Greetings from a newbie! I'm going to start what may be a contentious thread by asking why everyone disses the factory-installed Bose stereo system so badly? Now it seems to me that this forum is mainly for people who like to spend a lot of money on aftermarket stuff making their CLs better and more unique, but I'm that rare individual who likes the factory/dealer stuff. When I want to drive fast and corner like a demon I drive my M Roadster. When I want a balanced ride of smooth performance, comfort, and luxury, I drive my CL. I completely agree that if you want to spend some money you can put in a much better sound system--that's true of ANY car! Personally, though, I find the Bose system to be pretty good, especially compared to most original sound systems. So do people really think the Bose system SUCKS, or do you just think it sucks compared to the kick-ass aftermarket system you chose to put in?

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'98 3.0 Prem loaded with Acura dealer accessories but nothing aftermarket

 

Welcome...Well to start things off. I think the reason why some people try to fix up their cl is because we all cannot afford one sport car and then have the cl for everyday driving. I know I wish that I could have that kind of money!

The stock system is great, I personally like it too, but it does need a little more punch. I would just add an amp and maybe some subs...but thats it.

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Tw1112

 

all stock sytems suck compared to aftermarket ones. but as far as stock systems go the new celicas are bangin or how about the lexus nakamichi? shit the nakamichi is almost perfect. only a real car audio fanatic like my self would say it is shit and rip it all out. i would never get that option in the first place. anyone who pays an xtra $1000 for the stock premium sound system needs a head check. cuz for $1000 u can get soem damn good shit if u knwo where to get it.

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1997 Black Acura 2.2 CL
Currently-
PIAAs Everywhere, PIAA 1700X, Custom Grill, Clear Corners, OE Spoiler,
5% Tints (Limo), HKS Super Dragger Exhaust, AEM CAI, Venom 400
Comming Soon-
Headers or Ignition, Front Lip
http://members.home.net/vx16

 

Personally, I like the stock BOSE system. I just think it needs more BASS. This week-end I got myself a 140W AMP and a 10" SUB in a PORTED enclosure and installed it. Makes the system perfect for me.

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Bone stock 1997 3.0CL

 

Nakamichi systems in Lexus' do kick ass. Esp for a stock system. Bose can't even compete.

Put it this way.... BOSE is master of making decent sounding speakers out of PAPER. No joke... Look at their stuff and u'll see i'm not exaggerating. I'm not even a fan of their home stereo stuff.

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1997 Acura 2.2 CL (5spd)
rubber tires, windshield wipers, headlights, horn, steering wheel, BRAKE PEDAL, clutch, brake pads, driver seat, passenger seat, back seat, front windshield, rear windshield (with defroster), lumbar support, cruise control, intermitent wiper control, sun roof (tinted), engine, pistons (only 4), emergency brake handle, trunk w/ tools, spare tire

 

yeah that is true i pulled bose crap out of hondas and gm vehicles and the speakers were made of paper all of them. and soem of the bose sytems can really bang for paper speakers.

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1997 Black Acura 2.2 CL
Currently-
PIAAs Everywhere, PIAA 1700X, Custom Grill, Clear Corners, OE Spoiler,
5% Tints (Limo), HKS Super Dragger Exhaust, AEM CAI, Venom 400
Comming Soon-
Headers or Ignition, Front Lip
http://members.home.net/vx16

 

Bose blowz for the simple fact that they are overpriced paper speakers with cloth surrounds... i mean, they dont even use foam at least. The drivers in our cars cost Bose around $1 to make, the deck is made by Panasonic and Bose just pays them to put their name on it, the amp is most likely also a Panasonic... probably around $30 to make and they charge $1000 for it at the dealer, Please!! . and all the company does is market them way too much and put a high price on them to make them look like a good brand. Plus, my reason for upgrading my stereo is i like my music to sound good, with good clear highs, and deep defined bass that hits hard. I want my music to sound more like it was meant to, and untill I can get SACD in my car, i'll upgrade to the best components. The bose system lacks all the good qualities music has, no good bass, no where near enough highs and the midrange is lifeless.

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1997 ACURA 3.0 CL PREMIUM

Apex-i cat-back Exhaust, AEM Intake, Clear Bumper Lenses, 18" ADR Cyrax rims, Ground Control Coilovers, Wings West Chin Spoiler, Acura Rear spoiler, Piaa Fog Lights, Tinted Windows, Boston Acoustics tweets, mids and subs.

 

I just got 2 10's and a Jensen XA6040LX 600 watt amp I have clue on how to install the sub and amp and asked best but and cirut city. they wanted $180 to install. I hate Bose cuz any upgrades I want costs me and arm and a leg. Does/can any of you type up some install instructions for a 3.0????? I'm dying over here. Any help and insight would help a lot. thanks in advance!

