Amp, speaker and LOC questions

Kid Red · Post by **Kid Red** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 6:01 am

Hey all, been lurking around and figured I need to register to get my answers because there seems to be a lot of knowledge here.

I just got a Mazda 5 (family car) and replaced two of the four 6x8 factory speakers. I picked up a pair of Polk MMC570s -just sounded good to me. I still have to buy another pair for the rear. I also think I should amp them, problem is size. There is only one real location to mount an amp and that's under the front seat. So size is a big issue. It can't be more then 11" x 9"x 2-3" and that's pushing it. It also should be multi channel. Lastly, since it't a factory HU I guess I need a LOC?

So, what I need recommendations on are-

- 1 pair coaxial 6x8 (5x7) with as much bass as possible. There is absolutely no room for a sub, so I'm stuck with 6x8s (possibly amped) I can either just put these in the rear, or switch and place the Polks in the rear.

-What's the cleanest or just best 4 channel amp that is no bigger then 11x9x3? Size is my biggest concern, I'd go lesser quality to get perfect fit, but prefer clean sound.

-LOC- I guess I need these right? I've seen the Scosche SLC4, is that my best 4 channel option? I've also seen JL Audio-CL441dsp but I think JL is smoking crack if they think I'd drill two holes in my week old dash to flick a switch every time I wanted to change inputs.

Anything else I should know of think about? I've seen the good-bad-ugly list but most OEMs don't have 6x8/5x7s and I've never heard of most. Plus, my knowledge of amp brands is also limited. I'm just looking for the cleanest sound and the most bass I can possibly squeeze out of 4 6x8s and no sub.

Mithrandir · Post by **Mithrandir** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 6:57 am

do you think you can fit components in the front 6x8 spot? and maybe 6.5 midbass drivers in the rear

Kid Red · Post by **Kid Red** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:07 am

Sorry, I forgot to specify that I have tweets already, factory, but they should be fine. So, I think I'm stuck with coaxial.

Can I put a 6.5 in a 5x7/6x8 slot? Would that give me more bass? I'd also want to keep my brand new Polks, so I'm looking for one pair.

OnYrMrk · Post by **OnYrMrk** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:28 am

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=264-837

You might try these for your rear speakers. I have heard great things about them and they work in an infinate baffle. IE not box. Just mount them in the stock location, and you have bass. Since you have 6.8 mounting holes, you may have to mod it, but you can get really good bass out of them.

Then get a good 4 channel amp, amp the fronts on 2 channels, and then bridge the rear with the other two.

Darthness · Post by **Darthness** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 7:40 am

i have an alpine mrp-240 amp and it should be able to fit in that place.. maybe look into one of those. they sell them a best buy around here.

Post by **GlassWolf** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:12 am

I'd put the amp in the trunk, and go with a 4 channel, or 5 channel if you want a sub later.
I'd stick with the same rear brand and models as you have in front for speakers
for the LOC, look at somthing like the JL Audio LC6 or cleansweep

Mithrandir · Post by **Mithrandir** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:15 am

heh, those almost have the same xmax as my 2 infinity 12s (12mm xmax)

Kid Red · Post by **Kid Red** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 1:52 pm

Glasswolf- The Mazda 5 is a mini-mini van so there is no trunk. That's why I'm limited space wise. THere is no room for a sub, ever. So I'm trying to get the best possible full & rich clean sound from 4 6x8s and a good clean small amp. I'll check out the JL Audio LC6. I don't like the Clean Sweep because they want you to drill 2 holes in your dash and I'm not doing that to mine week old Mazda.

Darthness- That Alpine is the front runner. There's a Hifonics Warrior Eagle that is 7" but I don't know how good Hifonics is. I would love to have a clean AB amp with a butterworth xover but haven't seen one in my size.

Post by **GlassWolf** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:19 pm

a- if I can put twelve 8" subs in a Fiero GT, I can surely fit a single 8" or 10" sub into a mazda 5. fitting a sub isn't the problem. Finding the place to put it then fiberglassing the enclosure is, if you don't want to pay someone else to do it.
As for the Cleansweep, you can always put a plate under the dash to hold the knobs. No reason you have to drill any holes really.

It's not really a matter of how small the 5 is, it's more a matter of how creative you want to be with the space you have to work with.

Mithrandir · Post by **Mithrandir** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 3:24 pm

mini vans have plenty of space get 4 18s