illadelph

Hi, Im actually new to the acura community. Im coming from a Lincoln LS and am picking up a 08 white TL with 25k on weds. This car does NOT have NAV so I am stuck with the basic sound system. I've read a few threads on what a lot of you do size wise with the front speakers. Im just looking for a few people to point me in the right direction with what interior speakers optimize the best quality of sound in these cars. Im not looking to do a Sub and amp for months but would like to get some ideas on everything else soon. As far as i know you cannot put head-units in these cars? Any help with this is appreciated.

Also not looking to go crazy with prices considering I just bought a car.

ParaSurfer1979

Can you PM me real quick or even better I/M me on AIM-anfbro25, Yahoo-anfbro27, or skype-parasurfer1979. I'll give you a LOT of info and opinion.

jda123

Since you don't have a navi, you could consider putting an aftermarket unit in. The only thing that you lose is the HFL through the stereo but many aftermarket units have bluetooth. With the navi, you lose much more by replacing the radio.

The front speakers are components with 6.5" midbass and 1" tweeters. The center speaker is a 3.5" full range. The rear speakers and 6.5" full range (they sound like midbass though) - no tweeters on the rear.

You can keep the 5.1 if you keep all 6 channels on the stereo.

If you post a budget, then you can probably get some recommendations. Also, whether you can do the work yourself or if you need a shop to install (will eat into your budget).

Good luck.

Trunk Monkey

iTrader: (1)

Definitely post up the budget first. We know you're not looking into getting this for a month or so but by the time we help you and you order everything, etc...it'll be that time. Do you use your trunk or would you like your trunk to remain as it is?

My recommendation would be to start with the front components, component amp, and sound deadener. A good set of components with the doors fully deadened will wake up that front soundstage and you can decide how much more bass you'd like. Mostly depends on your tastes and the midbass from the components you're using. From there, move to subwoofer and sub amp. You'll need an Line-out converter and most likely about a 4 or 8 gauge amp kit.

illadelph

I actually got a guy that does awesome installs at a dealership I work at. For front components I have no problem spending 200-300 bucks if need be. Can you run different front components to the stock amp or have to upgrade? After the front components are their a lot of people changing out the rear speakers as well?

jda123

The rears are fine for a long time, even on the stock amp. They are just for fill and do a good job of it for most people. I would do them last.

You will need to buy an amp for the front components.

You can use an aftermarket 2-way 3.5 for the center and get a LOT better quality and sound even from the factory amp.

I hate cars

You will be much happier running stock center and rears and spending the money on the front components. There's just so little info coming out of the center, you can't tell the difference.

If you aren't planning on adding an amp, you're pretty limited on speaker choices. Infinity makes a 2-ohm high efficiency speaker. Many aftermarket speakers will not be as loud as stock on the stock amp but they will be clearer.

I've upgraded a few times. First was Infinity and then Image Dynamics and finally Dynaudio 342s. Infinity is ok as a basic step up. Better than stock, efficient, pretty clear, won't handle a whole lot of power if you amp them. Highs are very harsh on pretty much any model Infinity but it's somewhat tolerable on the stock amp with the tweeter level turned down. I literally had electrical tape over most of the tweeter on mine. The mids are very clear especially for the price point but midbass is about the same as stock.

The IDs were super tough, sounded good, I really liked the tweeters, but probably too inefficient for the stock amp. If I had to name flaws it would be a slight lack of clarity and the tweeters would get harsh at very high volumes which most said was the crossover.

The Dyns are 100 times better than both in every way possible but they also cost 8 times more.

illadelph

So a new amp would JUST power the 2 front components and all the rest would still run on the factory? What size roughly amp am i looking at for 2 front components ?

eggyhustles

A good 4 channel would power a pair of components and a sub

For example, the soundstream reference 4.920 would give you 160 x 2 for your front components and 450 x 1 for a sub

illadelph

Im mainly concerned with the front components right now. Wouldn't I need a bigger amp than that if im going to run a 10 or 12'' sub down the line?

illadelph

One of my friends is selling a Old school Rockford Fosgate Punch 200x2. Would that get the job done? I think he only wants like $75 bucks for the amp.

eggyhustles

How old? old old rockford was the shit. If it does a legit 200 x 2 @ 4, then 75 is a steal

illadelph

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...:0&tx=75&ty=84

ParaSurfer1979

did you I/M me today. i was sleep. hit me up now.

eggyhustles

Take that off his hands.

Nick337

iTrader: (2)

hey that is a steal for 75 dollars. jump on it.

ParaSurfer1979

were you gonna get back on aim bro?

eggyhustles

Me? or OP?

illadelph

As for the comments I take it that amp will do great for the front components? Everything else goes to stock amp correct?

eggyhustles

Yes.

Yeah, everything will be ran off the stock amp. I would ditch the rears and center since music is 2 channel and 5.1 is usually useless in that sense.

illadelph

As for front components, should i stay away from certain brands? Also what watt per speaker am I looking for? esp with that fosgate amp im going to get.

