Stereo install ripoff?

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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 02:03 AM
  #1  
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Stereo install ripoff?

I still have the stock radio and I finally can't take the error code when you play cd's anymore. I have been going to Best buys and Circuit Citys cause they say free install, but every time the sales rep ask what car I have (97 3.2) they want to charge me more cause of some amp thing. Is this true or are they trying to rip me off. Also if I do change radio will all the speakers still work or do I have to change them too?
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 02:55 AM
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Well, if you still want the overhead mid-ranges to work, they will have to splice it in, and add some resistors to convert the signal load to 8 Ohms. Now, not having those isn't so bad. BTW, why pay for someone to do a job that is REALLY easy? Buy a Metra harness adapter and a Metra Turbo double-din to single plate, and you're pretty much set (if you are buying a single-din deck). Unless you are doing some special wiring, go that route and it'll cost you $50 tops.

~Cheers~
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 04:14 AM
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Thanks for the info. I just thought if its free install why not since I still have to buy all the equipment anyways and I don't have a garage, don't want to work on it in the street of NYC. So they are trying to rip me off since there is no special amp stuff to do then right?
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 05:21 AM
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If they're saying you have an amp, they're lying. Just have them install the aftermarket CD player normally, no extra wiring. All they have to do is wire a new harness exactly color to color to the stock one. You're going to lose the 2 speakers in the dome light but it's not a big deal. They dont know our cars specifically, they're just going by what a book tells them. Tell them you want the free install and that you have no amp and the harness just has to be connected and if they still wont do it, go somewhere else.
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 09:24 AM
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Originally Posted by daemonicus
If they're saying you have an amp, they're lying. Just have them install the aftermarket CD player normally, no extra wiring. All they have to do is wire a new harness exactly color to color to the stock one. You're going to lose the 2 speakers in the dome light but it's not a big deal. They dont know our cars specifically, they're just going by what a book tells them. Tell them you want the free install and that you have no amp and the harness just has to be connected and if they still wont do it, go somewhere else.
Listen to this man/woman! We do not have amps in our car. The only amp is the one built in onto the stock radio. Its the later acura models that have a SEPERATE stock amp b/c of the bose system.

as daemon stated, you just match the color of wires to each other, use electric tape to tape it together and VIOLA. What deck are you planning to get anyway?
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 09:48 AM
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I'm on my second aftermarket deck on this car and let me tell you, our cars are EASY to work on. The stereo is a piece of cake. Adding in the dome speakers is the only tricky part, but as mentioned its possible with a little know-how.
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 11:53 AM
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Booyakasha!! Wickity-wackity-sha!! Tell BB and CC to piss off about the "amp".

~Cheers~
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 05:42 PM
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Ken,
Did you install the Kenwood deck you purchased recently? What is the feedback? Does losing the dome speakers make a significant difference? I'm also considering getting a new head unit, but I'm in a quandary on losing the dome speakers. I really like the sound quality now and I don't want to degrade it. Any input is greatly appreciated.
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 06:25 PM
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The "surround" effect is effectively gone, forgive the pun. I haven't had dome speakers for a LONG time and I still like the quality. I do miss having real surround sound like I did in my Accord, though, hehe.

~Cheers~
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 07:16 PM
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The dome tweeters do make a big difference, mainly b/c its right there on your ear. Once you put in a deck you'll notice the lack of sound. If you want that same effect, youre going to have to buy component sets. The question is where do you want to place your aftermarket tweeters? in the corner of the dashboard? at the dome? if you keep your stock door speakers and stock tweeters at the dashboard with your aftermarket deck, you'll lack the front stage sound. it sucks..
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 08:00 PM
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fillup... if you need someone to help you install, i can do it for you.. i only live about 15 mins from the city...
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 11:24 PM
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Originally Posted by bpjadhav
Ken,
Did you install the Kenwood deck you purchased recently? What is the feedback? Does losing the dome speakers make a significant difference? I'm also considering getting a new head unit, but I'm in a quandary on losing the dome speakers. I really like the sound quality now and I don't want to degrade it. Any input is greatly appreciated.
I did install it, it sounds great! I finally have satellite radio in BOTH cars

