Hello everyone,
I am new to the forum and this is my first post. I just purchased a 2003 TLS w/Nav. I have been reading the forum for about a week now (lots to read) and I have to say WOW! One thing I have read quite a bit about is the upgrade of the stock audio system. (Thanks Southbound and Iggy) I have decided to go with the Polk upgrade w/ both of Southbound's mods (the resistors and the terminators). Does anyone have a picture of both of these mod's performed or a radio shark part number for the needed parts?

Anyway...After searching for 2 days I found a vendor that has the Polk's :wow: IN STOCK!! :wow: And at last count they had 45 pair !!!! at $109 each pair. I ordered two pair for myself yesterday.

Now that your drooling..here's the link:
Gimme...Gimme!!!

I just wanted to give back what I discovered to the forum b/c you guys are really a great group of people. Southbound, I just wanted to say thank you for all of the time and effort you put into this forum. I really learned a lot.

Cheaha

 

Time to break out the plastic!

 

and you're welcome, Cheaha!

Radio Shack won't have any of the tweeter resistors or "non polarized caps". They also don't carry a high voltage ceramic disc cap for the terminator mod.

NTE electronics makes all of the needed parts.
Go to their website at www.nteinc.com and do a search for a dealer near you. Most electronic supply type stores carry their products. Frys Electronics also carries their line. One guy had to order from a dealer near him, but most have been able to locate a local dealer and then pick up the parts themselves. They really are fairly common... just not at Radio Shack, etc. You need to find a electonic or Ham Radio supply type of store. You need a .05uF/1KV ceramic disc cap and 100ohm/1watt resistor for the terminator mod. NTE specs the .05 as 50,000pF. (same thing, just pico instead of micro)Buy some 5watt resistors between 3.3ohms and 4.7ohms to cut down the tweeter if you find it too bright. If that's still not enough for you, add the 10uF/35volt (or higher voltage) NON-POLARIZED electrolytic cap from the tweeter side of the resistor to the negative terminal of the speaker and this will continue to roll of the highs even more. You will need to tweak the speakers to your own listening preferences. They may be just fine sounding to you out of the box.

Iggy posted some pics of the terminator mod parts, even some after he had soldered them onto the speakers. I forget which thread it's on right now, but it's one that was fairly recent. Knowing Iggy, he'll pop up and show you the link. Just remember to watch your clearances with the bottom of the door hole cutout and insulate things well. You have to bend up or bend in all of the terminal connectors on the back of the speakers so that they won't rest on the door frame. Other than that, it's an easy fit! You might like the stock sound of the speakers and not find a need for the tweeter resistor mod. Give them a listen INSTALLED first, and give them a week or so... If you still think they are too bright, then tinker with the tweeter resistor mod. Use a sheet of dynamat or equivalent underneath each speaker while you're at it, and add the terminator mod. Every little bit helps!

AND THANKS FOR YOUR RESOURCES IN FINDING THE LAST CACHE OF A GOOD SET OF STOCK REPLACEMENT SPEAKERS!

GOOD LUCK, and again, WELCOME ABOARD!
Southbound

 

Cheaha
Here's the link to the thread where Iggy posted pics of the terminator mod using NTE components.

http://www.acura-tl.com/forum/showth...threadid=41406

Southbound

 

Thanks Southbound,

I will try and locate a distributor somewhere near where I live. I have one more question though. Somewhere I remember reading that there is a difference in the size of the terminal connectors from the stocks to the polks, but I can't find that thread again. Can you confirm this difference? If so what would be required to make the right connection?

:smokin: Cheaha

 

Cheaha,

You will have to clip the factory connector off and then either use spade type crimp connectors or solder the wires to the speakers. Try to clip the factory connector fairly close to the speaker side so you still have enough wire to manuever the new speaker once it's connected. To make life easier, just below the speaker cutout in the door you will find a little white wire holder that hold the wires in place, poke this thing trough the door and it will give you a little more room to work with.

Check the FAQ area on the left side of the screen for instructions on how to remove the door panels.

Also, you are correct that the Polk speaker terminals are of a different size. The larger one is positive, which is explained in the literature that came with the speaks. Check out this link to decifer factory wire polarity and colors:

Schematics

Cheers,
Iggy

 

Thx guys...I just bought myself 2 pairs... Please read another thread tittle "SB/Iggy - help"...i had a few questions thx again.

 

Thanks Iggy,

I ordered the necessary parts from an online retailer, as I couldn't find anyone in town that had all the parts in stock.

I will be performing the mods and installing the speakers just as soon as the parts arrive in the mail.

Thanks for the info.

:smokin: Cheaha

 

I just got my second pair from eBay for $66 plus shipping. I had gotten my first pair there as well for $89 or $99 (not sure).

Always keep eBay in mind for discontinued items since that's a prime spot to unload inventory like that.

eCo

 

Thanks eCo

I found the speakers on EBay; however, I went with the other retailer for 4 reasons:

1. The speakers were brand new

2. Didn't want to hassel with aution trading

3. Wanted to pay with credit card

4. Had the speakers next business day

But ebay is cheaper so you guys decide.

:smokin: Cheaha

 

got mine for $50+shipping.