ParaSurfer1979

Dude I/M me and ill give you all the info you want and need.

jda123

Why can't you post it to help everybody out?

Something in the 70-150W range will be fine, as long as the speakers are efficient. Look for a efficiency rating over 90db when selecting a set. 92 or 93 would be even better - takes less power to get lots of sound.

OP - Nobody can tell you what you might like in components. What sound good to some, sound terrible to others. Go to an audio shop and listen to some and see what you like. Pay attention to whether they have fabric (silk mostly) or metal tweeters - most people like one or the other of these.

I would stay away from anything from Best Buy, Infinity, JL Audio, Memphis, Kicker, Fosgate and the like. I personally think that you can do better for your 200-300 than what any of those have to offer. However, everybody will have a different list.

Go and listen.

illadelph

I actually talked to a installer at my dealership and found out that Rockford Fosgate is running a crazy promo pricing right now. He can literally get 70% off ANYTHING they have. I was looking at p200-2 amp and maybe the p1652-s 6.5 components set msrp -$260 but he can get under $100 literally. What you think? Get the new amp for around the same price as the older 200-2 amp i was thinking in the earlier posts?

illadelph

Also if their that cheap should i look into the rear sound? Or leave that stock, wont make much difference? Any help now would be appreciated.

eggyhustles

70%? not bad

eggyhustles

I wouldn't go rockford for speakers, but their power amps are decent

I would get

Rockford 3sixty.3 when it comes out.
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...n_US&p_status=

Massive rk6
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...mps-co-ax.html

Power 600.2
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...n_US&p_status=

I'd go with another brand for subs.

jda123

My guess is that they are clearing out Punch line stuff. The Punch line is not great and you can do better - it is Best Buy quality stuff.

Punch line starts with a P. Power line starts with a T. The T stuff is what you want.

Power amps are very nice and I like them - I have several. T1 Power subs are in-between an Alpine Type X and a JL w6, on my list for both loudness and sound quality in the 600-1000W range. T2 Power Subs hammer like crazy (2000W), but are a disaster for sound quality - avoid these. Power components are below average for the money.

You could probably be happy with some Power Amps and a T1 sub or two at 70% off, but that is likely it. You can do better elsewhere.

FWIW - I have 2 T1 subs in my garage that I am not using. I bought new subs rather than using those that I had, so take it for what it is worth. However, I am pretty picky.

illadelph

Fosgate stuff is that bad? Speaker wise what would you compare them too? Even for the amount im saving that isn't a good deal?

eggyhustles

Nope. I'd only go to them for the processor and their power amps

illadelph

So top 3 components you would choose rather than them for under $300 for front components? Would you go with the old school amp for $75 or the new fosgate for around $100 for a 200-2

ParaSurfer1979

I have posted before. Had you done a search you would have never have started this thread...lol. There are threads like this all over this board. Had you done a search you'd see that. I was trying to help you out. You I/M'd me once and I was away from my computer. Why you refuse to now and be a complete ASS vs. get good help otherwise is beyond me so I just won't help. Good luck to you... HA HA HA!!! But per your price limit your dont need to go the route you are trying to.

I hate cars

Image dynamics makes a great component set for the money. I installed Focal's lower end stuff in the GF's car and it sounded surprisingly good for the money. You may want to check them out.

eggyhustles

Nothing is beating the massive rk6 for <$300 imo

jda123

The Fosgate stuff is still a tremendous improvement over the stock stuff. However, there is better stuff out there, as outlined in this thread. If you want to try some Fosgate speakers, then at least go for the power line (like T1652) - they are way better than the punch line. The T1652 are $170 on ebay brand new, for reference. The T2652 are around $210.

illadelph

Thanks thats the kind of answer I was looking for. And sorry that I have not been to my computer lately to IM you back. How was that being an ass? Yes I have searched, many times and read the threads.

ParaSurfer1979

Dude you have been on you cpu or else you could give the "cant you just answer hear" answer. Instead of post such a comment here, you could have pvt messaged me or I/M'd me. The reason id rather the latter was to carry a conversation vs. random reply once a day so you could ask all the question you could possibly have over a 15minute converse.

I hate cars

Hey Eggy, since we're talking about the front stage, what do you know about the Exodus Anarchy 6.5"? 1" peak to peak excursion?!? And supposedly it sounds very nice. Price isn't too bad either. I just got my Tempest in from Fedex an hour ago. Very nice looking subwoofer. I'm going to update the Tempest thread with pictures right now.

illadelph

Im still strongly thinking about doing the fosgate power components. Is is very neccessary to do the 3sixty.3 when doing just front components?

eggyhustles

It's a great little speaker. Gobs of midbass, smooth midrange..super inefficient, though. Somewhere around 82-83db @ 1w.