sigmachi96

After reading all these great posts on upgraded audio systems for the TSX I decided to take the plunge.

This Tuesday I am getting the following installed to improve the sound to be more clear and crisp on songs I listen to on my iPod in my TSX.

Focal 165A 6-1/2" Component Speaker System (Front and Tweeter Replacement)
Focal 690CA 6x9" 2-Way Speakers (Rear Deck Replacement)
JL Audio E6450 6 Channel Amplifier

I chose this amplifier as I wanted the future option to add a 10' inch subwoofer. I also liked the sound of the Focals compared to Alpines, JL Audio, and Infinities. When listening to India Arie (Aoustic Soul), the Focals provided the full range of sound I was looking for. I also found this article that gave me some direction as well. I wanted to get a Diamond Audio speaker setup but they were too expensive for my budget. I also am not upgrading the read door speakers per many different posts on it not making that much of a difference in sound.

I'll provide an update on the difference in sound once my system is installed. There probably won't be too many pictures since the setup will look stock. I requested the amplifier to be installed next to the Navi/DVD player to allow me full trunk space. Hopefully they can get the amplifier installed there

dizzy1

Let me know how you like that amp, I was going to buy one to install once the heat in the desert breaks.

miner

....it's a dry heat.

CJams

heat is heat!!!!!

CONGRATS ON THE SYSTEM UPGRADE. YOU WILL BE HAPPY YOU DID IT!

sigmachi96

I got my Focals installed today and it is amazing the difference in sound a quality set of speakers will make. Very crisp sounds in all ranges and the speakers don't strain when increasing the volume or distort on music with various vocals or instruments all playing at the same time. I give the Focals a thumbs up

I decided to also get a JL Audio 10W0 sub woofer. They will be making a custom box in the trunk and will be hiding the amplifier somewhere behind the box. I'll post pictures once I get it installed in a follow-up visit this Thursday. I'll also give a full review of the entire system once everything is put together.

RAOH92

Congrats on the new system! I picked up the same brand and I love them. As far as the Sub, Why not get the 10W1v2? It's newer technology and it shouldn't be that much more than the W0. It may be worth a look. Whatever you decide, keep us posted and let us know how you like the whole package.

sigmachi96

Finally got a chance to post some pictures of the final product. Pretty amazing what good speakers and a powerful amp will do.

Dan Martin

Very clean!

Actually that flat part on top of the box is probably pretty useful.

CJams

Looks good! Did you make the box/amp rack yourself? Good job Does that amp get hot in there?

sigmachi96

I wish I had the skill to build the box. The installer actually built the custom fiberglass box. I haven't had any issues with heat so far on the amp (knock on wood).

RAOH92

Hey congratulations! I see you took my advice with the W1v2's. Sorry, I have a tendency of making people spend more money then they planned. I always wondered what those hooks were for. Anyways, How about that Review?

TranceFusion

very nice and clean!

virtualbong

This may be the same setup for me. How much was everything (all speakers, plus installation)?

If its not too bad, I may even get it done in the next week or so.

sigmachi96

I got the W1v2 for $5 dollars so I figured it was worth it. Plus it looks much better compared to just a black front on the 10W0. Anyways on to the review...

As mentioned I upgrade the fronts (speaker and tweeter) with the component Focal 165A 6-1/2, the rear deck with Focal 690CA 6x9" 2-Way Speakers, a custom box with a JL Audio subwoofer 10W1v2 and powered by a JL Audio E6450 6 Channel Amplifier. Per many other reviews and the recommendation of the installer, I didn't touch the rear door speakers and he even disabled them from the setup. It's amazing how thin the stock speakers were compared to the Focals. My focus was to get a much tighter/cleaner sound which I believe I accomplished thru this setup.

The sound...

