Miata Mailing List: January 1993, Message #116
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   From: (none)
Subject: Re: speakers, etc.
   Date: (none)

for the record, in addition to adding headrest speakers,
i've upgraded the stereo system in a couple other easy-to-do ways...

initially, i replaced the round door speakers with some Sony triax's
that were recommended in a Miata Magazine review a couple years ago
(about $75, i think).  these were easy to install and were a noticeable
improvement over the factory set.  next i added the factory headrest
speakers.  i agree they're not outstanding, but they were pretty easy to
install and they do provide a critical "fill-in" in the right place.

next i decided to get the Clearwater replacement door speakers ($200)
as advertised and reviewed in the Miata Magazine. no problem installing
them, and these were a BIG improvement over the Sony's.  with the small
built-in amp in the factory radio, you can turn the volume up
_all the way_ and still not get any distortion; just nice clear sound.
they're a fair amount of money, but in my opinion, well worth it.

finally (or at least, so far :-) i added the trunk-mounted Clearwater
amplifier ($250).  again, Clearwater provides all you need to just
plug the things in, after snaking the wires under the carpeting, etc.
the results from this are TRULY impressive.  with this, it's very
easy to have the music up to painfully-loud levels while travelling
at 80+ mph with the top down, and there's still a lot of room left on
the knob.  with the amp, you _can't_ turn the volume up all the way
and there is some speaker distortion at higher levels, but in general,
this is quite loud (louder than anything you could get without the amp)
and is rarely a problem.  perhaps a couple more speakers someplace
(where? i dunno) might help get even more out of this setup, but for
now at least, i'm more than satisfied.

summary:
if you're looking to replace the door speakers and add an amp,
want a fairly simple installation job with clear instructions
and all the required wiring and materials, and don't mind spending
about $450, the Clearwater solution is for you.



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Ken Buck
K.Buck@ma30.bull.com
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