Stock Subwoofer

[RXMmazdaspeed]

Has anyone put in a new system or an aftermarket subwoofer? I've gone through two of these kenwoods and not even pushing them hard, not only do they sound like shit but the casing vibrates like crazy. I was looking at the ma audio 8" which has a max output of 800 watts. I'm trying to put a system together that won't compramise the pretty low weight we already have on the cars. I'm thinking either go with a single sub in a box and get rid of the casing, put a stronger more powerful sub in the casing we already have, or making a custom casing to put in the same location as the stock one(made of fiberglass or something light). Any ideas, comments, help, anything? Thanks:D

[1sty]

Yep, me and the boys in the car audio section have covered this a bunch. Alot of good info to be had on the subject in the car audio section.

Also 800 is a peak power figure and essentualy irrelavent.

Any 8" sub isn't going to make a big difference in volume but realibilty can certainly be better. Be warned the stock sub is a 8 ohm sub to aviod heating up the amp which is ( I AM SO GOING TO BEAT DOWN THE CLOWN AT MAZDA THAT CAME UP WITH THIS) inverted. Another sub can be as low as 4 ohms but will create more heat and since the amp can't vent, it may cook itself.

I would honestly drop the enclosure, do a small single 10" in an MDF box (doesn't way any more) and move the amp to the rear seat back or even under a front seat to keep it extra safe.

Welcome to the site and keep in mind I am usualy around to asnwer any audio related question.

Although it is a MSP, the audio is just standard aftermarket stuff. So if you have an issue with anything, posting in the audio section will help you out immensly. We have several professional installers and even some shop owners on the board. Not to mention many others that have great wisom to share.

[RXMmazdaspeed]

sounds good.. is there a big weight difference between a 10 and 12, cause if i drop the casing i might just go with an alpine type r 12 and a good amp.. any ideas on subs also? i'm gonna go check out the audio section now too.. thanks for the help

[mp5jeff]

weight difference between a 10 and 12 will depend on the sub, if its the same brand and sub, then it wont be a big difference

[chkmgnt58]

what my guys are doing (Earmark Car Audio, won 4 national awards for install out of Plano, Texas) is to totally take out the sub and amp and the whole casing its in, build a custom box, and fit in a JL 12W6 powered by a JL 500X1, then with a 400X2 powering my new MB Quartz components up front... all i have to say is *drool*.. now if i just had that 3500 sittin around

[1sty]

For a great sub that doens't way much I like the JL audio 10 or 12 W0. Often 10's and 12's have the same motor stuctures and basicly the same weight. However the box for a 12 is usualy twice as big and thats where the weight comes in.

Do a single 12" or 10" JL audio in one of JLs boxes and you won't ever notice the extra 10 Ib (literaly 10, if even that much) and it will sound ALOT better then the stock 8".

[1sty]

Originally posted by chkmgnt58
what my guys are doing (Earmark Car Audio, won 4 national awards for install out of Plano, Texas) is to totally take out the sub and amp and the whole casing its in, build a custom box, and fit in a JL 12W6 powered by a JL 500X1, then with a 400X2 powering my new MB Quartz components up front... all i have to say is *drool*.. now if i just had that 3500 sittin around

Just some thoughts:

Is that a 12W6AE (older style) or the 12W6v2?
The 500/1 is a sick amp, nice choice.
I am not aware of a 400x2, there is a Jl 300/2?
Take a LONG time listening to the quarts before buying them, especialy comparing them and even listen to them in a car. I find alot of people regret there MB Quart speaker decisions.

