Working on a vehicle with limited space is no problem for the staff at Audio Designs & Custom Graphics. We recently installed a system for one of our repeat clients in his 2013 Mazda Miata. He loved the work we had done for him previously, so coming to us for his Miata stereo system was, according to him, an easy decision.
No Room? No Problem!
We met with the client and discussed his goals for the system. He wanted a large, easy-to-view screen on the radio; good, solid bass; and musical vocals and highs. Most importantly, he didn’t want to interfere with the operation of the factory convertible roof. We discussed mounting location options for his amplifiers and made some suggestions with respect to how we could fabricate a subwoofer enclosure. With the plan agreed on, we set to work.
Front And Center
The top-of-the-line PIoneer radio gives the client every imaginable audio source and an super-slick capacitive touch display.
The client selected the flagship Pioneer AVIC-8100NEX GPS DVD receiver. This source unit stands out like no other, thanks to its use of a crystal-clear capacitive touch 7” LCD display. The 8100NEX features CarPlay and Android Auto, so his smartphone can be connected and used safely. We integrated the factory steering wheel audio controls with the source unit by using an interface from PAC.
Hertz Amplifiers And Speakers Provide The sound For This Miata Stereo System
We use a lot of Hertz products in the systems we design. They sound fantastic and have proven to be very reliable. For this build, we mounted Hertz HCP4D and an HCP1D underneath the seats of the vehicle. We wrapped all of the wiring to and from the amplifiers in OEM-style cloth tape for reliability and a stealth look. The output of the HCP4D feeds a set of Hertz Hi-Energy HSK 165 components that we installed in the front doors.
We fabricated custom-expanded PVC mounts for the door speakers to ensure they would be completely solid in the doors. The use of PVC ensures the mounting adapters will last forever – unlike wood adapters, which will swell up and rot when exposed to water. To finalize the installation, we applied a set of FAST foam rings to the speaker systems to seal them against the inside of the factory door panel. These foam rings prevent buzz and vibration for improved sound quality.
Big Bass From A Very Small Space
Our go-to subwoofers have been from Audiomobile for the past few years. Audiomobile is a well-respected brand that has been around for decades. We chose a GTS Series 2110S2 10” subwoofer for this project. The trick was going to be building a premium enclosure for maximum performance. We created a Stack Fab-style enclosure that fits behind the passenger seat and makes use of the small storage compartment that Mazda included. Even with this small enclosure, the Audiomobile sub can reproduce the bass in the clients’s music harmoniously, with excellent detail and low-frequency extension. We finished the subwoofer enclosure front panel in gray vinyl with a black insert.
Our Final System Tuning Results In A Great Sounding Miata Stereo System And Another Happy Client
Every vehicle that leaves Audio Designs & Custom Graphics receives our standard tuning and level-setting process to maximize sound quality and system reliability. After completing this step, only then was it time to turn over the keys to this little roadster. To say that our client was thrilled with the result would be an understatement. Sonically, the car is amazing, and the fact that the product was integrated into the vehicle cosmetically while still allowing the convertible roof to work exceeded his expectations.
If you have a vehicle with limited space and want an amazing audio system, don’t hesitate to drop by, call or send us an e-mail right away.
This is my Miata, and I love the upgrade. We’ve taken road trips every weekend since the upgrade (Every Lighthouse in FL, GA, and SC… the smokey mountains… tail of the dragon… beaches up and down the coast), and the sound is amazing. The 13-band EQ on the Pioneer 8100NEX allowed us to get the exact sound we were looking for. It sounds great from the driver seat with the top up or down, and my wife loves the feel of the the bass from the passenger seat. The clarity is amazing at any volume. I highly recommend these upgrades to ANYONE who owns a Miata!
andrew,
i have a 2006 miata and am wanting to put a sound system in it. i love the solution that AD&CG came up with for the sub. just curious what kind of music do you mostly listen to?
Sorry for the delay. I listen to a pretty eclectic mix. My wife likes Top 40 (Pop, Hip-hop, Dance, Dub-Step). I like Mike Oldfield, Acoustic (new age), Spanish Flamenco Guitar, and strangely Lunge/Big Band. This system makes everything sound great. Probably the best song to demonstrate the speakers is lossless version of “Omi – Cheerleader”. With the vocal tuning, bass and trumpet… it so crisp. Other songs that really showcase the ability are: Pitbull – Fun, Florida Georgia Line – Cruise, Mungo Jerry – In the Summertime, Capital Cities – Safe And Sound, UB40 – Red, Red Wine. Us3 – Cantaloop, Eagles – Hotel California, and anything by EdSheeran, Nickelback or David Guetta. If you are around the Jacksonville area, I can let you have a listen . It’s pretty cool. You can find me on facebook.
no worries about the late reply…im not in jacksonville, I’m up in ohio. my concern was i didn’t know if my amp would have the power to drive the sub based on the audiomobile specs. didn’t know if i wanted just the box or the box loaded with the sub designed for it. turns out i had plenty of power and ordered the box with the sub. I’m glad to hear its a well versed sub and handles different genres well. like you and your wife I’m all over the map with musical tastes.
thanks
tim
Would like some info on the Miata behind the seat sub, please.