As mentioned in my previous posts, the sound quality is outstanding! The combination of high quality speakers, subwoofer and a quality amp make an incredible musical experience. These speakers are so precise, I hear things in music I never really caught before in the car. I listen to a variety of music from R&B, Soul, Alternative, etc. Now when you increase the volume in the car, you don't get distortion and I don't have to crank the volume when I have the windows/sunroof open. I'm overall satified with the setup but the higher end Focals that I listen to definitely do a better job in filling in the mids and not just the highs and lows. Unfortunately I didn't want to spend $1K just on a pair of component speakers. Also, I haven't decided if I want to Dynamat the trunk as there is significantly more rattling in the deck due to the quality rear speakers and subwoofer.

sigmachi96

The total costs came to about $1600 including the labor, speaker wires, custom sub box, RCA cables, etc. Add WA state sales tax (8.8) it came to about $1750. If you minus the subwoofer and custom box, it would have been around $1200. It took 3 visits to finish the entire job.

1st day - Install speakers and run all the wires
2nd day - Install amp and run all the wires
3rd day - Custom subwoofer box

virtualbong

Damn, that's more than I expected. Maybe I'm just ignorant to how much these Focals cost. How much was the labor? Maybe I can find some less expensive speakers that will satisfy my needs. Was there any other less expensive options you were looking into?

jlukja

Are you sending full range singal to the rear 6x9s?

sigmachi96

Focal 165A 6-1/2" = $200
Focal 690CA 6x9" = $200
JL Audio E6450 6 = $400
JL Audio Subwoofer = $100

I also looked at an Alpine, JL Audio setup but the Focals sounded much better.

sigmachi96

I believe the installer setup it up by sending just the lows to the rears and the subwoofer. The fronts are highs and mids.

virtualbong

Damn so installation was $700??? Is that normal? I just want to make sure I'm not getting jipped on installation when I get quotes.

I'll probably do these:

Focal 165A 6-1/2" = $200
Focal 690CA 6x9" = $200
JL Audio E6450 6 = $400

And maybe include my 2 10" JLs in a box.

VTEC11

Are these the Access model focals?

sigmachi96

Don't forget that they did a custom sub box for me. Remove the custom box and the labor is probably between 300 - 400. The installation also includes all the RCA cables, speaker wire, amp power, crossover, etc.

elduderino

Getting gypped on install means getting a bad install, not paying for a good one.

itrhybrid

iTrader: (1)

Who did your install?

James

elduderino

Let's see... Seattle... StreetWires, Focal, and JL... lotta chia fur, no trunk liner. I'm gonna say Car Toys. You said that total before WA tax was $1600. You said that without install it was $1200.

That's $400 install. $400 install / 3 days = $133 a day. From your comments I'm not clear that the box was in the $400 or in the $1200. But it doesn't seem to be fiberglass...

sigmachi96

Nice guess. The box is made of fiberglass with the exception of where the amp connected towards the back. The custom box was $400. I can definitely vouch for fiberglass as you can still smell the material in the trunk.

elduderino

OK, so $700 including the sub box... we would've probably charged about the same for one of our fiberglass boxes, OEM amp interface, 6 speakers, and amp install.

Which CT was it? Did they go by the HU preamp out article, or did they charge you for LOC/stepdowns? Any engine noise?

I have to tell you, for a "fiberglass" box, that box has a lot of very flat sides. I get the feeling that most of it is NOT fiberglass. I'm certain that fiberglass was used in it for reinforcement or for the very back wall, , but the guy didn't use fiberglass too much structurally.

RAOH92

Eldude.. I get a High pitch whirring sound from my speakers, Is that engine noise? It's more noticeable at low volumes, but it's pretty damn annoying. To my knowledge there was no LOC used, just a GLI. Any ideas?

elduderino

Let's do this one in another thread. Start a new one, k?

And read https://acurazine.com/forums/audio-video-electronics-navigation-22/primer-engine-noise-its-causes-283183/

RAOH92

Sorry, I saw "engine noise" and it got me thinking. Thanks for the link, great info (as usual). Thats one for the archives.

sigmachi96

It was the Car Toys in Issaquah. I'm pretty sure they did the HU preamp since I don't hear any engine noise and they mentioned that they took the Navi/Headunit out to get the wires connected appropriately to the amp and speakers.

I'll take out the subwoofer and take pictures from inside the box. You may be right and I am not curious about what the box is made of inside.

elduderino

Took out the HU? That's the effing hard way. No wonder it took them so long.