Changing out the door speakers only?

[penaj778]

Im looking to change out the door speakers and tweeters to get a better sound out of my s2k at highway speeds. However im not really sure i want to spend a lot of money on a new head unit plus i like the boring old oem radio that honda put in it. does any one have experience with or has heard an s2000 audio system with aftermarket speakers only? is it possible changing out the door speakers only to get better quality sound with out changing the head unit or is it best to change the head unit and speakers. i listen to rock music only and dont really care about the bass i just want to have a clearer sound quality from my radio at highway speeds with the top down. if i must change out the head unit to accomplish what i want im willing on doing that but just trying to save some money and changing the speakers out only.

[TheSoundMan21]

If I remember correctly I had a pair of Pioneer $75 dollar speakers with the stock HU I would advise to just spend the money. You need to.

[lonestarbuzz]

the stock radio is matched to the stock speakers. while you can buy better speakers that will give you a little better sound (because they are made better), you won't be able to get louder and clearer sound. you need more amplification than that.

[toms2000]

I replaced the door speakers with Polk Audio speakers
since one of the original speakers had a buzzing sound.
They fit without any modification. They sound much better
than the original speakers but still not loud enough
when the top is down.

[penaj778]

well it sound like i will be replacing the head unit also. ive been seeing a lot of people using focal slim speakers. do i have to get slim or low profile speakers to install on the s2000 or will just about any other speaker work?

toms2000 i know you said you have polk speakers that worked with out modification what model are they if you know.

[turbosix]

the reason a non oem hu is such a bitch is because no matter what you get, add $100 on top of it for the modifry dash control interface as well.

[toms2000]

Originally Posted by penaj778

well it sound like i will be replacing the head unit also. ive been seeing a lot of people using focal slim speakers. do i have to get slim or low profile speakers to install on the s2000 or will just about any other speaker work?

toms2000 i know you said you have polk speakers that worked with out modification what model are they if you know.

Polk Audio db651s (s=slim mount)
They are shallow mount speakers which are the only type that will
fit without modification. Crutchfield.com has them for $109
I purchased mine at Circuit City but we all know what happened to them!

[TheSoundMan21]

6 My dash controls I just rendered usless. I done forgot they exisit.

[turbosix]

Originally Posted by TheSoundMan21

6 My dash controls I just rendered usless. I done forgot they exisit.

my legs are too long and my knee hits the stupid radio door if its down, i have to leave it up and use the dash controls or it just gets really annoying

[TheSoundMan21]

good point. I might be 6 foot but it doesnt annoy me to much.

[RayYay]

I agree with TOMS2000, I bought the Polk Audio db651s from crutchfield (along with the door panel tool). Installation was a snap and no modification was necessary. The sound is not going to blow you away, but it is WAY better than stock. I am running it with a basic Sony Xpold head unit

[Swingle1]

Originally Posted by lonestarbuzz

the stock radio is matched to the stock speakers. while you can buy better speakers that will give you a little better sound (because they are made better), you won't be able to get louder and clearer sound. you need more amplification than that.

I disagree. The speakers aren't "matched" to the stock hu. Granted, the whole system is crap. And if you wanted to "do it right" you'd want to upgrade everything. But the speakers are the weak link, and upgrading them alone would definitely help. He may find that to be enough... given the amount of money he wants to spend.

[lonestarbuzz]

the speaker power handling IS in line with the power the HU puts out. it doesn't matter how good your speakers are if you HU amp is way underpowered. putting in new speakers will not make it sound louder because the same power output is being used (which the stock speakers will handle). new speakers will sound better at lower volumes because they are made better. but to get the good sound to be louder, you need a higher output amp.

[Swingle1]

Originally Posted by lonestarbuzz

the speaker power handling IS in line with the power the HU puts out. it doesn't matter how good your speakers are if you HU amp is way underpowered. putting in new speakers will not make it sound louder because the same power output is being used (which the stock speakers will handle). new speakers will sound better at lower volumes because they are made better. but to get the good sound to be louder, you need a higher output amp.

