Mk2 speakers

As an MK2 owner I do envy the possibility that is provided to MK1 to fit speakers behind the seats, even if cutting the metal. I have a factory windblocker with those pockets (more like nets). Has anyone ever thought of putting speakers on the windblocker behind the net? They could be secured in place by screwing them on to the plastic of the windblocker(I think/wish). Could that be possible? Ideas welcome. (11/99)

Bad idea. Front and rear of a speaker may not see each other. This will cancel out bass... (11/99)

What's the standard speaker size of the mkII? I believe that in the us, it's a 6x9, but that the euro versions use an adater with 5", is this correct? (3/00)

AFAIK, Hole in door - 8" Euro cars have an adaptor to which the speaker size is 5x7 (3/00)

Having only replaced the speakers on my UK MK2 last weekend, I can tell you (as will others) that the cavities are 8". The standard Mazda supplied units are 7x5" (and very very cheap - no wonder they sound so poor). I actually went for 6.5" replacements (I had to cut 6mm MDF fillers), as the guy in the shop advised that 8"ers would definitely require an amp, and I didn't want to get into that, and if they were amp driven, they'd probably blow the doors off. Mine are components with a good crossover, and I put the tweeters in the grilles at the top. Improvement in sound is huge, and these were reasonably cheap.

Definitely recommended. I know that others will disagree with me re: the 6.5" vs 8" merits, but all I wanted was to be able to hear a decent sound at speed with the top down, and I can report that at 80 on the mway, top down, I can hear my choons perfectly well without distortion. Job's a goodun'. (3/00)

I have managed to blow my door speakers. Has anyone fitted the 8' Pioneer 3-way speakers? Is it a straight forward bolt in job? Do they sound good? (5/00)

I replaced mine a short while back.

First you have to get the door panels off, which requires undoing 3 screws, and then pulling out some retaining pins, and the whole door panel comes off.

I would seriously recommend components with a crossover unit rather than all-in-one speakers, as then you can use the tweeter socket at the top of the door. This makes a really big difference.

I actually fitted 6.5" Ultimate components, and I had to jigsaw an MDF template to fit them in the 8" holes. As it is the 6.5 inchers make my door mirrors shake. I think 8"s would make the doors fall off. Certainly I don't need it to be any better or louder than it is. I can have pleasant choons at 80mph with the top down, no problem. And that's just driven from the head unit (JVC MD/CD 4x40) without an amp. With an amp they would go much louder without distortion.

I know some people have fitted 8" speakers, but I think without amplification, you're gonna start hearing distortion earlier than you would with 6.5s. Awaiting argument ;o)

Another thing that you should definitely do is put some deadening material in the doors. It comes in rolls rather like roofing material (thick black tar-like stuff with a silver foil facing) and you just slap it on the inside of the door. It's a lot easier than it sounds, and definitely worth the effort.

Whatever you chose, definitely do it, the difference is staggering. When you see the standard door speakers (assuming yours is a 1.8i, not an S) you won't be surprised they sound so cack. (5/00)

So being a thick MK2 owner with 1.8iS didn't realise the speakers were upgraded. I know the tweeters are fitted but what is the spec of the door speakers then? (5/00)

I don't know whether they're upgraded or not. I just assumed that as the tweeters were fitted, they'd have to have a crossover, and presumably different main speakers. I could of course very easily be wrong. I haven't heard the speakers in a 1.8is, although I think the 10AE has the S speaker spec, so maybe they're still pants. (5/00)