Your vehicles

[DMD123]

Listening to the system on the way in to work this morning was nice. The blown speaker was on the driver side and while there was something missing it wasnt too bad due to the driver side tweeter working and the fill in of the center channel. With the new set up it is obvious that the center is louder and needs to be toned down. The new speaker should be in this week and hopefully I can get it done next weekend. Now Im at the crossroads of whether I should get matching speakers for the rear doors and do something about the bass. lol, and this all started with just one blown out speaker.

 

[John58Ford]

Listening to the system on the way in to work this morning was nice. The blown speaker was on the driver side and while there was something missing it wasnt too bad due to the driver side tweeter working and the fill in of the center channel. With the new set up it is obvious that the center is louder and needs to be toned down. The new speaker should be in this week and hopefully I can get it done next weekend. Now Im at the crossroads of whether I should get matching speakers for the rear doors and do something about the bass. lol, and this all started with just one blown out speaker.

Motivation for me. I have 3 of 7 woofers in my Tahoe (component Bose factory stuff) with issues but I have been dragging it out because I don't want to take apart every pillar and panel in the truck lol. Nice work!

 

[DMD123]

The last time I did speakers like this was in my 2011 Mazda 6. Since my 2013 is in the same series it was pretty much the same as the other but with just the difference of a Bose system instead of a generic mazda one. Last time I used Crutchfield for some of my stuff and they are wonderful about giving you a 'installation instructions' PDF which proved to be super helpful. I saved these for future reference.

Also last time I bought a big bag of extra plastic door clips, which Im glad I did since two broke during this installation. With my last install I did Rockford Fosgate and this one is Pioneer. Will say I think I like the Fosgates sound better but Im also trying to keep this affordable and have bought the Pioneer speakers as 'open box' on Amazon so as to do this on the cheap. getting the Amazon anti-vibration sheets as opposed to 'Dyna-matt' also saved a tone on money!

 

[DMD123]

Was excited to get my speakers a day early so I tore into the dash and replaced the speaker this evening. Didn't get pics as I did the job like I wanted but it is done and sound was coming out... didn't get time to listen too much either, lol

Looking forward to my morning commute to get some time to listen.

Old vs. new

 

[DMD123]

Some nice clarity to the front end of the soundstage of the car. Hard to believe how much the Bose puts into the single 3.5" speaker in the dash with its processing. The old speaker mixed into the new door speakers was a harsh mix. The center was distorting for sure and sounded so shrill that I had to turn the treble down and I was getting listener fatigue. When the new center went in I actually had to turn the treble back up and it was just so silky smooth sounding. With the change out of the 2 door speakers, front center and adding the anti vibration sheeting I am into it for $173, which is cheap considering a single direct Bose speaker to replace the blown one would have been as much IF I could even find one.

So now do I spend another $65 to do the rear doors? lol, not sure but really leaning that way. There are also 2 smaller rear deck speakers (2.75"?) but that is a real hot mess to get into those. Not very expensive for those but the work is just something Im not sure if I want to do. I do see the need for better bass now... time to bypass the Bose sub too? Now its starting to get expensive!

 

[DMD123]

Had to take my car in for some service and it looks like it needs a lot of future work on the front end. All considered regular maintenance by the shop but nothing as of now causing any issues. I think with the cost of what is upcoming that the best bet is to look for a new automobile. My Mazda 6 still Blue Book's at $7400 - $8300 range and is worth something still, so I will likely just try to sell it as a private owner to try and get a reasonable amount for it compared to trade in value.

So kind of a huge debate with wife and I on my replacement vehicle... I love 4 door sedans that have some power behind them and would likely want to pick something along the lines of a Toyota Camry XSE or TRD model that has a V6. My wife has suggested a truck of some sort like a Toyota Tacoma so that we could also use it for household chores like picking up bark and lumber and that kind of stuff. Honestly I love the creature comforts of most sedans but trucks have come a long ways. I kind of like the little Ford Maverick but i think the wife is thinking it just a little too small.

At this moment just going to catch up on bills first and try to keep eyes open for what I want exactly but will likely go and test drive some cars of interest.