wanting to upgrade speakers?

[iAccord]

was wondering if anyone has upgraded their factory speakers, if so what type and was it worth the upgrade. I would like to keep the factory look and also do not plan on adding an aftermarket amp. Thanks for the help.

[princess]

Many of us have! I'm sure you'll see several conversations about it on here! One is in the poll area....

We went with Infinity for 4 of the 6. We've had great experiences with them in the past. The doors have a skinny space & you may have to buy or make a bracket..... well, by now they may have figured that out (speaker companies).

[EXLNavi]

How does it sound? I've considered replacing the stock speakers but I'm worried that my bass (what little of it there is anyway) will go away.

I could use a sub and get more bass though...

[princess]

If you go with 3-way you get a richness without losing your bass. With 2-way I'd want to add bass.....

Just my opinion.


:)

[tafettawhite]

I've had my door panel(s) off for a few times now (rattles...) and the front door speakers are housed in this one-piece looking plastic housing...

Anyone have info on how to remove the OE speakers?

Thanks in advance!

[princess]

Ours had clips.....really easy to break clips!

[RTexasF]

The search feature is your friend :yes:

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2458

[tafettawhite]

the thread doesn't say anything about HOW to install.. I'll try searching again. thanks! :banana:

[princess]

I put the replacement instructions in 04's stuff.... I just did the door speaker, not the tweeter. The rear is already in there.... at the very end, I think.

[tafettawhite]

Thanks! you da bomb!!!!!! :banana: :banana:

[iAccord]

Princess, Did you go with the Reference Series or Kappa Infinities?

Thanks for all of your help.http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=27793#

[princess]

The Accord has Kappa & the Pilot has Reference.

[iAccord]

Which do you perfer, the Kappa or Reference, and do you notice a difference.

Thanks again Princess

[princess]

The Accord sounds better than the Pilot.... but it could be form the shape & the way he sets things.... I like more bass than he does. I want the bass to make my butt move. He likes the highs to be more dominant. Even he says the Accord sounds better (when he adjusts it, which isn't very often) :D

[jeff92k7]

Here's a step by step that I wrote and posted on another forum about how to change the front speakers...

Mine's a 2003 4-door. Hopefully yours will be the same.

Start on the passenger side.

First, pull out the rubber pad in the bottom of the handle on the door. The handle is what you grab when closing the door from the inside. Under the rubber pad is a Phillips screw. Remove it. Next, with a small screwdriver or other small tipped utensil, locate the tab on the cover behind the chrome door release handle. Using the screwdriver, pull the tab back and gently pry the plastic cover away from the back of the handle area. This will reveal 2 Phillips screws. Remove both of them. Next, using a straight slot screwdriver, pry the door panel away from the door frame starting at the lower corner of the door panel. This is the corner that the clearance/door open light is nearest. Very gently pry the panel away until the retainer clip comes out of it's hole. Next use your hands to gently pull the door panel away from the remaining clips around the bottom and side edges of the door panel. Now the door panel should be loose and hanging from the top. Carefully lift the door panel up and over the door lock button thingy next to the window. DO NOT pull the door panel away from the door frame yet. Once the door panel has cleared the door lock thingy, pull it away from the door frame just enough to see between them. Now disconnect the door release handle cable taking care not to break the plastic pieces that hold it in place. Next, remove the power window cable by pressing on the harness plug to release the catch and gently pull it down and away from the door panel. Now, remove the wire clip holding the clearance light wire to the door panel. You may need a pair of needle nose pliers to squeeze the tabs together so it will come out of it's hole. Then turn and remove the clearance light from it's socket. At this point the door panel should be clear of the door frame and can be set aside.

You will now see the super crappy, custom made, cheap-o, wannabe speaker in the door frame. Using a screwdriver, pry the top of the speaker assembly away from the door frame to unlock the retaining clip. Once it pops out of the hole, gently lift the speaker up at a slight angle until both bottom catches are clear of their holes. Then remove the wiring harness by pressing the catch clip and pulling it away from the speaker assembly.

Your door speaker is now out.

Note: The drivers door has a larger power window connector and an additional harness for the power mirrors. Remove them both gently so that you don't break any of the plastic catches.

Since Honda used custom made speaker assemblies, you'll have to drill into the door frame to properly mount aftermarket speakers. What I did was buy a 6 1/2 inch trim/spacer ring and screw it into the door frame. I then mounted my 6 1/2 inch speakers to it. there is plenty of room between the door panel and the door frame for 6 1/2 inch speakers mounted like that. The only "custom" modification was drilling the holes for the screws to hold the trim/spacer ring. I didn't have to cut or alter anything else.

