Hello Everyone,

Just bought an '04 TL and I'm pretty disappointed in the stock stereo. Especially the muddy base.

So, I'm planning on upgrading. I've done a lot of reading around this wonderful forum, but much of the info I've come across is older and/or contradictory.

So, indulge me if you will with some basic premises. Correct me if I'm wrong.


1. It is a 5.1 system. R/L Front full range(with tweeters)
R/L Rear full range
Rear subwoofer
Front Center

2. All speakers driven full range with the exception of the front tweeters and subwoofer.
the front tweeters have a passive crossover attached to them.
the rear sub has a low pass crossover, but is it located in the amp or the head unit?

3. The built-in speaker/cabin acoustics equalization is located in the head unit. Since most of the equalization being done is for the cabin, rather than the stock speakers, it's not that bad if it's affecting any new speakers I get as well?

4. The head unit produces a high enough line output for all 6 channels to sufficiently drive an aftermarket amp

5. All 6 channels of line outputs, as well as the remote turn on wire, are input into the back of the stock amp, so they should be easy to get to.

I am planning on not using the stock amp at all, as it apparently has a very high level of distortion (presumbably THD and IM) of about 5-10% at max RMS output.

6. If this is easy as plug-in-play, I won't lose any of my nav or handsfree speaker functions.

Please help me out everyone, correct what I've got wrong, and add things in if you'd like.

David

PS. My goals are realistic reproduction of music, loud, but with low distortion. Accurate freq response (no bass boom).