Audio upgrade for clarity

I havent done it, but I have spoken to two car audio shops, and doing this isnt a big deal for them. Just make sure you go with a REALLY good shop because changing the speakers, installing an amp (potentially) will involve taking apart a lot of panels etc., so you need someone who will put it back right, so you dont have any unintended noises after the installation.

 

My “go-to” source for information about car audio is Crutchfield. They have speaker fit info but don’t yet have install instructions for the Clarity. I expect they will soon. Audio quality is so subjective and is so individualized that you’ll need to consider a bunch (in technical terms) of factors in your decision. What you listen to, age of your ears, amp power, usual volume level, preference for bass response, etc all come to mind.

Keep in mind that a lot of audio “problems” nowadays are blamed on speakers when it’s really the compressed audio that comes to us compliments of streaming. Feed your system a good signal to start with and you may be pleasanty surprised.

If you do install new speakers, use the opportunity to put sound deadening like Dynamat in the doors.

 

My earlier post was cutoff by a dog demanding a walk, so here's one additional idea. Putting a sound processor between the factory amp and the speakers could help a lot with the compression of streaming audio, the output of the factory amp, and speaker quality. You may want to consider something like the JL Audio processor?

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698103/JL-Audio-FiX-86.html?search=car+audio+signal+processors

 

With the Clarity's battery taking up all the space under the seats, it will require a creative installer to find room for additional audio components. The trunk looks like the only space available.

 

The blurb for this product says,

"JL Audio's FiX 86 digital signal processor removes the factory system's equalization, crossover filtering, and time alignment..."

I don't know anything about this particular product, but I do know the second law of thermodynamics. What they are claiming to accomplish appears to be a physical impossibility, the equivalent of reassembling a chicken from a container of chicken salad.

 

Maybe if you could 3D print the chicken?

Here are a couple of other threads on the audio system with some information that may help.

https://www.insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/front-door-speakers.1248/#post-12973

https://www.insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?threads/clarity-speaker-quality.711/#post-10892

 

In the threads I linked above, folks were finding sound improvements with Infinity and Kicker speakers. When I have replaced speakers in the past, I've used Infinity (both Reference and Kappa), but I don't listen to either jazz or rock, so that likely won't be a good recommendation for you. Unless you are dealing with a vehicle that comes with a premium OEM sound system (albeit that's sometimes an oxymoron), you can almost always get audible improvements in sound with name brand aftermarket speakers without having to add an amp. The trick is to find some that sound good to YOU. Call Crutchfield and yack with them for a while; they have experience with which brands work well for which kinds of sound.

 

BTW, the 8 speakers in the Clarity's 180 watt sound system must be the 2 tweeters in the A pillars, the 2 woofers in the front doors and the 2 two-way speakers in the rear doors (which must be counted as 2 speakers each just because they have a tweeter and woofer in the same basket). So, replacing the front speakers would best be done with component speakers and replacing the rear speakers would best (easiest) done with two-way speakers.

 

I changed all the speakers and added a 10 inch sub amp and processor. I will post the specs and info soon. If any1 has questions inbox me Thanks

 

Especially post where you found the room for the amp and sub woofer and some details on how to remove the door panels with out damage. I would really appreciate that bit of info along with speaker makes and models and how you like them.

 

@Lucien Mcleod have you run into any issues with the noise cancellation system yet? I seem to remember someone else having trouble with the ANC interacting badly with the sub, creating feedback.

Integrated "media systems" are the worst thing to happen to automobiles since pop up headlights. I long for the days of being able to just rip out the factory junk and put in a real audio system without worrying about giving the car a lobotomy. Having to add audio processors to deal with factory system BS is the worst.

 

I will download the speaker installation instructions in the next day or so post.


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This photo from that thread says it all. If the left is the oem speaker magnet, it's practically not visible.

https://www.insideevsforum.com/community/index.php?attachments/oemwooferinfinityref6532ix-jpg.870/

 

Word to the wise, don't start taking apart door panels or other trim without extra trim fasteners. You will break some, especially if you don't have others on hand!

Other than that watch YouTube for any recent Honda... They are mostly similar. Or subscribe to Honda service Express ($10/day) and download parts diagrams and instructions, which is what I did for my CR-V.

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See the post three posts above by ab13.

 

In further searching, I found a tweeter up high in each rear door!. So the rear door speakers are also component speakers. That means a full speaker replacement means 8 total, 4 tweeters and 4 woofers.