turbofan

iTrader: (1)

I searched every damn thread on M.net, and I've searched here, and I started a thread there which everyone promptly ignored... I can't find a friggin' answer to this simple question:

What are all my options for replacement door speakers in my '00?

I don't think it was ever a bose car. Crutchfield lists that the standard speakers are 6X8 but that the replacements can only be 6.5". However, I know the Bose cars has 8" woofers. I just want to put some 6.5" Polk DB651s in there. Will they fit? Is there a better, affordable option? I can get those speakers from Amazon for less than $60 shipped and I LOVED them in my '97.

Thanks for any responses. Just checked back, they did reply, but they just said that 8" should fit. I'll pull the door panels off and check but wanting to do some shopping, wife wants a christmas list from me

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

Yes, DB651s will fit, that's what I put in over the summer. There are a million m.net threads about just those speakers, don't know how you missed them. There are 2 models, DB651 and DB651S. I don't remember which ones I got or which ones are better though.

I got mine for like $60 on amazon, not bad speakers for that price. I am lazy and haven't installed the amp I got yet though.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

You get your choice of 6x8 or 8. Tons of threads on the subject on m.net and by doing a google search.

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

The Polks fit and they're about as good as it gets for the money. They sound decent off a headunit, nice mids and sweet treble, and they have pretty respectable low end for a 6.5 once you put some power to them with a dedicated amp.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

I remember reading about the 6.5s before, but that was for NA cars (or so I had thought). Guess my searching skills need some help :/ I skimmed every thread in their audio section.

Vlad, what you're saying seems to contrast what others are saying... so do you say a 6.5" round will fit (using an extra bracket to fill the 8" hole I'm guessing) or not?

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

Edited because i fucked up and 18psi is right. Gimme coffee.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I don't know wtf you're getting from what I posted, but:

-NB's have a 8" round hole in the door
-They have a plastic adapter thing that bolts into said round 8" hole, and provides mounting point for a 6x8 stock oval speaker.

So you can either use an oval 6x8 or a round 8.

Make sense?

EO2K

iTrader: (37)

Vlad is right, the factory mounting gives you a 6x8, or you remove it and install an 8.

I wanted to use a 6½" speaker and eliminate mounting drama so I bought these:

6½" Speaker Adapters Brackets Spacers Mazda Miata 99-05 Front | eBay

6½" Speaker Adapters Brackets Spacers Mazda Miata 99-05 Front


They fit great, don't rattle, have a myriad of holes you can use to match up with your aftermarket speakers. They are plastic so easily modded if you come up with a goofy speaker size.

I also installed the Polk db6501 components in the doors. GREAT speakers. The tweeters will fit in the factory location with very little work. If you do a component set, do yourself a favor and mount the crossovers under the dash somewhere and run new wires to the speakers. The crossovers couldn't take the abuse of repeated door slams and the caps detached and then fell out.

Related: Can anyone recommend a replacement set of crossovers?

Also do yourself a favor and get a set of either 6½" or 8" Foam Baffles from somewhere like Parts Express. I've lost at least 2 sets of door speakers in Miatas due to rain and wet. The Miata platform seems to be particularly bad about this, at least in my experience. YMMV

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

I just drilled a hole in my door panel for the DB651, I think I only needed 1 new hole. I have baffles, but haven't put them in yet which is stupid. But hey I am lazy. Now I really should put them in because I am guessing that salt from the roads will be even worse than just straight water.

Import Al

iTrader: (5)

I had the DB651's and thought they were nice, until I got on the highway or put the top down. They were somewhat drowned out by the Miatas high NVH & the exhaust.

I think I should have went with Clearwater 8" CWC-8's for $240, moar bass & volume but still great SQ.

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

I have a JL Audio amp that I got from my cousin that I have to install, as now I am still running the Polk's off the stock non-bose '99 headunit. Which is like 15w RMS. We will see once the 400w RMS amp is in how they do with the top down. Since 15 of my 15.5 miles to work everyday are on the interstate, that is definitely a priority for me.

rleete

iTrader: (21)

I believe the s are slimline. Shorter profile to fit behind factory grills. It's what I bought, and the only difference I can see is the shorter depth.

TalkingPie

As has already been covered, the DB651 fit fine with an adapter. Difference between the S and the regular is that the S are shallower for applications where depth is a problem. It isn't on the NB; the standard ones fit perfectly fine behind the stock grilles (chuck the ugly new ones that come with the speaker), including allowing the coaxial tweeters to swivel, and are said to offer slightly better lows.

My DB651 do the job running off the stock head unit with very nice treble particularly if you aim the tweeters towards you, but at 75 MPH with the top down you pretty much have to max the volume. I bought them with the intention of eventually hooking them up to a 60W RMS/channel amp (the max rated power of the DB651), which to me seems like the way to go for good, cheap sound. If you hide the amp in the tunnel between the cabin and trunk, the system looks completely stock but you have 5 times the original power going to the speakers. I wouldn't bother with more expensive speakers if not running an amp, especially given how cheap a 60W 2 channel amp can be had for.

It's said that the speakers need a bit of time to break in, and unless I'm nuts, mine did get a little louder and produce better lows after a few weeks of use. Right after installing them, I was underwhelmed by their performance, but since then I've been satisfied enough that I haven't bothered adding an amp yet.

thenuge26

iTrader: (2)

Wow, I had never heard that, but it makes sense. When I first got them, turning it to '10' would result in distortion, so I didn't. But I can play '10' with no problems now.

latena

For that price I would probably go with a set of HAT Imagines.

y8s

iTrader: (8)

how did you not find my post from like 10 years ago?

8" Door Speakers