2013 Accord stereo system quality

[kbrunsting]

I took a test drive in the sport model and wasn't that impressed with the quality of the stereo system.... I know the EX model has a 6 speaker version, but is the quality of those speakers any better?

[longhorn]

You got four speakers with small magnets to save weight and money that are full range with maybe a whizzer cone. Honda says its 160 watts into four channels, but you don't know at what frequency they took their measurements, so it probably more like 80 watts (20watts per channel) and don't forget the ANC is on,so those little speakers are already working.

Oh,and I imagine the audio budget for the 9th gen project was reduced to make room for the standard rear view camera (and other doodads that are now standard on the Accord). Something gotta give.

Solution. Go down to your local reputable car audio shop and have put some efficient aftermarket coax speakers and your system will sound much better than the 360 watt, 7 speaker rig that comes in the EX-L and Touring. If customers complain enough about the audio it will upgraded at the MMC. Honda upgraded the audio on Pilots at its MMC due to complaints.

The sport is an awesome car, see one in the Hermatite color.

[dfdryer]

My wife just bought the 2013 honda accord EX-L...the only complaint we have with the car is the stereo does not sound very good compared to her 2003 honda accord EX-L...

It sounds very "tinny" if that is a word....we tried adjusting the treble and bass the noise cancelation level but still does not sound anywhere near as good as the 2003

but overall it is a great car ...happy with the purchase

[mitchflorida]

Originally Posted by dfdryer

My wife just bought the 2013 honda accord EX-L...the only complaint we have with the car is the stereo does not sound very good compared to her 2003 honda accord EX-L...

It sounds very "tinny" if that is a word....we tried adjusting the treble and bass the noise cancelation level but still does not sound anywhere near as good as the 2003

but overall it is a great car ...happy with the purchase

Probably best to invest in some better speakers and possibly an amp with subwoofer. The original head unit is fine. I did that with my accord when I got it new and it is worth it if you really care about music sound and spend lots of time in the car.

[devi0us]

Originally Posted by dfdryer

My wife just bought the 2013 honda accord EX-L...the only complaint we have with the car is the stereo does not sound very good compared to her 2003 honda accord EX-L...

It sounds very "tinny" if that is a word....we tried adjusting the treble and bass the noise cancelation level but still does not sound anywhere near as good as the 2003

but overall it is a great car ...happy with the purchase

That's very disappointing to hear! I know it's not the best, but I love the speaker system in my 2003 EX-L and it's still going strong nearly 10 years later.

[FlipAccord13]

I hope there is a software update for the audio. No way can a 340 watt "Premium" audio system sound so crappy!

[kbrunsting]

it would be disappointing that as soon as I bought a new car, I'd have to go in and have the speakers replaced.... I'm going to go try out the EX model to see if the additional 2 speakers provide enough benefit to stay with the stock speakers.

I don't spend a lot of time in a car, but I do appreciate a decent sounding stereo system... I always have music playing.

[II Kings 9:20]

I have a '13 Ex-L and find the stereo great on CD/MP3, bluetooth.
Better than my 12 MDX at $46K.

FM is worthless for all but talk on all cars

Good XM which claims to have CD quality, it's not as good as CD. This is true for any XM I have ever had-ACURA, BMW, or Honda).

[molson.david]

Originally Posted by kbrunsting

it would be disappointing that as soon as I bought a new car, I'd have to go in and have the speakers replaced.... I'm going to go try out the EX model to see if the additional 2 speakers provide enough benefit to stay with the stock speakers.

I don't spend a lot of time in a car, but I do appreciate a decent sounding stereo system... I always have music playing.

never done it on accord, but have done it on more than few cars:
add sound deadener onto front doors and rear deck.
cover 30-40% of the surface and make 2-3" wide solid ring around speakers. put 4x4 square on the outer door shell right behind speaker.
fill any empty cavities in the door cards with packing foam.
it doesn't cost much, takes couple hrs of work only, but you'll be surprised how your stock unit and speakers gonna sound after that.
less distortion, less vibration, crispier highs and deeper more defined base guaranteed.

[mitchflorida]

Originally Posted by kbrunsting

it would be disappointing that as soon as I bought a new car, I'd have to go in and have the speakers replaced.... I'm going to go try out the EX model to see if the additional 2 speakers provide enough benefit to stay with the stock speakers.

I don't spend a lot of time in a car, but I do appreciate a decent sounding stereo system... I always have music playing.

I sure wouldn't buy the EX model just for the 2 extra speakers which are probably worth $50 at the most. And no, they won't make a big difference.

160 Watts is good enough for the front two speakers. If you want decent sound you need a subwoofer and amp.

[fw_fw]

Originally Posted by II Kings 9:20

I have a '13 Ex-L and find the stereo great on CD/MP3, bluetooth.
Better than my 12 MDX at $46K.

FM is worthless for all but talk on all cars

Good XM which claims to have CD quality, it's not as good as CD. This is true for any XM I have ever had-ACURA, BMW, or Honda).

This.

Sounds fine to me, use iPod with 320K mp3s as my primary music source......

[mdreibelbis]

Originally Posted by fw_fw

This.

Sounds fine to me, use iPod with 320K mp3s as my primary music source......

Plus with the iPod you can EQ the sound with one of the many apps out there to accommodate the acoustics of the car.

[II Kings 9:20]

Originally Posted by fw_fw

This.

Sounds fine to me, use iPod with 320K mp3s as my primary music source......

Would the same be true for the iphone? How does one do 320K MP3s?

[fw_fw]

Originally Posted by II Kings 9:20

Would the same be true for the iphone? How does one do 320K MP3s?

It would be the same for the iPhone. I'm one of those old schoolers who still buys all his music on CDs, so I have to rip them off of the CDs too load them into iTunes. When ripping I just specify for iTunes to rip them in 320K mp3s. Then once ripped just load them onto the device.

[longhorn]

Originally Posted by II Kings 9:20

I have a '13 Ex-L and find the stereo great on CD/MP3, bluetooth.
Better than my 12 MDX at $46K.

FM is worthless for all but talk on all cars

Good XM which claims to have CD quality, it's not as good as CD. This is true for any XM I have ever had-ACURA, BMW, or Honda).

Then you didn't have the ELS option in your MDX.

If owners are playing heavily compressed material such as mp3s,XM or sythencized dance music, then its possible there is not enough material at the lower frequency for the sub to use.