I read through several threads concerning the rattling and distortion from the factory speakers. Seems this is a common issue due to cheap speakers. My gf's 07 RDX with tech recently had front door speakers that started buzzing even at low volume and I figured they were about to go. I looked on crutchfield, but they said that no research has been performed for speakers for the RDX...so I just wanted to confirm a few questions I had.

1) Front door speakers are component correct? I'm looking to buy a 6.5inch diameter component speaker? I see that they are usually sold with the tweeter though.
2) Has anyone replaced their tweeters too? How do aftermarket tweeters fit? Are any modifications needed there?
3) Do I need to modify the aftermarket speakers to fit the door panel?
4) What recommendations do you have for speaker replacements? It's for my gf's RDX and she's not a real audiophile. So close to OEM performance would be great, and also for the budget.

Thanks!

 

Anyone?

 

just find out either thru the dealer or wherever what exact size is in the door, if you are looking to do a swap yourself - youll have to take the whole door panel off - if gettin them installed - dont worry about anything

as for what speaker to get - you dont want to have to modify the enclosure at all, you want an exact fit so buy a direct replacement for what you are taking out..not sure what size is in the RDX, if it is a 6.5 then buy a 6.5 - but you need to make sure that the door can fit the DEPTH of the speaker as well - its not just the size of the woofer cone that matter - so make sure you have a direct fit or something that will fit in its place

...if ur looking for a simple pull & replacement you dont wana to deal with any unnecessary issues

not sure what car speakers are good now - aftermarket - but pioneer, polk are a solid bet - dunno how much u wana spend

 

your local car audio store will or at least should have the answers for you and a fitment guide...if you dont have a local store try best buy or something

 

Thanks Mike for the response. I've been looking at Alpine and Boston Acoustics, all $100+ replacement pairs. Acura has a speaker replacement for $20 here:

http://www.acurapartswarehouse.com/o...igPicture=True

 

are you planning on getting an aftermarket amp, or using the stock amp? im still looking around and trying to learn as much as i can before finishing upgrading the system as well. i had my sub put it and next on my to do list is to replace the remaining 9 stock speakers. if you end up getting these speakers put in, lemme know how they sound so i can put them on my list of things to consider.

and also, if anyone has any idea on how many amps/channels are needed for all 9 speakers if i were to replace them all, could you please enlighten this noob like does one channel go to a pair of speakers or one channel per speaker, etc that would help me a lot. My car audio knowledge does not extend to anything besides subs since thats all ive ever done on my previous cars.

 

I'm staying wit the stock amp. The RDX is my gf's, and among the little things that seem to be going wrong with the car, I guess Acura also blessed the RDX generation with crappy, cheap speakers. They do sound good though, or maybe that's just the ELS and the dolby pro logic.

 

if u want my honest opinion, ur better off changing the one problematic speaker and putting a stock back in unless you are going to pull every speaker out its not going to sound right, additionally, when you go to sell it or more importantly she ever trades it in - its going to cost you to bring it back to stock form.

 

You can't use any other speaker... I tried, and unless you are going to completely overhaul your stereo, you best just buy a replacement from Acura. The speakers are special mount and are 2 ohm... and with the ELS system, you won't get as good of sound if you barstarize the system...
Sorry folks,,, I tried. Unless someone else had better luck.

 

I just blew my second driver's side door speaker on my '07 Tech. Came here to post on this exact issue and saw this thread, hilarious. Luckily I'm still under warranty.

If you are not under warranty and you're not overly handy, I'd talk to your local shop or BB or whatever about replacing at least the front door speakers. (I agree, definitely don't replace just one speaker, but I think you'd be fine replacing the front door speakers -- or whatever set is blown and opposite each other -- and call it a day.) Why hassle and spend good money with another [stock] speaker that's just gonna blow again? As long as you get something similar or even an improvement to the stockers, I seriously_doubt you'd throw off any of the system dynamics.

And I doubt this would effect resale value...if anything, I'd think disclosing that you upgraded the door speakers will win you points with a buyer. The ELS is a decent system but it's not audiophile grade imho. An Acura dealer might give you a bit less on trade-in, but eh...she may be in the car for a long time, so I'd go with what works and sounds best.

I replaced a couple sets on my S2K and on my previous car, a Honda Element. I went with Polk db650 and AudioBahn AN6000 respectively and was really happy. I'd give a slight edge to the Polks.