[RXMmazdaspeed]

how do the JL audio's sound compared to the type r's, my neighbor has a custom box with 2 12" type r's with a beast amp and its one of the best systems i've heard around.. i've honestly never heard the JL's unless it was in a car and i didnt get to see them

[505zoom]

JL's rule

[chkmgnt58]

1st MP3 in NH, yeah i meant the 300X2 sorry that was a typo. and its the 12W6v2... god its awesome. now i've heard so much about components, either the Quartz or the Focal or the Boston. each shop i've been to says different. Car Toys (a joke to me) said Focal, Tweeter (gettin respectable) said quartz, and then earmark said to go for Bostons. what do you think? all the same price so i'll buy w/e you say probably

[dallas_miamiMP3]

sorry to butt in but one question is the Mazdaspeed sub better than the stock MP3 sub? Which has more bump

[RXMmazdaspeed]

honestly when i first got it i was surprised.. for an 8 inch it sounded pretty good.. but about a month later it stopped working, got it replaced because of warranty, and the one it got replaced with never worked properly.. so now i'm tryin to get somethin together that will hit hard, yet not add the weight.

[1sty]

Originally posted by RXMmazdaspeed
how do the JL audio's sound compared to the type r's, my neighbor has a custom box with 2 12" type r's with a beast amp and its one of the best systems i've heard around.. i've honestly never heard the JL's unless it was in a car and i didnt get to see them

I would take a single JL audio 12W3 over 2 alpine type Rs any day!!

I am not an alpine fan when it comes to bass. Subs or amps

[dallas_miamiMP3]

really. why did it stop working?

[RXMmazdaspeed]

alright well i'll definitely check them out when i start putting this little project together.. how do the prices compare to other subs and what would b a good amp for a single 12" JL.. sorry audio isn't my best area of interest.. thanks:D

[1sty]

Originally posted by chkmgnt58
1st MP3 in NH, yeah i meant the 300X2 sorry that was a typo. and its the 12W6v2... god its awesome. now i've heard so much about components, either the Quartz or the Focal or the Boston. each shop i've been to says different. Car Toys (a joke to me) said Focal, Tweeter (gettin respectable) said quartz, and then earmark said to go for Bostons. what do you think? all the same price so i'll buy w/e you say probably

Actualy I have 2 12W6v2, 2 JL 300/2's a Jl 1000/1 and a sit load of JL XR componetns sitting behind me right now :D. Just a matter of inding time to install :D

Listen to only one thing about speakers, THE SPEAKERS!!!!!
The only opinon that matters with speakers is yours. Personaly the Boston Acoustics Zs have no equal to my ear. The FOcals were VERY disapointing and all but require an EQ and quarts are way to bright and never smooth. They make you tired of listening very quickly. These are just my opinoins though. I work at tweeter so I listen to the Z's alot. I must have them. Other then them the JL audio Vr series is the friggen deal of a life time for speaker that sounds that good. I got 2 sets of those too :D

[RXMmazdaspeed]

Originally posted by dallas_miamiMP3
really. why did it stop working?

i really don't know.. one day i just didnt hear any bass.. went to the dealership and they said it was defective and i went back to get it replaced with another.. the other must have been defective as well as it never hit at all.. it just sounds like complete shit.. and because i'm at college i haven't been able to get it replaced or my car flashed.. hopefully getting it flashed soon tho.. i probably won't bother replacing my sub until i get everything together for my new system.. i have big plans for my winter break with working and everything.. i actually can't wait.

[1sty]

Originally posted by dallas_miamiMP3
sorry to butt in but one question is the Mazdaspeed sub better than the stock MP3 sub? Which has more bump

The MP3 sub will be louder, The MSP sub may sound better (tighter) to some people.

[1sty]

Originally posted by RXMmazdaspeed
i really don't know.. one day i just didnt hear any bass.. went to the dealership and they said it was defective and i went back to get it replaced with another.. the other must have been defective as well as it never hit at all.. it just sounds like complete shit.. and because i'm at college i haven't been able to get it replaced or my car flashed.. hopefully getting it flashed soon tho.. i probably won't bother replacing my sub until i get everything together for my new system.. i have big plans for my winter break with working and everything.. i actually can't wait.

