Recently replaced the front speakers in a 2003.5 coupe Bose system with DLS UP6 component speakers. First of all, THANKS to the many folks on this forum that made that an easy upgrade - especially AMTHAR for some installation advice. Really, not very hard to do....

Emphasis of this thread - those who are reading this forum thinking they are going to have to spend big $ to fix that Bose system (and waiting), just go ahead and replace the front component speakers. You do not have to be an audio expert to tell the difference, and you will get a cost-effective improvement. The DLS UP6's will work with the BOSE HU/amp, I suspect there are many other speaker options that will also give similar results. Best results - fade everything to the front....

Only problem....you are not going to want to stop. BUT, for those saving their money for speakers /amp / subwoofer(s), you are not going to be unhappy changing out this first. Do it.

 

awesome, thanks. i'm in the same boat you are.
so did you replace the tweeters and the front speakers? both or just the larger speaker?
thanks

 

The UP6's are component speakers, and include both the woofer and the tweeter (along with a crossover). There are several good threads on front speaker install's, along with instructions for the MDF spacer and wiring diagrams. Ummmm....:

https://g35driver.com/forums/showthr...284#post730284

https://g35driver.com/forums/audio-video-electronics/71164-dls-up6.html

for starters, + search.

Buy some foam weatherstripping and seal them up against the door panel, can't believe what a difference that makes...

 

Having measures how eq'd the output of the Bose amp is, I'd suggest that they will sound even better with a new amp : )

But congrats on the speakers!

 

Well, the whole truth would be that I listened to them for a couple of weeks with the Bose amp, and then the threads on connecting the OEM Bose HU to an aftermarket amplifier were kind of handy (thanks also for your contributions to those, el D.!)..... I did say "upgrade path"....... In retrospect, tho, I wish that I didn't wait two years for the price of admission to a complete upgraded system!

 

I have them with an aftermarket amp and they are fantastic. All the detail I've been missing the last two and a half years. Shame on me.

 

Glad you like them I'm about to look around for a local shop who will sound deaden my doors. I've decided I'm too lazy to do it myself. I'll probably sound deaden my trunk and (maybe) the hood of my car myself. The doors will make a huge difference, however.

 

Yes, that's next on my list also, the B-Quiet is sitting in the garage, I'm going to do it section of the car at a time. That's another thread on this audio forum that is going to cost me time and money. [Added to the list of the front speakers, amp, and subwoofer/enclosure threads]

Maybe it would be cheaper to hang around the 'Wheels and Suspension', or 'Forced Induction' forums......

 

I hung around Forced Inductionf or a day, and now I'm setting aside a little of each paycheck for a supercharger. Another $5k down the drain. Don't do it, A.V. is still cheaper

 

sorry a few more questions on the setup from a novice car audio man.
i checked their website www.dlsamerica.com and they have what appears to be 3 different DLS Up6 lines-the classic, reference, and ultimate.
is this correct and what are you running? i'm looking for the most cost effective way to do this upgrade but i also want to get the right line.
thanks in advance
ps: anyone know where to buy from?

 

No, they have three different lines, but the UP6 is a model number in the Ultimate line.

 

sorry, i looked closer it seems to be from the ultimate line...correct?

and how much should i be looking to pay for these?
someone is selling them new on ebay for $280...sound about right?
i cant seem to find anyone else selling these to compare.
thx again

 

http://www.mobilesoundworks.com/Prod...roductCode=up6
here is another place selling for 300 incase anyone was interested

 

Apparently a lot of these places list the gear, but don't stock it, they just order it when they sell one.

Per DLS, they don't have any authorized dealers online, so warranty is an issue.

 

I agree that replacing the front Bose door speakers with some aftermarket pioneers 4ohm 3 way speakers was worth it. It was a pretty decent improvement in sound clarity. I left the stock tweeter plugged in.

From what I read, it was supposed to be quieter due to the higher resistance 4ohm vs stock 2 ohm but it sounds the same loudness as before to me. Also read that a higher sensitivity rating could help the 4ohm speakers be about the same loudness. The pioneers had a sensitivity of 90.
side note: I have an aftermarket head unit but I’m still running the sound through the stock Bose amps.

hopefully this helps someone because there are a lot of people in forums saying you can’t do this door speaker swap. I’m glad I did.
(Yes I know the thread is super old but it helped me so I don’t care)