Ben Cruz's 1990 Mazda 626

Items installed:

Pioneer DEH-245 CD receiver
Pioneer TC-1404 4" component system
Pioneer TC-1504 5-1/4" component system
Kicker Competition C15c-4 15" subwoofer
Q-Logic bandpass enclosure
MTX RT-A450 amplifier (50 watts RMS x 4)
Sony XM-235 amplifier (35watts RMS x 2)
Kenwood KAC-628 amplifier (50 watts RMS x 2, 150 watts x 1 bridged)
Coustic electronic crossover
Profile California QX11 electronic crossover
Monster 1/2-Farad capacitor
StreetWires and Monster Cable wiring
Street Glow neon tubes
Dynamat vibration-damping material — trunk

The sound system in Ben Cruz's 1990 Mazda 626 showcases equipment from a variety of manufacturers. He picked the Pioneer DEH245 CD receiver to run the show, primarily for the Supertuner III's excellent AM/FM reception. This simple yet effective receiver sends its signal through one set of preamp outputs to a Profile California QX11 electronic crossover in the trunk.

Ben installed two sets of Pioneer components — the TC-1404 4" and TC-1504 5-1/4" systems — throughout the Mazda. The 7/8" dome tweeters are mounted in all four door panels, powered by the Sony XM-235 (2 x 35 watts RMS) amplifier. Midrange frequencies are handled by 4" Pioneer woofers in the dash and 5-1/4" Pioneers on the rear deck, with each speaker receiving 50 watts from the MTX RT-A450 4-channel amp. The Profile QX11 crossover's midrange outputs run to the front channels of the MTX amp, while its full-range outputs are connected to the Coustic crossover, which then tailors the mids for the MTX's rear channels. It's an unusual setup, but it allows Ben to tune the mids independently for the 4" and 5-1/4" speakers.

Kenwood's KAC-628 amplifier (50 watts RMS x 2) lords it over the low frequencies, sending 150 watts (in bridged mode) to a Kicker Competition C15c-4 15" subwoofer housed in a Q-Logic bandpass box. All three amplifiers are mounted on a custom-made wall (with matching carpeting) that fits behind the sub enclosure between the wheel wells, while two custom side panels hold the crossovers.

Ben ran all the speaker and power wiring (StreetWires and Monster) himself, and installed the Monster 1/2-farad capacitor which feeds the Kenwood amp. StreetGlow neon tubes are mounted on both side walls of the trunk — a nice touch. Dynamat eliminates any rattling in the trunk lid. Ben Cruz has put together an unusual and interesting system in his 1990 Mazda, and his installation work is first rate. Thanks for the look at your slammin' 626, Ben!