I'd guess Crutchfield.com would have all the info you need on measurements, direct replacements, adapters, etc. It was plug and play for me with a set of adapters. Pretty easy. Did it all myself. Good luck.

Curious, what other issues is she having and how many miles are on her RDX?

 

its not a question of might - if the dealer knows there are different components in teh car - you will have to pay to bring it back to stock, assuming no other agreement has been made.

anything non - stock, even if you consider it upgraded, devalues the car on trade in.

-throw a stock speaker in it and blow it out all day till the warranty is up, then id say maybe put something else in there.

Acura needs to abandon this panasonic garbage.

 

I have mixed feelings on this one. I have found the stock system sounds okay (not bad, but certainly not great), until I play DVD-A discs and then it absolutely shines. But the ELS systems keep getting amazing reviews, even from audiophile magazines. The most amazing one (that somebody posted in the ZDX forum) was where it was ranked the #1 luxury car system even over the Mark Levinson in the Lexus LS460 and the Bang & Olufsen in the Audi S8.

 

yea - which doesnt make any sense to me.

Either someone is funneling promo money or something - but in no way does the ELS sound better than the B&O. I know this, compare them daily, and thats just the B&O in the A5.

Im really unsure how they arrive at these conclusions. It just does not sound that good....dvd-A, well i think that stops becoming an apples apples comparison so i wont really touch on that, but, in terms of regular music, imo, ive always found the ELS muddled and flat. nothing stands out - you could then say well maybe thats a plus because especially in pro audio (i think ur involved in audio stuff from what i rememeber) you are really looking for the flatest most true response. but not in a car, at least for me. Im not saying i want artificial coloring of sound, but the ELS excels at nothing in my book - the sub is nice because of its extended frequency response, and the 2nd gen in the current TL is much better than the ELS it replaces, but i dunno - i just dont get it.

 

It's possible that they improved the ELS for the ZDX as it's at at much higher price point than our ride. But I'd also have a hard time believing it's better than a B&O system.

I agree that the ELS has a cool sound to it with DVD-As. But yeah, the rest, eh, okay but not stellar. Shame that DVD-A is a dead format. I only have one, REM's Automatic for the People. It has stayed in slot 1 since I got the car. And will stay there until I sell the car.

>>>>-throw a stock speaker in it and blow it out all day till the warranty is up, then id say maybe put something else in there.

Acura needs to abandon this panasonic garbage.
__________________

AGREE 110%. Acura should get with Polk, Klipsch or BA and create a truly peerless sound system. Acura wants to be known for high tech/cutting-edge...co-branding with one of these guys just seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

pretty sure there isnt much difference between the ZDX ELS and the TL ELS. The ELS in the RDX is not the system in the current TL, ZDX (not sure about the TSX)

 

...i know that depending on who you talk to, either BOSE is garbage or great - whatever, but when i had my CX-7 - the bose system in it was KILLER, it was LOUD, and it sounded fantastic, you could switch the sound stage from the doors to the dash (the centerpoint system) and it obviously did not have the technology behind it that the ELS comes packing with, but ultimately all that matters is what you hear thru the speakers and i thought the Bose in the Mazda was even more impressive, without the use of a sub. so, i dunno.

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly, Mike. Anyone who mindlessly chants "Bose blows" or whatever instantly reveals themselves to be an audio know-nothing. I'm not saying Bose makes close to the best audio equipment on the market, but some of their stuff is quite decent, and the sound they are able to achieve in small enclosures is quite impressive.

In short, what matters is how a system sounds TO YOU. And several of us here seem to think the RDX ELS system sounds good but not great. This could be one of those cases where on paper it's amazing, and when measuring response to test discs it matches theoretical ideals, but to human ears listening to real music it just doesn't cut it.

 

Crutchfield is useless for the RDX. They have no research done on it, so their customer rep had no idea what parts or what speaker size I even needed for my RDX.

I ended up buying the $33 Honda replacement speaker for the front passenger door. My gf doesn't crank up the sound on the car (volume as most is 9) and definitely doesn't merit buying a higher end speaker replacement at $100 a pair. So we'll see how long we can go without blowing a speaker. On the other hand, I own a 2005 TSX that has stock Pioneer speakers. I've turned that up to like 20-22 volume and I've never had issues with it for the years I've had it.

