Audio upgrade for clarity

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by HariN, Jun 3, 2018.

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  1. sniwallof

    sniwallof Active Member

    Look at the later post, I did not like the Infinitys (too bright, plus they had an unnecessary coaxial structure with another tweeter, for yet more highs which was definitely not needed with the new Infinity tweeters) and sent the front door woofers back for Kickers:
    https://insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/front-door-speakers.1248/#post-12973

    Later, I put the same Kickers in the back doors too, but did not change the tweeters in the back doors. To me the audio was a LOT better, but it never was quite right.

    Maybe I should have tried to keep the original tweeters with new woofers as a first go (in the past for other cars, the improvement was the other way, changing the tweeters first), or looked more carefully at woofer/tweeter pairs (individual woofers and tweeters designed to be used together). One problem is that the dedicated pairs most commonly need a separate speaker wire from the door to the pillar for a crossover in the door. A few mount the crossover with the tweeter in the pillar, for those without the door to pillar wires. For example, the Audison Prima system sounded pretty good in a Gen 1 Volt (separate crossovers for each tweeter that mount in the pillar).

    Of course to some extent, the radio itself, and any internal crossovers in the head unit before the wires to the individual speakers, might limit what can be achieved.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2019
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  3. wjcarpenter

    wjcarpenter New Member

    Sorry for my ignorance, but what did you mean by a "rockwell volume knob"?
     
  4. Cash Traylor

    Cash Traylor Well-Known Member

    You would need to install an audio manager app for the volume knob to interface with the actual headunit (amp out versus the android digital audio source out). To do that you have to root/honda hack the headunit and likely change the output controls via a framework mod. I haven't done this as, well - just no interest. However, I plan to get back at audio tweaks when the weather improves in a few weeks. Glad that it worked for the digital side. What knob did you use (link to acquire for testing)?
     
  5. Cash Traylor

    Cash Traylor Well-Known Member

    It's a powered sub, so it didn't matter. Please read my entire install thread if you have any other questions after I would be happy to follow up. My solution worked for me, others may not like it. Last on my list is modifying the ANC module to allow for just an analog damping of cabin noise versus the predictive BUS triggers that seem to be present by default that cause problems. I am also seriously considering creating a center channel in the front for stage imaging.... hmmm (that will require a virtual 3.1 module.... need more time and beer.

    Cheers, Cash
     
  6. wjcarpenter

    wjcarpenter New Member

    (Assuming you are asking me about the USB volume control.) It was just a generic USB knob that I had for desktop use. Because I am cheap, that's what I bought. :) It's this one (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016U2KXCG/), but there are zillions just like it. This one is too big for use in the car. I was going to make one myself until I saw how cheap it was to just buy one. I still might if a solution arises. Interfacing via bluetooth might also be a possibility if the head unit software situation is resolved.
     
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  8. Cash Traylor

    Cash Traylor Well-Known Member

    Browsing the tech site today while contemplating my center channel project... still undecided on this one for several reasons. However wanted to post a grab I made from the Clarity Fuel Cell docs that has all of Honda's speaker locations and information for the body (Clarity base shell) we only got the 8 speakers versus 11 possible. Here are the details for the factory locations.

    Cheers,
    Cash
     

    Attached Files:

    Daniel M W likes this.
  9. Cash Traylor

    Cash Traylor Well-Known Member

    Decided to put the center channel 2.1 DolbyIIPro idea on the back burner and go back to the modified ANC module. I want to get as much analog ANC back without affecting the "upgraded" sound system performance. I am trying to find a "shade tree mechanic" version of an ANC evaluation protocol to actually test the dang thing. I can watch the pulses on the Osmelliscope, but the phase impact is hard to quantify with the BUS channels removed. What I need is a good old fashioned RTA or Db meter.... Will report back when it is not so dang cold in Dallas.... I know, 9 pages back I was complaining about the heat...

    The Foster speaker that will fit perfectly is pricey if I can't power it correctly and other bodge fit job speakers I think would result in a reduction in sound quality over quantity and what I have working now sounds pretty good for the price point. Would love a good sound processor, but that would triple my price of play.

