Miata Audio Q & A: Radio / Headunit Recommendations for your Miata

[@josericardobarreravazquez3631]

Thanks for the info! Right know I'm upgrading the system of my 93 Pathfinder, and I'll have 2 unused factory amplifiers, if I understand correctly I can use one of those amplifiers on the miata for the headrest speakers?

[@3rdMillennium]

Theoretically, any amplifier can be used in any system provided you are able to set the correct input levels and impedances. You'd want to consult the service/tech documentation on the Pathfinder amps to verify everything. Just keep in mind that the Miata headrest speakers don't require much power - they are only about 3-inches from your head and consequently almost work like headphones. So be careful with how much power you try to feed them. This is why many owners use the built-in amp in their radio to feed the HR speakers and when adding an external amp, they use that one for the door speakers.

[@josericardobarreravazquez3631]

@@3rdMillennium thanks for the reply, I was thinking in the amplifier because the OEM connection is in a parallel connection, and some head units mention to not use 1 to 3 ohms, but I'll try with series connection before doing anything with the amplifier

[@3rdMillennium]

@@josericardobarreravazquez3631 Our Millennium-5s (and most, but not all of the stock Miata HR speakers) are 8-ohms specifically to take care of the parallel connection issue.

[@evannoriega-thomas371]

Is it reasonable to think that I can use my OEM headunit from my 2000 Special Edition, bypass the Bose amp, add my own mini amp that fits under the dash somewhere and pick up a set of M600/800s? I had my OEM headunit modified to now have Bluetooth and I really enjoy the look of it, but I want better speaker performance.

[@3rdMillennium]

You could do that (you'd want an amplifier interface converter like the Scosche SLC4 as the Bose radio doesn't put out a standard signal), but is the Bose amp dead? If it's still working, you could add the M800s without any problem. The M800s are normal 4-ohm impendence compared to the Bose woofer 1-ohm, so the only difference you'd notice in operation is that you would have to turn up the radio's volume control a bit more to get the same listening level as previously. And on the install, leave the Bose tweeters in the door cards disconnected since the M800s are already 2-way speakers.

[@bbishoppcm]

How's it working out?

[@RichardRutledge-s2r]

Are you still in business if so how do I contact you?

[@RichardRutledge-s2r]

Are you still in business if so how do I contact you?

[@3rdMillennium]

Yes, business is operating normally. You can drop us a note at info at 3maudio.com.