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View Full Version : "New" 2006 Mazda3 Hatch GS ... Improving Sound


wak9
09-21-2010, 10:02 PM
Hey I just got my first car and it's a Mazda 3 Hatchback, 2006 GS. The main thing I want to improve is the sound system. Almost every radio system comes in sounding like crap and I live in Toronto. Someone told me that Mazda3s are known to have crappy radios...is this true?

I'm also looking to hook up my iPod so I can play my own stuff and would consider upgrading the entire sound system depending on the cost. What are my options? What have you guys done?

PS: I rented a 2010 Nissan Sentra with the luxury package for a week awhile ago and loved being able to plug my ipod into the stereo and control/browse through the big LCD screen. Plus the speakers sounded amazing. This is what spoiled me and what I guess I'm trying to emulate in my new Mazda3.

I appreciate the suggestions!!
wak9
09-26-2010, 06:34 PM
anybody?
dave2010GT
09-26-2010, 08:27 PM
It depends what you want, if you want a complete upgrade you'll need a new head unit and amps for the best sound. If you want to keep the factory head unit then you'll need line out converters to amps but it won't have the same sound quality.

Check out my profile I have pics if various installs I've done to my car, it depends on budget and how far you want to go.
DumpInfo
09-26-2010, 09:00 PM
What I ended up doing was keeping my stock HU and changed my front and rear speakers (JBL GTO Series). I forgot the model but it definitely did the trick. Audio Heaven did the installation for me so you could easily do a search on them and it'll show the model.
wak9
09-26-2010, 10:23 PM
It depends what you want, if you want a complete upgrade you'll need a new head unit and amps for the best sound. If you want to keep the factory head unit then you'll need line out converters to amps but it won't have the same sound quality.

Check out my profile I have pics if various installs I've done to my car, it depends on budget and how far you want to go.

About how much would a complete overhaul cost? It doesn't have to be flashy - just a solid sound system with a LCD display that I can plug my iPod into and control it from the screen (browse playlists, artists, etc...).
wak9
09-26-2010, 10:35 PM
Also, if you take out the stock head unit, is it gonna look like this: http://www.audioheaven.ca/img/gallery/audio/004.jpg ? It looks a bit odd having an open space above the screen.
TheMaterial
09-26-2010, 11:28 PM
About how much would a complete overhaul cost? It doesn't have to be flashy - just a solid sound system with a LCD display that I can plug my iPod into and control it from the screen (browse playlists, artists, etc...).

I set something up the other week and it was about $3200 installed out the door in a customers car. You can get a good solid system for around $1500 and even less if you can do the install yourself.
wak9
09-26-2010, 11:38 PM
I set something up the other week and it was about $3200 installed out the door in a customers car. You can get a good solid system for around $1500 and even less if you can do the install yourself.

Pics would be awesome. How much does the install cost? Can you give me an example of what I can get for around $1500 installed?
TheMaterial
09-27-2010, 12:50 AM
Pics would be awesome. How much does the install cost? Can you give me an example of what I can get for around $1500 installed?

I didn't grab pics but I wish I did. I was off when it was installed but came in to make sure the customer was happy and it would have been weird snapping pics, and our installer has been in the biz for 20 years doing some kids ms3 isn't pic worthy for him anymore lol. but I work at f-shop and in the car we put an avic 920bt for the head unit, Infinity reference Components in the front, 6x8 Infinity references in the rear, a pioneer 4 channel to power the fronts and rears, the guy already had a 10 Inch sub and mono amp and half of the cable needed, and also a capacitor to make sure his lights weren't dimming. The install is really what brought up the price on this.

The car sounded really good, and had a really nice balanced sound to it. We didn't do any sound deadening but he may come back and we may do his doors.

check your pm for a $1500 kit
dave2010GT
09-27-2010, 12:18 PM
He's right the install cost could be the most expensive part.

Here is what I did myself, the system is worth thousands but with free labour it saved allot of money

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3455

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3458

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=3454
BigO
10-05-2010, 03:47 PM
I didn't grab pics but I wish I did. I was off when it was installed but came in to make sure the customer was happy and it would have been weird snapping pics, and our installer has been in the biz for 20 years doing some kids ms3 isn't pic worthy for him anymore lol. but I work at f-shop and in the car we put an avic 920bt for the head unit, Infinity reference Components in the front, 6x8 Infinity references in the rear, a pioneer 4 channel to power the fronts and rears, the guy already had a 10 Inch sub and mono amp and half of the cable needed, and also a capacitor to make sure his lights weren't dimming. The install is really what brought up the price on this.

