Has anyone installed an empeg in the new-style Mazda MX-5 (AKA
Miata)? I know several people here have done so in the previous
model, but I haven't seen any reports mention the 2000-onwards
style. I suspect that there is not a lot of difference between
the two internally, but I haven't found a definitive list of the
changes although I know there are some.

Mostly I wonder if the limited opportunities for mounting the
amplifier have changed at all---I am keen that it doesn't take
up space in the small boot. I'm thinking of the Genesis Profile
4-channel amplifier. Are there any good places in which to hide it?
What's behind the panel immediately behind the passenger area?
It looks as if there might be some space there which isn't part
of the boot.

My MX-5 has two factory-fitted speakers in each door: a mid/bass
unit low down and a tweeter just below the window. I believe
the large speaker is 5x7 but I don't know the size of the tweeter
(it's mounted at the front of the door just below the window).
The car also came with a Sony CD/tuner head unit. The sound quality
is pretty good with the top up, but with the top down, I usually
have to crank the volume up a long way to hear anything over the
road noise... then something starts rattling in the door panel
and the equalization isn't right. I'll fit an amplifier anyway;
will this be enough to overcome limitations of the Sony head unit,
or are the speakers the problem?

I exchanged some email with Dominic from Cambridge Car Audio back in May
(when I thought the tuner arrival was more imminent than it turned out
to be---that's the only reason I didn't get it installed months ago)
and he suggested putting Kicker Impulse 57.2 speakers in the doors.
This is a coaxial driver, but it can have the tweeter mounted remotely.
Since there are already separate speakers fitted, would it make better
sense to go for separates?

I don't have headrest speakers fitted; is it worth getting them?
I know Hugo had them in the old model MX-5, which had the seat
wiring; does the new model have this already? Do they make a
big difference? Does it make sense to connect them the to empeg's
rear outputs though two separate amplifier channels?

I've not really noticed a lack of bass, but perhaps that's
because I tend to listen to more classical stuff. Is there room
to hide something like a Kenwood's KSC-WA62RC subwoofer behind
(or underneath) the seats?

Any experience or suggestions welcomed.

--
http://ro.nu/ Robin O'Leary

There is space hidden away between the cabin and the boot that has room for small amps:

"Tunnels into trunk
There are two tunnels that run from the trunk into the cabin. Both can be reached from the trunk; the right one by removing the spare tire, and the left one by removing the panels that cover the gas tank fill tube. From the cabin, first lift away the carpet (held by many plastic pins) and then remove the large metal sheet held in place by countless screws. In order to remove this piece, it can be helpful to remove the plastic piece covering the seat belt towers, otherwise it is necessary to bend the metal panel a little bit in order to ease it out.
These tunnels provide an easy way to run wires between the trunk and cabin. In addition, the space can be used for installing various components such as a crossovers or amplifiers (there might not be enough ventilation for higher power amps that generate more heat though)."

This is from one of the articles at:

Miata.net

Some people have gone to the trouble of fitting sub woofers into the rear shelf, using the two tunnels and boot as a resonator.

__
Unit serial number 47 (was 330 in the queue)...

i had my empeg installed first in a '01 and now in a '02 se brg miata. regarding amps, i didn't use one in the 01. i had the empeg running through a pioneer unit. now i have an alpine bolted to the floor of the trunk. i have it mounted right next to that small stuff holder (the one that is located in the floor to hold various stuff) on the driver's side. i guess it seems to be in the way, but i have not had any problems with it yet.

regarding running wires, i did not do any wiring in the 01 or 02, but my experience with my 97 (no empeg, but a pioneer hu and 12 disc changer) tells me that you want to run on the drivers side (remember i am in the us here, so i drive on the CORRECT side :). i seem to remember that it was possible to run it on the passenger side, but it was alot more difficult.

regarding the headrest speakers, i didn't even think you could get them on the M2. maybe that is just in the US though. i had them in my 97, and they sound pretty bad. they are however, useful for top down driving. both the 01 and 02 came with the bose stereo, so i am using the stock speakers much to my satisfaction. i have to turn the empeg up, but i can hear fine at around 100 mph with the top down. basically, you won't get any good sound quality from the headrest speakers, but if you have trouble hearing the music with the top down, they do a fairly decent job of filling everything in so you can hear the music.

hope everything goes well. i love my miata, and i love my empeg. they really make a great combo.

jeremy

12 gig, green...