Help! I have an '02 TL and my cd changer got stuck. I do not have an acura dealer in town, but I asked everywhere about getting it fixed. I was told by a few stereo dealers and even the Honda store that it would cost about 600 to fix, and even then, the original bose system that comes in the '02s pretty much sounded like crap to begin with.
Well...I went to a guy who said he could fix me up by changing out my stereo. He said (after being on the phone to Acura) that he would start our just replacing the stereo itself (to keep costs low) and if that wasn't enough, that he would also replace speakers. He said no matter what, that it would sound better than what I had originally. He did tell me that he would have to unhook the subwoofer, but that regardless, it would still sound better. Anyway, when it was done, my husband picked it up (I think he is deaf) because I was at work. When I got in the car, I thought I was going to puke. It sounded really, really bad.
So... the guy replaces the speakers and again my deaf husband picks up the car. Now it sounds like everyone has a sinus infection and all the instruments are inside a tin can. We called him back and he said that he knew it didn't sound very good, but that without the subwoofer, that was all he could do. He said he knew I wouldn't be happy and that he had even tried installing several different types of speakers and none of them sounded good without a subwoofer.
I ended up having him take out the new speakers and replacing the originals. Now it sounds like a child's radio, but at least it is not like nails on the chalkboard like it was with the new speakers.
So... now I have a new stereo that sounds like crap, only 1 cd, no subwoofer, and I had to take my car back again because they did not hook my rear power window back up. When I did take it back, he asked if the window was working before. He assured me that they did not cause it, but finally took it back and looked at it. He came back out with a sheepish look and told me that he had hooked it back up but it must have come undone and that is was now fixed.
So, you're asking, what do you want from me? I want a stereo, that's what. I don't want to spend thousands, but really, my stereo is embarrassing. Even my deaf husband asks me to just turn it off because it sounds so sad. I am a huge music fan, it gets me revved up for work, for going out, pretty much for everything. These days I am not very revved.
What are my options? I am even thinking about looking for an original TL from a junkyard if nothing better comes up. At least I would be able to hook up the subwoofer again.

 

Give us more info. What kind of head unit was installed?

The standard Bose speakers are designed to work with an equalizer box that hooks in to the standard head unit. If you got rid of the head unit, you should also have gotten rid of the equalizer box.

Here's what I would do:

Go to www.crutchfield.com. Fill out the forms for an '02 Acura TL. The website will generate a selection of head units and speakers which will fit. Crutchfield can also line up an installer for you.

Good luck!

 

It is quite easy to hook the factory subwoofer up to an aftermarket radio.

Here are a few links with instructions and pictures of the wiring diagrams for the factory stereo system and how to bypass the bose amp to hook up the sub.

https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/stock-wiring-harness-diagram-260399/
http://users.adelphia.net/~krisnlore...o/spkframe.htm
https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/keeping-factory-sub-when-adding-aftermarket-headunit-99-03-tl-326253/

I hope this helps, it helped me a great deal and I was able to do it myself and at the time I was very unfamiliar with this cars electrical system. You could probably show it to the installer and he could figure it out from there, although from your description of him so far he seems less than spectacular.

 

the DIY wiring kits that all installers use will automatically bypass the EQ.

 

sounds like u need an amp to power ur new speakers if they sound that bad

 

basically i have heard the same. Your stock speakers in the car are powered individually by the head unit. Thats on thing i dont like about stock bose. you have to replace everything if you want to get a diff head. Your best bet would prolly be to get a aftermarket head and replace the bose speakers, get urself an amp and throw a 12 in the trunk. its going to cost some coin but if you love music as much as you say then its a small price to pay. Or you can just have install a sub and attach it to the stock system, i forgot what the wire is called to do that, and the unit will still protect the sub if you turn it up to loud but still better then nothing.

 

^^ no, you dont have to replace the speakers at the same time when you replace your headunit. The speakers will work and acutally get a lil more power from the after market HU.

Back to the main topic:

Jessica, you need to first get us some info on the headunit they installed. Brand and model number would simply do it. When you do replace the factory HU, the subwoofer does get disconnected, however the speakers still work, but would eventually get the wear and tear because of the material. Do this: If its a good after market headunit, you can do two options:

A) Get a nice 350-400 RMS ( NOT WATTS ) subwoofer and a amp. Keep the factory speakers and the aftermarket HU. Set the sub's bass low first, and work with the speakers. After you get the CLARITY you need, turn up the bass of the sub, and VIOLA, you have a nice lil system!

B) Get a nice 350-400 RMS ( NOT WATTS ) subwoofer and a amp. Get aftermarket speakers and a amp for them. Keep the after market headunit. Power all these and of course do the settings, and VIOLA you got a better system! However this will cost more, and the configuration will require a lil more tuning, and your headunit also needs to have 3 sets of RCA outputs.

I honestly suggest you to go with A, because the problem is you dont have a subwoofer, and your speakers are trying to make up for it. The Factory Bose speakers just sux, however with a aftermarket subwoofer, you will notice a big difference. The sub does the bass, while the speakers do clarity only. I hope all of this helps, and if anything give me a PM and i will help you more. Take care!