She's at around 48,000 miles I believe on her 2007. We've had issues with the airbag light going off and giving us alerts on the nav screen, even when there was nothing wrong with it, and this loud mechanical noise everytime we start the car (which apparently is the ventilation opening at car start).

The rotors and pads wear pretty fast I've noticed on the RDX as well.

 

I have a 2008 RDX base so it has the non-ELS audio but, to be honest, it's the best damn stock car audio I've heard to date. As for blowing out the speakers... how loud do you guys crank it and for how long to cause speaker failure?

I've cranked my stock system up to maybe 70-80% of max volume with either MP3, XM, or CD, with no hickups or noticable clipping of the amp, which is a major cause of speaker failure. I'm quite impressed with the stock system. I had a 2003 CL Type-S before my RDX and that was the best stock audio system I've ever heard until I got my RDX base which trumps it.

I know aftermarket speakers "can" sound better but unless it was an easy swap I can't deal with all the effort of pulling panels, custom cutting to fit, etc.

I'm glad new cars these days come factory default with half decent systems as audio has been a hobbie of mine for years including my home theatre.

 

imo - the stock systems sounds better than the ELS. much better actually. but again, it only matters to what ears are judging. One of the reasons why i did not get the nav was because i really did not want the ELS at all.

iPod i listen to around 20, XM is usually mid 20's because the sound quality is terrible and the volume level is very low, cds just depends on the recording, id say i avg around 22-24 - why bother having music on if you cant FEEEEEEL IT.

 

My "normal" volume level is 15, but I regularly set it to 25-30 when on long drives or with a particularly great song. And I've had my RDX 2.5 years with no blown speakers or other issues. If anyone is blowing speakers more than once, I'd say there's something wrong electrically with the car. Really, a modern car audio system should be incapable of blowing out speakers except after years and years and years of constant abuse.

 

my entire passenger door rattles like shit because of the speaker, so does the tailgate.

 

I listen on average about like Mike does (at times lower, at times all the way to 40 but not for more than a song or three -- and never experienced any clipping/hiccups whatsoever). The driver's door speaker has blown twice. The speaker is just a hunk of crap, that's all. And I've only got 32k miles on the odo.

pdpgps -- sorry to hear about the gremlins in your gf's RDX. That sucks. The stock brakes are an issue, if you stf you can find some recs on proper replacements. I haven't run into that yet but probably will before too much longer.

Smart move on the $33 Honda speaker. Couldn't be any worse than the stocker, and since she doesn't crank it up much, maybe you'll be okay. I went to Crutch after my post above and was disappointed to not find any info on our car as well.

Was the install complicated or just a matter of plug and play? What is it, a 6.5" speaker?

 

Pacer -

Yep it was pretty much plug and play. Pop the door off unclip, I think unscrew the speaker from the door, and put the new one in. Process took no more than 30mins. I didn't do the install, but from what I observed that's how easy it was. Hopefully someone can make DIY for door panel removal? That'd be huge.

I also examined the OEM speaker. That thing is POS quality. I'll take some pics when I can to show all of you guys the "quality" that Acura puts in their speaker with their "world class" ELS system. I would've liked to see Acura pair their ELS system which is great in design with a higher end set of speakers. If they equipped my TSX with no navi with Pioneer speakers, why couldn't they have done that for the RDX?

 

regardless of speaker brand - the 'pioneer' speakers in the TSX & the TSX stock audio system does not sound nearly as good as the stock RDX system -and im not sure if rdx base system is pioneer or something else

im not sure if pioneer is still in fact used in the 'new' TSX (the latest generation) my gf just bought a 2010 base and the system is much more similar to the RDX base system, including twiddlers in the front doors and a deck sub in the back....doesnt sound as good tho, the twiddlers arent as good up front, but the larger rear cabin coupled w/the side mounted sub in the RDX may make it sound better than what it is.

