2004 Accord Stereo Upgrade Questions

Hello! Let me start off by saying that while I'm pretty well schooled
at higher-end home audio, I'm a car audio knucklehead. As the proud
owner of a 2004 Honda Accord EX, I'm looking for some suggestions for
speaker upgrades. My issues are many, and I'm hoping that some
knowledgeable souls out there can enlighten me. I'd appreciate any
and all comments! So, to get started, first here are my requirements
(ok, maybe not REQUIRED, but at least desired):

A) Keep factory head unit (not navigation equipped).
B) Spend $200-400/pair for speakers.
C) I could care less about "big bass", but would rather concentrate on
faithful reproduction of detailed music at low to medium volume
levels.
D) Replace all speakers in dash, door, and rear deck locations.
E) Try to avoid an amp, but willing to add one or two if necessary
($300-400?)

Ok, now, here are the issues I'm confused about:

1) I'm having trouble finding "drop-in" speakers. For example,
there's nothing on Crutchfield or many other manufactuer sites that
"fits my car". They don't necessarily have to be plug-and-play, but
I'd like to get by with as little modification as possible. Thoughts?
I'm planning on having the install done by a "professional", so they
can probably handle a little more tweaking than I would want to.

2) This car has dash mounting areas for small speakers. I don't know
if the factory speakers in the dash location are full-range, or just
tweeters. I'd like to get a component set for the front, but am
wondering how the factory wiring is set up. I guess the real question
is: how are the speaker outputs of this factory radio configured? Is
there an internal crossover that splits the front outputs into mid and
high frequencies for individual connection to the door and dash
speakers, or are all the outputs full range?

3) If I add an amp, what does that mean for this six-speaker setup?
First of all, this radio (to the best of my knowledge) does not have
line-level outputs. So I'd need to convert the speaker-level outputs
down to line-level for connection to an external amp. What quality
issues am I looking at there? Secondly, I'm assuming I'd need two
stereo amps... one for the front, and one for the rear. Even though
there's six speaker locations, if I put components up front all four
front pieces will run off just one amp - correct?

4) What's the general consensus on Boston Accoustics' lineup of
speakers? I've heard good things, but haven't actually heard the
speakers themselves yet.

5) And finally, what would YOU put in this car if YOU owned it?

I realize that I just asked a lot of (probably dumb) questions, and it
would take a generous 15 minutes for someone to actually try to answer
them. I send thanks in advance for anyone willing to do so.

Keep on a 'rockin.
Ryan

 

<snip>

Even though you plan on having a professional do the work, I would call
Crutchfield and see what they say your options are. I have called them
before about things that weren't so clear from their website and they are
very helpful.

Good luck,
Tom

 

I upgraded the rear and door speakers on my '03 Accord. The '04 model year
has almost no changes from '03, so I think these would work for you as well.
I did not change out the small speakers in the dash.

Here is what I ordered from Crutchfield:

109GTO935 JBL GTO935 6"x9" 3-way Speakers 1 0 99.99

113KFC1668 Kenwood KFC-1668S 6-1/2" 2-way 1 0 49.99

12071012 Honda/Acura Wire Harness speaker 1 0 0.00

12071012 Honda/Acura Wire Harness speaker 1 0 0.00

142SAH6 Honda SAPs 5.25"/6.5" 1 0 0.00



This worked like a charm. The factory speakers on the Accord, even a full
boat EX Navi, are real bottom of the barrel cheapo speakers. The only
modification I did with my car was to make these replacements based on the
recommendation of another Accord owner.

I'm very happy with the upgrade. Perhaps I did not go as far as you are
wanting to go.

John

 

Hello, John!

I have a 2004 EX-L sedan without navi. I will be keeping the factory
radio and not planning on adding an amplifier.

Like you, I ordered the JBL GTO935 6"x9" 3-way Speakers from Crutchfield.
The web site, however, says that the Kenwood KFC-1668S were out of stock,
and that I only have room for 5-1/4" speakers on my front doors. I have
substituted Pioneer TS-G1340 5-1/4" speakers for the two front doors, one
of only two models that would actually fit on my Accord.

Thanks for your insights! Perhaps you may have the coupe, which may
take the 6-1/2" door speakers you mentioned. The sedan, however, does not.

Paul

 

Did you guys install the speakers by yourself or have it done
professionally? If you did install it yourself, how hard/easy was it? I'm
guessing you have to take off the door panelling to install the front
speakers?

BTW, I have an '03 LX

-hiren

 

not.

I have the 2003 4 door sedan and I am very certain that this is what I
ordered and that they fit great. The information below was copied directly
from my order confirmation email from Crutchfield.

John

 

I did it myself. The rears are very easy. The fronts require removing the
door panel which I found the instructions online somewhere for ... but I
haven't saved them.

John

 

Did you guys install the speakers by yourself or have it done

I have not yet received the speakers, but plan to have them professionally
installed. Yes, you are right, the removal of the front door panelling is
required to install the 5-1/4" round door speakers.

Paul

 

I beg to differ. I have a 2003 Accord and I put a new headunit (JVC
SH707 200 watts, PPI 240 watt AMP and 2 10" JL Audio Subs in the
trunk)

It rocks!

Original speakers in the front, doors, and back. I can only turn the
deck up to 1/2 volume before it gets too loud for my ears. I love loud
music.

Distortion free I might add. It is always better to overpower speakers
then underpower.

Jody

 

How do you install the head unit? Did you use the install kit that puts the
stereo in the little storage bin by replacing the door? I looked into that
but wasn't too keen on losing the storage space. Also, I figured the car
would look ugly with the original stereo shut down but still sitting in the
dash. I hate how all the car companies are making these huge stereo and
integrating them into the dash. Makes upgrading a pain in the butt.

Sean

 

Yup, you have to use the kit to replace the storage bin as the
heater/air is connected to the stereo!
It's not toobad to lose for space as the MP3 disks take a helluva lot
less space. (130-170 songs per cd)

Looks alright with the old deck there, the wiring harness you need
keeps the old deck active so you don't lose the clock or lights.

 

You are using the term "Professional" loosely, right?




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