Hope this helps you out.

Jeff

[jeff92k7]

The back speakers are aven easier to replace...

Open the trunk and climb in. Lie on your back and look up at the back speakers. Around the speakers you will see a few black clips and one white clip sticking through the metal frame of the back deck. Using a pair of pliers, squeeze the sides of the clips together and then push them up through the deck. There are six or seven around the speaker but only four of them hold the speaker grill on. Once you push them up, get out of the trunk and into the back seat. Lift the speaker grill up and away from the back deck. Now you can see the speakers. Using a small socket tool, unscrew the four screws/bolts that hold the speaker to the deck. Once all four are out, lift ot the speaker. Don't forget to unhook the wiring harness. The wiring harness is probably a lot easier to unhook from the trunk side.

Next, drop in your new 6x9 speakers, and use the same factory bolts to screw them down. Then connect your aftermarket wiring harness to the speakers and then to the Honda speaker harness in the trunk. Pop the speaker grill back in place and you are done.

Jeff

[jeff92k7]

Now that I have explained how to replace the speakers, I'll tell you about my system.

I left the factory radio in because it really sounds fine and I like the stock look. I replaced the front speakers with 6.5 Infinity reference 2-ways. In the back, I installed JBL GTO936 6x9 3-ways. I also added asub to my system by installing a 12" Infinity Reference 1230W (model) 1200w (wattage) single sub in a sealed box. I mounted an amp to the box and connected it to the rear speaker connectors. I also connected my JBLs to the amp (it's a four way amp) to power them properly. I used a line output converter and line driver to connect the speaker lines to the line level inputs on the amp. I also used a sub crossover for the sub and set it at 90HZ.

The car sounds MUCH better now. However, because of the amp on the back speakers and sub, I get far more sound from the rear than I do the front. I offset this by fading the radio forward a bit...unless I want it really loud.

The sub provides more bass than I need (or want). I have it turned way down so that it helps to round out the low end. I don't like turning it up so loud that it pisses off the people next to me in traffic. But it's nice knowing that I could if I wanted to.

I get a sense of satisfaction every time some stupid teenager pulls up next to me with their stereo blasting trying to show the world how important they are because their stereo is louder than everyone elses. I chuckle to myself and think that I don't have to turn mine up to prove that my system is better than theirs. Their wanting to deafen themselves and everyone around them just shows their immaturity.

Jeff

[Agile]

Excellent writeup Jeff!!!! Thanks for taking the time to put all of this in writing.

How big is your sub box and where did you put it in the trunk?

[jeff92k7]

Thanks for the kind words.

My sub box is a 1.21 cubic ft internal cube shaped box. The exterior is 16-1/2"W x 13-1/2"H x 13-1/2"D

Here's a link to a picture... http://www.sonicelectronix.com/pictures.php?id=951

I have it in the forward part of the trunk with the sub facing the "ski door" in the back seat.

Jeff

[Bigbucks1959]

Thx for the rear speakers install notes.

Phil K.

[shaun1]

The back speakers are aven easier to replace...

Open the trunk and climb in. Lie on your back and look up at the back speakers. Around the speakers you will see a few black clips and one white clip sticking through the metal frame of the back deck. Using a pair of pliers, squeeze the sides of the clips together and then push them up through the deck. There are six or seven around the speaker but only four of them hold the speaker grill on. Once you push them up, get out of the trunk and into the back seat. Lift the speaker grill up and away from the back deck. Now you can see the speakers. Using a small socket tool, unscrew the four screws/bolts that hold the speaker to the deck. Once all four are out, lift ot the speaker. Don't forget to unhook the wiring harness. The wiring harness is probably a lot easier to unhook from the trunk side.

Next, drop in your new 6x9 speakers, and use the same factory bolts to screw them down. Then connect your aftermarket wiring harness to the speakers and then to the Honda speaker harness in the trunk. Pop the speaker grill back in place and you are done.

Jeff

Where did you get the harness that hooks from the speaker to the Honda harness??

[jeff92k7]

Where did you get the harness that hooks from the speaker to the Honda harness??

I got one at Best Buy. The other I got from an online merchant (Cardomain.com). You can also find them at Crutchfield.com and many other stores and online retailers.

[fisch]

I mounted my speakers to the door panel, a little extra foam around the opening (door and panel), drill 3 holes in sides of panel around speaker and 3 wire ties. It gave me plenty of clearance with no other expense and no rattles.

[lbjgh]

I have been thinking about upgrading my speakers but haven't done this stuff in years... I won't have any problems with the install but it's the parts I'm worried about.

