Hi, I have a TLS and the stock stereo system is AWFUL I want to replace the 5 speakers + add an amp while keeping the car its stock look. I do not listen to loud bass music however precise and accurate bass is what I'm looking for.

Been looking through Cruthfield catalogue. Infinity Kappa 52.1i and Kenwood eXcelon KFC-Xr500 looks good to me (most $$$ too)

I have some questions

1) Should I get 4 "same" speakers for 2 fronts and 2 rears? Or 2 pairs of speakers? What will yeild the best sound quality?

2) Suggestions for 5.25 speakers for front and rear (if different). Budget is not really an issue. However, cheaper the better

3) Amps. All I know about these things is it gives more powers to speakers. I have totally no idea on this. Suggestions for an Amp? 2 channel or 4 channel?

4) Subs. Reading Crutchfield catalogue I have fond out some Subs have "Free-air use OK" They explained these kind of Sub can be used with no box and can be mounted to a rear deck (which means to me replacing the factory SUB to get factory look) Any ideas on this? Really don't want to put a box in the trunk. Any ways to "somehow" replace the stock Sub?

I apologize for the newbish questions. I'm a really big newbie on car audio.

Thanks

 

First if you have no budget constraints I would suggest using a higher quality deck as your head unit. A stereo system is only as good as it's weakest component and when you buy a cheap deck you get cheap quality and performance. You might want to look into purchasing a Alpine, Eclipse, Nakamichi there are quite a few really good head units on the market right now...make sure you try them all out but IF you are going to replace all of the speakers (in the doors and the rear deck) you will need a deck with (3) RCA inputs. These are to supply the (musical) signal to the amplifiers.

Speakers---Too many brands to mention...Kicker..MB Quart....Xtant...PPI...Listen to as many as YOU can then make a decision on what sound YOU like.
Doors--
You really 'should' put 6 1/2" seperates in the doors NOT 5 1/4" seperates..... the reason I say this is that the sound quality from the 6 1/2's is FAR better then the 5 1/4's
Rear--
The speakers in the rear are 6x9" speakers replace with any of the listed brands above or others that you may find and like the way they sound
Now for the "SUBwoofer" that is in your rear deck....unfortunately the depth of the stock "sub" is minimal and right below the magnet (on the speaker)are the trunk support bars.... so that leaves you NO room to replace it with an aftermarket subwoofer. All of the aftermarket subs have a much greater depth then the stock one so you will have to put a small box in the trunk or you could have someone make you a custom enclosure in the spare tire recess.
Amplifiers--
You will need a 4 channel amplifier for the doors and rear deck speakers
and then you will need a 2 channel for the subwoofer.... or if you want/need to cut costs you can purchase a 5 channel amplifier to power the whole system.
As far as what amplifiers' to purchase..? It will depend on what speaker components you want to use (brand & type) and also the type/brand of subwoofer and the type of enclosure you have for your subwoofer.

The most important thing to do is check out and test the components with a few CD's from your collection that way you will get a correct sound analysis for YOUR type of music...
Hope this helps
Jay

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2001 CL-S, Silver, tinted windows (all), Sick stereo mods w/ custom carbon fiber stereo dash kit, Alpine 7965, Kicker RS6 seperates, Diamond M3's, Apline 12" type R, Apline 307 & Kicker ZR360 amps

 

Thx for the reply jjc001.

I'm not really looking forward to replacing the deck as the stock deck really blend with the interior really well. + 6 disk in dash.

My current plan.

Stock deck + 6 1/2 component speakers @ front + 6 1/2 2 way (or 3 way) speakers at rear + stock subwoofer. Maybe add an amp if the system need more power.

How does this plan sound?

Another question I have is how much power does the 02 stock deck produce?

My plans are ~250 Watt system, any suggestions to achieve that?

Thanks

 

Hey CK, I think I know what you're after...I recently replaced the speakers and amp and added a sub to my factory head unit. The thing to remember about the Bose system is that you can't replace just the speakers and not the amp (for the most part). This is because the Bose speakers have a different impedance than the majority of aftermarket speakers. This means the Bose spkrs work with the Bose amp. Bose spkrs are most likely rated 2 ohms. Aftermarket spkrs are mostly 4 ohms. So you have to get a new amp if you want new spkrs....or you must find 2 ohm spkrs for the Bose amp. And there's hardly any on the market. I have a CLS but I have to agree with jjc001 that your rear speakers are 6x9's. The CLS doesn't have a rear Sub, but from my own install I think you'll find that a new amp(s) to drive your factory speakers or new speakers and your factory sub. will give you what your looking for without swapping out the head unit. (Note, many aftermarket amps are 2 ohm stable, that's why I say you can replace the amp and keep the factory speakers.) Of course, replacing the factory head unit would give you the cleanest sound possible. But I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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'01 CL-S Black/Parchment
Spoiler and NAV.
Infinity Kappa 6.5" comps.
Kappa 2-way 6x9s
10" Kicker Solobaric sub.
Kicker IX405D 5-channel amp.

 

Thanks Driven That was great help.

So, according to you if I changed all 4 speakers, and add a 4 ohm Amp, that should give me a nice system right?

Also what is the dif between 2 channel and 4 channel amps? Sorry for the newbish question

Will I be using the amp to power the factory subwoofer? Or...

Thx in advance

 

Swapping out the speakers and adding a new amp will make it play louder. Keep in mind, you will have to use some kind of line-converter to integrate the factory system to a new amp. IMO, I suggest you visit some local stereo shops with your inquiry and, if possible, get a listen of some systems they may have done with a similar set-up. It doesn't have to be the same model car. What you're looking for is if you find the "factory+aftermarket" setup acceptable soundwise.

As for the number of channels on an amp....Each channel, in general, means one speaker. So, 2-channel amps can run your front set of speakers. A 4-channel amp will power the front and rear speakers...and so on. Then there's variations in hooking up these amps... like "bridging" the channels to power a single speaker or to power a pair of speakers and the sub at the same time.

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'01 CL-S Black/Parchment
Spoiler and NAV.
Infinity Kappa 6.5" comps.
Kappa 2-way 6x9s
10" Kicker Solobaric sub.
Kicker IX405D 5-channel amp.