[dylantep]

Hello, this is my first post so sorry if I do anything wrong. I tried searching for anyone else with this issue but didn't find anything.

2015 mazda 3 with bose speakers. Phone calls all sound muffled or underwater but other audio seems to be fine. I played around with the speaker balance and couldn't identify any specific speaker that is an issue. I also do have some AIO tweaks installed. I tried removing them and doing a factory reset and the issue remained. I then tried updating the firmware to v70, and it still didn't fix the issue.

I then tried measuring the resistance on the plug going to the amp. I couldn't get any measurement for the wires labeled for the front dash speakers. I'm thinking the phone calls only use these so I'm just getting the base from the door speakers, whereas with music other speakers are compensating? I've tried changing the balance to front only though and the music sounds okay.

Has anyone else had this issue or have any ideas on how to diagnose or fix it? I'm not sure if I need to replace the CMU or cable?



Thanks!

 

[andrewa]

The Bluetooth profile used on voice calls is very low quality. See my older post here:

Bluetooth calls bad audio quality

Hello All, I have a 2015 M3 SGT. A while a go calls over handsfree are practically un-understandable sound is like if it was under water very hard to understand. However music sound is good. I brought it to the dealer and they said CMU was broken and needed to be replaced. Bought a used one on...

www.mazda3revolution.com

Your best bet is to upgrade the firmware and install the cables/usb hub for CarPlay or Android Auto. Using those, voice calls are clear. Bluetooth will always be very low quality.

 

[dylantep]

Thanks for the response. Unfortunately this is not the issue. I'm already using Android auto, and the sound on calls used to be fine, then one day, mid call the front two dash speakers stopped putting out sound so I only get the lows through the door speakers

 

[PinguGecko]

I get the exact same issue.

Issue occurs when pushing the voice assistant, turn by turn navigation commands and the audio out when on a phone call.

Everything else works perfectly.

I have a 2014 Gen3/BM.

I have even swapped the CMU from a 2020 and replaced the Aux with Android Auto, and swapped the LCD with a BN 2016 modle so it's not the infotainment itself.

I wonder if it's the Bose amp under the seat.
I took it out and gave it a clean and no difference.

So these sounds only seem to play out of the front door speakers, where as the other music plays out of every other speaker.

So it sounds muffled as it's like only the low frequencies which are being passed through.

I don't have another Mazda 3 with Bose to test as a reference, If you have one can you push the voice assistant lady and see which speakers you can hear the sound come out of?

I'm wondering maybe if one channel is dead in the amp and that's why it's not working.
These sounds are then overlayed to the normal sound???

 

[dylantep]

Same boat with the assistant. I futzed around with the amp too. I was thinking about buying a used one and swapping it to see if that helps

 

[PinguGecko]

Hey are you able to do a speaker test?

I just had a look at the speakers on the dash.
The middle speaker is working, but I think the front left and front right are not working.
The black dome caps have also fallen off

Mute, Star and music button on the commander when on accessories for like 5 seconds.
Speaker test is number 94.

 

[PinguGecko]

Yeah I just confirmed that the front left and front right speakers do not work at all with the speaker test.
Next step is to find out why.
Is it the amp channel which is not working vs the speakers are blown.

 

[PinguGecko]

Today I took out the front left and front right speakers and confirmed that they were both dead.
I swapped them with the middle speaker and confirmed that the amp is ok on all channels.
I put the multi meter on it and got 4 million ohms on the front two speakers.
The middle speaker was 3.5 ohms and was mostly ok.

So I think the when the audio plays it plays only on the front two speakers and the two doors only.

 

[dylantep]

Interesting. Weird that the same speakers would blow. So replacing the speakers is the solution?

 

[PinguGecko]

My touchscreen was also cracked when I bought it, but I swapped it from a wreck from the facelift model with a 2020 CMU for the same price that I was going to pay Mazda to do a firmware update.
So better value for me on that one.

I live in Perth which is like LA weather.

I suspect the previous owner parked outside and didn't put sunshades up
So the LCD and the three front speakers got cooked.
Time to go back and find a wreck for the front speakers I guess.
Used speakers in a wreck seem to go for about $60 AUD each in my area.

I am glad that the dash is still in mint condition though, looks like they changed the materials for the dash in this model.
I had a previous model 2009 BL and all these dashboards literally melt in the sun and go sticky.

 

[dylantep]

How easy was it to get to the speakers? I've never pulled that much apart

 

[PinguGecko]

The grills just pop out, took less than 2 minutes with a trim tool.

I used something like this

https://www.repco.com.au/en/in-car-technology/car-audio/facia-kits-and-wiring-harnesses/aerpro-trim-removal-tool-2-piece-aprtk2/p/A9691370

Other than that, you need a right angled screw driver as they're screwed in with two phillips screws and since it's close to the windscreen, not much room.

Which took another 2 mins.

Neiko 03044A Mini Ratcheting Offset Screwdriver and Bit Set, Pocket Size Close-Quarters,1/4-Inch Drive : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

Neiko 03044A Mini Ratcheting Offset Screwdriver and Bit Set, Pocket Size Close-Quarters,1/4-Inch Drive : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

www.amazon.com.au

I'm sure you can find similar in the US for a lot cheaper.

The speaker is just got a clip for the wires.

The corner speaker codes are
GKK8 66 960

The centre speaker is
NE61 66 960

But you can plug the centre into the front corners as a test, it's just slightly different shape but the plug is the same.

 

[dylantep]

I tried the speaker test. Didn't hear the sound cut out at all, but I do think those front dash speakers are the problem

 

[dylantep]

The grills just pop out, took less than 2 minutes with a trim tool.

I used something like this

https://www.repco.com.au/en/in-car-technology/car-audio/facia-kits-and-wiring-harnesses/aerpro-trim-removal-tool-2-piece-aprtk2/p/A9691370

Other than that, you need a right angled screw driver as they're screwed in with two phillips screws and since it's close to the windscreen, not much room.

Which took another 2 mins.

Neiko 03044A Mini Ratcheting Offset Screwdriver and Bit Set, Pocket Size Close-Quarters,1/4-Inch Drive : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

Neiko 03044A Mini Ratcheting Offset Screwdriver and Bit Set, Pocket Size Close-Quarters,1/4-Inch Drive : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

www.amazon.com.au

I'm sure you can find similar in the US for a lot cheaper.

The speaker is just got a clip for the wires.

The corner speaker codes are
GKK8 66 960

The centre speaker is
NE61 66 960

But you can plug the centre into the front corners as a test, it's just slightly different shape but the plug is the same.

Thank you so much. This is exactly what I needed. Just ordered some speakers

 

[Blazer686]

I am having same issue. Did new speakers solve the issue?

 

[dylantep]

I am having same issue. Did new speakers solve the issue?

My order for new OEM speakers got cancelled. I guess there's a nationwide supply shortage, so I am following a guide to install some aftermarket speakers this weekend.

BOSE - Upgrading Dash Speakers (almost plug and play)

Thanks to a few threads on the forum and this video of a guy who did it on his Mazda 6 I decided upgraded my factory BOSE dash speakers to some aftermarket 3.5" PowerBass coaxial speakers that I snagged for $24 on ebay I haven't seen any thread on the forum showing any pictures of the install...

www.mazda3revolution.com

I did however swap the center and left dash speaker (which gets used for Bluetooth calls) so my audio is a little unbalanced, but I can confirm they are no longer muffled

 

[dylantep]

Replace the speakers this morning. It fixed the issue for me!