I have a 2006
it is a very solid, well built box. does require a little finesse to get it to fit/install into the cubby (i also have a 2006). only issue i have with this set up is you lose a little leg room for the passenger. to allow the sub to operate you cant really have the seat back against the sub so the seat has to be a couple of notches from all the way back, or the seat back has to be almost vertical. your miles may vary depending on the type of music you listen to, as well as how tall a passenger you have. with no passenger then no big deal. sounds awesome. i also believe they went to an 8″ sub rather than the 10″. pretty sure mine is 8″ but the one photographed is 10. if you want any more info email audio designs and graphics directly.
would like pics if possible of sub enclosure. also a price if I could purchase. I already have a 8″ sub to install.
Thanks, Ed
ps, your you tube video is great
info on miata sub please
This was my car, and I’m still loving it. I tried to paste details and a long reply here, but it didn’t seem to take. Reach out to me on Facebook at andrew.russell.167 and I’ll answer your questions!
This was my car, and I’ve been enjoying this system for 3+ years now. I upgraded my 2001 LE Miata (with the bose system & clearwater speaker upgrade) for a 2012 Touring Hard Top in 2015. The 2012 Miata had the factory stereo with no sound quality, and I instantly liked it.
I went to Audio Designs & Custom Graphics in Jacksonville because they have a good reputation.
They asked me what my goal was. I said, I want something that sounds good at 60-75mph with the top down. The current stereo distorts, and has muddy bass. I want something with good fidelity, sound stage, and quality.
They said the head unit wasn’t the issue, but I would benefit from an amp and speakers. This is what they installed:
Hertz DPower 4 Chanel Amplifier (Biamped):
Hertz HiEnergy Hertz ESK 165L.5 Component system:
Hertz DPower 1 Chanel Amplifier (for Sub)
Custom Enclosure (I think that’s what you saw)
Subwoofer in custom enclosure: Evo Sub-woofer 2408 D4
And, wow the results have been great with the top down at 60-75mph. It has power, volume and clarity…. but… lacks bass. With the top up and at normal speeds, it lacks 20-100hz.
I’ve NEVER been into car stereo, but driving around in my Miata is my escape — and it’s what my wife and I do for fun.
I currently have it back at the shop. They are using some type of 3-D computer drafting thingy to build a custom sub cases to install in the gap at the tiny wedge gap behind the floor and the seats when they are angled.
For a sub-woofer, they are built a custom sealed enclosures with the evo 2408 that I mentioned above.
Because my car was the template they had it for about a week. They were took the top up and down so many times, and use a 3d rendering program to build the enclosure so that it uses every possible bit of space.
The key thing about the the Evo 2408 Sub woofer that they used in the enclosure, is that the evo series doesn’t push out more than 15.5 mm max, despite making good sound. That actually lets the car seat rest up against it (if you want). We keep about a finger width in open in front of it though.
Also… since they had the entire car apart… I decided to throw in a Pioneer AVIC- 8100NEX head unit to replace my Garmin. I figure, why not go all the way…. (and it wasn’t much extra labor over the original cost since they had it fully disassembled).
I’ve never put any money into an aftermarket stereo before, but my MX5 is my rolling vacation. The folks who did the work are the top installers in SE Florida, and they do really high end work. My total cost for all of this (including labor) will still be less than a “Factory Nav System”, and it was a really high end install.
I was on a quest, and they sub covers the 20-100hz range perfectly with an infinite sound stage (top down). The delivered on the mandate to, “Fill in the full range, and make this sound good for the driver and the passenger. We don’t care about impressing pedestrians or anyone outside the car. We just want GREAT SOUND inside for ourselves!”
Two years later, I had them install almost the same system in my Rav4 with the Dynamat plating and the 10in version of the EVO. No regrets there either.
Sorry. I tried to update a note to someone while I was having the Sub Installed, so I could relay the info. Ignore the part where I said the thing about no 20-100hz range.
I did two installs done. Initially, I had the 4-channel amp and component system installed. It was great, but lacked bass. Then I came back to have them build the sub enclosure because I wanted more depth in the 20-100hz range. The sub and enclosure work FLAWLESSLY.
I tried to paste the 4 segmented messages into a single post. But the system wouldn’t take it. The problem may have been the links to those products they installed. I removed them.
I hope that helped.