Acura TLX Speaker FAQ
Which speakers should I replace first in my Acura TLX for the biggest sound improvement?
Start with the front door 6.5 inch speakers. These handle most of your music's midrange and vocal frequencies - around 80Hz to 4kHz typically. The front doors are your primary sound source, so upgrading here first gives you the most noticeable improvement. Component speakers work better than coaxials if your Acura TLX has separate tweeters already. You'll want speakers rated around 50-75 watts RMS at 4 ohms for proper matching. The rear speakers can wait since they mainly provide fill and ambiance.
What's the difference between coaxial and component speakers for the Acura TLX door panels?
Component speakers separate the tweeter from the woofer - better sound staging and clearer highs. The tweeter might mount in your A-pillar or door panel separately. Coaxials combine everything in one unit, easier installation but... the sound doesn't image as well. For the 6.5 inch front doors, components typically handle 60-150 watts and give you crossover control around 3-4kHz. Coaxials work fine if you don't want to run separate tweeter wires. Your Acura TLX factory setup varies by year - some already have component separation.
Can I use the same 6.5 inch speakers for both front doors and rear deck in my Acura TLX?
Probably, but mounting depth matters more than size. The rear deck location typically has more clearance - maybe 3+ inches versus 2.5 inches in doors. Check your specific measurements first. Same impedance requirements though - 4 ohms standard. The rear deck position actually works better for fuller frequency response since there's less door panel resonance. Some people run higher wattage speakers in the rear deck, around 75-100 watts RMS. Just verify your amplifier can handle the total load.
Why does the 2021 Acura TLX have different rear door speakers than earlier models?
Speaker upgrade from 3.5 inch to 6.5 inch in the rear doors. The larger size handles lower frequencies better - down to maybe 60Hz versus 100Hz+ for the smaller speakers. More cone area means better bass response and volume capability. The 2021 might also have different door panel construction allowing for the bigger speakers. You get about 4-6dB more output potential with the larger drivers. This change probably relates to the overall audio system redesign... better integration with the amplifier and processing.
Should I replace the 1 inch tweeters in my Acura TLX separately?
Depends on whether you're going component or staying coaxial. If you install component speakers in the doors, you'll want matching tweeters for the A-pillar or door locations. Dome tweeters typically handle 15-25 watts and cross over around 3-4kHz. The factory 1 inch size is pretty standard. But if you go with coaxial door speakers, the built-in tweeter might actually sound better than mixing different brands. Impedance matching is crucial - most aftermarket tweeters run 4 ohms to match your door speakers.