Tangoman

Hi,

I just bought an 04 TSX and I think the speakers are pretty bad, the system is 360 watts, what kind of RMS can I expect from each channel?

Is it worth upgrading speakers without bypassing the stock amp and installing a new one?


Thanks,

jlukja

General FAQs about the TSX's audio system

It is worthwhile to upgrade the speakers. If you like a lot of bass then you'll want a sub+amp in the trunk. Upgraded speakers will give you much better sound quality but not more volume.

jlukja

The rear 6x9 speakers are labeled 40W. Figure 360/8=45 45/1.7=26.4 so around 25-30W rms per channel would be my guess.

Castles_Saloon

I don't think you'll get more than 20Wrms out of each of the eight stock channels. It depends on the speaker efficiency and volume desired whether you need more watts.

When looking at new speakers, i'd stick to 90db/1w at 1m and above if you're keeping the stock amp.

jlukja

I'd even raise that number to 92db.

Reach

I believe mercman measured the output at 12w rms per chan on his test bench? (can't find the post where he said that right now...)

mercman

Yes, you can expect about 12 watts undistorted (not clipping) from each of the eight channels.

jeff

Castles_Saloon

BTW,
be careful when looking at speaker efficiencies. Some specs look like
90dB/2.83V at 1m vs. 90dB/1W at 1m or you might even see 90db/2W at 1m.

If we're dealing with a 4ohm speaker, then
90dB/2.83V => 87dB/1W
90dB/1W => 90dB/1W
90dB/2W => 87dB/1W

If we're dealing with a 8ohm speaker, then
90dB/2.83V => 90dB/1W
90dB/1W => 90dB/1W
90dB/2W => 87dB/1W

Losing 3dB cuts the volume in half and requires additional amplification to reach the same volume. Marketing typically tries to trick people by adjusting the units of their spec when dealing with 4 ohm speakers so beware. Make sure you compare apples to apples when looking at speakers.

Tangoman

Hmm... well my friend is a huge stereo buff and has a stereo install in his GTO which is amazing, he wants to help me with this one.

Because of past experience, isn't it hard to find after market speakers that are rated for RMS wattages about 12? Lowest I've seen is 25 watts....

If this is true, I might have to just upgrade the amp anyway, we'll see.

I planned on getting a sub for the trunk anyway (custom side box install) and I'll let you guys know when I finish it.

Thanks guys

mercman

First, there really isn’t any such thing as “RMS watts” but that’s another post.

The RMS power ratings on speakers are a guideline to how much power the voice coil can be expected to handle without damage. This of course excludes physical damage from things like over excursion. But this too is a subject for another post.

Basically the thing must people do when working with the low power factory system is pick efficient speakers. As long as you speaker are rated to handle the power output of your amp your OK. You don’t need 12 watt speakers for a 12 watt amp.

My advice is to pick speakers that you like the sound of, if they happen to be more efficient (higher SPL) then so be it. If after your speakers are installed you yearn for more power then bypass the amp.

Check the DIY section. Lots of people have put a lot of effort into solutions for the TSX sound system including speaker options.

jeff

vidgamer

Some speakers will not sound good without a ton of power, perhaps a lot of the better high-end ones, but I would think a huge number of aftermarket speakers will work at lower power. Surely you can find something. I would not worry too much about the "max" power rating for a speaker, if that's what you're looking at?

Like the others said, I'd look for a high efficiency more than anything else. 90 might be more quiet than the stock speakers, but I'd probably go higher if at all possible. Just a tad more in efficiency is the same as increasing the amps power, so it can make a huge difference!

And I think Elduderino said that the stock amp looked similar in design to what is used in "high power" head units, which usually are about 18w/ch. So, 12, 18, possibly 22... probably not physically possible to be more than that. Still, it sounds very loud in my car, so I'm not going to complain. (I wonder if it matters whether or not the car is running, producing 14v?)