I'm not really car audio savvy, so please forgive my questions. Also, the FAQ thread seems damaged right now and all.

1. I've read the stock LX system described as 4 speaker. Does this mean the front door panel speakers and the A-pillar tweeters? Are the speakers grills on the rear doors just empty in my LX?

2. The EX stock stereo would probably be all the upgrade I'd want. Could I get the dealer to install an EX stereo w/subwoofer and all (I'm sure this would be pricey) or buy an EX stereo off an Element owner who's upgraded? Is this a practical, viable option? I have no idea where the subwoofer mounts, much less what install issues might be.

Thanks for any insight. Loving the E!

The LX has speakers in all 4 doors....only the EX and EXP have the tweeters on the a pillars.

AS far as upgrading to the EX system it would be a lot of work and for the money involved you would be better off with a good after market system.The EX also has an amp along with the sub and tweeters.


Other members will be able to give more info.....but hopefully i gave you enough basic info to be of some help.

Welcome, secretdonkey from texarse. I don't think I want to know any more. That may be TMI already. :D

Yes, lizzurd is exactly right. To retrofit an EX system into your car would be too expensive and for the birds. Plus, you might have to re-wire the whole thing. I don't know if it has ever been determined if the LX comes with the EX wiring harnesses already installed. Maybe somebody else can answer this question.

What do you want? Just better sound? Do you have kids? Do you want video, too, as long as we are talking upgrade, for back seat kiddies? Do you want somebody else to do all of the installation work? You say the EX stereo would be enough for you but as long as we are starting from scratch, what is important to you? I hate to mention it, but do you have a budget? Let us know. The brain dust, err, trust here can design something to suit your needs.

Wow, I think I like this place! My hat is off to you guys. I've belonged to a number of online car forums as I've gone through cars - hondaprelude.com for my '97 'Lude, spyderchat.com for my MR2 roadster, s2ki.com for my Honda S2000, and now here. This is definitely the best vibe I've encountered - maybe it's been a sportscar thing in the past! Anyhow, thanks for the responses! As for the name, when I was picking out a domain name back in the bronze age of the internet, secretdonkey was what made my friends snicker the most, and the rest is history.

So, I do actually have some things in mind for the audio, but zero experience in aftermarket car audio. Here's what I want, and some answers to your questions, outpost...

1. No kids, no backseat concerns. No real budget constraints, I think my wants are modest enough to not have to worry about that. Let's say $2k for grins, though I'd be happy to spend less - far less, and would certainly spend more if something captures my fancy.

2. I want quality sound more than quantity. I dislike car systems that are loud for loud's sake and with subs that pump out a wash of mud. I want bass, but I want tight, punchy bass. Subwoofer nice, but optional.

3. Speaking of subwoofer - must be very, very unobtrusive. Must not interfere with cargo space. Must integrate in such a way that I'll never have to think or worry about it. I'm looking at the JL Audio Stealthbox I found linked here, and thinking... maybe. I am looking at the picture on the JL site (broken picture link on all the threads I've found here so far) and am kinda iffy about the contrast of a carpeted thingy in an otherwise non-carpeted context. Amp mounted under the passenger seat might be okay, certainly nowhere where it would be obtrusive in any way. Picky SOB, aren't I? But I might pass on a sub if I can get some good, tight and punchy bass out of the 6.5 door speakers.

4. I want a head unit that looks reasonably "adult" - no silly animated panel displays. I prefer real rotary knobs. XM or Sirius ready - hopefully that will mean that no external, outboard tuner will be required. A simple AUX in would satisfy my iPod requirements and even be my preference, since that's what I'm used to - though something more sophisticated would be okay, too. All other things being equal, a unit that occupied the whole space (2 din in the parlance I've encountered ???) would give a more finished look than the afterthought bin underneath the LX unit.

5. I'll leave installation to a shop or someone else. But I'd rather put together a system of the exact right components and find an independent installer than to settle for what brands shop X or shop Y handles.

