Factory CD Receiver Output Power?
 

The Pro5 I just bought came equipped with the 6-disc in dash cd receiver. I'd rather not have paid extra for it and installed an aftermarket head unit, but it was the only car I was able to find in Ohio equipped the way I wanted (well, with the addition of the disc changer).

So unless somebody knows a person wanting a factory 6 disc changer/receiver, I'm going to stay stuck with it for the time being.

My question... does anybody know what the rated output power is for the factory head unit? The salesman tried to tell me that the 6 disc receiver has a greater power output rating than the standard cd receiver... sounds like a salesman's line to me.

I'm thinking about replacing the factory speakers with coaxial speakers. Components up front would be nice, but I don't think the factory HU will supply enough power to make the cost & installation worth it. In the future I'd like to replace the HU with an aftermarket one, gaining line-level outputs and the ability to cleanly add an amp for the speakers. In the meantime I'd like better frequency response from the factory HU.

Suggestions on this scenario?

Thanks, TB

Do a search for it. I wrote something about it a few months age. It has a built in amp chip that produces about 20 watts per channel. RMS

The saleman was full of bunk- The amp section is in the tuner, not the cd. the 20watts is max sounds output.
Any coax speakers will be better than the paper speakers the car comes with. New speakers would be a positive first step. If you can, get a little sound deadening materal for install right around the speakers. You are also right, components might require more of an amp, but highly efficient speakers would function with the factory amp section until you choose to upgrade.
The headunit is actually pretty good for sound, you can always amp it with Line Out Converters (LOC). With a good set of LOCs you can add an amp for better sound.
Most new car head units with a CD will sound just as good as an aftermarket unit, the aftermarket may just have some features you are after, or looks that you like, but the Mazda CD will produce a fine source signal for you if you choose to use it as such.

Specifications:

Output power = weak. :D


Anyway, I've upgraded the system one step at a time, starting with speakers, then the head unit and then an amp/sub.

My experience is that after upgrading the speakers, the sound was noticeably better, but wasn't a whole lot better. The stock radio just doesn't provide enuff power. So if you're going to upgrade the speakers and keep the head unit, don't spend too much on them. You WILL be dissappointed if you expect a big gain. Don't get me wrong, you can still get decent sound from the upgrade, but just nothing spectacular.

Most of the amps available today can handle high level inputs and you probably don't need to use a converter. So it makes things easier if you intend to use an amp to drive the speakers. This would probably give pretty good results because most amps (individual) provide much better power and cleaner signal than the amps integrated with the head unit (including afermarket ones)

The main reason (mine) of uprading the head unit is that the stock radio skips a lot when playing CDs. Slight bump on uneven roads will cause it to skip.

Eventually adding a sub really helped the sound a lot because the main door speakers just don't produce a lot of bass. The sedans have the speakers mounted in rear speaker panel and essentially use the whole trunk as an enclosure, so you get more bass.

what to buy
 

I just bought my P5 and still have about $500 to spend on stereo equipment. What should I get first. I was thinking about an amp and speakers. Is the stock head unit adequate for this or should I spend money on getting a new one first? What brands?

Re: what to buy
 

Connected to an amp, yes is it a fine headunit. In the price range, look at JBL or Infinity for speakers, and at JBL for an amp. Just suggestions. You are on the right path though...

i'd suggest a 5ch amp, so when it comes time for the sub, your half way there.

If you are interested, I just purchased a 10" powered Bazooka sub (model EL10A-HP) on ebay for $150 (including s&h). There were several other auctions for the same or similar sub last I checked. This was a good compromise between space and bass for me. Plus SAS recomends using high level inputs rather than line level inputs; I'll keep the factory head unit.

I think I will be replacing the front speakers with Infinity Reference coaxials as recomended by other users above. An amp will be part of the plan to drive those front speakers. I'll use the high-level inputs for it as well.

In the future I'll have the option to move the coaxials to the rear doors and add components up front. In the meantime the stock speakers will stay behind me.

This plan allows me to expand as dictated by money and time as well as keep the factory head unit... at least until I decide I HAVE to have mp3 playing ability!!

So, with your $500 dollar budget: 150 for the sub + 100 (max) for the Infinity Ref front speakers = 250 remaining for an amp and wiring accessories, etc.