The car sounded really good, and had a really nice balanced sound to it. We didn't do any sound deadening but he may come back and we may do his doors.

check your pm for a $1500 kit

How are the infinity reference components? I just picked those up the other day... planing on installing them soon. Wanted some reassurance that they sound good before I tear the door apart. It was either those or Alpine Type R's but I'm a long time Harman Kardon fan, so I gave in... I'm using an Alpine deck with no amp for the speakers btw
TheMaterial
10-05-2010, 08:11 PM
They are a great speaker, and you won't be disappointed in them. If you do upgrade rears I would recommend maybe putting an amp in then. No point in having awesome speakers if you can't push them to the max.
dave2010GT
10-05-2010, 10:52 PM
+1 on that if you want the maximum sound quality you need an amp because if you use the RCA connections and they are high volt you will notice a night and day difference in the sound quality.
BigO
10-06-2010, 04:49 PM
Hmmm.... I was considering an amp but for now will just install the speakers, anyone hear anything about the Alpine ktp-445, apparently its a 45W X4 amp that doesn't require any special wiring and plugs in directly into my current alpine deck?

One more thing, for those of you who have multiple amps, if I put in a second amp (in addition to my mono amp) is there a risk of damaging the battery or alternator. I also have a 1farad cap btw.
TheMaterial
10-07-2010, 12:27 AM
Hmmm.... I was considering an amp but for now will just install the speakers, anyone hear anything about the Alpine ktp-445, apparently its a 45W X4 amp that doesn't require any special wiring and plugs in directly into my current alpine deck?

One more thing, for those of you who have multiple amps, if I put in a second amp (in addition to my mono amp) is there a risk of damaging the battery or alternator. I also have a 1farad cap btw.

I've seen those KTP-445s before and there pretty cool. There is a video somewhere of it powering a Type S sub. One thing I don't like about them is that you can't really tune it at all but if you want something that will give your speakers a nice kick and not worry about tweaking, it is def something to look into.

As to damaging your battery, you shouldn't have any problems there. You're going to pop a fuse before you harm your battery(assuming its hooked up right). I've seen many 2 amp set ups and no issues whats so ever.
BigO
10-07-2010, 12:35 PM
Awesome! Thanks guys! I just feel like I hijacked the thread...

As for the OP I went with replacing my Head Unit because to me it was more cost efficient than buying the Mazda iPod adapter. But I noticed that the reception of radio stations decreased since I changed my deck.
wak9
10-07-2010, 12:45 PM
Can you post a pic of your new deck?

I went with the iPod adapter because I found it on kijiji for $90 installed. Only problem is it doesn't charge my ipod...see my other thread.


Awesome! Thanks guys! I just feel like I hijacked the thread...

As for the OP I went with replacing my Head Unit because to me it was more cost efficient than buying the Mazda iPod adapter. But I noticed that the reception of radio stations decreased since I changed my deck.
BigO
10-09-2010, 01:16 AM
These are old pics taken with my old camera so quality isn't there, I was hoping on taking new photos but never got around to it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54692844@N04/5063568643/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54692844@N04/5064179920/in/photostream/
Takumi616
10-09-2010, 01:17 AM
don't see anything buddy....
BigO
10-09-2010, 01:18 AM
http://www.flickr.com/photos/54692844@N04/5064179920/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54692844@N04/5063568643/in/photostream/
Takumi616
10-09-2010, 01:21 AM
Approved! :thumbsup


http://www.flickr.com/photos/54692844@N04/5064179920/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/54692844@N04/5063568643/in/photostream/
BigO
10-09-2010, 01:24 AM
Approved! :thumbsup

LOL, thanks, I've had that setup for about a year and a half now, so far so good. I liked the Alpine as it matched the lighting in the car (and the SQ is descent). In the process of getting the Inifinitys installed. Will report back when its finished.
Takumi616
10-09-2010, 01:26 AM
I'm glad you like it.... I agree with the matching part. Keep us posted on your next install......


LOL, thanks, I've had that setup for about a year and a half now, so far so good. I liked the Alpine as it matched the lighting in the car (and the SQ is descent). In the process of getting the Inifinitys installed. Will report back when its finished.