Sound System
 

I bought a mazda 3s two months ago. I don't know anything about sound systems, but I know that I don't like the system my car came with. My friend has a 2005 jetta and her sound system sounds so good. I want my music to sound better. What can I do?

RE: Sound System
 

You need to get a headunit, amp, door speakers, tweeters, and subwoofers, then you need speaker wire, sorry if the intructions suck id say ask for help from a place like Circuit city (if your on a budget) but they might try to rip you off.

RE: Sound System
 

just replacing the head unit alone will dramatically give your stock system great power. will even benefit you more with a few tweeter and component speakers as well (as Tracker had suggested).

RE: Sound System
 

I simply added a 10" MTX sub and amp to the trunk of my 05 Mazda3 5door, and I think the system rocks!! I'm not sure what all of you are looking for, but louder isn't always better!!

RE: Sound System
 

you dont really need a component set, but it is ALOT better. You dont even really need an amp to power you door speakers but again its ALOT better. Jus get some good 2-way speakers and an alpine unit or an Eclipse unit and quality should increase greatly if you need bump in the doors as well as the trunk dont get an amp to power the door speakers, it'll cut off the bass. Jus go to you local Best Buy or Circuit and try out systems ask questions....personally JL Audio all the way!

RE: Sound System
 

But keep in mind if you do put in any aftermarket audio components you will need an amp hooked up to it.

RE: Sound System
 

not necessarily true... all i had to do was add a new head unit that increased the power to the door speakers tremendously as well as upgraded to pioneer door speakers and the system rocked! but if you are going to add additional things such as bigger/more energy consuming subwoofers, than an amplifier is the way to go. amplifiers do help out door speakers greatly but you also have the increased chance of blowing up your speakers if not properly tuned.

RE: Sound System
 

That's, right, there is no need for amp unless you wanna get more power out of your speakers or for SUBS, is not, than a really good headunit and just speakers will give you a really nice sound, and concerning tweeters, from personall experience i do not like them, kinda pitchi sound, but better tremble sounds.

RE: Sound System
 

i forgot to say that an amp is generally used for door speakers and subs....and if thats not true this is what ive been told, "if your running a sub or door speakers (aftermarket) then you need an amp cuz the stuff you are running needs the amp to work at full strength so it over work itself and eventually blow"

RE: Sound System
 

that can be true... but only if you are running hardcore sub that cranks out 600+ watts (thats being safe with an amplifier). the new head unit alone will power an entire system very nicely (has added power to the speakers compared to the stock head unit). that is one reason why the speakers sound nicer, the amplifiers will definitely be needed if trying to run a premium system.

RE: Sound System
 

A new headunit and door speakers will improve any system 100x than a stock unit. when you pull out the door speakers, take a look at the magnet, I guarantee they will be rated at no mroe than 100watts ( if you are lucky) So just replacing the headunit with one rated at 50x4 or 40x4 will plenty improve sound, but if you do that then you owuld want something that can handle that, like new door speakers, JL Audio make nice sets as do Pioneer or Kenwood if you need something not so high end. When it comes to amplifiers, they are not needed unless running a sub. Try running a sub, 4 door speakers off of one 200watt headunit, it will not sound as nice as it could. definitaly get an amp to run sub, one is not needed to run door speakers, unless you are just trying to run everything at a high wattage, if thats the case, go with a component set of tweeters and mids with a crossover to remove the bass from the highs.

RE: Sound System
 

i forgot to ask...you did play with all of the music control buttons right, like adjusting your bass and treble, or putting (whatever the first option is called to 3?)

RE: Sound System
 

even if he did tinker with the controls, the systems in the 3s aren't that great. i've heard them and they bothered me... hell my mazda6 with the bose system isn't that great either... and that is top of the line for mazda!

RE: Sound System
 

well i was impressed with my stock sound system, Bose has improved compared to my moms 04 maxima Bose sound but then again my first car was a Kia

RE: Sound System
 

I left my stock speakers in my Mazda6 and added a 08 sony headunit which easily amplifies the door speakers then i added a MA 12' sub with a 800 watt amp and it sounds great. wiring isnt too difficult either. and i strongly suggest making your own box for the sub because when u by them premade they use terrible wood. you gotta get the good stuff and it will sound so much better.