Miata Mailing List: July 1993, Message #52
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   From: Al Jenab 
Subject: RE>Re: Buying used (headrest speaker install)
   Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1993 14:04:28 -0400


Brad Martinson writes:

"Do any of you have opinions on aftermarket speakers that you're willing
to share?   Please feel free to do so, both on sound quality and other
items, like cost and ease of installation."

Brad,
I recently installed the Clearwater door speakers and trunk amp in my '91
A package (with factory AM/FM cassette).  Sounds awesome.  Completely
blows away the factory set up.  Good, full-range volume and clarity with
the top down at freeway speeds.  Capable of ear-piercing dB-levels in the
same situations if desired.  I'll probably spring for their headrest
speakers soon, too.

I actually never listened to my stock stereo much prior to this because I
couldn't hear it with the top down and I didn't want to hear it with the top
up cause it was so BAD.

Speaker installation was extremely easy, they came with a special tool
for trimming the (very) small amount of metal from the inner door panel,
wire ties, a drill bit, foam rubber speaker gaskets, sealant, connecting
wires with plugs, and cross-overs (they're two-way coaxials).  No other
items outside of the kit are needed, except for basic tools: a screw driver
and an electric drill.  Instrunctions were straight forward.  However, I'd
actually punt the drill bit provided with the kit as well as the method
described for drilling the holes and use a larger bit with a center punch to
locate the hole.  Templates are provided and the whole speaker
installation process took much less than two hours (didn't time it) start
to finish.  Sound quality with just the speakers (no additional amp) was
significantly improved.  I highly recommend them.  Definitely worth the
$200.

After a couple of weeks, I got power hungry after reading a post on this
list and bought the Clearwater amp.  Installation was as easy (even
easier) than the speakers.  Very good intructions, and it took about the
same amount of time to install.  Again, everything necessary for the
installation was provided in the kit.  No drilling or trimming this time,
though.  Big improvement in sound quality over just the speakers,
primarily in bass response and fullness.  I recommend the amp, too, but
maybe not quite as highly as the speakers.  Price is $250.

I can hear good tunes over the roar of the new Borla stainless steel
exhaust system I just installed!  Although now the Borla sounds so cool, I
turn down the stereo just to hear it backfire when I lift off the throttle.
I'm a hopeless exhaust note junkie.

I guess my only complaint about the Clearwater amp is the fact that it
sends a big pop through the speakers when you turn off the factory radio.
This is due (it says in the manual) to the fact that the already amplified
signal from the factory radio is passed to the Clearwater amp (no line out
from the radio, I guess).

-Al