I know it might seem that way, but you're talking through your hat.

All speakers are very inefficient at converting power to sound, but some are much better than others. The standard measurement is something like "X" decibels/1Watt.

The amount of power the speaker can handle has nothing to do with how efficiently it uses that power to produce sound.

[S2K4FUN]

If you're looking for more more volume, I recommend that you change tghe head unit first, then decide if you want to replace speakers. Alpine head unit with Modifry's DCI and wiring harness makes for a very straightforward install. I went with an Alpine ida-x100 HU and it improved the sound dramatically, even with the stock speakers. Subsequently I changed the door speakers to Infinity 6020cs componenet speakers which I liked better than the Polks. The only mod required is to cut the back off the plastic mounting bracket on the midrange speaker.

[Swingle1]

Originally Posted by S2K4FUN

If you're looking for more more volume, I recommend that you change tghe head unit first, then decide if you want to replace speakers. Alpine head unit with Modifry's DCI and wiring harness makes for a very straightforward install. I went with an Alpine ida-x100 HU and it improved the sound dramatically, even with the stock speakers. Subsequently I changed the door speakers to Infinity 6020cs componenet speakers which I liked better than the Polks. The only mod required is to cut the back off the plastic mounting bracket on the midrange speaker.

If you DO replace the hu first, then Lonestar's point about power does come in to play. I don't know how much power the stock speakers are capable of handling, but I suspect it's not much more than the stock hu delivers (To Lonestar's point). If you want more volume using stock speakers, then you could increase power from the hu. But you have to be careful not to exceed what the speakers can handle.

If you don't mind my asking, why did you replace the speakers? Did you blow the stock speakers?

[lonestarbuzz]

i replaced my HU and not the speakers and it sounds better, but not nearly as good as if the speakers were replaced. i just wanted the ipod hook up and xm radio and hd radio. i don't really ROCK OUT with the top down, but if i do, it sounds like you would expect, loud, clear enough to hear, but generally meh. still much better than stock HU and stock speakers.

that being said, the stock speakers can take some abuse. really, i'm just waiting to blow them out so i can get new ones.

[Swingle1]

Originally Posted by lonestarbuzz

i replaced my HU and not the speakers and it sounds better, but not nearly as good as if the speakers were replaced. i just wanted the ipod hook up and xm radio and hd radio. i don't really ROCK OUT with the top down, but if i do, it sounds like you would expect, loud, clear enough to hear, but generally meh. still much better than stock HU and stock speakers.

that being said, the stock speakers can take some abuse. really, i'm just waiting to blow them out so i can get new ones.

What year is your car?

I can tell you that the '06 is MUCH better than the '02 I had. Still nothing to write home about.

[turbosix]

from what i've read starting in 03 they upgraded the speakers to better units w/plastic cones.

when i first got the car i was impressed with how the OEM radio sounded with only 2 mids and 2 tweeters. looking in the door i saw blue plastic cones and figured they were aftermarket, probably kenwood brand...

[Swingle1]

I think you're right about that the oem speaker upgrade. I don't think the hu has changed.

I'd assume you've got aftermarket speakers. Like I said, the 06 is MUCH better, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm "impressed" with them.

[lonestarbuzz]

i have an '02. also not impressed, but i feel they get the job done... for now. really, i'm just very lazy and haven't gotten around to ordering and installing.

[turbosix]

Originally Posted by Swingle1

I think you're right about that the oem speaker upgrade. I don't think the hu has changed.

I'd assume you've got aftermarket speakers. Like I said, the 06 is MUCH better, but I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm "impressed" with them.

hmm..... i will have to check.

one thing that bugs the hell out of me is i listen to WBAP quite a bit and the boomy AM buzz that all AM stations have make my tweeter housing vibrate enough to buzz and be incredibly annoying.

i would love to throw a small alpine (45rwmsx2, saweeet!) amp i have under the passenger seat and use some JL components in the doors, i just dont feel like running the wiring or finding a place to put the crossovers...

