Mazda 3 Sport + New Audio Gear

Last modified on June 29th, 2011

I’m down at Driven Audio down in Abbotsford right now getting some new speakers, an amplifier and a subwoofer put into my Mazda 3 sport. I’ve been meaning to upgrade the audio system for years, but have never gotten around to it. Considering I’m heading off on a bit of a road trip next weekend, I thought now would be a good time.

Driven Audio

Mostly Disassembled Mazda 3 Sport

10:45am – speakers in the doors are being removed

Mazda 3 Sport Audio Makeover

1pm – Installing tweeters and 5x7s in the doors, along with the crossover

Speaker and Crossover Installation

2:30pm – I wasn’t going to replace the deck in my car, but the guys convinced me it will sound a lot better than the stock unit, and doesn’t require the use of a line voltage converter to match the stock components. Plus, the new unit would have built in Bluetooth and function better with the existing audio – something the after-market Bluetooth unit I had installed previously didn’t really accomplish. Plus the new deck also has a direct USB interface, which is a nice addition.

Bye Bye Stock Mazda Head Unit

The installers also decided to install the subwoofer in the spare tire well as opposed to a box sitting in the trunk. The is a much better solution for me, since having a box in the trunk somewhat defeats the purpose of having a hatchback. The tradeoff is that the trunk is raised by about an inch, which removes a bit of the available space, but in a way that’s far more workable than a big box sitting in the back permanently.

Subwoofer About To Go To His New Home

7 responses to “Mazda 3 Sport + New Audio Gear”

  1. Tyler says:

    So.. what parts ya putting in? (specs of course)

  2. Duane Storey says:

    Not entirely sure! The guy who owns the place is an old high school friend of mine, so I gave him my budget along with sort of what I was after and left the rest to him. I’ll post the specs later when it’s all installed.

  3. paul says:

    guh, we need a new sound system so badly in our xterra. ours sounds like garbage and doesn’t even allow for aux in for our iphones.

  4. Duane Storey says:

    I have the 2006 Mazda 3 Sport, and it didn’t come with any sort of factor aux-in or Bluetooth. I solved that problem by putting in an aftermarket Parrot Bluetooth unit, which ties directly into my stereo and lets me stream from my iPhone. But the audio system is just a stock system with typically stock parts.

    The guys just pulled the factory speakers out from my car and started laughing at them, so hopefully it’s a big step up in terms of sound.

  5. Tyler says:

    haha love when ppl laugh after they look “under the hood”. I’m sure if they are laughing, anything they are putting in will be a big difference.

  6. Andy says:

    Got a pic of the new head unit? Interested to see it.

  7. Duane Storey says:

    I haven’t had a chance yet Andy, but I’ll update the post tomorrow with some new photos of the completed install. They removed the stock unit and installed a Kenwood 895.

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