[Guest]

Hey guys. I may be asking too much here, but I just picked up my new TSX w/ navi last night and I'm fired up! I've read a lot about possible stereo upgrade options. I'm ignorant when it comes to installing stereos, technical aspects, etc. But, I love music and clean sound! I wanted to see if anyone has any comments on a system I'm looking to have put in Friday. Thanks for any thoughts!

Kenwood Sirius package (KTCSR903)
Infiniti 6000CS (Front doors and dash tweeter)
Infiniti 6002I (rear doors)
Eclipse Amp (PA5422 - 85W x 4 RMS) OR
Eclipse Amp (EA3422 - 50W x 4 RMS)

Miscellaneous:
Blitzsafe interface for auxilliary input to stereo (sorry if I'm not saying this quite right)
Zero Noise connections?

The Eclipse amp will power all speakers except the 6 x 9's which I plan to keep stock for now and run off the stereo. The sat tuner will go in the sunglass holder (I love that for whoever came up with that idea!).

I'm struggling with saving a couple hundred bucks going with the smaller eclipse amp. All-in with installation, they are quoting me about $2,000 with the larger amp or $1,660 with the smaller amp.

Any thoughts? Thanks a bunch in advance.

 

[pocketkiller]

That seems like a lot of money to get just a little better sound. I think the TSX system sounds pretty clear already, it just needs a little more clean bass. Dropping the 6x9s and adding 2 8 inch subs in the back would fix that right up without major work.

 

[Guest]

Darn.... Thanks for the reply. I thought I'd be getting a lot better sound with this. Maybe I should focus on the 6x9's. I don't know.... So confused. So many opinions out there!

Thanks again.

 

[pocketkiller]

Darn.... Thanks for the reply. I thought I'd be getting a lot better sound with this. Maybe I should focus on the 6x9's. I don't know.... So confused. So many opinions out there!

Thanks again.

Well it just comes down to your priorities. Do you think the stock system sounds good? I think it sounds dam good, just missing some bass. So in that case, there is no need to rip out the stereo and all the speakers, you just need to add subs. What is your opinion on the stock stereo? What do you think it is lacking midrange, bass? Please explain, so I can give a more detailed answer. Everyone's idea of "perfect system" is different, so if you give me your impression of the stock systes, then I can give you more feedback.

 

[Noel]

I find the OEM sound system adequent for what it produces. Could've been slightly better but no real need to improve. Blah, I'm not even a sound enthusiast ...

 

[Guest]

My impression is that it is adequate, but not as "clean" as I'd like to hear it. I must admit, I've wanted for a long time to buy a new car and really upgrade the stock system. I'm not into a lot of bass, just want clean sound with decent range. I do listen to my music loud, but don't want to "blow out the neighborhood". I'm hoping to upgrade a system that improves the clarity and adds power.

Those are my thoughts. BTW, at some point down the road, I may also put in subs in the deck, but don't want to spend more at this point.

Thanks again for the comments and feeback.

 

[pocketkiller]

well I think you need to

A) replace some of the speakers, either all 4 6.5 & 2 6x9 or just the 6.5s
B) replace some speakers and replace the amp.
C) just replace the amp, and see if that can improve your speaker life.

Well guys, lets let him hear it? Who upgraded speakers?

 

[miner]

well I think you need to

A) replace some of the speakers, either all 4 6.5 & 2 6x9 or just the 6.5s
B) replace some speakers and replace the amp.
C) just replace the amp, and see if that can improve your speaker life.

Well guys, lets let him hear it? Who upgraded speakers?

I have put Polk 6.5 coaxials in all 4 doors & 6x9 coaxials on the rear deck - could not find a 6x9 without a tweet. Sounds great IMHO. bbbbb5

 

[Zasker1]

My Two Cents

This is from one of my other threads, but the short answer is a good install shop will likly charge you a significant amount of money to do an install, Car Toys and Magnolia both wanted over 500$ for installing front speakers and a single amp. This task requires alot of time as you have do disasymbol the entire center console, possibly cust metal for the front door speakers to fit and run all the wiring. Dont put the amp under the passanger seat as this will make it difficult to adjust it later on.


Previouly stated:

Ok, I actualy went down the route of installing 2 amps and new speakers, there are some good links on this site for wiring diagrams and pictures but here are a few points to ponder:


1.If you swap the fronts keep the factory wiring and splice into it, pulling new wire through the door looms is not easy.
2. You will have to dismantle the entire center console.
3. add extentions to all ground wires and run them to a ground point at the back of the car, otherwise you will have tranny hiss and static.
4. The factory amp is crap so I cut the inbound wiring harnes and used a low-level to rca converter to push the signal to the back of the car down the center.
5. Dont run the amp power wire or speaker wires on the drivers side as the anntena is on this side, it will cause static.
6. Think Dynamat or b-quiet as once you upgrade the doors they will start to rattle. I bough some liquid dampner and put 8 coats on each door, this helps but the plastic shoud now vibrates.
7. This is an all day project with a buddy.
8. For the amp remote wire you can use the factory remote turn on on the head unit wireing harness.
9. Something to consider if you are upgrading everything would be to scrap the door speakers and put some nice 6x9's in, I put in Diamonds and they sound great, If you want to keep the doors you are going to need another amp and more deading material or the rear doors will viabrate.
10. Test everything before you put the center console back together.
11. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FIRST.
12. I sure wish I had take pics to document all this to help you out.
13. The doors do not have a 6.5" hole in them so be prepared to buid a spacer or cut metal. I chose to cut metal with a hacksaw as it made my car lighter.

14. Put some sort of rubber seal around the speaker housing. I bough some rubber weather stripping from home-depot for 2 bucks that was self-adheasive and made a good seal.

15. Be very careful on the passanger side door when pulling the panel. The powerwindow wires are very short, I actuay shattered the module when I pulled it apart and had to put it back together, This is not an issue on the drivers side but it is easyer to pull the controls out. (pull strait up) and disconnect the wires first. wish I had done that.

Let me know if I can help in any other way>

 

[SAZABI]

I don't like infinity or elipse... the sounds is too pointy for me.
even alpine typeS typeR are piece of crap. I like typeR sub and alpine amps tho.

I like JL audio better for speakers (XR series tho).

 

[robert_tg]

TSX's stereo system is the one of the best I have seen in cars in the similar line.

 

[cujo]

The system sounds allright for a factory stereo, but can sound significantly better for not much money. Replace the front speakers and when you hear the difference(you will) replace them all.