iamitman

Search Disclaimer. I have done tons.

Guys,

I want to know if any of you have upgraded just the stock speakers on non-tech 2nd gen TSX without external amp(running on stock head unit). It looks like rear deck can be upgraded in matter of minutes, and front might take an hour or two.

How much power RMS/impedance(ohms) is the stock head-unit putting out?

Are fronts components?

Are rears 6X9 or 6 1/2?

Are fronts 6 1/2? Spacers are a must?

I am finding tidbits here and there. Would like to have clear picture here.

Thanks for all your help in advance.

-iamitman

musty hustla

In past cars, upgrading the HU made the biggest difference. Given the stock non-tech HU allegedly puts out a lot of watts,maybe new speakers would help. I doubt it though.

Other than the two rear door speakers, is there a difference between the tech and non-tech spakers?

ceb

In general, cleaning up the output brings far more bang for the buck than changing speakers.

Speakers do one thing - they move back and forth and the cone moves air creating sound. The speaker does what the electrical impulses tells it to do.

If the input isn't "clean" (includes distortion/clipping) then the output won't be clean either and can damage the speakers. Contrary to popular opinion, a huge amp with low distortion won't blow speakers, but a little amp with the accompanying higher distortion will blow a speaker in no time.

Back when I was selling electronics in the 70's, we used to drive Bose speakers with a a 2000 watt amp then proceed to blow them using a little 4watt amp. We didn't like Bose.

iamitman

To me it seems system is plenty loud, and sounds clean. Stock speakers are usually made out paper, I would think the aftermarket speakers built with better material with similar rating would preform better?

ceb

What do you want to improve if it sounds loud and clean?

mercman

Yes, changing the speakers will help, how much will depend on what you are looking for. I did a post on upgrading the speakers in the Tech TSX and the procedure is the same for the base unit except the base does not have rear door speakers. As far as power and quality the base system has the same per-channel power output of any good hi powered aftermarket deck. The base system uses an external amp to provide power for all channels, as well as crossovers for the front/rear and sub outputs. The HU has no factory EQ and just provides a clean flat signal to the factory amp. Basically, this is the same system topology as the 1st Gen TSX.
You will need spacers for the door speakers. The harness adapters are Honda 89 and up if I remember,
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tsx-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-304/2nd-gen-tsx-door-speaker-removal-install-instructions-772383/
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tsx-audio-bluetooth-electronics-navigation-304/premium-system-overview-mod-options-773207/

Jeff

iamitman

Thanks Jeff!

So it seems you can't run 2 ohms speakers, and seems stock head-unit/amp it is putting out 50 watts per channel so about 20 something RMS? I really don't want to get speakers rated too much higher than stock, because I won't be installing an aftermarket amp to power them.

Thanks again in advance.

mercman

Don’t worry about power handling although the more the better it should not be used as a quality measure. I would suggest that you find a set of speakers that you like the sound of. Speakers do most of the work when it comes down to how a system sounds and you use sound quality when picking speakers not RMS.
Yes, the base system wants to see 4 ohm speakers and there is no advantage to running a 2 ohm off the factory amp.

Jeff

iamitman

Thanks again! I know I love the sound of infinity kappa series since I had them for 5 years in my previous car. Would you say get 2-way or 3-way speakers? And components in the front?

mercman

I’m not a fan of 3 way speakers for car audio, no reason for a midrange when the driver is only 6 inches. Comps up front for sure.
Jeff

wife's ride

answered my question already