Okay, I don't expect to be able to meet all of these requirements exactly, but I suppose it can't hurt to ask. Thanks in advance for any input I might get on this. :smile:

OK, fellow EOCers. I want this to be a group project. Let's design a system for secretdonkey. He's done an excellent job of telling us his requirements. Let's try and stay at $2,000 ± 3dB, although I'll warn you, secretdonkey, I can see a double DIN touchscreen video system that would go over that very easily.

I'll start. I think the Stealthbox would be a good choice. A lot of people here have been pleased with the JL Stealthbox. The biggest problem with it is at $500, it would take a quarter of your budget right away. Here is another option. If you bought the EX subwoofer cover (http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Element&catcgry2=2004&catcgry3=5DR+EX+4WD+SIDE+SRS&catcgry4=KA4AT&catcgry5=INSTRUMENT+PANEL+GARNISH+%28PASSENGER+SID E%29) for $35, an EX subwoofer enclosure (http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=Element&catcgry2=2004&catcgry3=5DR+EX+4WD+SIDE+SRS&catcgry4=KA4AT&catcgry5=RADIO+ANTENNA-SPEAKER) for $170, although you might be able to find it for less (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/HONDA-ELEMENT-OEM-SUBWOOFER-NR-6-5-lot-NEVER-USED-USA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38647QQitemZ8061958 843QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW), and an Elemental Designs Eu-700 (http://www.edesignaudio.com/product.php?cid=15&pid=32&cur=USD) driver for $50 (here are a couple of recent (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22454) threads (http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20951) on that), even with shipping and buying all new, you could do this for around $300. Do watch out for Majestic Honda's shipping charges. They are high. You might want to try College Hills Honda (http://www.collegehillshonda.com/parts/) for parts, or see if you can negotiate a competitive price from your local dealer.

Considering what you get for the price of the Stealthbox, I think it's worth the $500. You can buy it without the carpet then have it 'glass'd and painted for a really nice look. The sound quality has to be much better than putting any speaker into the stock sub box IMO.

If he were to spend $500 on the sub, then $150-200 on a decent amp he still have plenty left over for a headunit and speakers. He can power the door speakers off the headunit for now, or get a 2 channel amp... his choice.

The part being left out of the equation is the installation cost. Bringing your own gear into a shop puts the install at a straight hourly build cost. You then have the cabling to pay for. The $2,000 budget will certainly be hit I think.

Headunit: $300-500
Stealthbox: $500
SubAmp: $150-200
Door speakers: $200-300

Just the above is around half the budget and we didn't factor in a second amp, or even going with a 3 channel amp instead of a dual amp setup. Wiring would have to run at least $200 which would inclue the fuse, connectors and other misc pieces. Then labor, my guess is figure a full day, if not day and a half. What do Stereo Shops charge? $50/hour? At 12 hours that's $600...

Everything above puts you at the $2k budget I would think. :-|

I don't know specifics for speakers, headunits and amps... I just know what I like so won't list any choices.

Hey, outpost, thanks a million already, man! I think you are spot-on with using the stock sub enclosure with a better sub. Exactly the kind of solution I want. You also read my mind on the touchscreen... I didn't mention it in my previous post, but I really love the idea of an in-dash nav system. My impression has been that in-dash solutions are not mature yet in the cost/benefit side of things, but heck, ya gotta quit waiting for things to evolve and jump in at some point, right? Being a total newbie on this, the Pioneer AVIC D2 (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_3151_295585964,00.html) looks appealing. I will be doing more research, looking at other makes and what people on these boards seem to favor.

Okay, I'll consider the budget busted! Having just shelled out some major cash in massive repair bills for the S2000 and getting rid of it in favor of the E, I'm going to have to put this off until July 1, when my budgetary stars will be brought back into alignment and I can rationalize a bigger expenditure.

That's still less than two months. I can start ordering some of the stuff before then, too. I'm getting stoked! :cool:

Thanks again!

Thanks spdrcr5 - you must have replied while I was typing my last response. I have seen a number of head units with 50 x 4 power, and if my newbie thinking is right on this, 50w to each of the door speakers would almost certainly be enough for me with a sub. The painted stealthbox is a good suggestion. Even the carpeted one might be okay - I have only seen the single pic on the JL site. I think the stock enclosure solution holds the most appeal for me, though.

