Having low sound issue in my 04 TL. I have to put it up to 40 and it still sucks. I took it to Best buy and they told me the amp is good and that it is the head unit that must be the problem. I don't see how that is true if I still get sound and all my speakers work it's just not loud. Do you think I should just try to replace the amp? If so, did you just buy the exact factory amp online or buy and aftermarket one. I don't need anything crazy I just want it to be a little louder like a normal radio.
Thanks!

 

It's the amp, replace it.

 

^or repair it. I had mine repaired for ~$125 at a shop here in Florida.

Carstereohelp.com

Mailed it to them, had it back in the same week. Solved my low volume issue! I did by another used amp prior to finding the place listed above, but that died within a week. Lesson learned, just repair the one you have, unless your willing to buy new ($$$$).

 

^^^I should have done that to get rid of the ridiculous whine that came off mine.

 

If I decide to replace it what amp would you recommend.. an aftermarket one or the same one that is in there? Can I do this myself I don't really know that much about this stuff but I think id like to give it a try if it is somewhat easy. If I get an aftermarket one will I need to replace any speakers or will any amp that fits work?

Thanks!

 

There was a guy on here, I think it was uncald4 that sampled making a plug and play rockford fosgate 4 or 5 channel amp that livens the speakers up a bit. That's the route I'd go...

the TL's sound system is a major commitment IMO...if you're not too inclined, I'd recommend you just replace or fix the oem one.

 

I have been searching the internet for a replacement amp but can't seem to find one. Any recommendations?

 

^^^ there is 1 just 1 post above yours...

 

Swoosh..I thought he was recommending and aftermarket amp. I just want the simplest solution and I thought that was replacing my amp with another stock amp. I have no idea what I'm doing I just want my stereo to play a little louder I have to listen to it all the way turned up to 40 and it still isn't loud.

Thanks!

 

That rockford plug and play thing is garbage. The JL amps work well with the factory HU's low output. Put a 5 channel under the seat. 700/5 or a 900/5.

or replace with stock if you can stand it

 

I didn't really want to put anything under the seat if possible. Is there anything else you would recommend that utilizes the space available for the amp that doesn't affect my speakers and cause to much work?

Thanks

 

^Read Post #43

If you can go without tunes for a week or so, they can fix it. You can look up the link and call and talk to them. I believe they even offer a warranty, but I was told they rebuild the entire amp (new capacitors, IDK?). Mine has worked great ever since I got it back, almost a year now.

 

As Jeremy mentioned, if you really want to get into Audio stuff, then this is what I would do,

OEM RADIO --> PROCESSOR (LC8I) --> 5.1 Channel AMP (5 channel Alpine with a solo amp for sub) --> OEM SPEAKERS/UPGRADED SPEAKERS


OR

Just get the amp repaired...

 

Nope

 

actually just spent the time to read through all of this thread lol. I'm looking to upgrade my system, mainly by replacing the stock amp with something better. I already have a 12" sub paired with a 500W RMS 1000W Peak amp. I'm somewhat satisfied with this setup with everything else stock, but I am looking for a little bit more out of the system and I figured a stock amp upgrade would fit the bill. Any suggestions on a decent 5 channel amp and is a processor really necessary? Also would just upgrading the amp provide a substantial increase in volume and sound quality while keeping the stock speakers?

 

I amped my stock rear speakers for about a year. The stock speakers sound pretty good with aftermarket power. The downside is you have to use a fairly high highpass filter. If I wanted to crank mine with 75w to each one I had to use a 120hz highpass or they would bottom out.

On the klippel they only had about 1.5mm of linear excursion and I doubt they have more than 2-3mm before bottoming out. So the answer is yes, the stock speakers will sound better with 75wpc to them but you have to set them up right or you'll hurt them.

There are several good speakers that don't cost a whole lot. Image dynamics make several models. JL's C5 set are very good overall and for the money but they're between $300-$500. JBL has a few good cheap sets. Polk makes some decent cheap speakers. Based on my experience and klippel results, stay away from Massive Audio, the stock Honda speakers performed better on the klippel and it backs up what I heard.

Spend any money you were planning to spend on the rears on better fronts. If you want rear fill, you'll probably be plenty happy with amping the rears.

The JL HD 900/5 is a great 5 channel as is their XD version. Alpine makes a great 5'channel and there are plenty others. Are you planning to replace your sub amp with a 5 channel to run everything?

One amp that gets no attention but I think is great is the JL E6450. It's discontinued but some places still have it in stock. It's $200-250 and has 6 channels. You can bridge channel 5 and 6 to the sub and it will function like a 5 channel. It does 75wpc at 4 ohms and I think 100w at 2 ohms. It would be perfect if you're looking to amp the stock speakers. It's also enough channels to run your system fully active if you choose to do so down the road. This would require keeping your current sub amp on the sub.

Just to throw it out there, 75w will get loud. More power, if the speakers can handle it, will sound better, more dynamic and realistic. I'm running 1200w on the fronts alone and I don't listen to it any louder than most people most of the time. It gives a very natural, realistic sound. Not recommended on stock speakers but I wanted to point out you don't have to match the speakers rms rating to the amps rating. It's always good to have headroom with an amp that puts out lots of power. You can always set the gains so you don't hurt the speakers.

I tend to get carried away but you might try amping the stock speakers first and see how you like it. Just set the highpass filter on the amp high enough that the speakers don't bottom.

Oh, a processor is not necessary but it can really improve the sound quality.

 

Wow thanks for the great reply, lots of good info! I don't plan on replacing the amp going to my sub, the reason I wanted to get a 5 channel amp was for the doors and the center. I'll most likely replace the fronts down the line when I save up some more money, for now though I was hoping to get a $200-$250 amp to get better volume and clarity and that would have headroom for when I do replace the fronts. Also by setting the high-pass that high would I lose some midbass at the cost of volume or would I still get a solid kick up front?

 

Be warned, it's a slippery slope...cost/headache wise.

 

to keep the center or are you referring to something else?

 

Unbelievable. The amp I swapped in about a year ago has now failed in the exact same way as the first. What the hell is wrong with these things?

 

does the stock head-unit or amp apply a filter to the front speakers? For example, if I remember correctly there is a 80Hz low-pass filter applied to the stock sub. I'm mainly wondering if there is any form of high-pass filter applied to the front speakers or if the signal coming from the stock amp is in fact a full, unfiltered signal.