Well, i'm new to this forum, but not new to car forums. I searched for most of the day for some answers, and came accross a lot of old links. Hopefully you can help me out.

I'm looking to upgrade my complete audio system.

Head Unit: I have an Alpine deck already. Do I need an adapter for this? Is it plug-n-play once I get new front/rear speakers and a sub/amp or do I still need to bypass the Bose EQ? How much wiring is needed if any to install an aftermarket HU?

Speakers: I'm shopping for components, probably Boston Acoustics. From what i've read, the stock speakers are 6" but 6.5's will fit. I see most ppl need spacers to avoid the speakers hitting the windows, otherwise they'll fit?

Sub: I'd like to use the stock sub/amp temporarily with my aftermarket HU and speakers. Is this possible?

Is the stock EQ no longer functioning once an aftermarket HU is installed, or is it disabled once the speakers are removed? Phew, I think that's all I have for now, maybe someone can help me out

 

my advice is to just put all new aftermarket stuff in at the same time. Then the install is very straight forward. If you use your new deck and speakers - there is no need to mess with any of the stock wiring or EQs. just hook everything up like you would in any car. 6.5s will fit fine in the doors, you will have to cut the metal some - tin snips will do the trick, then make a spacer out of wood if you need to depending on how deep your speakers are. Dont think you can use the stock sub/amp with a new deck. A few people have put a new small amp on the stock sub and ran that off a new deck and they say the sound is better...though that stock "sub" is pretty weak. The stock EQ runs with your stock deck, so once you remove that, you will just run new speaker wire to your door speakers from your new deck or new amplifier.

like I said, its a basic install if you put all new stuff in, so that is what I would do.

 

Derrick knows this car better than I, so I will defer to him... but I think his post in the Sticky thread about TL upgrading might answer a lot of these.

Don't take too much from the diff between 6" and 6.5"... everyone uses these terms differently. Your biggest limitation is magnet depth, but metal hole diamter comes in too. I'd respectfully get better speakers than Boston. Not bad, not great relative to some others - Focal is good, I like DLS a lot, some like CDT, etc.

The spacers aren't just to avoice the window, it's to make the rings mate against the back of the door panel. See my TSX spacer thread. Makes a huge mid-bass difference.

As the OEM sub goes, Derrick will try to dissuade you, and so will I. Lot of trial and error to get it to work, and afterwards, it's still a 6-year-old OEM sub, and sounds like it.

 

Thank you both for the replies. Ok, well i'll avoid the stock sub altogether and just wait for my new sub/amp. I'd rather not cut my doors at all, would 5 1/4 speakers fit, or would those be too small? I'd like to keep this as original as possible by not manipulating anything since someday i'd like to put this back to stock.

I've noticed people put their crossovers for their components in the doors as well...does this work for both front and back doors? I've also heard people put their tweeters next to the speaker for the best sound, but my legs would block this?

Best components for $200-300/pair?

Man, I sound like such a noob asking these questions! Honestly, I'm not...

 

uh oh, he said Crossovers and back doors! HIDE!

 

I have components all around - doesnt matter at all. If you are going for SQ, you can just turn the back speakers down, so they dont disturb the sound from the front speakers. I have those speakers in the back for rear passengers - and I got a good deal when I got 2 pair.

When I said cut the door, I mean about 1/2 of an inch. the stock speaker is 6 inches, but the whole in the door is not a perfect circle, so you just have to cut a slight amount for a 6.5 inch speaker to fit (much better than a 5.25 inch speaker). And you will still be able to put the stock speakers back in if you ever wanted too. I have my crossovers in the doors - there is plenty of room to mount them in a variety of locations.

I also have the tweeters down by the mids - the Focal tweeters are pretty bright, so this helps - but if I could do it again, I would put them up higher because if you have 2 people with big legs up front, some of the sound does get blocked.

 

I was just messin' around and anticipating elduderino's response

 

haha, ya I know - just a matter of time before we get his side...everyone has their own opinions of course. I just couldnt stand my poor rear passengers getting beat down with the bass and having to listen to the shitty stock speakers - so now they have some good sounds to hear also

 

yeah you are definately very considerate. I rarely have passengers in my car, and those who are, usually can't tell the difference b/w speakers anyways so for my setup, i think im jsut gonna build it w/ the comps in the front. Or maybe ill upgrade the rear's but wont put too much money into it. we'll see

 

ya that is a very common thing to do - I just got excited back when I got both pair! its also not bad because the tweeter is down low in the rear also, so unless they are up just as loud as the fronts, you cant even hear them. I usually have them faded out about 5 notches. Also, my deck doesnt have an amp built in, so I didnt want to feed 100 watts RMS to the stock speakers! haha they wouldnt last for sure.

 

yeah definately good call on the amp. if i remember correctly u have hte Alpine CDA-78##. how do you like that, im gettin the 9855 in a few weeks. as far as the tweeters on the focals, what material are they made of, ive heard they are pretty bright

 

ya I have the Alpine CDA-7995 (from above in my sig). It is a great unit for sure. Outstanding SQ and loads of options to tweek the sound - just like the newer decks. Really the only thing you get with the newer decks are better looking displays. The guts are very similar. This was a $600 deck when it was new, so it is very nice.

The Focal tweeters are Tioxyd 5 TN 47 some type of metal for sure http://www.focal.tm.fr/gb/car/polygl...slim.htm...but yes they are pretty bright - but that is the way I like my music. I have Klipsch KLF-20s in my living room (two horns) so I like my music very loud sometimes.

But on the other hand, they are not overpowering at all, and can be turned down at the crossover or on the deck. They are also have very good detail, the first thing I noticed when I got it all hooked up, was I heard quite a few different sounds from some of my favorite songs that I never was able to hear before on other speakers

 

I have to agree with you re: the Klipsch - amazing sounds from those tracks youve listened to a 1000X. However in the car- can't seem to get a good bass match - overpowerinf piece of crap sub (it just temp. until my new Alpine comes in)