I'm a noob but i searched. I was wondering if the stock speakers are run off the bose amp in the back or the head unit. I recently replace the stock headunit on my 03 tl-s with an alpine ina w900 and i want to replace my speakers since they don't get loud enough for me. so my second question is i know i want 6.5"s but would i need spacers for all my speakers?

 

If you connect the audio wires on the factory harness to the headunit then you should have sound.

As for inside speakers, you will need spacers if the speaker is too deep.

 

Did you follow the instructions in the DIY's regarding how to disable the BOSE EQ when dealing with aftermarket equipment? Because without that, I imagine the sound quality won't be too hot. Volume might be compromised too but since I disconnected it immediately when I installed my aftermarket HU, I didn't find out what the EQ did to my sound before disabling it.

 

I thought disabling the Bose EQ was for the stock headunit using aftermarket equipment. So you need to disable it too even using an aftermarket HU?

 

Yep. I run the stock front Bose speakers which are actually quite good as long as they are crossed around 80hz or so. I have those running active through a processor and the top end is cut off at 4kHz. I was going to take them out but honestly I like the sound I have now and am not keeping the car for too much longer...figured why go through the craziness of installing new door drivers if the stock drivers are doing so well in this new role... I have installed Dayton ND20FA tweeters flush in the A-pillars, to take over from there. The rears are stock Bose as well, untouched and amplified off the aftermarket HU. This hybrid stock speaker setup is as good as most aftermarket gear I've sold and installed in the past.

I have run both with and without additional amplifier power, and the Bose EQ has always been disabled since the HU install, which was the very first thing I did to the car.

 

I'm not sure about the eq. I had it professionally installed so i'm not sure what he did. It sounds great though. I'm guessing the speakers are connected through the head unit because i can control the trebble, bass and subwoofer level straight through the headunit settings.

 

check to see if you have the amp in the trunk, if you have the amp and the wires are still all connected to it, then the installer is triggering the stock amp to turn on. If you don't have an amp or the wires are bypassed, then you are powering off the head unit

 

alright i'll check it out