Either way - my only question still remains....PANASONIC? REALLY? that being said...i still think the RDX base system holds its own against the ELS and i appreciate the straight sound vs the ELS intermeddling going on - the RDX BASE twiddlers in the front doors are extremely effective and pretty clear

ill check the speakers in the '10 TSX and see if they are branded

overall - acura needs to figure out a way to put speakers in their cars that wont sound like tin cans after some miles go on. theres gotta be something they can do. the front door speakers in my CX-7 were 9 inch woofers throwing alot more power, and bass - no rattles. I dont get it, its like a stereo epidemic in Honda & Acura - they all sound the same and they all rattle like crazy, even if the sound coming out of the speaker is pretty good, its drowned out by so much unnecessary noise & vibration just ruins the experience

 

I blew both the front speakers on my RDX 08 and replace them with pioneers, i guess it is a pain to go aftermarket because it takes the destruction of the ELS POS speakers for the use of the spacer that the speaker has but it can be done, now my rear speakers blew and front aftermarket are still going perfect.

speakers specs for the front will be (pioneer gs-a1674r)

be VERY careful while removing panels and always start removal from bottom to top i hope this helps.

 

There a DIY on this website: just did my left drivers door speaker and also did right door whole side view mirror replace with this DIY.

https://acurazine.com/forums/1g-rdx-diy-faq-161/diy-remove-door-interior-panel-replace-door-speaker-830292/

 

have a 2008 tsx. I have always upgraded my stereo but it is hard to replace factory radio in this car. I installed a pair of 5 1/4" kicker dcs 5's (50 watt rms) in the front doors. had 6 1/2" kickers (100 rms) but returned them. too much speaker for the factory or small aftermarket amp. I put a pair of pioneer 6965's (60 watt rms) in the rear deck. crutchfield includes all the adapters and wiring adapters with the purchase. I have maybe $120 total in the swap and it cleaned the sound up so much that I will take my time before swapping out the factory amp. I also lined the doors with dynamat I had in stock. there are, however, several lower cost options when going this route.

 

This seemed like a good post to piggy back on.

I just joined the MDX club a few days ago. I found the one I wanted and drove 360 miles to southern CA to pick up an '11 tech package, in Dark Cherry Peal and Taupe. Turned over 40K soon after I drove it way. Hard to find a scratch on it. I feel like I have a new car minus 25K in depreciation.

I'm wondering what to do about the stock speakers. When I first buy a car, I usually rip out the stock stereo and speakers, as I did with my 2002 Subaru Outback I'm parting with. I replaced those stock speakers with MB Quarts (PSD216) and similar ones in the rear doors, and the head unit with an Alpine stereo. Last year I upgraded to a current Alpine, and added their amp.

I'm sure I'll keep the stereo in the MDX, because of how integrated it is in the whole nav system. I'm wondering what to do about the speakers. I'm leaning toward taking the speakers out of the Subaru, just because i don't think they'll add to the value, and am wondering if the MB Quarts would be a substantial upgrade to the MDX stock speakers. Being a high end car, I would think the speakers would be decent, but are the MB Quarts much better?

I like the 10 speaker system of the MDX, but don't find that it sounds as clear as what I remember my Subaru.

Now, with what I read here, I wonder if the MB Quart will work with the MDX
given RMS and expedience or other spec/tech issues.

Suggestions?

Thanks,

Reid

 

reidthaler

I have replaced most of the speakers in my 08 tech rdx to include the sub. I used JL tweeters and mids the tweeters went in the front door and the mids went in the rear doors the front mids I replaced with pioneers and there crossovers I went with 4 ohm impedence levels all around and everything sounds rather nice. I don't use the 8" Rockford sub but I did manage to get it to fit in the factory box. I like the 15 that im using at the moment. more boom I lost all the pics of my install so I didn't do my write up...

 

Wrench, you're using aftermarket amps correct?

 

yes just one though also threw a 1fared capacitor in the other day. big difference. O_O

 

Do the fit like OEM, including the sub? Any mods need for your aftermarket speakers?

 

Wrench?

 

if you get 2ohm speakers I can put them in for you. and a sub also get the same stuff I got for the sub Rockford amp and p3d2 8inch and I can make it fit in the factory box. or just get an p3d2 10 NS GET a 500 watt amp and your good.

 

Hey all. I have an 07 Tech. I am definitely NOT an audiophile but the front speakers in this car suck. The driver side door speaker is shot.

When I checked a couple years ago, Crutchfield listed no compatible speaker replacements for the vehicle, but now they do. Is it just a simple swap out or is there more involved to replace these?

Thanks.

 

not plug and play.

 

I may have missed it, but do we know what the actual size of the OEM speakers are? I know the OEM subwoofer is 8", but what about the rest?

 

If you have the els system can you replace with aftermarket or no?