eguiyab

Hi All.

I'm a long time lurker/guest but new member and I was looking for some people's suggestions and advice.

I'm looking to improve the audio in my 2004 Mazda 3, and I'm looking for what the next best logical step would/should be.

Currently in the car.

HU Pioneer 4100DVD
Front JL VR 6.5CSI - Powered off deck
Rear JL VR 6.5 Coax - Powered off deck

2 JBL 10" Subs powered off a JL 500/1

The sound is decent. But I'm looking for a bit more. More SQ specifically.

My Dilemma is to either
a. pick up a JL 300/4 to power current door speakers
b. pick up better door speakers (Morel Tempo 6) and leave them off deck.

I know ideal it should be A and B... but if i had to start at 1....

Which would you choose???

Now that being said... I also previously had a Pioneer DEH P80MP and i found on this deck.. it sounded brighter... on the highs... which i kinda liked.

Any help would be great.

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

I would head into better speakers first and then a basic but respectable amp. Why overpay for a 300/4? Cosmetic reasons sure, otherwise there are tons of great amps on the market. $200 would have you a respectable amp that would bring the new speakers to life. Good choice on the Morel, that is where I would be headed myself.

jstoner22

iTrader: (1)

like you said, it should probably be a&b.
however if it were me, i would say amp first. the JL's you have now are definitely respectable speakers. it would be a very noticable difference going to an external amplifier.
if you were starting from scratch with stock speakers, i'd be saying other way around, but thats not the case.

if your power situation isn't doing your current speakers justice, why upgrade the speakers and be in the same boat.
unless you are set on JL, you can get much better value deals out there than the 300/4.


thats just my opinion.

eguiyab

Thanks for the quick responses. I Appreciate the advice.

I should go a bit deeper and say that I'm not looking to go into competition. I just enjoy music and enjoy the clarity, definition, auditory experience it can provide.

I should probably also give my rationale behind each of my choices.

I do feel that the JL's are okay, however I do know there is better out there. I hope that by amping them... it can really make them sing and like jstoner22 mentioned, create an auditory difference, for the better. Making them clearer, brighter stronger.

That being said... I dont really play or run my system that loud. So why amp it?

Now, if i dont amp it... why not get better speakers? Will the better speakers, even on same power create that definition/separation that im after?

Back to square one... i know... LOL

Please do list any other options out there that you know of. I'm not stuck on the JL 300/4, it was just an easy pick really.

JordyO

iTrader: (17)

Why amp the speakers you have?

The HU power you're giving them now isn't nearly enough. Adding an amp should increase clarity when you listen at even moderate volumes. Plus a decent amp will also give you the added benefit of crossovers and other signal processing.

I would personally avoid something like the JL amp as there are a lot of other products out there which can offer you the same features but at a lower price point.

Since Rob (Forbidden) is already in this thread I suggest you contact him as a board sponsor and see what he can do for you!

MR2NR

iTrader: (66)

I agree with the start of power on the speakers you have now, it will indeed breathe life into them. Then see how you like them. If you don't like how they sound or want a different sound, them short list some fine Morel speakers to go in. Do you have the door panels deadened yet? If not, this is another important step to follow through on.

jstoner22

iTrader: (1)

ya, those 04 mazda 3's were rattle boxes, deadening should definitely be on the to do list. it will make a bigger difference than almost anything you can do.

anyway you go, speakers/amp as said before, MR2NR can hook you up either way!