In-Car Entertainment System

Inside the Mazda REF6: A Custom Car Audio Masterpiece by Jeffrey Hald Shown at the Florida International Audio Expo 2025

Mark Henninger  |  Feb 26, 2025

I recently got an exclusive look at the Mazda REF6—a custom audio project car built by none other than Jeffrey Hald. This isn’t your everyday Mazda; it’s a 1,200‑hour masterpiece featuring JL Audio speakers and electronics, accumulating accolades like three triple crowns, an expert win last year, and four install championships.

From the moment I stepped in, I was struck by the attention to detail. The REF6 is designed for both one‑seat and two‑seat configurations, featuring a bespoke mixer and center channel setup that can switch between driver‑focused and passenger‑optimized modes. Every component is meticulously installed—five amplifiers mounted on a steel rack secured with 252 stainless steel fasteners, and even the wiring is color‑coded ("blue for me, red for my wife," says Jeff).

Jeffrey’s build is full of clever Easter eggs, from a self‑diagnosing fuse block hidden under a gas‑actuated strut lid to a carbon fiber battery tie that changes color when touched. With high‑end components like 12W7s, 10W6s, ZR800s, and a full array of C7 speakers in strategic locations, the Mazda REF6 delivers an audio experience that’s both competitive and breathtaking. Here's a brief video walk-though.

COMMENTS
Michaela's picture
Submitted by Michaela on February 27, 2025 - 7:20am

The best sound system I ever had in an automobile was the one car I bought new, the sporty Mazda RX-7. I only owned it for two months in 1992. I was living in San Francisco, and shortly after I bought and sold it, I accepted a job in New York—where I did not want to keep a car. The bass was amazing, and my two reference tracks were the credits roll from the movie, Rain Man, and "Pretzel Logic" from The New York Rock & Soul Revue Live at The Beacon. It’s nice to know that Mazda hasn’t lost its touch for premium audio.

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