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its fairly simple... if the amp does not already have high level inputs, add in a input level converter anywhere after the factory amp. I noticed if I tapped into the signal comming into the amp my mids and highs got a little distorted. So tap off anywhere after the amp, I went right to the rear speakers. Then run your power and turn on leads like you normally would, you can get the turn on lead at the amp in the trunk, so you do not have to take the deck out. I will e-mail you the diagram for the wire connections at the amp.

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1997 ACURA 3.0 CL PREMIUM

Apex-i cat-back Exhaust, AEM Intake, Clear Bumper Lenses, 18" ADR Cyrax rims, Ground Control Coilovers, Wings West Chin Spoiler, Acura Rear spoiler, Piaa Fog Lights, Tinted Windows, Boston Acoustics tweets, mids and subs.

 

1997Acura CL.....Thanks for the Email. It looks pretty helpful...I'll have to give it a shot this weekend, considering it's gonna rain the whole week.

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Hey guys,

could you make that schema available to everybody?

thanks.

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Black '97 Acura 3.0CL Premium (Leather,WoodTrim,SunRoof Visor,Spoiler,Gold,Fogs,Air Intake,Clear Bumper Lights,Gold/Wood Pedals)

 

1997Acura30CL,

Which BA spkrs you have? Models? Where did you buy? How much?

And finally, what were your other choises at that time?


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Black '97 Acura 3.0CL Premium (Leather,WoodTrim,SunRoof Visor,Spoiler,Gold,Fogs,Air Intake,Clear Bumper Lights,Gold/Wood Pedals)

 

I have the new Boston Acoustics FX series 6.5's in the door and 6x9's in the deck. Plus, I have Boston Pro Series tweeters in the dash wired directly to a rockford punch 100 amp. I paid $200 for the tweeters a year ago, and $70 for the 6's and $80 for the 6x9's, but thats only because I am good friends with my stereo guy, so he hooks me up with good deals. They are origionally $100 and $120 a pair, and the tweeters were origionally $250. I bought them at a local shop called Ray Supply, its 5 minutes from me and there are good guys there that know what they are talking about, so I buy from them. The only other speakers I was considering at the time was Alpine and MB Quart, but the Boston's sounded the best to me and had an excelent price. I'll get that diagram available asap for everyone.

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1997 ACURA 3.0 CL PREMIUM

Apex-i cat-back Exhaust, AEM Intake, Clear Bumper Lenses, 18" ADR Cyrax rims, Ground Control Coilovers, Wings West Chin Spoiler, Acura Rear spoiler, Piaa Fog Lights, Tinted Windows, Boston Acoustics tweets, mids and subs.

 

Okay, I admitted that you can do much better than Bose if you spend the money on an aftermarket system. And I agree that I wouldn't buy Bose at home. Personally, I think they make a great product for their size--if you need tiny speakers that sound pretty good and you're willing to pay, then Bose makes a good product. In cars, there is a limited amount of space for speakers and I feel that the Bose system does hit the highs, lows, and midrange pretty well. And let's not forget that the $1000 or so for the Premium Package also included leather seats, seat heaters, the HomeLink system, etc. Now my BMW has a 10-speaker Harmon-Kardon stereo that I think sounds great, but I've seen reviews that say it's terrible too and that Harmon-Kardon should be ashamed to put their name on it! I guess different people have different standards for stock stereos, and I'm just trying to get folks to realize that just because they can do BETTER than the stock system, doesn't mean the stock system is completely worthless.

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'98 3.0 Prem loaded with Acura dealer accessories but nothing aftermarket

 

I'd have to agree with the majority on this one... the BOSE sucks. Don't get me wrong, it has pretty good sound quality for a stock system, but it's almost all midrange sound (no highs, no lows....must be BOSE ). My previous car *Pontiac Sunfire GT) that I bought new in '95 had more kick to it on the low end. Not wanting to spend the money on a huge aftermarket system, I put 2 6 1/2" Bazooka tubes in the trunk (1 with an amp, 1 slave) which did not cost me a lot of money by any means, and it did the trick with giving me more bass (but not too much).....



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1998 Iced Blue CL 3.0 ** Some mods, but who cares, I want a Type-S!!

Moderator - 1st Gen Forum
Email: juniorbean@acura-cl.com

 

How much of your trunk space did you give up by putting in those bass tubes? I've got the CD changer back there which already reduces the vertical clearance a little, and although I'd love more bass I don't want to give up that nice spacious trunk!

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'98 3.0 Prem loaded with Acura dealer accessories but nothing aftermarket