior, I did a quick google and couldn't find any cheaper prices, and crutchfield always has a 20% off coupon floating around.

I'm not a big fan of double dins, I have an alpine 9887 and a TOMTOM GPS, you'll have to check out some reviews on double dins as its not my expertise.

This leaves you with 440 left to spend on speakers + an amp.

778 spent on a hu/gps/ adapter sounds like a bit much. So that $150 adapter is just some painted plastic with a few wires?

does your stock headunit have a GPS or any features? what goals do you have in mind for your stereo system? what kind of music do you like to listen to, and how do you like to listen to it? Do you have any trade skills (wood working, fiberglassing).

Personally, I like to listen to rock/ punk pop / a little rap music, I like it loud, and I like to feel the vibrations.

Some people buy expensive top notch equipment, then listen to it at 1/4th volume. To me, thats a bit of a waste. As you could get away with cheaper equipment and still be just as satisfied.

Answer these questions, and we'll build you a system from scratch //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif $1100 is a lot of money //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif

The metra adapter is pretty much a requirement for the rx8.

The dash doesn't have a slot where you can stick a single din or even a double din player, so you have to buy this kit, or a similar one from a company called corkscrew but from what I've read this is the best kit to get.

I don't have any GPS in my car, and really like the idea of having it on a touchscreen player. Bluetooth is important to me as well since I talk on the phone quite a bit in the car.

I listen to a very very wide range of music.

I listen to rap music with punchy low bass, I listen to punk and rock, some trance stuff sometimes, about anything except for country.

Im not against changing to a different headunit, but I would really like a touchscreen double din with nav and bluetooth with dvd and usb support.

I have a little bit of trade skills, I've made a couple subwoofer boxes, and thats about it. No experience with fiberglass.

I have a more than basic understanding of car audio I guess I would say, but im no expert.

A quick screenshot of the rx8 dash to show you what I meant about the metra kit. The reason you cant just get a dash kit is because all the controls for the heat and air and that junk is integrated into the kit.

http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2004/2004-Mazda-RX-8-Dashboard-1280x960.jpg

Here is one with a DD touchscreen.

http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2898/1241/32243120043_large.jpg

 

[RJesus 10+ year member]

how satisfied are you with the stock stereo system? does it have enough bass for your liking? Are the speakers loud enough? Or do you wish it was louder/more clear? Is there something to be desired with the sound?

If it were me, I would make a 'kit' out of fiberglass, or even carbon fiber if you want. They should sell individual wiring harnesses for the stereo. For $150 it should at least be made of carbon fiber.

Working with fiberglass and carbon fiber is pretty easy. If you can make a mold, then all you have to do is put down some resin/hardener and lay the mat on it. You can buy some dye and get a piano black finish from the resin, or you can make it out of carbon fiber, or just put down carbon fiber on the top layer that shows.

quick search shows wiring harnesses are available ($10)

04 05 06 07 08 MAZDA RX 8 WIRE HARNESS CAR AUDIO WIRING - eBay (item 320493336415 end time Mar-26-10 20:53:18 PDT)

 

[AllenH427 10+ year member]

I'd go with this 4 channel instead

MRP-F600 - Alpine V-Power Series 4-channel 600 Watt Amplifier

Everything else looks great and you'll have a great sounding system.