Car Stereo

[RJA]

Hello from Elmira, ON!

I purchased a 2004 MSM last fall that is currently sleeping until spring. I quite enjoy driving country roads with my personal favourite tunes. In my brief driving expierince in this model I was decided not impressed with the BOSE head unit. I purchased an single DIN Alpine CDE-SMX145BT that included a MRP-1 amp (I already have a KPT 445 inline amp). I have owned all kinds of "little cars" and have done my own work as a hobby.

My question s are:
Is the conversion to a single DIN head unit difficult?
Where do I find an 04 instruction to do so?
Anyone have experience with either the head unit of the amps?

RJA

[Maduh]

First off, welcome to the forums! You've come to the best place to find all the information you need on these cars. I'd like to point out there is a search feature here on the forums that let's you search for your question. Theres a few threads that can explain things for you. Here's one I did a long while ago: http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index.php?topic=27910.0

But to answer your question, if you buy an install kit off amazon or crutchfield it should work. There's also a few aftermarket options that also let you mount gauges with the radio. There is a bose amp and then bose speakers. Most people prefer to use a little line output converter that goes inbetween the bose amp and the speakers that lets you fine tune everything. In my experience most newer headunits will compensate for the wonky bose ohm rating and still work fine. Doing whats referred to as a "Boseoctomy" is not needed unless you plan on installing new speakers/tweeters. http://www.crutchfield.com/p_142SLC4/Scosche-SLC4-Line-Output-Converter.html?tp=3486

[bigern79]

Thanks for this info.  I actually just ordered this new head unit from Crutchfield today, and can't wait to install it.

Really dumb question, but I have to ask.  How exactly is the sound quality better if power is still coming from the the Bose amps?  Should I expect the same power/volume levels, just with better quality audio because of the head unit?

[Woody]

You should really consider upgrading the speakers to the Clearwater ones made specifically to work with the Bose Amplifier.  The Bose amp is the one part worth keeping, but only if you use the Clearwater speakers with it.They are expensive ($300) but well worth it. 

I LOVE mine.  I also upgraded the head unit, but I put the speakers in first and they make the most difference. 

Also remember that the Bose are getting old and the cones are not as compliant as when new.  I went for a full double din touch screen with navigation. 

[bigern79]

Interesting.  I will check them out.  I always have a tough time buying audio equipment that I can't hear first, since everyone's tastes are totally different.  I'm sure they are quite a bit better than stock regardless.

Guess I'll move forward with this head unit install first and maybe do the speakers as Phase 2.  To that end, any guesses as to if the audio will be improved with the stock Bose amp and speakers?  If so, in what way?

[dscsk8er55]

My first weekend with my MSM I had new deck in it.  The hardest part is if you don't have the 'special removal tool'.  I also did the speakers at the same time but I ran my own wires.  The sound is night and day compared to the stock unit with the bose speakers. 

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=220427&highlight=door+speaker+wiresThis is the  the link to what I followed for running my wires. 

[eviltwinz]

I too replaced my OEM head unit and used the stock Bose speakers via Bose amps . Eventually one of the amps failed. At that point, I found some Polk Audio component speakers, which were FAR superior than the OEM setup. I don't know what the Clearwater speakers sound like, but for $80 for the pair of Polk Audio speakers, these speakers sound fantastic!

[barmato]

I too replaced my OEM head unit and used the stock Bose speakers via Bose amps . Eventually one of the amps failed. At that point, I found some Polk Audio component speakers, which were FAR superior than the OEM setup. I don't know what the Clearwater speakers sound like, but for $80 for the pair of Polk Audio speakers, these speakers sound fantastic!

So did you bypass the bose amp and run the polks off the head unit?

[eviltwinz]

So did you bypass the bose amp and run the polks off the head unit?

Yes, the head unit has a 50Wx4 amp and that is enough to drive the speakers. I used the OEM wiring, so I wouldn't have to fish the wires through the door gap. Works like a charm. I debated installing an accessory amp, but I can hear the music just fine at 80-90 mph as it is. I built this car to drive. It doesn't have to be a boom box.

[bigern79]

So you were able to use the existing speaker wires and connect them right into your new harness (bypassing the Bose amps)?

If that is the case, why do people make such a big deal about "Bosectomy"?  Seems like this is pretty straightforward if you don't have to run new wiring.  I'm a newb so could be way off base here though. 

[eviltwinz]

So you were able to use the existing speaker wires and connect them right into your new harness (bypassing the Bose amps)?

Yes. The head unit and speakers are easily omitted. I left the amps where they were and just unplugged them.

[barmato]

I believe someone on here was able to connect the bose amp input and output connectors together under the dash using short pieces of solid conductor wire which eliminates the need to splice anything. 

['95MSM]

So you were able to use the existing speaker wires and connect them right into your new harness (bypassing the Bose amps)?

The OEM speaker wires are very small gauge. Maybe someone with a better understanding of the Bose low resistance speakers can comment about the suitability of using the OEM wiring with a typical medium to high power aftermarket system.

I drank the Monster Cable koolaid way back when, so my concern may have been created by their marketing. I'm running the OEM head unit, aftermarket amps and speakers of reasonable power, with all new speaker wiring.

[barmato]

I would not power aftermarket speakers from an aftermarket amp through the oem wiring.  Powering aftermarket speakers through an aftermarket head unit should be fine though.   I would not consider a head units amp to be "high power".  Most are only 25 or so watts per channel RMS.