I don't want to add an amp, just speakers... should I go with 2-way, or 3-way? speakers (front/back). What's this crossover thing? is that required?

tx. LBJGH

P.S. 04 LX Accord sedan.












.

[princess]

We have 3-way, no added amp, no added crossover.

[lbjgh]

princess, did you notice a marked improvement?

We have 3-way, no added amp, no added crossover.

[princess]

DEFINATELY!! :yes: There's a much wider range of sound. I like a little thump to the bass & to hear the subtle highs. I usually have them adjusted so the bass is slightly above center.... unless I'm in a mood.... I CAN make the whole car shake. I don't do that often. It's generally a Spring Fever thing for me..... Windows down & moonroof open & music blaring...... :paranoid: The ol' grandma with the thumpy music going down the street..... :lmao:

The speakers have a small built in amp thing, I think.... :dunno:

[lbjgh]

I just noticed you have an EX with 180w. I've got the LX with 120w. :dunno: DEFINATELY!! :yes: There's a much wider range of sound. I like a little thump to the bass & to hear the subtle highs. I usually have them adjusted so the bass is slightly above center.... unless I'm in a mood.... I CAN make the whole car shake. I don't do that often. It's generally a Spring Fever thing for me..... Windows down & moonroof open & music blaring...... :paranoid: The ol' grandma with the thumpy music going down the street..... :lmao:

The speakers have a small built in amp thing, I think.... :dunno:

[SSMV6]

I just noticed you have an EX with 180w. I've got the LX with 120w. :dunno:
She has the 120w system.. Only the 6MT Accords have the 180w systems.

[princess]

According to the Honda.com site the Nav ones with V6 have the same as the 6MT....

you know how they do the "add these features".... the only thing added is the Nav to the V6 6MT. So as I understand it, they are 180W. It's not in the owner's manual & I don't remember. :dunno:

[SSMV6]

http://automobiles.honda.com/certified/specifications.asp?ModelName=Accord+Sedan&ModelYear=2003&Category=audio
'03s didn't have a 6MT sedan anyway and there wasn't a 180w stereo option for sedans.... Your stock radio is only 120w... Even then the stock 120w radio sounds pretty powerful (compared to other stock stereo systems). :thmsup:

[03LXAccord]

Any aftermarket speaker is better than stock speakers, IMHO. I just finished installing some Pioneer speakers and the sound quality is soooo much better. If you pull out your stock speakers, you'll notice that its paper based (muddy sound) and no tweeter (muddier sound). Most speakers are rubber-based for a crisper highs and bigger boom. Cloth is iffy...thus Sony uses it. :nuts:

Anyways...go w/ either Alpines/Infinities, Audiobahn/Kicker, Pioneer/ :dunno:

I chose Pioneers [rear deck] because they don't empty out my wallet...and the front ones are more important. :lmao:

EDIT- @jeff
"I mounted an amp to the box and connected it to the rear speaker connectors. I also connected my JBLs to the amp (it's a four way amp) to power them properly. I used a line output converter and line driver to connect the speaker lines to the line level inputs on the amp."

Hmm...since I have a 3 way speaker in the rear deck...is it possible to hook up the amp to the rear speaker? The Pioneers I have are funky...nothing but holes drilled into the metal. I'll show you a picture tomorrow.

[Honda Piece]

The back speakers are aven easier to replace...

Open the trunk and climb in. Lie on your back and look up at the back speakers. Around the speakers you will see a few black clips and one white clip sticking through the metal frame of the back deck. Using a pair of pliers, squeeze the sides of the clips together and then push them up through the deck. There are six or seven around the speaker but only four of them hold the speaker grill on. Once you push them up, get out of the trunk and into the back seat. Lift the speaker grill up and away from the back deck. Now you can see the speakers. Using a small socket tool, unscrew the four screws/bolts that hold the speaker to the deck. Once all four are out, lift ot the speaker. Don't forget to unhook the wiring harness. The wiring harness is probably a lot easier to unhook from the trunk side.

Next, drop in your new 6x9 speakers, and use the same factory bolts to screw them down. Then connect your aftermarket wiring harness to the speakers and then to the Honda speaker harness in the trunk. Pop the speaker grill back in place and you are done.

Jeff

First off, excellent write up, but one question.

You said there are 6 or 7 clips, but 4 hold the speaker. What do the remaining 2 or 3 clips do?

[saxdogg]

they hold the parcel shelf down...when I did mine, I didn't think you really needed to get in there and push up from underneath...they popped up pretty easily for me from the top side...although you better get ahold of them quick...trust me.

[03LXAccord]

It's easy. Even I did it myself...and that's saying something. :yes:

With a little elbow grease, a socket wrench, a speaker harness, and patience....you are set!