There are a few reasons.
Some are just defective and have bad tinsel leads.
Mazda set the gains way to high on the amps and that mixed with people turing up the bass adjustment ends up killing the sub do to distotion.

Only use the NF level!!!
Never the bass adjustment.

The bass adjustment sends more bass (distortion) to everything, not just the sub. The NF level is a distortion free adjustment that will only increase the subs volume thus sparing the speakers in the car form damage aswell.

[RXMmazdaspeed]

what sub comes in the mp3?

[1sty]

Originally posted by RXMmazdaspeed
alright well i'll definitely check them out when i start putting this little project together.. how do the prices compare to other subs and what would b a good amp for a single 12" JL.. sorry audio isn't my best area of interest.. thanks:D

The stock amp will do fine. W0s only need 125 watts rms of power (this is why I mentioned Peak vs RMS power at first)

Only look for rms, never peak.

a 12W0 retails for $120 and a 10W0 retails for $100. If you step up you can get a 12W3v2 for a bit over $200 but it needs 300 watts rms.

[dallas_miamiMP3]

so do u guys think i might have a problem installing mspeed sub in an MP3?

[RXMmazdaspeed]

thanks a lot 1st mp3.. u actually helped out a lot.. if i do step up to the better sub and it needs the 300 w.. should i stick with a JL audio amp or what:rolleyes:

[1sty]

no, The 250/1 is certainly a sweet amp but may be too pricey. The alpine MRP-M350 is a great buy for $200. Be sure to match it with a 12W3v2D4 so you get a total 2 ohm load and the full power from. The MRP has really impressed me, for alpine, to bad ther higher level sub amps haven't ( I have owned several aswell) They just lack raw agresion I do so cherrish in an amp.

Why the :rolleyes:

[RXMmazdaspeed]

well i'm not too good in the audio department so i feel kinda stupid askin all these questions that are probably stupid ass questions to ya.. but seriously thanks for the help:D

[RXMmazdaspeed]

also.. what do u think about the idea of maybe a custom fiberglass enclosure up in the top where the stock casing is.. i do like the idea of having all the space back there in my trunk, and its definitely gonna come in handy with the move out and future move out and move in's for college.

[dallas_miamiMP3]

I know exactly how u feel about the movw in move out part thats why I bought the mazda speed sub cuz i need the extra space for when I move in an out of college.

[RXMmazdaspeed]

Originally posted by dallas_miamiMP3
I know exactly how u feel about the movw in move out part thats why I bought the mazda speed sub cuz i need the extra space for when I move in an out of college.

where do you go to college? i'm currently at monmouth university in nj. although after partyin and seeing the craziest football game this weekend at virginia tech, i do wish my school was bigger with a good football team.

[dallas_miamiMP3]

I go to Barry University in Miami theres alot of people from Jersey here. I guess its the warm weather.

[RXMmazdaspeed]

really.. if u chill with any see if theres any from jefferson, sparta, or wallkill around there.. i know a couple people who went to florida just not the school.. i bet its crazy down there in miami.

[dallas_miamiMP3]

o hell yea it is. The weather. and of course my god the beatiful WOMEN everywhere!

[RXMmazdaspeed]

haha i can imagine.. a lot of hot girls and surfer chicks went here cause we are literally 2 min from the beach.. i can only imagine down there.. i think i'm gonna have to take a road trip when i start hookin my car up a lot and cruise the strips!!!(rockon)

[RXMmazdaspeed]

yo by the way.. how do u get a picture in the bottom of ur posts to stay there and words and shit.. i don't know how to do it

[dallas_miamiMP3]

u have to go to ur user cp and download pics onto ur manage file then u can paste them onto the bottom thing on ur profile

[dallas_miamiMP3]

hell yea man when u do decide to come down here just pm me and we can meet up some where i can show u around. Let me tell u though the best time to come is during spring break. There is mad girls here and all of which r horny.

