2002 Protege vs Mz3 Soundsystem

[Liquidturbo2000]

Okay, for all you lucky enough to have experienced the Mz3 and have experience with the 02 protege5,

How does the stock Audio system compare?

the 02 protege's sound is pretty weak (no tweeters, 4 lousy speakers)

any info would be appreciated, thanks!

[Dre]

I'm not really an audiophile, but I can tell you that I prefer the audio in the 3. Comparing my girlfriend's 02 P5 and my MZ3, mine sounds clearer. Just my opinion.

[Dlovtsur]

Originally posted by Dre
I'm not really an audiophile, but I can tell you that I prefer the audio in the 3. Comparing my girlfriend's 02 P5 and my MZ3, mine sounds clearer. Just my opinion.

I haven't heard the MZ3's, but I have no complaints with the audio in my 03.5 P5. For a stock system, it's pretty decent. I've had big $$$$$$ systems too.

[Levitron]

Mz3 has decent, but not great audio.

P5 has decent, but not great audio.

....the only advantage of the Mz3, is that it has extra tweeters, so hence the extra clarity some have heard.

There you have it, my short and sweet review ;)

[Liquidturbo2000]

Nice... well 02 sounds pooish. anything loud just starts to distort and sound bad.

[Dexter]

^^ Disagree.

[Liquidturbo2000]

I'm talking about the 02.. not hte 02.5 or 03 or 03.5 , some which had the new tweeters and sub? I think?

Anyway, the 02 just has 4 speakers, and the sound system is just really relaly bad.

I hope I'm able to get into a 3 soon and hear the difference

[Dexter]

I had an 02 Protege. Cranked up Tool - Jimmy in it. Pretty fuckin loud and not much distortion at all.

[LeeLee]

The 3's sound system is adequate for everyday listening. I haven't really heard any OEM systems that sound great. They all sound different, some definitely are well designed, but none sound great. I speak as a guy who used to compete in the IASCA sound quality circuit and think an entry level aftermarket stereo system starts at $2K, not including installation.

[Liquidturbo2000]

mmm the sentra se-r spec-v has a fantastic OEM system.

Damn this 3, it looks ooooooo nice.... haha

[Newf]

The car looks nice for sure, but the single thing I hated the most was the stereo, and you seem to be stuck with it...so, I ain't buying it. It sounded really bad imho, although not as bad as the stock p5...but close. Then again, this is something that I find all Mazda's seem to have....bad stereo's. They look really cool though. :(

[sndsgood]

im on the same lines as leelee most stock systems just seem to lack any quality.

as for the 3. you can get some high quality level out converters and get a good amp and some quality speakers and change the sound tremendously.

[Newf]

I would have liked to seen Mazda release a MP3 player in the 3. I think it would have given them quite an advantage over the other econo cars

[nufsaid]

I think you need to define what a good stereo is. If you're wanting a audiophile quality - plan to go aftermarket.

If you want a stock stereo that is equal or better than a lot of what is on the market in this class (esp. with the 6 speaker setup) - MZ3 is great.

Newf - MP3 player is available as an option - around 550.00 extra.

[Liquidturbo2000]

"If you want a stock stereo that is equal or better than a lot of what is on the market in this class (esp. with the 6 speaker setup) - MZ3 is great."

Fantastic.. its just the answer I wanted to hear.
Does it have good bass?

[nufsaid]

Not great bass. Jazz and stuff is okay, but you'll likely add to the bass (subwoofer,etc.) if that's your need.

[leungwingkei]

I think Toyota cars have great OEM sound systems. My mom's Camry has great clarity and bass despite only having 4 speakers. My gf's 03 Corolla has a much better system than the P5 also.

Has anyone heard Mark Levinson systems in action on Lexus cars?

It's awesome.

[sndsgood]

for 500$ you can get a good high quality headunit that will blow away the stock sounding unit.


me personally, i'd replace the mark levinson unit as well ;)

[LeeLee]

$500? I'd be happy if I can swap in a $200 deck - just find one with nice pre-amp specs.

[Notorious]

Originally posted by LeeLee
The 3's sound system is adequate for everyday listening. I haven't really heard any OEM systems that sound great. They all sound different, some definitely are well designed, but none sound great.

Just about any lexus with Mark Levinson. The one at the LA auto show had a really really sweet Mark Levinson system in it. Never in my life have i heard music so clear.

[LeeLee]

Well, I'll take that you mean you've never in your life heard music so clear in a mobile environment. Because any decent home stereo should be able to produce cleaner music than even the best car audio system.

The Mark Levinson system is a very well done OEM system, but it doesn't produce a similar level of audio performance as a properly installed aftermarket system of similar costs. Of course the ML system is better integrated and an aftermarket head unit would look out of place in a plush Lexus...

[frenzy2223]

I think that the stock audio system does the job of a stock system and does it well. I have no complaint other that the size of the stock system. It would look kinda funny with an after market unit stuffed right in the middle of the dash. My friend Brent has a 2003 Civic and it makes the Mazda 3's audio system look like a show stopper.

[Notorious]

I mean this was the best bar none. You should have heard this thing, i dont think itll make into production though, but this beats anything I ever heard and I heard a lot. I used to work in Sony audio for homes where they prototype stuff. They didn't have the best sound there but we also had our competitors stuff. (which sounded better btw lol)

[Letalis]

I know its not quite the same, but i have a '97 ranger and its pretty much exactly the same as the B3000. all i did was change the stock speakers with some cheap walmart Jensen 3 ways, and got a SHITLOAD of improvement. then when i swapped the stock radio with an inexpensive Jensen CD player, the bass was kicking, some people think i have a low level "system" in my truck, but i have NO ROOM for a sub

[sndsgood]

there is always room for subwoofer.