giff74

I just bought an '03 TL-S, but havent been in it yet, because its going to an Acura dealer next week to do the tranny recall.

I drive a ton, and I like to listen to the radio and CD's, I was wondering what you guys thougt of the stock sound system?

Why doesnt 2G get an electronics, audio, BT forum like 3G?

Thanks Giff

fsttyms1

its ok for some music, Personally i think it BLOZ (No highs no Lows must be bose). And becasue acura didnt ever use blue tooth back in 99-03 im guessing (along with every other manufacturer)

bonknhead

The stock Bose stereo is OK, but not great. I find the bass a little boomy, and it took awhile to get it adjusted to my liking. My previous vehicle, a 1997 Lexus LX450, had a much better stereo.

starsh0t

I think it's ok. I wouldn't pay extra to replace em unless they broke.

FL3.2TL

Well it depends on what kind of music you listen to, as in hardcore RAP/Rock or calm/slow music. You can always replace the headunit/speakers/sub or if you simply want extra bass, just get LOC ( line output convertor ) and install a sub or two. The Bose system is ok, but at high volumes, it starts to get to you. For the time being, I have a IPOD hooked up at 75% volume, and about 4-8 bars on the headunit, sounds pretty good.

GranSkyline

i don't really care about how the sound is (unless its REALLY crappy), so i don't think i'll be changing the stereo (of course i have a '99 TL) but it does sound good...

DiveforTL-s

Its ok. Not as nice as my old Eclipse unit I traded to the dealer when I go the TL. But, much better that the stock Toyota one I replaced with the afore menitoned Eclipse. I just got the Blitzsafe adapter to hook up my iPod and a Kuda mount.

PenancE

change the 6 1/2s and it will sound much better.


or just put a 15inch in and it will be even better

giff74

So I guess it all sounds OK in stock format, but I could improve upon a number of things if I wanted to, depending on my listening tastes.

fsttyms1

Replace the speakers with a good set of component speakers and it will sound better

S1CK TypeS

i listen to rap/hiphop so i like bass, i was thinkin of going with one JL W3 which would have done the trick. if you need bass this is one of the best subs for the price in my opinion. the only reason i have put one is cause i really dont wanna put more weight into my car than i need to, i know its only like 20-30lbs but every bit counts when your at the track

AcuraBuddy

Nothing like good old bose

reloaded

damn..I like to listen to all sorts of music and i think the system is great lol...i guess i'm not the type that likes that BOOM BOOM characteristic on their stereo haha.

fsttyms1

There are no highs or lows. How can you like it?

stiletto

hmmm... the better the source, the better the sound. I find that compressed CD's (burned from PC) sound very lacking, and purchased CD's overwhelm the dynamic range. For the average 30something it will be certaily better than average. No audiophile will be caught listening to it with a smile on their face, though.

Billy Sacco

Replacing the speakers does help alot. The cheap paper ones that are in there are complete crap.

VoLLy

iTrader: (8)

I upgraded from a corolla and everytime I put it past 3/4 volume, the speakers would blow and i'd have to get new ones. so i'm glad i have these stock speakers.

03typeStl

I dont think its as bad as people make it sound, its decent and ive heard worse.

fsttyms1

Disconect the rear sub and tell us how god of sound the door speakers make. There are no highs, and there are NO lows. They EQ'ed the crap out of this system to try to get somewhat decent sound out of it. The stereo in my 99 expedition blows the TL stereo away

laidback93

so aftermarket mids will just hook right up to the factory deck? if so I'll be definitely replacing them.

I went from a Pioneer Preimer MP3 deck w/ Sirius, Eclipse mids, and RF 10s, to Bose...

03typeStl

How hard is to replace the stock radio/cd player with an aftermarket Pioneer MP3 player ? and how hard is it to replace all 4 of the stock speakers ?

randomthought

i end up spending about a half hour messing with the equalizer and normalizing the audio files before putting them onto a cd just to make it sound decent. Stock stereo sucks, but its still better than some cars. I replaced the oem sub with JL audio equpiment, and it sounds better, but not too much, since the speakers still suck.

