Early MX5 car audio?

[Conor D]

I tried, but I just couldn't think of an innuendo for this post..

My 1992 Eunos seems to have very tired speakers (that, or they wern't very good in the first place - After all, 19 years old). Everything sounds very tinny and it doesn't have alot of headroom or bass. I installed a new Pioneer head unit after I bought the car and to listen to music the volume has to be between 20-30 (almost worthless when the top is down) but it isn't enjoyable - it sounds crap.

What would be the best way to get decent audio in the MX5? I'm not looking for 5000w of Drum and Bass.. Would new speakers all round bring it up to a modern standard, or could there be a problem with my current setup?

[johnnyboy666]

I had a similar issue with rubbish speakers, especially with the top down and about £100 later my problems were sorted. I tracked down some JBL GTI comp' 6" mid/bass drivers in a sale at the local store for £30 and got some Panasonic tweeters for an amazing £1. The local audio shop in exeter was having a massive warehouse clearout it seemed. I got a small Alpine amp which was for 2 channels only (perfect for the '5) for £50 in another bargain sale and hid it in half the recess in the boot. A £20 autoleads wiring kit completed the job along with the Alpine iDA X100 headunit I had purchased earlier. Best sounding car stereo I have ever had, dare i say one of the best I have heard. I'm sure a pro set up for thousands would be better but without going mental it's as good as you could hope for in a drop top.

John

[MX-5 Lazza]

Upgraded speakers will make a big difference as the standard speakers are crap. Add an amp (it doesn't need to be a big one) and it'll make an even bigger difference. If you do go with an amp then something like JBL GTO627 2ohm speakers are very good. I have the 8" version of these (Mk1 will take 6.5" speakers) with a 2x75W amp in mine and the bass is amazing for an open top car with only a pair of door speakers and it's easily audible on the road.

[Conor D]

I didn't get a look at the new head unit, but I'm presuming it has a preamp out then? So it will go; head unit - amplifier - speakers?

Would I be able to keep the same wiring thats in the car, or would it have to be replaced?

It looks as if £100 would make a job of it, cheers guys!

[MX-5 Lazza]

If it's a reasonable head unit it'll have at least one pair of pre-amp outputs. What model is it?

It's best to fit better speaker cables. It doesn't need to be anything special but thicker than the stock bell-wire. The amp will probably have to live behind the seats or in the boot so you'll need to add speaker wire anyway.

[Conor D]

It's this: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/CD-Rece...

It has two RCA Outputs on the back, and I'm guessing the preamps have the same RCA inputs.

Is car audio something you can DIY? I'm a bit reluctant to work on the cars electronics as its something I've never done.

[johnnyboy666]

You don't have to touch any of the cars existing electrics, essentially you will just be adding some extra cables in the doors and boot. I hadn't done anything like it before and it was pretty easy. any amp will come with a diagram for wiring. My amp was in the boot and then I fed the speaker cables and RCA cables through the car via a little hole behind the spare wheel. Rca went under the centre console and speaker cables wentbehind the seats and along the sills just under the carpet and up into the doors.

John