I've gotten so much benefit from the posts on here, I thought I would post my experience in upgrading my stock 6 speaker system to all Infinity Reference speakers. I have the non-Bose (Canadian) 6 speaker Infotainment system in my new GS, not sure how this model translates in other countries.
I replaced the front door speakers and dash tweeters with the Infinity Reference 6500cx components ($249 at Best Buy in Canada) - amazingly, they were almost a drop in replacement. Once you get the door panels off and the stock speakers out, you cut out the stock speaker and the spider braces from the plastic speaker holder, and the 6500 mids drop right in. Just nibble the ridge on the frame a bit so the screw lugs on the Infinities fit flush. Screw them to the frame, solder the speaker lugs to the connector on the frame, and back in the door no issue.
Same for the tweeters in the dash - remove them from the dash (2 screws) pop out the stock tweeters out of their frame (there is just some black glue holding them in), and the Infinity component tweeters fit the hole exactly. An amazing almost drop in replacement. Glued them in with some Shoe Goo (fantastic adhesive for this) and it was perfect. You just have to be careful that the tweeters do not stick too far up and hit the stock grill when you put it back - just have the screen dome flush with the stock frame and it is perfect.
The toughest part was wiring in the crossover and threading the tweeter wire through the molex connector to get through the door to the cabin. I just wired the crossover in the door panel area (lots of room there) and ran the tweeter wire through the door and up through the dash. But it was a bit of effort.
Lots of other posts on here about getting through that damned molex connector, and removing glove box, etc. to get access under the dash.
The rear speakers were incredibly easy - just remove the door panels, the stock speakers, and again cut out the stock speaker from the frame. A pair of coaxial Infinity Reference 6502ix ($149) dropped right in. Nibble the ridge so it fits flush, screwed down and connector soldered, plugged in with the original plug, it goes back in the door in about 45 min per door.
If you want an easier install, without the more difficult threading of the wire through the door and replacement of the dash tweeters, I would just use the 6502ix coaxial speakers to replace both front and rear door speakers. Cutting, stripping and wiring of the crossover, fishing the wire through those damned molex connectors about double the time and triple the work of just replacing just the door speakers by themselves.
The difference in sound is incredible - I did it in stages, so I could compare stock vs. Infinity, and the clarity and bass is much improved. Still could use a sub, but I'm going to wait and see if I can find a clean, non-obtrusive install at some point. Not much room in the cabin other than in the trunk.
Hope this helps someone. I have tons of pics, some measurements, etc. if anyone wants more detail or help, ask away.
I replaced the front door speakers and dash tweeters with the Infinity Reference 6500cx components ($249 at Best Buy in Canada) - amazingly, they were almost a drop in replacement. Once you get the door panels off and the stock speakers out, you cut out the stock speaker and the spider braces from the plastic speaker holder, and the 6500 mids drop right in. Just nibble the ridge on the frame a bit so the screw lugs on the Infinities fit flush. Screw them to the frame, solder the speaker lugs to the connector on the frame, and back in the door no issue.
Same for the tweeters in the dash - remove them from the dash (2 screws) pop out the stock tweeters out of their frame (there is just some black glue holding them in), and the Infinity component tweeters fit the hole exactly. An amazing almost drop in replacement. Glued them in with some Shoe Goo (fantastic adhesive for this) and it was perfect. You just have to be careful that the tweeters do not stick too far up and hit the stock grill when you put it back - just have the screen dome flush with the stock frame and it is perfect.
The toughest part was wiring in the crossover and threading the tweeter wire through the molex connector to get through the door to the cabin. I just wired the crossover in the door panel area (lots of room there) and ran the tweeter wire through the door and up through the dash. But it was a bit of effort.
Lots of other posts on here about getting through that damned molex connector, and removing glove box, etc. to get access under the dash.
The rear speakers were incredibly easy - just remove the door panels, the stock speakers, and again cut out the stock speaker from the frame. A pair of coaxial Infinity Reference 6502ix ($149) dropped right in. Nibble the ridge so it fits flush, screwed down and connector soldered, plugged in with the original plug, it goes back in the door in about 45 min per door.
If you want an easier install, without the more difficult threading of the wire through the door and replacement of the dash tweeters, I would just use the 6502ix coaxial speakers to replace both front and rear door speakers. Cutting, stripping and wiring of the crossover, fishing the wire through those damned molex connectors about double the time and triple the work of just replacing just the door speakers by themselves.
The difference in sound is incredible - I did it in stages, so I could compare stock vs. Infinity, and the clarity and bass is much improved. Still could use a sub, but I'm going to wait and see if I can find a clean, non-obtrusive install at some point. Not much room in the cabin other than in the trunk.
Hope this helps someone. I have tons of pics, some measurements, etc. if anyone wants more detail or help, ask away.
