Miata Audio Q & A: What Upgrades are Available for the Bose Audio System in a Miata?

3maudio.com - From 1999-2015, Mazda offered the Miata with a Bose audio system. Speaker upgrades are tricky in this model because of the unique electronics in the system. In this video we explain the available upgrade options.
We'll talk about 2016+ model years in a separate video.

[@AnthonyDibiaseIdeas]

Thank you. Very thorough.

[@markcaprio9834]

Hi Glen, wish I had seen your video a few years ago before I replaced the bose head with an ATOTO that keeps the bose amp in my 2009 GT. Can I increase power to the replacement 8 inch door mid-range 2 ohm speakers using the atoto equalizer and increasing (or decreasing filtering) the response to the lower freqs? Thanks, great info! Mark

[@3rdMillennium]

The crossovers for the 09-15 Bose systems are built into the amps and each speaker is fed frequency-limited signals., so unfortunately there's nothing to be done at the headunit to change what frequencies go to which speakers. So you can boost frequencies that are already fed to each speaker, but you can't alter the range at all. I believe the woofers in the doors roll off to the little fullrange around 600 Hz or so.

[@fishtownmafia952]

I have a 2009 with Bose. Do you know what frequency range the 8cm door speakers are being fed? I'd like to upgrade them for some cleaner mid-range but if they're just used as tweeters (like the ones between the seats) It's probably not worth it.

[@3rdMillennium]

You won't get any midrange if you upgrade the bass drivers. I don't recall the exact crossover frequency but it's well under 1,000 Hz - I seem to recall it around 700Hz? If you look at those OEM Bose bass drivers you'll see why. They are a heavy, paper cone and would be terrible at reproducing midrange frequencies. So the small door fullrange speakers are reproducing 90% of all the sound. It's just a poor design - this is why so many owners elect to just rip out all the Bose equipment and start over with a nice headunit, amp, and some good door speakers.

[@fishtownmafia952]

Thanks, good to know 👍

[@Stinger2222]

In which cars are the subwoofer used and where are they located?

[@3rdMillennium]

A subwoofer was an available option in the 2006-2015 and also the 2016+. It was a custom molded enclosure that mounted in the passenger footwell.

[@mateocarlos2674]

Bose used to make great speakers. But, this system (2007 Miata) is poor. Really bad actually, as far as sound and controls goes. Very mid-rangy. Terrible sound. EDIT: I've been using the system now for 5 months and it's actually pretty good I have an ipod feed direct and it really sounds good. it's odd that I'm figuring this stuff out now but it's true. I just set the bass boosted one and trebble up plus 6, and it sounds pretty good that way. I love the steering wheel controls too!

[@3rdMillennium]

Agree 100%. Peaky midrange and no upper/lower end. You've probably heard the saying - "No highs, no lows, must be Bose". Their pro audio stuff (PA/Live Music) is still quite good.

[@mateocarlos2674]

So, I'm trying to understand which component needs replacing the most? Is the head unit adequate? I'm thinking the speakers probably need it. But, then if I replace the speakers, the impedance change will almost certainly require a different amp. I think I'd be content just upgrading the door speakers. I've seen some good upgrade videos (five star car stereo). Any idea which component sucks the worst? @@3rdMillennium

[@3rdMillennium]

The weakest parts of the system are definitely the speakers. The HU and amps are nothing special but once you pull the speakers, you'll see how cheap they are and why they sound the way they do. So I'd suggest dealing with the door speakers first, listening for a few weeks, and then deciding if you want to go further. And impedance isn't really the problem in the system. Using a normal 4-ohm speaker the max power output of the amp will be less, but there's still quite a bit there. Our M800s will drop into place without issue in the NCs. Check out the video we have of an installation in our 2012 for some more info kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3bRiod4f9yIrqcsi=8_ox4xzpQbfluDTx

[@mateocarlos2674]

Those are 6" speakers, right? Will an 8" fit?@@3rdMillennium

[@3rdMillennium]

165mm or about 6" - the AD1 Kit included with the NB bundle allows an exact fit into the stock opening (Bose or non-Bose)@@mateocarlos2674