Just a quick DIY for making speaker ring adapters for your Miata.

The Miata comes with 8-inch door speakers that are in no way hi-fi, especially compared to modern aftermarket speakers. Some models come with a Blows version that just suck better than normal. But with some plywood, a jigsaw and a couple hours, you can make your own adapters and install much better 6.5" speakers avaialable cheap from a Best Buy type store.

Now, of course you can just buy plastic adapter rings but then you wouldn't be reading this. So, assuming you don't have a nice table router and MDF stock in different sizes and years of experience, don't be afraid to upgrade your sound system in one day like you should have long ago.

If you're really courageous, buy a small amplifier and really unleash your stereo's ability...even your stock one. I kinda think the wood rings resonate better than plastic like vinyl records sound more natural than CDs but that's probably wishful thinking. I'll just continue thinking it.

Remove your door panels, yadda yadda...you knew that already. Remove the stock speaker and either use it as a template or test out its survivability with a sledgehammer.

Measure the distance between the mounting holes as these will form the outer diameter of your speaker ring


To draw the inner diameter, it will be necessary to measure your speaker cage to find out how big it is. Generic plastic rings can get a little sloppy here since they're made to fit many sizes of speakers and they're not all the same. In this case, I'm making these rings for a set of Polk MM speakers


Using a caliper, now devide the distance between the holes exactly in half and that will be your true center (oops I already did it and cut the wood before taking the picture for this step)


Using a compass, stick the needle part into the center point you just measured and then circle the wood with the pencil part. That is your speaker hole custom sized for your speaker. Drill four holes to relieve the jigsaw blade as you cut a tight circle. (Again, I already cut the hole before taking the photo but you can see exactly what needs to be done)


Now test fit the ring to the door paying close attention to the area the screwdriver is pointing to as it make need to be sanded down slightly to fit.


Properly fitting ring


Now finish the inner circle and test fit your speaker. Mmm, smells good!




If you want, sand the ring for smoothness (better for lacquering)


Put a couple coats of lacquer over the entire ring. You want these to last.


Then finishing coats of black and that's it. Enjoy your new rings.


I can't really take a picture of how nice the sound is so here a picture of a happy frog.

 

What's wrong with 8" speakers?

 

Nothing. You can get Clearwaters but they're expensive and use the stock ohm value. You could get some Pioneers but they're also expensive or you can choose from the thousand other 6.5" options out there.

 

size don't matter. y8s runs $7 6.5" speakers in his NB, they sound great. I run the same in my miata.

 

Very nice! I like it.

 

My spacers aren't nearly as pretty black lacquer though.

I had considered spending some coin on some 3/8 UHMW polyethylene at Mcmaster.com instead of using wood but... I've got MDF in my car right now.

Nice writeup.

 

Thanks! There's definitely good stuff to buy out there along with better tools to cut but it was just a situation where I could spend money and wait over a week or just make my own in a couple hours and have them for free. They're working out great though and eally custom fit to my speakers.

The lacquer isn't seen; more just to protect the wood from moisture. If I go as far as making my own rings, might as well do that last step since I had a can of that fast-drying stuff anyway.

 

Thanks for sharing the awesome write up.

Any sound deadening in the future?

 

Thanks! Just did sound damping in the tub and parcel shelf. I still have to trim panels and finish bolting in the roll bar. After that is the dash work and getting it back into the car (sitting on a table right now). I just installed new door wiring harnesses to undo what the previous owner did with his Lambo door kit.

I'm just so overwhelmed and burnt out, I only want to get the car rolling. Then, I'll revisit the doors and install sound damper there.

 

Some random photos of the interior project