Hello all. I just got a 2022 CX-5 Carbon. I am definitely wanting to upgrade the sound of the audio. Not interested in replacing any hardware other than the speakers. I'm not experienced in this sort of thing so if anyone has done this in a 2022 CX5 Carbon I'd love to trade notes. Crutchfield sent me pics of the OEM speakers and they are 2-ways in the front and rear doors. What I'm trying to figure out is how to replace the A-pillar tweeters and use the factory grille. All the options on Crutchfield say they will require a modified fit. Not sure if I should upgrade the doors with component speakers or 2-ways and upgrade the pillars or keep the pillars and just upgrade the doors. Any thoughts or advice are very much appreciated. Trying to spend the minimum amount of money but achieve a noticeable improvement in sound. I don't need to be heard 3 blocks away and don't need top of the line...just a nice sounding system. Thanks.

 

CX5scott Ok so you can't increase your sound quality and say you're on a budget.
You can't say I want better sound and not say what your ear is wanting or what YOU think the current sound system is missing??
My advice is just talk to Crutchfield and get advice for some adequate improvements.

You can't just say I don't like and want better and then budget the project and not give better details about what you what to hear.

Good luck

 

Thanks for your constructive, specific and actionable advice. I've already spent over an hour on the phone with Crutchfield. They don't know what the power output is of the CX5 amp in my car. They are not sure of the speakers in my car today or how/if the crossovers are established. They shared a photo of what they think is my speaker and it appears to be a basic full range speaker in the doors. The purpose of me posting is to solicit any expert advice or wisdom from someone either in my same boat or who might have done a speaker upgrade that I can learn from. I'm going to go to Cartoys Friday to see what they can tell me and try to get educated on what might work best. As far as budget, my goal is to keep it under $500 w/installation.

 

auh ok... well your need advice from an audiophile not an average owner member. 500 are you saying you are only upgrading ONE door?? Joking. 500 is an unreasonable budget and really a waste of your money.
You still have not answered my question what you think you are missing in sound quality. BTW a well thought out sound system include things like sound deadening material so the world can't hear your sound system from even at 50 % volume blocks away.

Edit: while I have not looked but what did your MAZDA come factory equip for a sound system? If it is integrated in the informant display and has its own amplifier, then you will not be able to upgrade with quality on what your budget is.

 

I'm not intelligent enough in the world of audio to articulate. I just sold a VW CC Luxe Limited and it sounded great. No distortion when turned up loud. You could make out more of the frequencies. Everything just sounded more clear and high quality. To explain is not easy for me. Kind of like trying to explain 720 vs 1080p to someone who sight impaired.
When talking with Crutchfield, the guy suggested a strategy that utilizes a component system to replace what I have in front doors and A-pillars (first link below) and replacing the back doors with 2-ways (2nd link below). At face value, that sounded like a realistic strategy, but again, I'm not intelligent on this topic to be able to connect if this approach would actually work in my car using the OEM amp and existing wiring/crossover. If something like this approach or similar would produce more realistic soundstage with a noticeable improvement then someone told me yesterday if you go to Best Buy and buy your gear from them they will install for free. I don't know if that is true but want to stop in this weekend. If it is in fact true and the below items in fact fit and can work in my car then I see a $500 budget as realistic. Again, I'm not looking for what you likely have in your car. I love my music and keep my cars for ~10 years so just know that what I have I do not love and my hope is $500 can get me a middle of the road sound solution that is noticeably improved over the stock sound.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R16...-S.html?tp=105
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_575R16...X2.html?tp=105

 

Please stay clear of crutchfield and Best BUY.....

The first question asked should be what type of music you listen mostly and what do you use to listen to that music?
Please DONT say my other car sound like blabla bla .........it not the vehicle you have now, and they are worlds apart. For one simple item the volume of air in the total passenger area.
You're in Texas and there are many good stereo shops. take the time and go talk to all of them. NOT ON THE PHONE take your MAZDA and talk to them in person.
Try to stay away from telling them your budget but suggest only that you want improved sound quality based on your musical interest. After you get the estimate that you can negotiate your budget. But wait until you have talked to a few shops.
Dont be discouraged at the cost because some things can be built up to where you will be very happy.
I am only telling you this recommendation because you say you are going to keep the MAZDA for about 10 years. So might as well do it right and enjoy the music.

If you want, you can PM me with the estimate and what they are recommending and what was recommend and I will look it over?

I don't make this offer often but I think you may be a Audiophile at heart. .... That is unless you tell me you like old country or rap.... LOL

 

Thanks for the kind offer and might take you up on that. I intend to go to 2 mom 'n pop specialty car audio places in the town I live (Frisco, TX....DFW metro). Now I do love a fine listening of "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys, but I am more 80's/90's kind of guy (I lean more INXS than Poison, more Tears for Fears, Cure, U2, etc. than Motley Cru) and for current music definitely am more alternative than Pop (older Coldplay, Kings of Leon, Lumineers, Cage the Elephant kind of stuff). I can appreciate country but don't listen to it ever. I have appreciated your commentary this evening. Thank you.

 

Then you would be looking for very good quality Tweeters and supported by a good mid-range and mid bass speaker separates only A single powered sup-woofer should fill the low frequencies if you dont push it and keep the adjuted gain to what the Shop sets it up at. You really are going to need at least a 4-way amp and a good quality line out converter like LC2i from audio controls. If you have the system with a center channel, I suggest illuminate it. The sound gets muddled as you go faster, or highway speeds and the tendencies is to turn up the volume which then disrupts the other sound quality. Without going to the effort to pull all the door panel and install Fat Mat or the like you are fight "NATURE" and will lose. lol

I still don't see how you can do this on a 500 budget. It will be closer to 700-1200.00 with labor?

 

Maybe somebody ( Mazda) adding a plug in type software into the infotainment system would help? Such as BBE Maximizer or the like ? Maybe somebody here knows how to add such a thing ?

 

I would highly recommend to only seek an Audio Stereo Shop for any upgrades that interact with the MAZDAs (about 2017 and newmodels US market) computers in any way. And if it is a BOSE system the shop will be in for some particular fun challenges.
That said I have cautioned members and keep in mind if you "smoke" your info center because of aftermarket stereo upgrades it is NOT covered under the warranty