I'm pretty confused as to how and what you need to do, to install a system - subs and headunit - in a TL. If i wanted to keep my stock HU but also have an aftermarket headunit, maybe installed and tucked inside the glove compartment, would that be possible? As for aftermarket subs, how would i hook those up with a separate amp? Will the factory amp that powers the BOSE speakers work along with it? Help out guys, i appreciate it!

 

I guess I'm trying to figure out why subs and a headunit constitute a "system". Kids today.

This info is addressed in the Master DIY/Reference thread, I believe.

 

I guess i can understand that a simple headunit and a subwoofer doesn't constitute as a system, but the sound that i'm looking for doesn't have to be the over top amp, deck, speakers, tweeters, and capacitors and the whole 9; i'm happy with just a loud sounding bass delievery with good speakers providing a nice sound inside the car.

 

Hm. I guess getting mids and tweeters constitutes "over the top", while a subwoofer all by itself is, you know, normal and shit.

Personally I think you'd be best off with a mid/tweet component set, a 3 or 4-channel amp, and a sub. You could run all that off of the OEM HU if you wanted to, or you could get an aftermarket HU.

At retail, you could get a nice CD player, a nice set of mids and tweets, a nice sub and a box for it, and a nice amp for $700-900. Hell, in my store we could set you up with a nice setup for $900, and we're not cheap.

I'd do a Sony 7715 (nice CD player, does MP3s, has AUX in, will do XM, will do an Ipod), a DLS 3-channel amp, a DLS 10" in a box, and DLS PS6 comps. The box I'd have to order somewhere for $100. That would be $850-900.

On onlinecarstereo you could get the same CD player, a Kicker 4-channel amp, a 10" Rockford in a box, and a set of Alpine Type S comps for $629. Still need wiring, a kit, and a sub box.

Less bass than a 12", but better sound than the OEM system with a sub glued onto it.

I guess I'm kind of offended that my TSX system (2 tweets, two mids, one 10, 50wx4 amp, parts are $800 retail, install is probably $700 more) would be considered "over the top" but a 12 in the trunk is acceptable. That's bogus.

 

In my experience you can install any aftermarket stereo you like in the 03 TL. I would not try to keep the existing bose HU, just replace it with an aftermarket HU. Where you're going to run into your problem is trying to keep the Navi (and onstar, if you have it) voice. Those go through the factory bose amp and when the HU is replaced, there is no amplification for the nav, and no harness available that can transplant the navi voice to the new HU. A solution I'm working on for that is to get the Alpine KAX-551n ( http://www.alpine-europe.com/content...r-Car-Navi.htm ) speaker and hook it up to the navi audio wire. I've ordered the speaker and am just waiting for it to arrive. After this is completed I will post the results here: https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...45#post4296545

 

Very carefully!

 

Like Elduderino said, a system is not just a headunit and subs - you need to get at minimum coaxials and an amp (3 or 4 channel) to run it - that is a "system".

I don't like 12's in the TLs - its too boomy in the trunk - 10's are much tighter. In a hatchback or suv, 12's are ok.

 

u took the words right out of my mouth!

but anyways, i'd recomment getting and aftermarket system and build one all the way. Start with the headunit, then the amps and speakers/sub. it'll be worth it, and I would go with what eldude recommends, if you are lookin for a good balance of soundquality and what not. if you just want boom, go to circuit city or bestbuy.