Kinda off topic, but has anyone used the Mb quart speakers? Are they worth it for their price?

laidback93

I've heard that they're great speakers.

giff74

So is the issue just with the speakers? I mean could I swap out the speakers and sub, but keep the HU and factory amp (I assume there is a factory amp) and have pretty good sound?

fsttyms1

If your going to just upgrade teh speakers you should also look into bypassing the EQ. The factory amp is in the HU

jayunsplanet

iTrader: (1)

I really would like 2 highs at ear height or so. The 4 door speakers stink for those with a musical ear. Oh well, I might get some new speakers & flip out LCD after I get suspension and exhaust.

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

I think its a pretty good system. I noticed though when I use my CD player or IPOD (hooked up through tape) that I dont have to put the sound as high as with the radio. When I switch over to radio I have to turn up the volume. I think it just has kind of crappy radio reception.

GranSkyline

radio reception has always been crappy...
radio stations need to get more powerful signals and radios need stronger receptors...

fsttyms1

Then you will have to get new speakers, cause our car doesnt have tweeters.

03typeStl

Can anyone recommend some speakers for an 03 tl-s ? and how hard is it to install a headunit and speakers ?

03CoupeV6

I actually love the system, but I'm a Bose loyalist. Computers, cars, headphones, home entertainment - all Bose here.

03typeStl

Another question add to that, anyone knows any good online stores to buy car audio from ?

jayunsplanet

iTrader: (1)

Ya, this is kind of low on the list of things to do. But I've seen some shops add the tweeters up by the side mirrors (I forget the name of that pillar).

03bl AC k CL

funny you should say that .. when my system was in the process of being switched out... i had my bose speakers with no subs connected hooked up to my alpine head unit for a few days... it was the most awful experience with car audio i ever had... i actually found myself listening to am radio because it was a disgrace to music lol.

03bl AC k CL

www.onlinecarstereo.com

VoLLy

iTrader: (8)

I love the radio reception on my TL, its shit loads better than the reception on my dad's 2006 Uplander (same location, same radio station).

Costco

its ok. Not an audiophile, but I can tell it has a bit too much treble and no bass at all. What is the size of the sub in our cars??? I would really like to put 2 10's or a 12 with a HU to replace it, but I want a clean setup and I'm low on cash.

vzuptnguyen

i agree. man this stereo is REALLY GOOD. i give it like 8/10 its more than most people need.

people buy big stereos and subs and dont even use to highest potential. whats point?

i admit, i REALLY love bass, but these Bose speakers are more than enough. you;ll love them. but i listen to rap songs, and sometimes i like more bass. JUST A LIL.

i always listen to speakers max and its defening enough as it is. do you want to go deaf too? =]

fsttyms1

another fool sucked in by bloz

The speakers are crap and so is the sound. Yea and the sad part is is they will sound better with a aftermarket HU with teh EQ bypassed than they do with the stock HU
Sure they can go loud, but the sound quality is crap. Have you ever heard a good set of speakers? Disconect eh sub and see if you feel the same about the bloz speakers in the door. If acura had put even a fraction better speaker in the doors it would sound 10x better. If they had spent 300$ more on door speakers it would be 1000x beter those door speakers are EQ'ed to the max with no mid bass, no real highs(come on how much high can you really achieve from a set of 6.5s)

Billy Sacco

Yeah I will say it right now. Bose is pretty much sucky. I heard back in the day thier stereo speakers were so good blah blah but the new stuff I have heard is never that good. I will give them one thing. They take cheap crap and they do get the best possible sound out of it. Most of thier stuff I have listened too lacks bass pretty much. My dad bought that wave radio for like $400 and it sounds like a $60 mini system you can get at walmart. The stock system is OK at best and really I think bose did just about everything to get the best sound out of the stock locations and with the speakers used. But at the same time the speakers are just not good quality and end up lacking. The 9 inch "sub" is really just a big version of the crap speakers in the door. Honestly as stated before if you want to do the minimum upgrade then yeah get a different head unit. I used my pioneer with the stock speakers after sealing up the door with sound deadening and the stock speakers actually had quite a bit of midbass. Of course at that point might as well upgrade the speakers too to complete the package. Yeah also Bose is pretty overpriced. My .