[RXMmazdaspeed]

lol shit man.. by then my car will have some nice work done to it and i may have to plan a trip down now.. i just gotta get a few more people.. maybe another car too to have some fun on the way down.. i'll def. let ya know bro.

[dallas_miamiMP3]

cool bro talk 2 u later I got a 9:30 class tommorow. U know how that shit is.

[RXMmazdaspeed]

haha of course.. i got a 10 tomorrow, not sure if i really wanna go haha.. peace

[RXMmazdaspeed]

shit.. tryin to get this pic to work

[1sty]

Originally posted by RXMmazdaspeed
well i'm not too good in the audio department so i feel kinda stupid askin all these questions that are probably stupid ass questions to ya.. but seriously thanks for the help:D

No worries, I am always glad to help

[RXMmazdaspeed]

Originally posted by 1st MP3 in NH
No worries, I am always glad to help


how much would it be you think to build a custom fiberglass enclosure in the same position as the stock casing with a single JL 10 or 12 and an amp? i like having the space in the back of the car.. and since u are the pro i figured i'd ask:D

[1sty]

FIberglass isn't descriptive enough.
Is the enclosure to be all glass and have a painted front or is it going to be glass in shape but carpeted?

I think most shops would use a 3/4" MDF back and secure ti to the rear deck, use rings to make the sub mount and then use fleece resin and glass for the shape. How you want it finished will determine the price though.

[CruzinAltitude]

Originally posted by 1st MP3 in NH
Welcome to the site and keep in mind I am usualy around to asnwer any audio related question.



With nearly 10,500 posts he is ALWAYS around to share some advice!! J/K Thanks a million for all the info you have shared!

[srd555]

Hey 1ST. I need some advice.

I have a brand new Alpine MRD-M300 amp. and I had planed to put a JL 8W3v2 D4 in the stock box. Do you think this will be OK?

I am not an audiophile, I just want something that sounds clean and does not take up any more trunk space.

[1sty]

YOur going to give a single JL 8W3v2D4 300 watts rms (wow)????????????!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE IT :D

It should sound very good so long as it doesn't need to be terribly loud. A single 8 just insn't going to be earth shaking.

[srd555]

Also, what gauge wire did Mazda use to power the stock AMP?

[1sty]

8 for the MSP I believe, it could be 10 though. If its 8 you are ok, if not then yo need atleast 8 for the alpine.

[srd555]

Originally posted by 1st MP3 in NH
YOur going to give a single JL 8W3v2D4 300 watts rms (wow)????????????!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE IT :D

It should sound very good so long as it doesn't need to be terribly loud. A single 8 just insn't going to be earth shaking.

LOL., I suppose I could keep the gain low. :D

I am not attached to that AMP, its something I had from another project.

Do you have another combo you would suggest? Remember I would like to keep the stock box.


Thanx

[Bremmer]

what do you guys think about the Visonik products..are they any good, i read a couplle times that they were underrated and are a decent product that is cheap.

[1sty]

Originally posted by srd555
LOL., I suppose I could keep the gain low. :D

I am not attached to that AMP, its something I had from another project.

Do you have another combo you would suggest? Remember I would like to keep the stock box.


Thanx

That will work just fine.

[1sty]

Originally posted by Bremmer
what do you guys think about the Visonik products..are they any good, i read a couplle times that they were underrated and are a decent product that is cheap.

Decent products that are cheap are those that don't sell through reps then dealers so they don't have huge mark up. Visonik is just cheap, no other way to look at it.

[R6Rocket]

How does the stock sub sound with some good old rock and roll? I've heard some systems that make anything not rap sound like ass. While I like my beats, I usually roll with rock and roll.

I think a lot depends on the enclosure (trunk). My buddy had a system in his Envoy and even at the lowest level possible, the acoustics of the SUV made every type of music WAAYYYYY to bassy (bassy--not really a word but you know what I mean).

[srd555]

Originally posted by 1st MP3 in NH
That will work just fine.

