[desideep]

Hi Experts and fellow ICE enthusiasts

I am looking to upgrade the speakers and add an amp to my car in the near future.

The issue is that I am going to use a factory head unit. My car is a 2017 Mazda 3 with a factory screen (Non-Bose system).

Requirements:
Reduced base from the 4 door-mounted speakers.
Clarity.
50-70 Watt RMS/ Channel.

The car currently has a 6 speaker system. two rear doors mounted 6.5 inches and Components in the front.

What specifically should I look for when upgrading in stages.

The speakers that I am looking at right now are:
Hertz Cento CK165 - 6.5" Component Speakers
Alpine R-S65C.2

Rear Speakers something that matches them.

I promise I will post the WIP photos for viewing pleasure

Please help
Thanks
Deep.

[navin]

Originally Posted by desideep

The issue is that I am going to use a factory head unit. My car is a 2017 Mazda 3 with a factory screen (Non-Bose system).

Requirements:
Reduced base from the 4 door-mounted speakers.
Clarity.
50-70 Watt RMS/ Channel.

The car currently has a 6 speaker system. two rear doors mounted 6.5 inches and Components in the front.

What specifically should I look for when upgrading in stages.

The speakers that I am looking at right now are:
Hertz Cento CK165 - 6.5" Component Speakers
Alpine R-S65C.2

Rear Speakers something that matches them.

There are some challenges when upgrading a OEM stereo. OEM stereos are usually built to a very budget. This means that most components are limited in some way or the other. Speakers are the worst hit. OEM car speakers will often have ragged frequency response. Some of these limitations in response is compensated by massive doses of equalization in the head unit. (see link below for more).

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/car-e...t-version.html (Upgrading your OEM Car Audio using DSPs (budget version))

Adding an amplifier and upgrading OEM speakers often means that the equalization from the head unit is not compensated for and the resulting sound may be bass heavy or too bight or even both (with a huge drop in the middle).

Those upgrading need to be prepared to invest in a 3rd party DSP if this happens. The other option is to change the head unit (the source of all extensive equalization).

I have not heard either the Hertz of Infinity models you have discussed but I suspect they would have quite different sound. The Hertz speakers I have heard are much brighter than the Infinity speakers I have heard.

At the first stage I would try and listen to some component speakers and determine which ones sound best. We all have different tastes in music and what may sound good to one person may not to the other.

There are several good brands including Infinity, Hertz, Morel, Focal, DLS, Rainbow, etc.

Once you have a clear idea of what sound good to you, then you will also know what you need to get there.

You also need to determine how much bass you need. Some people who listen to acoustic or acapella music don't need much bass, others who listen to hip-hop need a lot. So your musical tastes will determine if you a compact under-seat 6" or 8" subwoofer will suffice or you need a big ported box with a 15" woofer in the trunk.

Of course you can always install in stages.

1. Starting with front component and rear coaxial speakers
2. Then adding a 4 channel amplifier
3. Then adding a DSP if you feel the need (The Pioneer and Sony DSPs mentioned in the link above have small amplifiers built in)
4. Then adding a subwoofer
5. Then adding a mono amplifier (if you feel that the 4 channel amplifier is not enough).

But the first step is to know what you want your end game to sound like. Once you know that the rest falls easily into place.

Good Luck.

[desideep]

Originally Posted by navin

There are some challenges when upgrading a OEM stereo. OEM stereos are usually built to a very budget. This means that most components are limited in some way or the other. Speakers are the worst hit. OEM car speakers will often have ragged frequency response. Some of these limitations in response is compensated by massive doses of equalization in the head unit. (see link below for more).

Thanks a ton Navin for your reply.

I did read the mentioned thread. And i was thinking of going the DSP way.
The only issue is the cost involved and availability in Australia.

I am very keen on the Kicker Key amplifier. It is 45x4 and AI DSP. which should do me fine for now.

What are your thoughts about it?

For now, I did some basic cost assessment.

Speakers: $500-700 AUD
Amplifier/DSP: Kicker $400
Wiring and ancillaries: $100-200.

I have already bought the cheapest out of all of the above, this is giving me a feeling that I have started towards it.

Bough the below.
OEM compatible connectors: $22/ Pair.
https://aerpro.com/aps21?src=api

Font Speaker Mounts: $20
https://aerpro.com/aps313?src=api

Rear Speaker Mounts: $20
https://aerpro.com/aps321?src=api

PAC AOEM-MAZ2 Interface: $40
https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Still looking for speakers and will update accordingly.


Thanks
Deep.

[navin]

Originally Posted by desideep

I am very keen on the Kicker Key amplifier. It is 45x4 and AI DSP. which should do me fine for now.

Speakers: $500-700 AUD
Amplifier/DSP: Kicker $400
Wiring and ancillaries: $100-200.

This looks good. I never knew Kicker made an amplifier that had a DSP built in and was so compact. I would advise you to have this installed by a Kicker authorised installer. This will cover you incase the amp gives any trouble.

Very often new technology can have teething issues.

[ds.raikkonen]

I thought you meant 'Internal Combustion Engine' by ICE

You meant ICE as in 'In Car Entertainment' eh, did not know it was an actual abbreviation!

[desideep]

Its funny that you mentioned and i realised that.

But keep tuned for a DIY upgrade happening soon. Will finalise all on this weekend.

[desideep]

The speakers are here.
I went for the Rainbow Audio Experience line components and coaxials.

The will be install with OEM output on this sunday.

I will be ordering a Kicker Key 4 channel amp. This amp has a built in DSP. I hope it does a good job. The reviews are really good for this amp.

[desideep]

Update:

Installed the speakers in the doors. Attaching a few photos for viewing pleasure.

The tweeter location is too tight need a 90 degree screwdriver to take them off and the make a tweeter holder to install the tweeters.

Also i finally bought the Kicker Key 200.4 amp. Will install it in coming few weeks.

Thanks,
Deep.