New-ish set of speakers for the Miata

"daender" (daender)
05/28/2018 at 18:00 • Filed to: miata, clearwater, bose

Bought a set of barely-used !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! speakers and tweeters for my Miata. This is semi-popular upgrade for NB Miatas, especially those with the optional Bose sound system. Bose (or Blows, according to haters) have unique wires between the head unit, amps, and speakers and most upgrades typically involve gutting the Bose system (referred to as a Bosectomy) to install a higher-end head unit and speakers. I’m wanting to retain a OEM+ look, keeping the stock head unit and it’s ability to be dimmed at night (pops has one in his Ranger and it’s annoying as HECK at night).

Here’s a side by side comparison between old, on the left, and new, on the right. The new woofers are about 3.5 pounds HEAVIER than stock and that’s not accounting for the sound control module that’s like 0.25 pounds. Gasp, yes, more weight in a Miata but this is for comfort so it’s worth it. Installing took 3 hours because I’m lazy and I washed my hands numerous times because I got tar all over my fingers from the plastic door seals and I didn’t want to leave fingerprints all over my new sound system.

Sound-wise? It doesn’t have the bass of the Bose system but the sound is more crisp and clear overall. I also got rid of the infamous “Bose Buzz” that sometimes affects these speakers as they age. Best of all, I get to retain the speed-sensitive volume function of my factory Bose head unit! That is an amazing function because I can keep my hands on the wheel rather than constantly adjusting the volume as change speed.

Retail price : !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

I paid $175 through a seller on Miata.net forums for a system that was used for only two months before their head unit bit the dust. He even sold it to me in its original packaging and all the necessary hardware minus the zip-ties.

Effort to install : 3/10

There’re no wires to be cut, no holes to be drilled, and nothing that can’t be easily undone if I decide to switch back to the Bose step up. Clearwater’s promise holds true in terms of being an easy-to-install kit. The hardest part was just working in the garage with bugs, humidity, and heat. I HIGHLY recommend you have a lot of spare zip-ties if you’re indecisive like me as you’ll be cutting and re-zipping ties until you’re happy with your wire management.

Value : 9/10

I got these at about 40% off, which is worth it for a high-quality woofer and tweeter setup that doesn’t require you to cut and splice wires or change out your head unit. I don’t have to disconnect the amps behind the dashboard or redo the wiring, which is worth it for someone like me who doesn’t have the time or skills for something like that.

Would I do it again? Yes, but only because I can’t buy new factory replacements to maintain my OEM+ theme.

DISCUSSION (6)

JCAlan > daender
05/28/2018 at 18:15

Nice! Speaker magnet weight doesn’t count towards curb weight anyway.

AestheticsInMotion > daender
05/28/2018 at 19:08

Having the auto adjust volume bothers me greatly. That’s one of those things that I just want full manual control over haha

Glad it all sounds good! Haven’t missed my old headrest speakers, but some day I’d love to get mid speakers in the parcel shelf to really get that good surround sound

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > daender
05/28/2018 at 19:10

Bose Buzz? huh. Never heard of that. Do you have the Bose amps and speakers still? I’ve been tempted to get another set of OEM stuff and install them into my parcel shelf panel for 2x the Bose.

daender > AestheticsInMotion
05/28/2018 at 19:20

Well, there’s six different settings for auto-adjust: 3 for top-down and 3 for top-up, each set have a level from 1 to 3. 1 has the smallest increase in volume over speed and 3 has the largest increase in volume over speed. My default setting is top-down 3 and I’d turn it up or down a click depending on the song or station.

I haven’t gotten to experience Mazda headrest speakers but hopefully I will one day.

daender > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
05/28/2018 at 19:22

There’s a buzz that comes from the tweeters, typically in wet and/or humid weather. My passenger side was starting to make its return after I replaced it with used one 4 years ago.

The amps are still in the dashboard but the speakers and tweeters are sitting on the floor next to me at this very moment. I have them up for sale locally for $50 but I doubt anyone will want them...or my tan leather seats.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > daender
05/28/2018 at 20:28

Hm. Interesting. maybe one of these days I”ll have the cash to throw at a complete OEM bose system so I can double my pleasure, lol.

I generally prefer the ridiculous bass response of the Bose to a more “accurate” sound in a car like the Miata. More entertaining, and most subwoofer solutions are “eh”