Tomorrow I'll be extracting the OEM 8" Panasonic down firing subwoofer enclosure from the storage compartment. My plan is to upgrade the subwoofer and amplifier while retaining the stock enclosure if it's strong enough. Or, place a new sub, enclosure and amplifier into that stock location.

But before I start the wiring, has anyone done something similar or the same? Do you recall the wire color codes for the amplifier turn on, input signals, etc…?

 

Okay, I was able to sort out the wiring and finish up some testing today. Here are the details on the stock ELS subwoofer:

8" Panasonic Paper Subwoofer
3" Depth
1.3 ohm
Single Voice Coil

Amplifier Turn On: White
Amplifier Constant: Brown
Ground: Black
Input Signal (+): Pink/Silver
Input Signal (-): Blue/Silver

Plastic/Polymer Enclosure
26"x16"x8"
0.88 cu/ft
**Held down by (4) 10mm bolts**
**Sub mounts onto four pillars only. Not very strong and CAN NOT support a better sub**

 

The stock enclosure and sub is not capable of upgrading. Instead, a powered 6.5" Bazooka did the trick for me. Fits like a glove and wires right into the factory harness. The subwoofer control in the audio section allows for complete control of the Bazooka's gain and it hits about 2-3X as hard. Nice and clean, no distortion!

**Please note: The factory noise cancellation will either need to be deactivated or it's microphone removed.**

 

Nicely done

Its still a mystery to me if ZDX has active noice cancellation or just speed volume compensation

 

She definitely has the Honda ANC. Whenever you put in an amplifier and sub, the entire stereo will play a terrible cancellation tone trying to compensate. I've had several Honda vehicles with ANC and it drives me nuts every time!

 

Does ANC make that big of a differences in actual cabin noise? I'm sure it's not terribly loud in the ZDX with out it.

 

Ironchef2009,

Which Bazooka model did you get and which way is the sub facing?

 

I honestly can't tell the difference with the ANC disabled. In the past, I had a Honda Odyssey that had cylinder deactivation. When running on three cylinders, the ANC worked great to cancel out a very odd sounding motor hum.

 

The Bazooka model is their BTA6100. I experimented with a few mounting locations and the best by far was having it fire right into the drivers side fender panel. There is about three inches between the Bazooka and the fender wall allowing it to provide most of that nice "shake" that larger subs perform.

For me, it was so nice not having to run wire from the battery, not having it eat up cargo space and having no unwanted audible sub sounds. It fits in there like a glove and performs far better than stock. The ELS system, already amazing, sounds killer with the added low frequency punch.

 

Ironchef2009,
Did you need additional wires?
how do i deactivate factory noise cancellation?
Thank you.

 

You do not need additional wires. As for the ANC deactivation, there are four methods:

1- Drop the headliner enough to unbolt the rear microphone. (right above the rear seat)
2- Pry out the rear microphone and replace with a new cover ($10 from Acura)
3- Enter a sequence of codes into the radio. (search on youtube, it will tell you how)
4- Cut the microphone wire elsewhere in the vehicle or at the headliner.

I did both number 2 and 3. I could not lower the headliner enough without damaging it so I simply pried out the mic cover, which will break, and replaced it without the microphone when I got the new cover.

 

Thank you did it take you much time?

 

Probably about an hour.

 

How did you get the OEM sub enclosure out? Did you have to remove all of the trunk panels? I've got it unbolted but I can't get it out through the support members.