Thank you very much sir.

Now I need to go see if Mazda used gauge power wires

[Rush]

Well, since everyone else is asking him questions, I figured I'd go ahead and throw in one. :D

1st MP3 in NH -- I've had systems in my car pretty much since I started driving. However, my MSP is only the second car I've ever owned. Before it, I had a Dodge Spirit .. which I could happily rip into little pieces while installing audio equipment. It also didn't matter all that much about how pretty things were where I mounted them.

I'm currently sitting next to my system that I pulled out of my Spirit before I sold it, that I'd like to move into the MSP. I haven't gone to talk to the local stereo shop yet about it, so I might as well ask you first!

I have two 12" JL Audio W6v2 subwoofers in a huge -- and I mean HUGE -- custom ported box. I know I'm going to have to have a new box built, because there's no way in hell this box will fit into the MSP's trunk -- not to mention it weighs about 5000 pounds. Any suggestions on box structure?

I also have my old head unit, a Panasonic CQ-DF801U (60Wx4) -- I don't know much about the MSP's stock Kenwood unit, but do you think it'd be worth putting my Panasonic in?

As far as amps go, I was pushing my subs with the JL Audio 500/1 and everything else was powered by a Rockford Fosgate 550X (which had previously been a shitty Sony X-Plode amp, but when that blew out three times, I finally learned and got something else). I know I want to keep the JL Audio amp with the subs -- duh -- but should I just use the Kenwood amp that's already in the MSP instead of putting in the Rockford Fosgate? Again, I don't know much about the stock Kenwood amp that's already in there.

Oh, and a random sidenote -- I do have a Lighting Audio 1 Farad Strike Capacitor.

Pretend I just brought my MSP and all those parts into your shop. And tell me just what you'd cook up.

[1sty]

Tear down the stock sub and enclosure.
Have them build you a normaly sized sealed box for your 12's

Put the JL 500/1 under the front seat to make it much harder to steal.

The kenwood amp is only a 2 channel and a unpowerful one at that. Stick to the fosgate if you liked it. I am not a big fan of either one but if you want power to all the speakers form the amp then you need a 4 channel. Personaly I would only power the front speakers and never amp the rears. Leave that to the head unit. Also swap the speakers. You'll thanks me :D

That was one of the higher up panasonic units If I remember correctly and was certainly a decent peice. Besides its realibility issues and pain in the ass menu system the kenwood is an OK unit. If you liked using you panasonic more, then swap it. It won't just randomly turn off and try to flip only to get stuck and need to be reset, the MSP kenwood radio does this crap alot. I'd use the panasonic.

Hook up your cap with a 4 guage power form the battery and an 4 guage ground. Then split off the needed sizze wires to your amps from it. This way the cap is also a distroblock.

[Rush]

Thanks for the ideas!

I haven't done any speaker shopping in forever .. You have any suggestions on anything new that might've come out recently that would be a good choice? Because yeah, I'm definitely with you on replacing the stock speakers inside. I'm not a fan of their sound. At all.

So far, I haven't had too many problems with Kenwood head unit -- but I've read about all their issues, and it's probably only a matter of time until the stupid thing starts going nuts on me. So I'll probably put in my Panasonic, as I absolutely loved that head unit and the way it conducted the sound.

As far as tearing down the stock Kenwood sub and enclosure .. I haven't really taken the time to see how it's even mounted in there. I know, shame on me. (hand) But I'd like to be able to put both the enclosure and the Kenwood sub back in there someday in case I have to sell the MSP or something like that. Will that be possible to do that if I tear it down?

.. And has anyone thought of putting Dynamat on their MSP yet? Considering how much the paneling rattles from the whimpy 8" Kenwood sub, I'm kinda worried that my MSP will just vibrate to pieces with the two JL 12's in there.

[Imissmy3rdgen7]

So, what would be a good sub replacement for the Kenwood in the stock enclosure, keeping the stock amp?