XTC Baffles as Rainshields in the Mazda Miata

[@gutobiaz]

That's nice workaround to do with the baffles to avoid it to retain water. I'll install some coax and bought a paif of those baffles, probably should be cutting the same way. Thanks for explaining :)

[@OuterLimits_RC]

Great video. I plan on purchasing the M800 kit for my NB1

[@wg5768]

Great tip,I installed these baffles without trimming them and I thought the speakers sounded off. Mazda Miatas are notoriously difficult to get good sound in.

[@3rdMillennium]

Glad it helped

[@MushroomJuice20]

What size baffles did you use. My car door leaks a little and i am going to change my speakers in my car. I want to make sure i get the right size baffle to use as a rain guard. I drive a 1991 miata

[@3rdMillennium]

We use the VXT65 baffles for the M800s. They are available on our website if you need a set. 3maudio.com/misc.html

[@WepaPix]

Thanks!

[@nanbil]

I noticed that when you reinstalled the door card you plugged in the old (original) tweeters - so does this system use both the M800 tweeters and the factory door tweeters?

[@3rdMillennium]

No, that was the power lock connector. Didn't even notice I had said 'tweeter connector' - my mistake. We removed the tweeters from the door cards entirely. And we do recommend that you either remove the stock tweeters or leave them disconnected when installing the M800s. The mylar tweeter in the M800s is a much better-quality driver than the stock tweeter.

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

QUESTION on my 1993 "NA" MIATA installation of your M800 Speakers my OEM Grilles both had (came equipped with) a ROUND White SPACER Ring that was approximately 3/8" thick & fit between the OEM Speaker & the Door Panel GRILLE on the M800 speakers this white plastic SPACER would install actually touching the very outside edge of the Speaker CONE in my mind this would hamper the Speaker's ability to MOVE with the BASS notes There is no MENTION of this SPACER in any of the INSTALLATION instructions Please advise whether I should UTILIZE or Eliminate this SPACER ... Please advise COOP ...

[@3rdMillennium]

There was no spacer ring in any of the 90-93's we've seen, so I'm guessing that was something a previous owner installed. As long as the plastic stand-offs that hold the speaker cover in place are in good shape, you should just be able to install the M800s directly. If any of those plastic stand-offs are crushed or missing, we have replacements available on our site: www.3maudio.com/misc.html

[@artmcewen3165]

@@3rdMillennium I had the same sort of spacer ring (made of cardboard) between my OEM speakers and the door panel. Looks like at one point it was bonded to the speaker. Easy install btw! Thanks now I need a better head unit :)

[@3rdMillennium]

That's always the way it goes, lol@@artmcewen3165

[@isaacso]

So would this work as sound deadening ? I have alpine type r 6.5 with an apline power pack in an accord 09.

[@delanod9713]

I want to say that using a baffle will prevent vibration from the speaker touching the door panel, but it won't completely prevent your panels from vibrating from certain notes and volumes.

[@3rdMillennium]

No, it really won't do anything for deadening. The sole function of the baffle as we're using it is to keep water off the speaker. If you want deadening of the door panel you need to add mass and stop vibration. Our suggestion is to first add one or two 12x12 Dynamat panels to the outer door skin directly behind the driver. This reduces the 'oil can' effect from the thin door panel. And while you have the door card off go through the wiring harness making sure everything is tied off - use electrical tape or nylon cable ties if needed. And make sure none of the door card fasteners are broken or missing.

[@tuxedolark]

Any recommendations for solvent to clean the existing gasket off?

[@3rdMillennium]

We use lacquer thinner. Be sure to wear gloves and don't overdo it as it will work on the paint itself with enough time/rubbing

[@tuxedolark]

3rd Millennium Thanks! Worked a treat! And can I just say that this is the second time in two days, and on two different platforms, that you have answered a technical question within MINUTES of me asking? Y’all ROCK!

[@MrGsholy]

How do I use the XTC65 baffles with the AD1 Mounting Kit? -2001 Miata

[@3rdMillennium]

Just cut out the baffles the same way and sandwich between the speaker and the AD1 adapter ring

[@MrGsholy]

@@3rdMillennium will do. Thanks for the fast response!

[@braianconcepcion5646]

What happens if you cover the speaker fully

[@3rdMillennium]

It will then completely change the performance characteristics of the speaker. Our M600s and M800s were designed to use the air volume that's in the Miata door, so sealing up the speaker entirely will ruin all the bass response. Speakers must *always* be designed with regards to the enclosure they are installed in. It doesn't matter if the design is sealed, ported, or an infinite baffle. If you change the design, you'll change the response and power handling.

[@YuStudios]

@@3rdMillennium How do you know which speakers are designed to use air volume inside the miata door? I'm looking to buy the polk audio db652. Are those designed to be used with the air volume inside the miata door as well?

[@3rdMillennium]

@@YuStudios No, the Polks' would be designed to be a 'typical' door speaker. Since they are trying to sell to everyone for every vehicle, mass-market speakers are designed to be generic. Manufacturers typically have some general criteria they work toward with efficiency (how loud they can get) and cost being toward the top of the list. But for design, most manufacturers I'm aware of just use a 'typical' door volume that they think will give decent performance in an 'typical' door. Our M800s were specifically designed for the Miata - both in terms of acoustic characteristics and physical mounting (clearance with door mechanisms, bracing, harness, etc. Creating a custom design for the Miata is an advantage we have as a small, specialty manufacturer. Plus we did some special stuff in the design that we think really helps with things like where the speakers mount, the fact that a convertible has very different sound characteristics with the top up and down, specific distances to the driver's position, typical head units used in the Miata, etc. Polk/Sony/Pioneer/JBL/etc couldn't economically do it. Hope this helps.

[@YuStudios]

@@3rdMillennium Thanks! I sent you an email but it was blocked for some reason. I wanted to purchase the m800. I was wondering if you're still opened for business to Canada. If it's better to reach out after the pandemic, let me know.

[@3rdMillennium]

@@YuStudios Yes, still shipping all over the world although we've slowed down a bit as we have one person handling all outgoing orders by themselves. And you can contact us direct with the contact form on our main site, www.3rdstrategy.com

[@yahsoo1]

This video needs a redo. I really needs to show how the AD-1 adaptor fits together. The words here are unclear. It also needs to show the completed assembly going into the door. It's not clear how this "is the gasket".

[@3rdMillennium]

Thanks for taking the time to comment. We do go over the AD1 adapter in a couple other videos where we are installing the M800s speakers, so check those out. And the assembly sequence is: speaker - XTC baffle - AD1 (if being used in your install - the AD1 is not used for 90-97 models) We will work on the idea of an expanded video showing more options and actual fitting into a couple door models.

[@sr2racing391]

I think this is only a miata problem

[@3rdMillennium]

Actually lots of makes and models have this water problem and all doors have drains in the bottom for this reason. With the Miata, 1st and 2nd gen are really bad but 3rd gen doesn't have near as much of a problem. But in general, shallower doors are usually the worst. You'll know as soon as you pull your old speakers.

[@sr2racing391]

3rd Millennium yeah. I had to test drive a miata and it sounded like I was in a boat. It's the only car I've ever encountered with this problem. My s10 held water but it also didn't have any speakers in it to begin with.

[@tuxedolark]

Sr2Warfare Clearly, you don’t own a Volvo 122S.

[@RohzekVT]

My 07 Pontiac G5 (Same exact car as the Chevy Cobalt, with a different name) currently has dead door speakers due to rain damage.