Boston Acoustics upgrade - just speakers?

[Blade]

Originally Posted by RandyB

Yes, the BA system has 9 speakers instead of 6, but they are not better quality than the stock system. Both systems use the same door speakers. The rear speakers are different because the BA system bi-amps the 6x9 coaxials. And...they definitely do not match the quality of aftermarket systems. They advertise the amp as 245 watts, but they are referring to peak power (this is a commonly used trick). The real amp output (RMS) is closer to 10 watts per channel.

The only way to know if the BA system upgrade is worth it to you is to listen to it before you buy. The quality of a sound system is very subjective; if you are accustomed to better SQ, then it will sound bad; if you are accustomed to a stock car radio, then the BA system will sound great. If it sounds good to you, then it is worth the $500, if it does not sound good, then get the base level sound sytem and put the $500 toward an aftermarket upgrade.

Going along with this.....

I honestly don't think you gain anything in a coupe going from 6 to 9 speakers. I also have a coworker who has a 1LT and he put in aftermarket speakers in, and that worked out better.

My suggestion, save the $500 and pick up speakers later and they will definitely better than the BA speakers.

[Dakota Kid]

Originally Posted by RandyB

Yes, the BA system has 9 speakers instead of 6, but they are not better quality than the stock system. Both systems use the same door speakers. The rear speakers are different because the BA system bi-amps the 6x9 coaxials. And...they definitely do not match the quality of aftermarket systems. They advertise the amp as 245 watts, but they are referring to peak power (this is a commonly used trick). The real amp output (RMS) is closer to 10 watts per channel.

The only way to know if the BA system upgrade is worth it to you is to listen to it before you buy. The quality of a sound system is very subjective; if you are accustomed to better SQ, then it will sound bad; if you are accustomed to a stock car radio, then the BA system will sound great. If it sounds good to you, then it is worth the $500, if it does not sound good, then get the base level sound sytem and put the $500 toward an aftermarket upgrade.

Best post I have read on this subject so far.

Kudos to you, sir.

[Bert]

thanks for the added info and discussion, the plot thickens . . .

so my main concern was having to add more speaker locations, meaning cut holes in the door or dash or whatever . . . or run wires to new locations which is difficult . . . now it sounds like there is no difference in this respect; there are no added speaker locations, just more coax tweeters which they are counting as speakers? I guess I need to get into cars with the base system and the upgraded system and look for the speaker locations and count them to really understand what is going on here . . .

if the upgrade really amounts to pulling out the old speakers and plugging new ones in their place, plus maybe adding an appropriate power amp, that doesn't sound so hard . . .