Yes it's one of those threads again. I know it's personal preference. This is more a gathering of information. Hopefully we can keep it civil

Long story short the stealership is writing me a $1200 check on Monday. My options for spending the money are all across the map but lets stick to the car stuff for now

Options
-Sound System (JL Audio) This is my personal favorite. As we all know the stock sub system is awful and I love music with bass so this seems like the go to. Open to other brands but I don't know shit about them or sound systems in general so any help would be great.

-Exhaust would most likely be ATLP because it comes resonated direct and those tips . Not a big of any rasp or drone so if anyone with ATLP/RV6 J-pipe combo please chime in

-Aem V2 is just a $300 noise maker but I like the noise it makes. Plus its leaves room for additional mods

-JnC Headlights. Ive been meaning to get back to you if you're reading this, but I've been tied up dealing with the dealership bs. I'll send you text or pm in the next couple days


No Go List
-Suspension. Unfortunately I live in an area with shitty roads and high driveways so dropping it is completely out which sucks

-PCD wont be added either. Can't deal with the rasp/smell



Please chime in on anything I could have missed or if you have any of the mods listed above feedback would be great.

 

You won't like my answer...save and/or invest it.

 

I completely agree saving/investing would be the best decision. I've already looked into adding to my stock/IRA investments. Also thought about going back to Costa Rica for another 10days.

This thread is also for future use so when I do put money into the car I have all the information I need.

 

If you want to spend, I would probably go for the sound system. The stock system sounds pretty good already, but it definitely can get to the next level and with $1000 to spend you can get it to sound real nice. I'm no audiophile by any means, I think the stock system in Honda/Acura cars are already great, but yes I know it can get to the next level and if that's your thing, I think you'd appreciate it more than aesthetic mods.

Otherwise I'm with erdoc, save/invest. Maybe you can spend like $500 and save the other $500, but it's your money after all.

 

Yea man invest it on the Audio system and enjoy it everyday

 

Definetly invest and save it

 

If you don't invest, do you want to go aesthetic or performance.

 

I wouldn't do the PCDs either, for the same reason you mentioned- the stink. The TL, although aging, isn't a 1983 rusted out, base model Honda Civic. That's the kind of car I associate with smelling bad.

I would, however, get the HFPCs instead. Same effect as the PCDs, without the stink. Yes, they are more expensive, but you get what you pay for and they do free up some good power and the PCDs/HFPCs have been called one of the best bang-for-your-buck mods, in terms of power gains.

For about $1000, I personally would go for this:
RV6 Performance | V3 Jpipe & HFPC Combo

I can understand people enjoying their music while driving, but personally, I'm past that phase in my life. I used to have a stupid loud stereo, but these days I prefer listening to my car instead, especially if you can hear that growl. My biggest problem with increasing bass is that over time you're also increasing rattles. I HATE rattles. It's inevitable it'll happen over time though.

Don't do the aem intake. You're only adding noise and more than likely shifting your power curve (you rob power down low and "create" more in the higher RPM range). I don't know if the J-series reacts the same to an intake, but it was for sure evident with my B-series. I don't even want to risk it again.

The ATLP exhaust does sound nice. It is definitely a nice upgrade both for looks and sound. I believe it opens up a bit of power, but not as much as the Pre cats and j-pipe combo would.

I guess what do you value more, sound or performance?

Also, you can definitely drop your car a little bit and still be 100% functional. It's stupid rough in terms of potholes, driveways, curbs, brutal winter conditions with roads having major ice ruts, etc where I live and Thus far I've had zero issues driving. I'm a function > form kind of guy when it comes to modding, and other than being more aware of what I'm driving over, I've never scraped or had issues. There is a plethora of different ways to do your suspension and still be functional. I like driving my car- being so slammed that it deteriorates driving function in my mind is bananas.

 

Here is what I did for audio with 1K


https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-b...-fever-854353/

 

I don't understand the issue with the PCDs. I've had them for two years now and it just smells like exhaust. The only time you really smell it is sitting in the garage about to back out. It's not even overwhelming or dense, this sounds like first world problems.

I've had nothing but good feedback about the exhaust sound. I don't have rasp out the tailpipe, but I did install the mangnaflow resonator the RV6 sells. One lady friend thinks its just too loud.

The performance is noticeable and worth the $.

 

Why would you want to smell any exhaust at all? Exhaust doesn't smell good and it's carcinogenic and in excessive amounts, even lethal. Especially when for a couple hundred bucks more you get the same performance and no smell, at all.

