New stereo recommendation

[Zelgadis]

Hello everyone,

I have discovered in my 1998 Acura 2.5TL that the stereo stinks. After I bought it, I had the laser replaced and it still doesn't play lots of CD's (even store-bought ones!) I'm giving up on the factory system. I want a new one.

I do know through the research I have done that it can take a double DIN receiver. That would be ideal, since it would fill up all or most of the hole. And I like that. Otherwise, I'm not sure what else. First of all, I'm not sure if the TL's amp is separate from the receiver or integrated. What kind of power do I need for the factory speakers?

Also, I do want iPod connectivity. Otherwise, I don't need much. Enough power, double DIN, iPod, and CD player. That's it. Any advice?

ISF

[TJ213]

I don't know much about the 1st gen 2.5TL's (UA2 I think) audio system, but Crutchfield: Car Audio, LCD TV, Plasma TV, Speakers, Home Theater has a bunch of great audio guides and some iPod solutions

[Atoche]

quick opinions .... anyway...

I would say, stay simple and straight forward. Buy a 5 channel amp (so you dont have to futz with multiple amps) - replace the stock speakers with upgrades, keep your double din idea -- and get a dual VC sub (single) if you like such things....

the bottom line - with a modern day 5 channel and decent replacemnt parts you cannot go wrong. Don't shirk on the install (get high quility wire and pay attention to run power and signal seperate)... you should be happy to listen.

I have a civic, and I run:

Sony Explod head unit (I dont like it but it plays MP3's and cost 80 bucks new)
Alpine V12 4 channel amp (for mids and highs)
2 Alpine RD 5 1/4" fronts
2. Polk 6 1/2" rear
Kicker Z120 (for the sub)
2 dual vc 10" subs

I got it all used - and it's way too much for the small space of a civic.... have fun and tell us what you ended up with~!

[Zelgadis]

Thanks for the tips. Mostly, I'm trying to figure out what brands I want to go with. In previous cars, I've been hit and miss with head units. I've had several Kenwoods and they've been good but they sure run hot. The Blaupunkt I had was terrible quality. But the JVC I had was fantastic. I'm considering Pioneer this time. I have lots of Pioneer home electronics, including a DVD/Laserdisc combo player which I just love.

And I should never have sold my Pioneer spare tire sub. That thing was a gem. Squeezed right into the spare tire under the floor and it sounded great.

For speakers... Hmmm... I had Polk in my old Mazda and I was satisfied. Used to have Infinity in the hatch coverboard of my old Camry hatchback (That was an old car. :P) I liked both quite a lot. Polk seems to be the better for fuller, richer sound though. Am I right?

But it will all come eventually. First step is the head unit.

ISF

[Koenig7xr]

I dont like kicker subs, they blow up on you, well, mine did anyway, 1000W sub i was pumping 800W and after two songs at high volume, boom, filled the car with a nasty smell and started making a crackle sound.

[Goldengt]

Dude if i were you i would head out to as many car specialty audio shops in youre area. if you live next to or around a best buy id make a trip out to them they've got good people and decent prices. i got my system for about a thousand. had to replace everything from ground up. deck with ipod conectivity, cd player two 5.5 in speackers for the front two 6by9s in the back "had to cut holes my self" a capacitor with led display, an 1200 wat amp from sony xplode and two twelve in rockford fosgate p1 subs they hooked me up im shure best buy and youre local audio shops can help you. need to see it to belliev it yah know. also i have a pioneer deck and i love it is one of the best deck i have seen or heard just be carefull not to try and tap into youre constant power wire or else youll get some wierd side effects marker light might go on subs can get a constant charg the list goes on

[Kai Winters]

Do you need the double din or just want one to fill the space?
The dash kit reducing the double din to a single din gives a nice "pocket" beneath the stereo for storage. I much prefer this over the large and bulky looking double din.
I have always used Alpine decks...for 30 years as a matter of fact and find them to be of very good quality and sound.
However this time I went with a JVC unit and am very impressed with its' quality of construction, ease of use, display and sound quality.
I decided on this because I would constantly drive with my knees while browsing my cd selection for something to listen to. This gave my wife fits hehehe. I figured I would put all my cd's on a thumb drive, as wma or mp3 files, and use that for my music collection. Alpine offers nothing with an onboard/face usb port but JVC does and after listening to it at my local shop really liked the sound and features.
I now have approx 400 songs on a 4gig thumb drive and have them seperated into varied folders for ease of use.
I have been using this JVC unit for 8 months now and it works perfectly.
Good luck and keep us informed.

[Goldengt]

yes alpine does dominate in the sound department but they lack in the goodies department i,e, ports for ipod jackins usb and they dont have a built in memory system like the pioneer sry im just sold on pioneer it hasent let me down at all if i were you i would wate a bit the new lines should be coming out within a few months just get it top of the line and they will go forever

[EyesofFreedom]

Originally Posted by Goldengt

yes alpine does dominate in the sound department

imo Alpine dominates nothing but the pawn shop shelves!

Originally Posted by Goldengt

im just sold on pioneer it hasent let me down at all if i were you i would wate a bit the new lines should be coming out within a few months just get it top of the line and they will go forever

I went through three...yes three brand new supertuner III cd players in about 6 months...darned things kept eating my cd's...never looked at pioneer since!

I tend to be loyal to Sony...I have never had a problem with my Xplod...hell it has outlasted 3 cars...oh and Sony did just happen to invent the cd too!

[Kai Winters]

I have used the old Pioneer SuperTuner stereos in the past and found them decent but loved Alpine for its' quality of build and sound as well as its' tuning abilities, on the higher end models.
I never used JVC and took a chance based on research and recommendations by my local shop manager.
Going to a USB drive for my music was important to me and I am quite happy with my choice.

I do suggest adding an amp to the package. Head units just do not provide enough power for high quality sound. It also limits your choices for speakers to low power models which also reduces sound quality. Remember a brand touting a 4x50 watt power supply is sending a mere 17 watts to each speaker. That is claimed watts at full power. Figure on reality of around 12 watts to each speaker. Even a small amp will provide more power. Sound quality will improve dramatically. You do not necessarily need a sub...blasphemy hehehe...if you use a good quality pair of components for the front and coaxials for the rears, if you choose, you will get good bass from the mid range just not the deep lows of a sub.
Good luck and keep us informed.