Completely green, need advice

Hi guys,

I'm looking to put some new door speakers in my '03 Mazda Protege5. I have found the rears to be 5x7's (which I'm told are interchangeable with 6x8's) and the fronts are 6, which I hope will accomodate a 6.5" with a little fiddling.

So I've never done anything like this. I want to keep the factory head unit if possible, but I'm thinking to adequately power the speakers I'll need an amp. I also have a sub in my basement that I had in an old car, so I want to hook that up as well, which has its own mono-channel amp with it. So should I buy a new 4-channel for the door speakers, or would a factory HU have enough power to deliver clear sound to the speakers? Should I change any wiring or harnesses? What else needs to be done?

Thanks for any help, it's much appreciated.
A.

My g/f has a 00 protoge', I put 6 1/2's in the doors and 6X9's in the rear. An alpine deck and an old 50X4 amp round out the system. I just like external amps so my answer would be bisased on that one.

hi i have 2 12 inch t2 rockford subs a t2500 rockford amp an a 500 watt kinwood amp i just got a kinetik battery 2400 watt i just wanted to no if the battery will make it hit alot harder.Its in a 2004 chevy colorado an the battery is going to be hooked up straight to the amp i am just going to keep charging the battery will this make it hit harder

My g/f has a 00 protoge', I put 6 1/2's in the doors and 6X9's in the rear. An alpine deck and an old 50X4 amp round out the system. I just like external amps so my answer would be bisased on that one.

6x9's! Are those in the rear window shelf, or in the back doors? Mine is the P5 hatchback so the rears are built into the doors. I have read that from the factory they are 5x7's, but they use 6x8's without modification.

I'm also thinking an external amp would be a good idea. I mean, the speakers are only as good as their power source, and if it's all coming from the factory deck, performance will be limited. I did this once in my old Plymouth Acclaim - hooked up a set of Sony speakers (not great to begin with) but was unimpressed with the sound 'upgrade'.

As far as door speakers, what are you guys using? I have been looking at Alpine Type-S or Type-R's, seem like a solid value...?

I got a close out deal on some Alpine coaxials (type R or S, whichever is cheaper), and yes she has a trunk.

@dave crc ... The amount of extra bass the new battery will produce depends on too many things to know from your description. You need to wire it into the electrical system, don't have the amp playing off of a bettery that is connected to the charging system.