You're going to be like me. I currently have my door speakers sitting at my house, going to be buying the amp to power them this week or next. Then the subwoofer has to be determined what I will be doing with it... Either go custom and spend serious money or get the Stealthbox and use it and hope I can integrate it into the SC's center console... decisions, decisions... lol

Yes, 50x4 means "50 watts" into each of the 4 channels. Just keep in mind that it isn't a real true 50 watts like you would get out of an external amp. Just look at the size of a headunit and the size of an amp... I was only suggesting that as a budgetary solution. For the better sound you'd want an external amp.

No offence, but try going to a local stereo shop and ask around for some good quality for the value parts. Though I would suggest going to places like Futureshop or Best Buy for the parts. Most placs would offer to give you a better deal if you were to purchase from them and include an install.

Going to Ebay and such would get you the parts that you want for the fraction of the cost but then you'd have to be technically inclind to put this masterpeice together. With a budget like $2'g or slightly less.. Im sure that you will be able to put something together that would please you.

Speaker suggestions:
JL Audio
Kicker
MTX
Head unit suggestions:
Pioneer
Alpine
Power Acoustic


Just a few I thought Id mention.
Good luck with the project! Keep us updated.

As the owner of an independent stereo store, I'd always recommend you buy from you local independent stereo store and have them do the installation. You can get the best deal and you will definitely get the best service.

A lot, and I mean a lot, of people have gone with that Pioneer touch screen monitor you mentioned. It is a good unit. For an alternative, check out the brand spankin' new Alpine IVA-W200 (http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=IVA-W200). Its PulseTouch system is very cool, giving you a tactile feel to the touchscreen. Alpine is also way ahead of the curve on iPod integration with their iPodFullSpeed (http://www.alpinefullspeed.com/go.html). It may be the best on the market. Certainly nobody does it better; somebody may equal them (full disclosure - we're an Alpine dealer). It would also integrate perfectly with their nav system.

As for nav, it is of age now. The biggest problem is Navtec, the company everybody buys their data base from. They can be a bit behind. The other issue is how many data points are on the nav disc. My Eclipse AVN5345 has a little over 3 million. Alpine's nav piece, the NVE-N872A (http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=NVE-N872A), has 9 million. I don't know why the difference but you have to assume that the Alpine will be more likely to find that small rural restaurant or a gas station in a big city because of the larger data base.

If you really want to know about Navtec, go find a copy of last week's New Yorker. Their annual travel issue, there was an excellent article on mapping, with much of it on Navtec. It explains why the nav sometimes picks the most bizarre routes for you to take. Unfortunately, the New Yorker doesn't archive their issues online. Your local library should have it. I still have it. If you're interested, shoot me a PM with your snail mail addy, secretdonkey, and I'll throw it in an envelope for you. Of course, that offer is open to anybody else, too. :smile:

One last thing: I'd like to see you go with a small 4 channel amp that could fit under one of the seats. While deck power would be fine, there is nothing like an amp. 50 watts x 4 is really about 13 watts x 4 RMS continuous power. A four channel 40 watts continuous x 4 amp could still fit under the seats (here's Alpine's MRP-F250 (http://www.alpine-usa.com/en/products/product.php?model=MRP-F250)), is only a couple of hundred dollars and when used as a 3 channel amp, with the two of the channels to drive the front mains and two of the channels bridged to mono for the sub, would sound much better. You'll need an amp for the sub anyway. Why not have it do the mains, too?

We have now officially broken the budget. That didn't take long. :)

Let's get more ideas, folks. I don't feel we have come close to confusing secretdonkey yet. :D

I just talked to one of the owners of the company I work for who has Nav systems in her cars and I'm sold on the idea now.

No one has asked the question that seems to beg itself... why didn't I just buy an EX if that stereo would have pretty much suited me. The answer is that finding a 5M E is like looking for a needle in a haystack as it is. Finding one that was not an EX-P in a color I liked would be a matter of patience or ordering one from a dealer. I got a SMOKING deal on this LX and like the color - my fourth red car in a row, actually! :-)

I have a couple of local shops I will talk to about the project, who are not "big box" stores, who might be able to source the major components and install the items (stock sub enclosure, etc.) that they can't. One of them is a dealer for JL Audio and Alpine, I'm pretty sure.