[Swingle1]

Originally Posted by lonestarbuzz

i have an '02. also not impressed, but i feel they get the job done... for now. really, i'm just very lazy and haven't gotten around to ordering and installing.

My '02 was terrible. If I'd had the car longer, I would have definitely upgraded. I would say the '06 is adequate enough that I'd have a hard time shelling out for the upgrade. The way I figure it, when I really want to rock-n-roll, I'll listen to my 901s at home.

[penaj778]

Well i went all out! Best buy has 0% for one year with purchases of $500 or more so i went "wild". i bout a sony xplod cdxgt330 head unit, kenwood 1682ie 3-way 6 1/2" speakers, alpine swe-1043 10" sub, and an alpine mrp-m500 500watt amp. All came out to $580 with tax. I was able to replace the door speakers before i replace the head unit and i will report that the speakers made no difference on the audio quality. But replacing the door speakers and the head unit made a night and day difference. I can now cruise with the top down at 70mph and hear my music clearly and still feel a good amount of bass also. Now i can wait to install my subwoofer and amp and hear the difference that would make.

[S2K4FUN]

Mine is a MY07. The stock speakers are made by Pioneer and really aren't that bad. They are blue and not the old paper cones. I knew I would be adding an amp, so I wanted to upgrade the speakers since I didn't know what the stock speakers were rated at (does anybody know that?). BTW, the stock HU in my car is made by Clarion. I just ordered an Orion Cobalt 300 amp from Crutchfield. It seems to be well matched powerwise to the Infinities and is small enough that I may mount it under the driver seat. (Strangely in the the MY07, there is more room under the driver seat than the passenger seat.) Alternatively, I may put it in the big space in the middle of the tool kit in the trunk well.

[turbosix]

Originally Posted by S2K4FUN

Mine is a MY07. The stock speakers are made by Pioneer and really aren't that bad. They are blue and not the old paper cones. I knew I would be adding an amp, so I wanted to upgrade the speakers since I didn't know what the stock speakers were rated at (does anybody know that?). BTW, the stock HU in my car is made by Clarion. I just ordered an Orion Cobalt 300 amp from Crutchfield. It seems to be well matched powerwise to the Infinities and is small enough that I may mount it under the driver seat. (Strangely in the the MY07, there is more room under the driver seat than the passenger seat.) Alternatively, I may put it in the big space in the middle of the tool kit in the trunk well.

why would honda use clarion for the HU and pioneer for the door speakers? that doesnt really make any sense.

[Swingle1]

I don't know for a fact what the components are. But why mix? Follow the money!

[Swingle1]

Originally Posted by penaj778

I was able to replace the door speakers before i replace the head unit and i will report that the speakers made no difference on the audio quality. But replacing the door speakers and the head unit made a night and day difference.

Interesting to note. What was the power rating and the sensitivity rating on the speakers you bought?

[turbosix]

Originally Posted by Swingle1

I don't know for a fact what the components are. But why mix? Follow the money!

thats what im saying... thats weird. i did look it up and apparently clarion is the oem radio source... you would think they would stick with one. pioneer made the sound system in my lexus (with nakamichi being the upgrade)... but no mixing and matching there...

[Swingle1]

Originally Posted by turbosix

i did look it up and apparently clarion is the oem radio source... you would think they would stick with one.

I tried to look it up (both hu and speakers). In addition to the brands, I wanted to know exactly what the specs were. But after about ten minutes of looking, I couldn't find it. That's when my ADD kicked in and I quit looking.

So, if anyone has the spec info on the oem setup, please let me know!

