hey everyone. ok here's my situation, this is my first car ever, my uncle sold it to me 2 weeks ago and of course the first thing I want to do is soup it up. Now I want to ask, how is the stock sound system in the 2001 CL 3.2? I put the bass up to max and feel like I want a lot more bass. Also I've asked my friends about this and they say my speakers are probably high enough quality that getting a head unit, amp, and subwoofer would suffice.

My questions are (and I hope you guys answer) -

If I do put in a subwoofer in the back, how big do you think is big enough? (I'm not a punk who absolutely BLASTS bass but would like a significant upgrade over stock bass). And is there anywhere else in the car I can put a subwoofer if not in the back?

Are the stock speakers good enough?

What sort of headunit would you guys recommend (I have NO car experience) and where could I put it knowing the layout of the car?

What have you done with your 2001 CL 3.2 Type-S's in terms of sound?

Is there anything else that I'm missing?

I am willing to spend maybe about $1k on this and maybe a little bit more if necessary. Please help, thanks a ton!

edit: i just saw there's a CL sound system thread already and I apologize but hopefully you can make this more specific for me. Also, I don't need DVD stuff, just a normal headunit.

And one more question - where should I buy all this stuff? Obviously I'm not knowledgable to install all this myself so where should I go to do this, a friend suggested I get this all done at Best Buy.

 

welcome bro! first thing i say, is breathe! hahaha what you want to do is gind out exactly what you want to do. I see youve got a budget in mind, which is a good start. what type of listener are you, do you want the best there is, or are you lookin for an upgrade from stock. I think what you can do is start off by looking at an amplifier and subwoofer for the bass. Then look at a headunit for now, im pretty sure the speakers will be alright for now and you can think about adding an aftermarket amplifier and speakers after you satify your craving for bass. There are quite a few pro's on this board, so just give them time to see this thread

Lastly, take a look at all the Sticky's posted at the top of this thread, they will give you a good insight into the audio portion of our vehicles, as well as maybe help you single out what you are looking for.

 

i've read the stickies and it's all self-install instructions. now not wanting to totally take apart my car and destroy it, is there any place i can take it and have this all done for me? Also, the instructions in the sticky seem very TL/CL specific, would people at a place like best buy know how to take a part the car and put in a HU or something like that?


Also, maybe you guys can give specific advice as to what headunits, amps, subwoofers, go well in the CL.

Thanks a ton for the help guys!

 

Yeah, places like BestBuy, GoodGuys, and Fry's can definately install stuff for you. What i did, is i started with installing the aftermarket amp and sub first. as far as ur budget is concerned, are you looking to spend 1K on bass alone, or a whole system overhaul?

 

quite honestly i've been saving for a long time and have a lot of money to blow on this (well over $1k) but after looking at some prices, i think maybe i'd ideally like to spend about $1k. how much do you think i'd need to spend (including installation costs) for a "decent" system with good bass? maybe $1.5k?

 

If you are going for pro install, I would round up towards 1.5k.

Where are you? That will help receommend a shop...

 

i am in clinton, ny (13323).

thanks a ton for your help.

 

If its anything like my '03 CL-S, you will have to replace the speakers when you replace the sub, since the Bose door and back deck speakers are 1 or 2 ohm and will burn up any amp that cannot handle the load.

I wouldn't recommend getting a high-low converted (though I have one sitting around if you want it). For mine, I removed the 25wx4 bose amp in the trunk, used the inputs from the head unit to a new amp (Alpine 80x4) and new speakers (Polk ex), dynamat, along with xm and a hook-up for an ipod (or whatever mp3 player).

I have never been a fan of bose, but glad I put in the system as such. Not so happy about my 6x9 Polk EX, I may have to go to Alpine. Mine buzz a little, and those should be TIGHT.

Happy installing, took me forever.

 

I'll throw my 2 cents in. You absolutely should replace it all! I say that from experience. The stock system is just barely adequate for the average person. when you take out the speakers, you see why. they are very cheap. There is a thread in here on reaplcing the speakers and modifying them to work with the stock head unit. This will be a remarkable improvement for very little money but requires you to do some soldering and such. By the time you have someone else install your stereo, you'll already have spent enough to justify a total replacement.

Now, you absolutely do NOT want the part-timers at best buy, hi-fi buys or some such place to install the system unless you personally know the install tech and can verify that he is skilled and professional. I watched in horror as a friend had MB Quart installed in his explorer. They hacked the car up. If he ever wants to put something better in or restore it to factory, he's screwed.

Yeah, its alot of work to install the system yourself. Actually, I take that back. Its a lot of work to do it right. However, you can compromise. For instance, you can skip the dynamat and use the factory speaker wires (rather than run heavier speaker wire). You will do a fine job, its not complicated. But you will be careful and considerate of the quality of your ride.

That's enough on that.

I bought my amplifier at InfiniteCarAudio.com. They have sweet deals.
soundstream van gogh 400watt or for 30 more you can get 600watts. That's a completely amazing amp. It will generally be enough to power a 12" sub or two 10". You'll still need a multichannel amp for your main speakers.

Here's a cheap alternative that could get you some bass until you could save up for some JL's (you'll want more, I promise, you'll always want more) blaupunk package for $100

To simplify life, you can get a 6 channel that supports dolby 5.1 for $325 and you're done with amps Phoenix Gold Octane-R

Subwoofers are a topic unto themselves but I think a single twelve or two tens are plenty of bass and don't make you sacrifice your entire trunk. I had one Boston Rally 10" for years. Always sounded good, always left me wanting more bass.

This sub will do you right infinity perfect 12 and won't break your bank. You'll need an enclosure. Get a prefab, they're worth it.

I haven't personally heard this one Adire Shiva but I have a brahma. The Shiva is only $125! I would absolutely run that with either of the above mentioned amps. Start with one, maybe add another later. But I can't say enough about my brahma (different beast entirely, same engineer). It makes the hairs on the back of my head vibrate like tuning forks.

That leaves you with head unit and speakers. This is subjective. I hear MB Quart are a great speaker for the money. I love my Polk DB6500's. You can save some $ by putting DB650 (two way rather than components) in the back. In fact, the DB650 are easier to install and sound great.

Go to a local shop and try to listen to some speakers. Pay attention to the material of the tweeter and which you like best.

Head unit? get the least expensive Alpine that plays mp3's. You don't care about the internal power rating, you'll be hooking up an external amp. You can't go wrong with Alpine.

That is all my opinion and means nothing. I got all my recent knowledge right here on this forum and then by reading reviews. My system is rediculous and I spent about $1200 total. Of course, I installed it myself and built my own sub enclosure.

Basically, get good main speakers and a clean amp to drive them. Get a decent head unit. Then, think about how much bass you want and find the best deal you can on subs and a sub amp. Bass is more forgiving then the rest. If you aren't out to have bass wars, you won't need the JLs. However, you will not regret getting them if you do.

Good luck, its a lot of fun

In review

 

hey everett, if you still have the high-low converter, im interested. i need one. let me know ....thanks!

 

03cl1216-

Maybe I termed it wrong, maybe not.

I have a Soundgate XR4 amplifier/reveiver interface:

http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/sgtxr4.html

I opened it, but never used it. Found the POS Bose amp in the back and used the signals from there, pleasant find actually. Let me know if you want it. Would be happy to get it out of my closet.

-Everett