we all know the '02 TL is adequate, but, not really that great. I feel lately, that the sound system has gotten worse, mainly, the sub. I got to turn up the volume more.

i'm thinking of getting new sub and speakers. any recommendations? i listen to a variety of music. but for hip hop, i want that tight bass. do i have to get a box in the trunk? or can it replace the sub in the back seat? will i have to get a new amp to power all this? what's the estimated costs ?

does anyone have any trusted stereo shops in the LA area I can go to?

thanks for any inputs.

 

welcome! first off, what is your budget. You've described what you want, but also are you looking to gut the whole system or just add bass? do you want to focus on sound quality or sound pressure level (loudness)? answer these questions and im sure we can build a system for you w/out a problem

 

The OEM speakers definitely degrade in performance over time - the surrounds just aren't stiff and the spiders break down too, and I think the older paper comes start to get weak and suffer from hysteresis effects (or just plain flexing : )

Let me go back and examine posts about this car layout and I'll come back : )

 

the 02 TL's have four 6.5" speakers on the doors, and a stock 8" sub. HU has an amp attached to it and an off-board EQ, if i'm not mistaken

 

Oh, Competition Soundworks in Cerritos...

 

Thanks! Saved me some work : )

OK, first off, you really need to jettison that outboard EQ and the OEM amp, IMO. The EQ is a must because it's job is to try to force those crappy speakers to sound better - on good speakers it would sound horrid.

Secondly, you have to decide how you feel about "rear fill" mids and highs coming from behind you. Rear fill is a particular phenomenon to cars and isn't part of the stereo requirement (see the "SQ for noobs" post).

If you delete R fill from those R 6"s, it frees up your budget to be lower AND to afford better mids and tweets up front.

Speaking off which, if you have a budget you would like to stay within, it would help a lot on the specific gear recommendations.

Systems:

1) 3 or 4-channel amp, F mids and tweets, R 8 in the infinite baffle hole. For hip-hop, probably not my recommendation. Would need a subsonic filter to take the ultra-low bass out to prevent flapping.

2) same amp, same fronts, woofer in a box in the trunk. I'd go 10" in a sealed box, as it will outperform your factory setup handily and still be pretty small and foolproof.

3) 5-channel amp, R fill (coaxials), and woofer in the rear deck (again, not recommended for hip-hop).

4) 5-channel amp, R fill, woofer in box.

5) 4-channel amp for mids and highs and sub amp for woofer in box.

The woofer box could be fiberglass for maximum cosmetic and functional integration - just costs more.

You can probably source #2 for as low as $500 plus install. You could get it done for around $750-$1K with some much better equipment.

 

I am not sure if you can bypass the stock amp, but you can definately bypass the stock EQ, if you are planning to keep the stock HU.

 

Thanks DarkDJ and ElDuderino for your responses.


I would like to stay within $1K range, might be persuaded to go to $1.5K. I just want something that is crisp, clean, the bass is tight. Just a real nice smooth sound.

I don't know if it's my ears or the speakers/sub that's getting worse. haha. But I just find that the volume is usu. up. Most of the music will prob. be hip-hop. I don't need to let everyone know that I am coming around the corner; just something that is nice so that when i roll the windows down and/or have the moonroof open, i can still hear my music clearly.


Can I still keep my stock HU? Will I need to get EQ, amp, speakers, wiring and box? I will not want to use the stock sub with the new sub, right?

Any recommendations on brands? How much typically is labor?

 

Hi all. I have a 01 TL, and my recommendation is replace everything, excepting only the head unit if you're willing to solder the RCAs on to use the preamp out. I wouldn't recommend using the stock sub if crisp bass is one of your goals.

I like Elduderino's option 5: "4-channel amp for mids and highs and sub amp for woofer in box". (Of course that's what I have, so maybe I'm biased...)

 

Shiet! With 1.5K, you can change all speakers, add 2 amps and a decent sub. i would recommend jl audio for amps and sub. speakers, try bostons.

 

You need to make a couple more decisions... : )

1) Rear fill? Needed or not? (Please please please say no... : )

2) New HU? Or try to retain factory? If you want to retain factory you are trying something that Derrick tried for a while without success. If you get a new HU you need to decide how much and what features (Sat radio, MP3, etc.)

3) 1 or 2 subs? I'm getting the idea that 2 might be good for you.

 

The easiest thing to do is get a nice 10" sub, a mono amp, a multi channel amp, and some new speakers. A sub would sound much better in a box. Stock deck is fine, and it is safer too. Eventually you can upgrade the head unit, so you can have nice pre outs, and a better sound if you invest it right. TTFN

 

when you get your aftermarket sub, be sure to disconnect and remove teh stock sub from its location on the rear dash. that way, the sound will come thru the hole and into the cabin. Trust me, it sounds WAY better!