I did lose the dome speakers for a few days, I didnt miss them too much. I've since wired them into the front speakers. I need to do resistors though, they're a bit louder than I'd like.
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Old Oct 10, 2006 | 11:38 PM
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THANKYOU ALL as always this forum is great.
I'm just going to go to 1 of the stores and have them install it. Don't know what head unit to get yet, guess i just pick 1 they have not going to spend alot of money cause I park in the street. As for the speakers I guess I have to wait and hear how it sounds first before I decide on speakers. But if anyone have any recommendations on a head unit under $300 that be cool.
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Old Oct 11, 2006 | 03:04 AM
  #14  
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Kenwood X979. they dont make it anymore but you can still buy it. that's what i have and the control over your sound is craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy! it takes about a week to learn all the functions and buttons but it's worth it.
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Old Oct 11, 2006 | 09:49 AM
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head unit under 300 can you plenty. I personally like both alpine and eclipse but alpine looks better in my opinion. If you do get a deck, be sure to get one with a remote. buttons tend to break after awhile of pressing

if you go to circuit city or best buy, they usually have "reduced item" in a glass case somewhere b/c they've been a display item. they're usually high end decks at a great price. they also have reduced price amps too.
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Old Oct 11, 2006 | 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted by TLBaller
head unit under 300 can you plenty. I personally like both alpine and eclipse but alpine looks better in my opinion. If you do get a deck, be sure to get one with a remote. buttons tend to break after awhile of pressing

if you go to circuit city or best buy, they usually have "reduced item" in a glass case somewhere b/c they've been a display item. they're usually high end decks at a great price. they also have reduced price amps too.
One word: yes.

~Cheers~
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Old Oct 11, 2006 | 08:42 PM
  #17  
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gogogo, i notice in your avatar you have a jdm plate holder. where did you get it?
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Old Oct 11, 2006 | 08:45 PM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by TLBaller
gogogo, i notice in your avatar you have a jdm plate holder. where did you get it?
Japan...Center @ my friend's shop. I guess the angle is a bit low for you to see my Japanese plate (real one, BTW)... But that just means it's doing it's job, hehe.

~Cheers~
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Old Oct 12, 2006 | 10:39 PM
  #19  
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yeah i noticed the plate as well but i was just asking about the plate frame thingy.
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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 02:43 AM
  #20  
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I saw one on eBay for about $50 shipped... Kinda pricey for this type of thing, though.

~Cheers~
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Old Oct 13, 2006 | 01:31 PM
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^^^ alright fellas back on topic please...
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 10:19 AM
  #22  
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Old thread, I know.

What wires are the dome speaker/midranges near the HU? Are they the green ones with the special plug? And I just hook up an 8 Ohm resistor inline on the positive leads?
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 10:22 AM
  #23  
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Nevermind. Went back to my search for 'dome light speakers' and found my answer: https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...26&postcount=4

Where are my tweeters hooked up to? Does the stock TL have crossovers? Where are those? Seems my tweets are working..
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 12:22 PM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by simm
Seems my tweets are working..
aren't working..
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 03:17 PM
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Just take the wires on the blue harness, cut those and add some resistors to them. Then connect each wire to the respective side on the front speakers.

Your music will sound like it should, otherwise you end up with just 4 speakers.
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 04:42 PM
  #26  
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Ken, thanks for the reply. I understand how to hook up the mids on the ceiling.

BUT my dash tweets aren't working...where to start? Is it the crossover? And where in the world is that?
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 04:48 PM
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If I remember correctly the tweeters are part of the blue harness, paired with the midranges.

You shouldn't be able to hear them unless your ears are directly over them.
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 05:05 PM
  #28  
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Huh - I'll have to check that out. From what I could tell, I couldn't hear them at ALL and my music is very muddy at best. I'm sure only the 6.5" (door) and 6x9" (rear) speakers are working.

I've got to get some wire taps and fix this problem (hopefully both the dome light mids AND the dash tweeters)..
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 05:06 PM
  #29  
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BTW, the mids and tweets we're working even with the OEM stereo.
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 05:54 PM
  #30  
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I didn't hook up the tweeters in either TL; the first one I actually removed that whole piece with the tweeters and dome light and put a TV up.
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 06:23 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by vas25tl
I didn't hook up the tweeters in either TL; the first one I actually removed that whole piece with the tweeters and dome light and put a TV up.
Haha, not for me. I just want to get the speakers working (they're mid-range speakers BTW - not tweeters).
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Old Jan 7, 2010 | 06:31 PM
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Yep, tweeters are on the dash.

I'd almost call the speakers by the dome twiddlers.
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 08:41 PM
  #33  
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so can someone explain why we need these resistors? and do we have to have them or is it just preferred? I would like to wire my dome "twiddlers" in lol
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Old Mar 27, 2010 | 09:10 PM
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They'll over-power the door speakers.

~Cheers~
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