ibanez78

hi everyone, i got my protege last week and i have a question about the stereo, i don't think it's bad since i don't listen to any kind of music that needs crazy bass, but the stereo in my moms 99 protege definetely sounds better, so my question is, i like the look and operation of the stock stereo, what could i do to improve the sound without getting rid of it, would better speakers make a difference or could i add some kind of amp to the stereo ?

mazdaspeedwest

speakers alone will make a big difference, but adding an amp will make the difference all that much more.

4 channel amp
4channel line out converter (or x2 2channel)
x2 pairs of speakers
~6ft RCA cable
~15ft 8awg Power cable
~1ft 8awg Ground Cable
~50ft speaker wire
Fuse Holder w/40amp fuse
(Basically an 8awg Amp Kit)

as for the remote turn on, here are a few suggestions
1. If radio has a power antenna output, use that.
2. Use an Accessory switched wire to flip a relay
3. DEI has a nice little remote turn on module, under $20 IIRC.

Kelly

I have memphis speakers and they sound awesome.

ibanez78

tell me more about those memphis speakers, like wattage and stuff, also, for mazdaspeedwest, can you add an amp in the dash or does it have to go in the trunk somewhere, i really don't know anything about those kinds of amps so i have no idea how big they are

ibanez78

i just found those kenwood speakers that are in the mp3 in the mazda brochure for accessories for the protege, anyone install these and know how they sound?

Sir Nuke

ibanez78, I have done the very mod/upgrade to my sound system that you want to do....
the ONLY difference is that I have a sub on the back with my system...however....other than that....we are talking the same upgrade...


HERE is what I would do if I were you.....do this upgrade in steps...

first upgrade the speakers:
yes you will want to replace your stock speakers.....what YOU need to do is decide on what speakers you want....go to a decent car audio shop that has a speaker room....where you can listen to specific sets of speakers......and the BEST THING you can do...it take one of YOUR cd's to listen to...so that you are listening to YOUR kind of music on those speakers......

NOW, once you chose the speakers....and the one thing I would suggest doing is sticking with the same brand and series of speakers for both the front and back...not neccessarily the same size...as you have 6 X 9's in the back and smaller ones in the front...but of the same brand and series....k?

NOW....this will make a difference.....your stock head unit only puts out about 10 watts.....so its not much....BUT...with the speaker upgrade the system MAY be good enough for you now....if not....

the NEXT thing to do is add an amp.....in your case, a 4 channel amp. A nice choice would be the Alpine V-Power four channel amp (model number MRP-F200 ). it will deliver 40 watts RMS to each speaker...and will DRAMATICALLY change your listening experience. you can mount the amp in your trunk....or under a seat....there are alot of options for you there.....

the really nice thing about the amp I suggested is that it accepts SPEAKER LEVEL INPUTS...and thus line out converters are NOT required.

if you like....here is a thread to read.....it goes to quite discussion on the upgrade using the stock head unit.....just ignore the fact that its primary target was the P-5 as that part is of no matter....the upgrade is the same....only differnce as I mentioned before is that you do not need a sub...thus you only need a four channel amp....and not a five. :{D

Check out THIS THREAD

this thread also discusses multiple ways of hooking this all up to your current stock head unit.....

1st MP3 in NH

Any 4 channel amp with speaker level inputs and new speakers.