Mazda RX-8 Speaker Size

Front Door Panel Speaker

Rear Deck Lid Speaker

Rear Speaker

Mazda RX-8 Speaker FAQ

What speakers should I replace first in my Mazda RX-8 for the biggest sound improvement?

Replace the front door panel speakers first. The 6 x 8 inch speakers (or 6 x 9 inch in 2010 models) handle most of your music's frequency range and sit closest to your ears. These typically run around 20-50 watts RMS and 4-8 ohms impedance. The 1 inch tweeters can wait - they're secondary to the main drivers. Your Mazda RX-8's acoustics benefit more from upgrading the primary drivers since the cabin space amplifies their output. Start there, then consider the rear deck speakers if you want fuller bass response.

Can I install component speakers in my RX-8's front door panels?

Yes, component speakers fit the front door panel locations. You'll need separate woofers and tweeters instead of the factory coaxial setup. The 6 x 8 inch woofers mount in the main speaker location while the 1 inch tweeters can use the existing tweeter spots. Component systems usually offer better imaging - maybe 2-3 dB improvement in clarity around 2-5 kHz. Your RX-8's door panels provide decent mounting depth for most component woofers. The crossover networks typically mount behind the door panel or under the dashboard. Just verify your amplifier can handle the component system's power requirements.

Why does my 2010 Mazda RX-8 have different speaker sizes than other years?

Mazda changed the speaker configuration slightly in 2010. Your front doors accommodate both 6 x 8 and 6 x 9 inch speakers, while earlier models primarily used 6 x 8 inch. The rear setup also shifted - 2010 models can fit 6 x 8 inch speakers in the rear location alongside the standard 6 x 9 inch rear deck options. This gives you more flexibility when selecting replacement speakers. The mounting depths and bolt patterns remained similar though. Both sizes typically handle 15-60 watts RMS, so power handling isn't dramatically different between the configurations.

Should I replace the rear deck tweeters in my RX-8?

The rear deck 1 inch tweeters add some high-frequency fill but aren't critical for sound quality. Focus on the main 6 x 9 inch speakers in the rear deck first. These handle the bulk of rear channel output - usually 25-50 watts RMS depending on your system. The tweeters might improve some detail in the 8-20 kHz range, but the positioning isn't ideal for most listening positions. If you're running a component system up front, upgraded rear tweeters could help balance the soundstage. Otherwise, your Mazda RX-8 sounds better with quality full-range or coaxial rear speakers than focusing on the small tweeters.