Thanks again, everyone who's responded. I will be searching these forums for impressions on some of the components suggested so far.

:-)

I got an LX partially because I was going to remove the original sound system and I didn't want to remove all the extra EX components (primarily the sub and its amp).

I also at the time couldn't find an EX with the manual tranny.

You should use component speakers for the fronts although you don't need to worry about mounting the tweeters in the A pillars. By the book, you should have the tweeters and the woofers right next to each other anyway, so you just flush mount the component tweeters in the grill right above the door woofer.

I pwersonally think most car component speakers are way too bright. I like the Kicker RS tweeter. It's mellow. The Kicker RS 6/12" component speakers would work very well.

I'm looking at the JL Audio Stealthbox I found linked here, and thinking... maybe. I am looking at the picture on the JL site (broken picture link on all the threads I've found here so far) and am kinda iffy about the contrast of a carpeted thingy in an otherwise non-carpeted context. . :smile:

Secretdonkey,

I have the JL Stealthbox and I must say, I do like it, for what it is. From what I hear, you can special order one with out carpet.

Okay, looks like "stage one" is complete. Pioneer AVIC D2 with Sirius box and subscription, and a simple line running from the Aux input to a cable in the glove box with 1/8" plug for the iPod. Alpine SPS-17C2 speakers. The store didn't have any of the speakers suggested to me in the thread, though I was mindful of that input. These had a tighter (if a bit shy) bass than the other similarly priced alternatives I compared at the store and more mids. I knew these would want to be EQed differently from the other speakers and the AVIC's parametric EQ has allowed me to dial in a sound I'm happy with.

Yes, I do want a sub, and yes, I agree that an external amp to run the Alpines would be nice. That can happen when the budget says it's time for round two!

THANKS A MILLION to Outpost and all others who posted in this thread!!!!

Here's a phone cam pic. I'll have to post a better one when I can get a good pic.

Okay, looks like "stage one" is complete. Pioneer AVIC D2 with Sirius box and subscription, and a simple line running from the Aux input to a cable in the glove box with 1/8" plug for the iPod. Alpine SPS-17C2 speakers. The store didn't have any of the speakers suggested to me in the thread, though I was mindful of that input. These had a tighter (if a bit shy) bass than the other similarly priced alternatives I compared at the store and more mids. I knew these would want to be EQed differently from the other speakers and the AVIC's parametric EQ has allowed me to dial in a sound I'm happy with.

Yes, I do want a sub, and yes, I agree that an external amp to run the Alpines would be nice. That can happen when the budget says it's time for round two!

THANKS A MILLION to Outpost and all others who posted in this thread!!!!

Here's a phone cam pic. I'll have to post a better one when I can get a good pic.

That bezel looks fantastic, did you do any modifications to it to get it to fit so perfect in the DD space?

I didn't install myself, but am very pleased with the fit and finish. I couldn't see any obvious modifications with the trim ring off. The trim ring looks like it is an off-the-shelf piece, too. I had priced out the system at a big box store and didn't go for it because they expressed some concerns about the trim piece and installation. Whatever this shop did, they did it well... Though I did have a few minor problems which they did address, and everything is hunky dory now! :cool:

One thing - I should have opted for XM instead of Sirius, I think this unit is better integrated with XM, as the interface for Sirius is a bit lacking, though certainly does the job.

Secretdonkey, Another question? That oem silver trim piece around the deck, it looks like it is sunk in a little with a line across the bottom. Is that how the 2006 radio bezel is now or is that a replacement from the stereo shop as well?

...That oem silver trim piece around the deck, it looks like it is sunk in a little with a line across the bottom. Is that how the 2006 radio bezel is now or is that a replacement from the stereo shop as well?

My '04 LX has the same trim piece...maybe its an LX/DX item or a 2004+ item.:confused:

I don't have any better insight than what Genom offered - I have not had enough opportunities to compare with other E's to recognize the difference.