I got a really good deal on 4 new speakers from Crutchfield.
There is a 20% off online coupon, and they also currently have free shipping, and provide the free wire harnesses for them too.
I picked up the Boston Acoustic S85 - two pairs.
Total came to about $90 for them!
They are supposed to be super efficient, so they should sound good with the stock head unit (so I am told by CF advisor).
(My plan is to keep the stock tweets operational - and maintain 6 speakers with the stock head unit).

I figure I have 60 days to decide if I want to keep them, or try something else.

Does anyone else have these w/their stock head unit?

Dom

 

Congrats with the new speakers. Let us know how your speaker sounds with the stock head unit after you put it in..

 

Hi!
I was going to do the samething! I have already Pioneer speaker 80 rms, that are 1 year old, but they are 6 x 9. I can't find over the net the speaker size of the mazda 5... If you can take a look if you think it can fit while you put your new speaker in!

 

ragespy: according to Crutchfield, and others I have found online the mazda 5 fits 6x8. Not sure 6x9 will fit without some sort of mods....

Dom

 

Ok, thanks for the info! I found that stock speakers are 5 x 7. If 6 x 8 can fit, we are not so far from 6 x 9. Maybe there is a way to find this little inch missing? I will probably need to remove the door I look inside to find it ;p Does anybody has a picture of inside the door? I will be interesting to have a look at it before removing any part..

The other solution will be to go with new speaker... 6 x 8

I find that 5 x 7 has a lack of bass... maybe because I was used to those 6 x 9... hehe

 

By the way, if you have some trick for me to remove the door panel, I don't want to break anything... I have the car since 2 week! and I really love it ! It's a 2010

 

I repaced head timing belt on a miata i purcheced tahen apart by SOMEONE ELSE after putting on new head cams timing belt engine starts very quickly bet will only idle aporox 10 seconds then dies if i press accelerator engine dies imeditaly will restart every time will not rev up I TOOK IT IT APART 3 TIMES to verify install timing belt right my crank is set at 12 o clock intake and exaust are at 5oclock and 7oclock cannot find timing marks on block or head can anyone help

 

Ok - I received my speakers, and installed them this morning.
I am replacing the stock speakers with Boston Acoustic SE85s, and keeping the stock tweeters operational. I am keeping the stock head unit as well.
It took alittle over an hour.
I never did this before, and I found it to be VERY Easy task, short a stubborn screw going back in.


I read in other posts that you have to remove the backseats - this is NOT TRUE. They do however have to be moved all the way forward.
I used the directions, and the Ford wiring harnesses sent from Crutchfield.
The directions were easy to follow, and the harnesses fit perfect.
I also ordered the trim tool for $4.95. VERY useful in helping to prop off the plastic pieces without destrying anything.

Additionally, I HIGHLY recommend getting a SCEWDRIVER PRO.
This tool saved me a TON of extra work when working on the rear speakers. You can get them on Amazon for about $30.
I received it as a gift about 10 yrs ago, and this nifty tool has saved me ALOT of time over the years.
For this specific application, as a result of having this tool, I didn't have to remove the rear side door scuff plates.
Second, I didn't have to completely remove the rear side panels to access the speakers. The use of the scewdriver gave me plenty of access to remove the old and install the new speaker.

The only snaffu I hit was in the rear panels, there is an upper bolt under the window (behind a popoff piece). It was terribly difficult to get back in. If you have a magnetic 10mm extension, it would be no issue at all. (Of course, I didn't - so I had to fiddle to get those back in).

Soundwise - my initial impression is that its an improvement.
Worth the $90 for all 4 speakers, and the minimal amount of time I spent installing them.
Bass is not as muddy & more precise. Granted not subwoofer quality bass, but, definitely improved over stock.
Mids and highs are clearer. So much so, that I had to dial back the treble a notch.

I am pleased.
I attached pics - check them out.

 

more pics of the rear spkrs...

 

I just went to the Crutchfield website. Sounds like a good place to buy from, especially the detailed installation instructions they provide - with tips from here I might just try it myself.