    Cheers,
    Cash
     
  10. dannieboiz

    dannieboiz New Member

    Where did you guys tap in for signal for the sub? Since the speakers are only at the doors, did you tap in from there and ran the hi level to the trunk?
     
  11. Ken Sanna

    Ken Sanna New Member

    Hi and just a quick question. Did you noticed any significant decrease in driving range on battery only after the upgrade? I was just wondering if the aftermarket speakers and subwoofer are as efficient at energy consumption. Please let me know. Thank you and congratz on the awesome build :)
     
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  13. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    OK, not an EE (nor do I play one on TV), but I’m confidently going out on a limb here and saying that it will not. If we’re talking about just increasing the volume from say middle to high without adding an additional amplifier, then the increase in energy will be minuscule compared to the energy required for motive use, resistance heating, or even electric motors (AC, fan, etc.).
    The analogy is that in a signal to noise ratio, if the noise is very very small it will be lost in the strength of the signal and be of little consequence.
    I predict it will bear out one of my favorite sayings, “A difference that makes no difference is no difference.”
    However I’m willing to be proved wrong by the EEs on the forum; just not by speculation.
     
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  14. Cash Traylor

    Cash Traylor Well-Known Member


    My lead foot makes far more of a difference on the range, than the sound system...
     
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  15. dannieboiz

    dannieboiz New Member

    Adding any additional draws to an battery will decrease your range. However, I don't think it will not be enough to be noticable. I think the main concern is the capacity of your alternator and your 12v supply. Keep in mind that your audio is not a constant draw, IE: a 1kW amp can pump 1kW but it doesn't mean it's pulling 1kW. It will only do that @ peak when a note hits that, so you really take the average of your overall listening level and the type of music you're listening to. It could be only drawing less than 300w on average unless you're doing a dB competition

    If you enjoy good quality audio it's definitely worth upgrading considering how easy it is to at least just replace the inside speakers.

    It might be the nature of the stock amp but I find the JL C1 I put in is very harsh sounding due to the lack of power to drive the mids. The solution is to lower the mids and tweeters on the EQ while leaving the bass level at the max. This has yield a much richer sound for my setup.

    At 75% level I'm still getting decent quality sound with out clipping.
     
  16. KentuckyKen

    KentuckyKen Well-Known Member

    Man, I wish I still had the hearing of y'all who have who have to fret and fritz and fix the sound of the mediocre sound system of the Clarity. At my age I don’t have to worry about it, since I can’t tell the difference any more. The ship has sadly sailed on my audiophile days due to too much rock in my formative years. However, I’m sure that a lot of younger Clarity owners will appreciate your efforts and willingness to share.

    FWIW, my son’s Science Fair project that took him to the state level with a nice prize (full disclosure: very proud parent) was on demonstrating that everyone starts to lose the high frequencies by age 24 and then it just gets worse. Just Google mosquito ring tones. The kids use those to keep their teachers from hearing their phones ringing in class. Unless the teacher is just out of college, they can’t hear it but the kids can. LOL
     
    Cash Traylor likes this.
  17. Normand

    Normand New Member

    Question for adding a powered subwoofer, where do you tap the negative cable to the amp.
    Thanks
     
  18. Cash Traylor

    Cash Traylor Well-Known Member

    Any grounded frame location close to the sub/amp. Keep the ground lead as short as possible.
     
    evan124242 likes this.
  19. evan124242

    evan124242 New Member

    do you happen to know where the factory amp is located?
    any help would be great!
     
  20. Normand

    Normand New Member

    This is what i did, unpluged all tweeter, removed oem Doors speaker, replaced with Polk DB+652 speakers, added a Pionner SWX2502 10" subwoofer placed behind the passenger seat driven by a Polk PA880 amp.
    Very happy with the result.
     
  21. Behind the passenger seat? Like on the floor?
     
  22. Normand

    Normand New Member

    yes on the floor
     
  23. Cash Traylor

    Cash Traylor Well-Known Member


    Unless you have the Canadian version there is no factory amp. It's all part if the entertainment reciever.

    The reciever/amp unit is in the dash behind the infotainment screen.
     

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