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Headrest Speakers: Yay or Nay?

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Old Jan 22, 2008 | 02:18 PM
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Default Headrest Speakers: Yay or Nay?

Stock NA headrest speakers...are they worth it? Thanks.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 02:29 PM
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I got the ones from Crutchfield. I like them when the top is down. Guess it would depend what you listen to though. NPR sounds fine for sure
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 02:33 PM
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I have the MSSS system in my car, and with an upgraded head unit the stock speakers sound awesome. So I fully support the NA headrest speakers.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 02:46 PM
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They're nice when the top is down, only been in one car with them though and he had clearwater replacements.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 02:52 PM
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i dont think they are...i blew mine the second day not worth it for me. If you play your music low ya but if you turn it loud they will blow, or distorted
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 03:12 PM
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Have them wired up properly (wired wrong from factory... search m.net), use good aftermarket speakers they are the best thing sense turbos (I mean sliced bread)
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 03:19 PM
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I have Rockford Fosgate 3.5"s in mine. They are great!
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 03:30 PM
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Originally Posted by gwilo
Have them wired up properly (wired wrong from factory... search m.net), use good aftermarket speakers they are the best thing sense turbos (I mean sliced bread)
Have you personally re-wired them or are you quoting what you read?
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 03:56 PM
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if music is your thing sure, it cant hurt, get them
but its not my thing
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 04:58 PM
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They're Grrrrreat! Particularly when the top is down. Put a couple of blocking caps in series with them to form a crude high-pass filter (can't remember the exact crossover frequency I calculated- 200 Hz maybe?) which cleans them up a bit- less distortion and they haven't blown yet.

The ones I have aren't even Clearwaters. They're just whatever Parts Express had lying around at the time that more or less fit into the holes in the headrest. $50 for all four, or something like that. Been a few years since they went in.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 05:06 PM
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I was using MB Quartz before I installed my center channel. I was using them more to balance the sound than really rear fill. The center speaker does a much better job of that so I no longer needed them. I'm running 125W RMS to my ED components and I can always hear them no matter how fast I drive. If you can't hear your front speakers with the top down you aren't powering them enough!
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 05:34 PM
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I liked mine, but with the racing seats now I don't really miss them. My car is hardtopped year-round, though.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Saml01
Have you personally re-wired them or are you quoting what you read?

A friend rewired them for me.

I do not even know hpw to turn on JVC radio in my SunRunner without looking at the manual.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 07:22 PM
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I used to love the headrest speakers top down on the highway until I put a better set of door speakers in, powered by a good HU. A set of well powered door speakers can provide just as much volume and sounds much better than headrest speakers. It's to the point where I've removed the headrest speakers in both my miatas.

FWIW, I had both stock and aftermarket headrest speakers and still prefer just well amped door speakers. Granted the stock HU and stock door speakers just can't put out the volume so if you're stuck with that then, yes you need the headrest speakers for top down driving at speed. YMMV.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 07:43 PM
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I love when people think it is a custom install and not a factory thing.

When I had the top down I couldn't hear any of my speakers. I now have a better HU and a hardtop, I still only hear the doors. Unless the are broken I wouldn't go threw the trouble of taking them out.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe Perez
They're Grrrrreat! Particularly when the top is down. Put a couple of blocking caps in series with them to form a crude high-pass filter (can't remember the exact crossover frequency I calculated- 200 Hz maybe?) which cleans them up a bit- less distortion and they haven't blown yet.
+1

The head unit I have installed allows me to block everything below 150 Hz (vice a crossover's slope). This prevents the smaller speakers from having to work harder to reproduce the low bass freqs.

Having matched this with a good set of components in the doors, I get clean, crisp sound whether in a parking lot or at 80+ with the top down.

- L
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by RotorNutFD3S
I have Rockford Fosgate 3.5"s in mine. They are great!
same.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 09:39 PM
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Infinity 3.5's in mine. Had to do a little cutting of the foam to get them to fit. Sound good though.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 09:51 PM
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Got some nice cheap balupunket ones off crutchfeild, and high pass filters. Very nice when the top is down.

of course i have my momo seat in, so only the passenger gets it.
Old Jan 22, 2008 | 10:09 PM
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OMG MIATA DOT NET jeez guys.

while we are on the subject.... what's your favorite wine and cheese drive?

NO head rest speakers. get a decent system.



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