 

Now that I've had a couple nights to sleep on it the "plan" is to go 50/50 spend-invest or something in that area.

More power would be nice, but I bought the wrong car for that. Im leaning sound system and jnc headlights.

For a good sub/amp/install how much am I looking at? A single 10'' sub would be enough for my liking

 

Would JL audio be the best? Any other recommendation?

 

^just like anything else, you'll have to further refine your research with the sound system.

if that's what you want to do, read up on some of the threads here in the audio section.
the JL subs are pricey and there are other subs worth the money

 

The best at what? There's way too much to consider. JL equipment will set you back a bit though, in terms of price. At a minimum, you'll need an amp, sub, enclosure and wiring kit. Then you'll notice your sub is over powering your stock speakers, so you'll need to up those too, lol. And then you enter a downwards spiral in terms of money, while chasing that perfect sound.

If you want a modest bump in bass without changing everything else, you definitely do not need a JL sub. At that point (meaning, just wanting to bump the bass up a bit), any sub will pretty much do.

 

I have everything in my car that you are looking to do minus the exhaust. The exhaust is the one thing I haven't gotten to yet since I decided repainting my car was a better choice. As far as stereo goes, I can walk you through the install to bypass the factory amp (very important if you are doing the interior speakers which is the right way) but jl is more than 1000. I probably have closer to 2300 in mine and thats at cost cuz I get JL at cost. I did c5 in all 4 interior spots, 2 jl 10w3, and a 900/5 hd amp. you can go with a cheaper brand but u will sacrifice quality of sound.
The AEM V2 is a nice intake but u will NOT notice any difference in power. I personally went with the injen since they offer a "hydrophobic" sleeve. it keeps u from sucking water into the intake, which is a big problem for me in florida.
Headlights are nice but u usually have to send them out and then you are without your car for a few weeks

just my opinion

 

Just like anything else in the world, there is competition.
there are brands that sound just as great as the JL for less money.

 

Not a TL but my experience with JL is pretty good.
I took my stock prelude over to a shop and and told them straight up, I want a quality sound system. They installed JL Audio 4 speakers, 2 tweeters, 2 subs, a head unit, and an amp for about $1400.

The quality was the best I think I've ever heard, and I feel like the price was good too.

 

JL does make nice stuff, that's for sure. Especially when you start moving up in their lineup, but it comes at a hefty price. Like the old saying goes- you get what you pay for!

 

I should've been a more specific. Currently I'm satisfied with the speakers and the overall sound of the music. My issue is the lack of bass + god awful rattle. I'm not looking to put 3 12'' kickers in the truck so you can hear me a mile down the road

For those who owned a 2g TL I'm searching for the next level or two up(bass wise). Enough bass to hear a good drop and vibrate the seats a little. Nothing over the top. My problem is always wanting the "best" brand. I don't know enough "JL quality for less brands" or even where to begin looking

Ive searched over in the audio section and read though these threads but they seem a little out dated
https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-b...y-last-634383/
https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-b...ur-sub-604904/
https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-b...-stock-611786/

 

ATLP. You won't regret it

 

I know you posted this on youtube but who's car is it?

 

https://acurazine.com/forums/photogr...thread-809938/

 

JL is ok very over priced, and you will never get your money back for it if you resell it at any given time. I would go with Mosconi, or Hertz, or something better in these lines.

I would recommend to go to a sound Quality Audio and see what they could do for you. All i could say is, I'm putting 3k$ worth of amps in my TL soon, well its going to be sound quality stuff, but not JL,

Look in to Illusion Audio c12XL sub, its only 10LB, very powerful sub, you could throw at least 1500 w rms of true clean power.!

You will spend a lot, but at the same time you will enjoy it even more, that 1000$ wont be even enough for JL amps or subs, or any component system speakers...

You got 2 options, if you want to add some boom, than by all means, add amp and sub, but do it right, If not save and have a shop do it professional install.

2. I would save your money!

I'm not trying to be an ass or in any kind of way, i'm just point things out to you... I'm in to car audio so i know how much stuff cost and whats good and whats bad, and whats so so.... if you need more info, please go to www.diyma.com so you could see what i'm talking about

 

I cant explain it... Just send the $$ to my paypal n ill show you lol

 

With a user name like that what could possibly go wrong

 

x2



Hurry up and buy something already!!

 

I'm not stuck on spending exactly $1000. It is additional income that I didn't have last week. From my point of view if I spend $1500 on a system (or any mod) I'm really only spending 500.

A decision will be made by the end of the week...hopefully

 

i'm just being a pusher! lol hurry up and buy!