We have many customers coming into Sound Depot and Performance and asking us, “Why does the stereo in my factory Honda audio system sound so bad?” It does not seem to matter if it’s a Fit, Civic or Accord – they all seem to suffer from the same weak, mushy sound and peaky frequency response. In this article, we examine why they sound so bad, and how we can help you fix it.
Bad Factory Sound Is Easy
Automakers are always trying to save a buck or two. If they can use smaller wire, less-expensive plastics or thinner carpet, they will leap at the opportunity. One area where automakers love to save a few dollars is on speakers. The speakers that come in new Hondas have thin, flimsy cones and use very small magnets. Even when we add more power to these speakers with a good-quality amplifier, they do not play much louder, and the chance of them failing skyrockets.
The Solution For Better Sound In Your Factory Honda Audio
The first and most popular solution is to add a subwoofer to the vehicle. Not only does this provide a solid foundation for your music, it relieves the tiny speakers of having to try to play bass frequencies. This means they can focus on midrange and high frequencies that don’t require the cones to move as far. The subwoofer system does not have to be massive. A single 10” subwoofer and a 250-watt amplifier would be more than enough to relieve those poor little speakers of their weak attempts to make bass.
Our second step is often combined with the third. We can add an amplifier and replace those inadequate factory Honda audio speakers. Even with modest replacement speakers, the system sounds much better. If you want a truly mind-blowing experience, though, we can show you some fantastic speakers from JL Audio or Memphis that will transform your vehicle into a music studio. The extra power gives you headroom to crank up the volume without hearing distortion. It also brings your sound to life, allowing dynamic and loud passages in your music to be reproduced precisely.
Icing On The Cake
Many radios in factory Honda audio systems include some form of fixed equalization for the cheap speakers they use. We can eliminate this with the addition of a signal processor. Products like the JL Audio FiX82 were specially designed to flatten the frequency response of the incoming audio signal so your new speakers sound natural and clear.
Stop In For A Demo Today!
If you are in the Gainesville, Florida, area, why not drop by Sound Depot and Performance and let us show you what a few simple upgrades can do to dramatically improve the sound of your Honda. We will ask you a few questions to evaluate your goals for the system, and provide you with a no-obligation quote that meets your budget to achieve these objectives.
For more information, Contact Us Here with questions on any of our products and services or to book your consultation today.
Leave a Reply