I know I'll probably stir up a hornets nest with this one...
I would like to upgrade from the stock speakers on my EX and would like some tried and true recommendations on reasonably priced speakers that make a nice improvement for the buck.. Yes I know the head unit and amps are lacking, but don't go there... I don't wanna go nuts with this! I am a recovering audiophile, but prefer to keep my money in my home system.
Any advice would be appreciated.

Can you put a number on "reasonably priced"?

let's say under 250

polk db650s at crutchfield.
2 - $99
and a second set for half price.

non-component. great speakers for the $

For under 250 I would go with the perennial favorite, Pioneer. Considering your other options (Sony, Blaupunkt, Jensen, etc…) at least with Pioneer you know you’re buying a speaker that isn’t made for looks (Sony), isn’t a copy of some OEM hardware (Blaupunkt) and isn’t made for the 16-20 y/o crowd (Jensen).

On the other hand, you could stretch that 250 on eBay with some patient auction action and nab yourself something a little better. For 250 you could pick up some Memphis Sync 6.5 convertible components for the front and some Infinity 60.7CS coaxial components for the back. I had this setup in my Jeep Grand Cherokee prior to trading it in on the Element and even with the stock Jeep Infinity Gold amp, they sounded pretty damn good. I think I spend about $275-$300 including shipping to buy both sets on eBay but you could get closer to $250 if you’re patient and wait for the right auction to come along.

I like my Infinity REF6002I speakers and 1001T tweeters (now discontinued). The successors seem to be the REF6012I and 1011T.

6012I: $80/pair at Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-o8jApOOvGZX/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?I=1086012I&search=REF6012I)
1011T: $64/pair at Crutchfield (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-o8jApOOvGZX/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=1081011T).
You'll also want an adapter (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-o8jApOOvGZX/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?search=adapter+honda&i=12071018) ($13/pair) to make life a little easier.

polk db650s at crutchfield.
2 - $99
and a second set for half price.


I agree with TheOle34, I just (last week) installed 4 db 650's and absolutely love them. Crutchfield will give you free wiring harnesses and shipping, so $150 out the door for all four. No major cutting (just clipping off small tabs) or drilling is required for installation, just be sure to turn them so the contacts don't short on the piece of metal at the bottom of the door (it happened to me but a quick speaker turn fixed it).

Good luck with whatever you choose!

great ideas! thanks everyone for your input. Always good to find out from people who've tried them in the particular car first!

Since you are using the factory amp, efficiency is a key. A simple 2 way, with a basic crossover, would be best. You want the sensitivity number to be high, although this is misleading. I've always found that while you can compare sensitivity ratings within a speaker line (an Infinity speaker with a 92 dB sensitivity rating will play significantly louder than an Infinity speaker rated at 89), you can't compare them between companies (say Infinity to Polk). You can judge sensitivity between different brands if you get to listen to the speakers in a display board in a store. You want the ones that play loud. :-)

I agree with TheOle34, I just (last week) installed 4 db 650's and absolutely love them. Crutchfield will give you free wiring harnesses and shipping, so $150 out the door for all four. No major cutting (just clipping off small tabs) or drilling is required for installation, just be sure to turn them so the contacts don't short on the piece of metal at the bottom of the door (it happened to me but a quick speaker turn fixed it).

Good luck with whatever you choose!

Crutchfield's website indicates that the db 650s would only fit in the rear doors... I wonder what that is all about?

When I ordered my speakers as well from Crutchfield, and I made the mistake of noting that my car was an Element. As a result, the Honda speaker wire adapters were NOT included because the computer thought the speakers would not fit. I had to call, and they immediately sent out a second package with the adapaters. The customer service rep I spoke with thought that the Polk db650's in the front speakers would fit, but that the removable grilles would not fit properly and maybe pop out after a few slams of the front doors. This has not been the case at all. The grilles fit fine, and 10 months later, the speaker grilles are no where near popping off.

The bottom line is that many, many people use the db650's and are happy with them. I would not worry about why Crutchfield thinks they wouldn't fit. Also if you order from them, make sure that you make them think you have a Honda Pilot, or your order won't include the Honda speaker wire adapters.

Crutchfield's website indicates that the db 650s would only fit in the rear doors... I wonder what that is all about?

Crutchfields website does indeed only list them for the rear, but they fit perfectly in the front. When I ordered mine I just ordered two sets for the rear and got the free wiring harnesses. I did a lot of Element Club browsing on the speakers first to make sure they would fit in the front. If you're going to get the db 650's order two sets for the rear for the wiring harnesses to be included.

Well, you guys convinced me. I headed out to Circuit City, picked up 4 Polk DB 650s and wiring harnesses. I got 'em all installed in about an hour and no issues with fit. Nice upgrade, big improvement in sound. Thanks for the info!

Well, you guys convinced me. I headed out to Circuit City, picked up 4 Polk DB 650s and wiring harnesses. I got 'em all installed in about an hour and no issues with fit. Nice upgrade, big improvement in sound. Thanks for the info!
Hey mquetel
What was the cost difference from Circuit City vs. Cructhfield.
Thanks

Did you change out the 2 front tweeters too? What would you guys recommend?

I'm wondering how hard is it to change out the front tweeters?

Oh, on Crutchfield's web site they now list Polk db650's fits the Element's front and rear doors.

Did you change out the 2 front tweeters too? What would you guys recommend?

I'm wondering how hard is it to change out the front tweeters?

Oh, on Crutchfield's web site they now list Polk db650's fits the Element's front and rear doors.

This was my question too, as I've been considering buying a set of new speakers instead of installing my old MB Quarts. I didn't want to just drop something in, nor did I really want to go up to the expense of the db components when I have a set of MB's that would work fine (although I'd have to run an amp, which I didn't want to get into).

Hey mquetel
What was the cost difference from Circuit City vs. Cructhfield.
Thanks

Crutchfield was $99.99 for 1st pair, 2nd pair 50% off.
Circuit City was $94.99 for 1st pair, 2nd pair 50% off.

I did have to buy the speaker harnesses and I bet Crutchfield would include them for free... but I was feeling impatient and did not want to wait for them to arrive in the mail.

Did you change out the 2 front tweeters too? What would you guys recommend?

I'm wondering how hard is it to change out the front tweeters?

Oh, on Crutchfield's web site they now list Polk db650's fits the Element's front and rear doors.

I didn't do tweeters yet, but I plan to this winter. I'll be following the instructions from here:
http://www.re-vision.com/element-j/tweeters.html

As for the actual tweeter type? Probably Infiniti 1011t or Polk db1000.

I checked Price Grabber and found the Polk db 650's a bit cheaper at "Sonic Electronics". Everybody here mentions Crutchfield. Am I missing something?

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/viewitem.php?id=6992

Umm..nevermind. Re-checked, it's close.

Sonic: $69.99 x 4 = $279.96 + $13 (shipping) = $293.00
Crutchfield: $199.99 PR + $100.00 2nd PR + free shipping = $299.99

I'm 99% sure that SonicElectronix (love the name! :) ) is not an authorized Polk Audio dealer. Crutchfield is. You would not get a manufacturer's warranty from SonicElectronix. That alone is worth $6.

I didn't do tweeters yet, but I plan to this winter. I'll be following the instructions from here:
http://www.re-vision.com/element-j/tweeters.html

As for the actual tweeter type? Probably Infiniti 1011t or Polk db1000.


Thanks for the link!

http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?cart_id=9413991.6132&pid=1969
Madisound Speaker Components, Inc. - - Peerless Definition 6 - 6" 2-way Component System

Just another option, although better suited for a system with an aftermarket amplifier. Why get what everyone else has?