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Stock Radio Watt Question

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41K views 19 replies 9 participants last post by  noslolo  
#1 ·
I have a 2008 Mazda 3. I am wondering (having troubles finding the info). I am wondering what power (watts/RMS) the stock radio is pushing out to the speakers. I am wanting to get some new speakers, but I do not want to have to install an amp.

Thank you.

Josh
 
#3 ·
Maybe 18 sony watts.

Probably about 8-10 clean watts RMS.
 
#4 ·
If you get some efficient speaker (90 db or better) you might could get away with no amp, but really depends on what speaker sounds good to you and how loud you like it.
 
#5 ·
I realize your looking at speakers, but honestly, Id replace the radio before the speakers.
just about any decent aftermarket deck. sounds better and is more powerful AND has more
options outputs, ipod, etc
ive tried 3 since i got the 3. Pioneer clarion and alpine
the factory speakers are about as efficient as possible already to deal with the weak deck.
most probably youll end up with more treble and less base sound when replacing just the speakers.

for the size of that factory radio youd think.. it would be powerful. 25 watts maximum id say
half that continuous. The deck should be the first thing to go.
then id do a sub and amp. THEN front speakers. for most effect.
 
#7 ·
Sorry about replying to a tread form 3 years ago, but must ask.
What is the RMS Wattage on my 2008 GX sedan?
I tend to do my mods and upgrades bit by bit and would rather by after market speakers prior to a new deck.

Last time i did deck before speakers, I blow my rear speakers on my old protege.
Dont want to do that again even if I plan on replacing the speakers.

is 18 watts the total???
Just kinda hard to believe that the stock stereo is 18. Its not mind blowing power but its not exactly a quiet system.
 
#9 ·
Sorry about replying to a tread form 3 years ago, but must ask.
What is the RMS Wattage on my 2008 GX sedan?
I tend to do my mods and upgrades bit by bit and would rather by after market speakers prior to a new deck.

Last time i did deck before speakers, I blow my rear speakers on my old protege.
Dont want to do that again even if I plan on replacing the speakers.

is 18 watts the total???
Just kinda hard to believe that the stock stereo is 18. Its not mind blowing power but its not exactly a quiet system.
i don't doubt that is correct.
the stock drivers are very light weight.
 
#11 ·
As jomo mentioned, the TA8263BH amplifier chip is capable of producing 13 watts per channel @ 0.1%THD, and 24 watts per channel at 1.0%THD. This data was obtained by the reproduction a 1kHz tone on the chip.

So you're looking at:

  • 13W rms x 4 @ 0.1% THD
  • 24W rms x 4 @ 1.0% THD
  • 42W MAX x 4 @ a yet to be scientifically documented THD
I also have a 2008 sedan and I can confirm it is the same amplifier chip being used. I believe the speakers are also 4 Ohms each.

(Just to make sure there isn't any confusion, this mean EACH speaker will receive the 13W rms @ 0.1% THD and 24W rms @ 1.0% THD (THD increases with volume), and then EACH speaker will PEAK at 43W. Noslolo, I have no idea how you're coming up that 50 watts per channel number but that is not right. The little cardboard stock speakers would likely catch fire and explode at that rms rating.)
 
#12 ·
I didn't say that 50 was the RMS. Most people look at a stereo and say wow its 200 watts, that will be really loud. Then they get home and find out it's 50watts per channel and then they still haven't figured out it is only 13-18RMS per channel. You yourself stated that it was 42watts peak power. So my guess of 50 watts was not far off.
 
#15 ·
Whatever it is, it's probably pretty high. The OEM speakers have very tiny magnets on them which would not require very much power to drive. Why would you need this information? The amplifier chip in the OEM head unit is the same (if not very very close to it) in all makes of the 1st generation 3's (except the BOSE equipped systems).
 
#16 ·
I totally agree with you 360spider, I feel like it is false advertising. I'm in the process right now of deciding what I want to put in my new 3, so I was trying to explain to my 13 year old son the difference between RMS and total wattage. At least I will have a good time with him at my side for the install.
 
#18 ·
Noslolo, good luck with the install! Just remember to go with good name brand products like Alpine, Rockford Fosgate, Kenwood, Sony, MTX, JL or Kicker. Stay away from any kind of unknown manufacturers you haven't really heard of as there's generally a reason why.

Rdtk, my apologies for crushing your dream (obviously that wasn't my intention), however I think you're looking up the wrong information. People have replaced the OEM speakers with aftermarket ones and kept the OEM head unit. The key with such a low power application is looking for aftermarket speakers with a high sensitivity rating. The higher the sensitivity rating, the lower amount of wattage that's required to reproduce sound. You'll find more information here (scroll down to the section on sensitivity).

While you can go that route, your audio will always sound much better with an aftermarket head unit even if you kept the stock speakers. It may be more worth it to simply get an aftermarket head unit instead if you're after sound quality. I have only seen people replace the stock speakers with Infinity speakers but they are generally quite pricey. There was a thread on it a couple years back that if you search for it I'm sure you'll find it.

I hope this revives your dream a little...
 
#19 ·
I hope this revives your dream a little...
Yes it does. I was looking to get higher db/watt speakers. I have only been researching speaker technology for a month now so when you said that the oem head unit and oem speakers were very well matched, I thought you ment I would loose sound/quality/loudness and went off to research more to understand.

Thank for the link. I am sure it will come in handy, soon.