[S2K4FUN]

I was able to replace the door speakers before i replace the head unit and i will report that the speakers made no difference on the audio quality. But replacing the door speakers and the head unit made a night and day difference. I can now cruise with the top down at 70mph and hear my music clearly and still feel a good amount of bass also. Now i can wait to install my subwoofer and amp and hear the difference that would make.[/quote]


I agree with this. In my '07, I replaced the HU first. Then I bought the Polks and found that I liked the sound of the stock speakers better! The Polks seemed "flat" and the stock speakers seemed to have more dynamic range. That's when I decided to get the Infinity components. I found a great forum that had step by step instructions on how to install them. Today I'm adding an Orion CObalt amp and new speaker wires, which is kinda p.i.t.a. Let me know how much difference the sub makes. That would be my next step, but I'm not sure if I'll need it.

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by penaj778

well it sound like i will be replacing the head unit also. ive been seeing a lot of people using focal slim speakers. do i have to get slim or low profile speakers to install on the s2000 or will just about any other speaker work?

Not if you make/use an adapter. Use of adapters isn't uncommon for people replacing speakers in the S given the stock mounting depth.

Originally Posted by turbosix

thats what im saying... thats weird. i did look it up and apparently clarion is the oem radio source... you would think they would stick with one. pioneer made the sound system in my lexus (with nakamichi being the upgrade)... but no mixing and matching there...

I fail to see how Lexus's decisions are relevant to Honda... Parts are rarely all sourced from the same vendor.

Originally Posted by S2K4FUN

I was able to replace the door speakers before i replace the head unit and i will report that the speakers made no difference on the audio quality.

IMO not surprising since you didn't mention an amp.

[turbosix]

Originally Posted by takeshi

I fail to see how Lexus's decisions are relevant to Honda... Parts are rarely all sourced from the same vendor.

you're completely wrong here; sorry charlie.

how many times have you seen full bose/pioneer/nakamichi/blaupunkt systems in vehicles? happens all the time.

[desmo4]

Originally Posted by penaj778

Im looking to change out the door speakers and tweeters to get a better sound out of my s2k at highway speeds. However im not really sure i want to spend a lot of money on a new head unit plus i like the boring old oem radio that honda put in it. does any one have experience with or has heard an s2000 audio system with aftermarket speakers only? is it possible changing out the door speakers only to get better quality sound with out changing the head unit or is it best to change the head unit and speakers. i listen to rock music only and dont really care about the bass i just want to have a clearer sound quality from my radio at highway speeds with the top down. if i must change out the head unit to accomplish what i want im willing on doing that but just trying to save some money and changing the speakers out only.

If you want hear better sound at highway speed then you will have to spend money and replace everything. I am sure I am repeating a lot of what has been said, but if you want clear sound, you need clean power, a clear signal and excellent output devices. That means a new head unit, a good quality amplifier (4 channels) and excellent speakers. And if you get really excellent speakers then you won't need a subwoofer, with all the extra space and weight it requires. Consider a biamped system (no passive crossovers).

Jonathan

[HWY4]

I installed in my '95 Civic Focal 165 V1 component speakers with an Alpine MRP-F300 amp with a low end Sony head unit so as not to temp those with sticky fingers.

Gaaawwd I love those speakers. The sound is phenominal! They are a great example of very efficient speakers that don't really need an amp to sound really crisp. But the amp lets you feel the bass. Suprising what can come out of a 6.5" speaker. Installation was easy but did require cutting out the plastic speaker baffle. The tweeter needed only one screw to be mounted.

My reccomendation is before you buy any other brand speakers, listen to these speakers if you can. I got the amp used on e-bay for $65 and the speakers at sonicelectronix.com for $265.

Now I want to repeat the whole thing in the S before the weather gets nice.

[RL1924]

I have heard nothing but great things about focal's seem to be TOP notch

[Kalm_Traveler]

Just curious why I haven't seen anyone mentioning the wires between HU and speaker...

Stock ones are what, 18ga? On my last car I opened up the harness and ran new 14ga for the door and rear deck speakers... cleared up mid and low-end enough to notice at high volume. I couldn't tell any difference with the higher frequencies.