Audio System upgrades.

Anyone upgraded their audio system? Personally I find the upgraded system in my RTL just a bit lacking in clarity and stereo imaging. Thought about taking it into Hawk and upgrading the speakers and adding a better sound eq/processor.

I like the sound of mine but it does lack the front tweets, even though they are there it does not seem to fill in like others do. Of course some of the problem is input, depending on what your listening to and the quality of it. I will agree .. it needs something even if its just tweeters placed in the doors by the window like most do. and the volume control on the wheel could be a tad faster too. MHO

I was thinking of just upgrading the door speakers. Has anyone looked at how they come out??
I would hate to have some monkey take off my door panel and reinstall it incorrectly...as things usually happen with those places. Every time I have one of those places do something the car comes back worse off. I hate to spend 33k and have somebodys greasy fingerprints on my interior and pry marks on the plastic panels....if you knw what i mean

With that being said, the only way to REALLY do it, is do it yourself.

I'm measuring for a subwoofer box now to fit under the seats. I doubt that I'd get to it anytime soon though.

At the very least I'd like to put a deck in to replace the one I currently have. Perhaps something with mp3 capability.

They should come up with some super small satellites and place them in all 4 corners of the roof and a sub to fill in. Like a bose system for your truck. One of the best sounding factory systems I have ever heard was in the Acura TL and an Infinity Q45 Bose system. Outstanding. I have a bose system at home and the clarity of sound is amazing. If anyone is shopping, its well worth the price if your going for quality and clarity over blare and volume. JMHO :)

The imaging of this system is pretty poor. It's not real powerful, and has a heavy limiter on it. It's tough coming from a much nicer system. But overall I like it enough to leave it alone. The only thing I might consider replacing it for would be an in-dash aftermarket nav system like the Alpine.

If you have the RL NAV...It is an Alpine system:)

The imaging of this system is pretty poor. It's not real powerful, and has a heavy limiter on it. It's tough coming from a much nicer system. But overall I like it enough to leave it alone. The only thing I might consider replacing it for would be an in-dash aftermarket nav system like the Alpine.

Do you think just replacing the speakers would help?? After I drive our Volvo with 12 speakers and Dolby surround this thing sounds terrible- but not rip it all out terrible.

Do you think just replacing the speakers would help?? After I drive our Volvo with 12 speakers and Dolby surround this thing sounds terrible- but not rip it all out terrible.

Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself.

The risk with replacing speakers on a stock system is that they won't match up well in terms of efficiency, so you may end up with a better sounding system that doesn't play as loud, and it doesn't play loud enough now.

yeah...I can't even make my ears ring with that thing!!

40...it needs to be 80


thanks for the insight

You know it. I put in my own system in the Ranger (and took it all out before the trade as well). Alpine head unit, two old school Rockford Fosgate amps with 600W RMS total, MB Quart Reference times four, and a JL Audio sub. I Dynamatted the whole interior first. It was a SQ system, not built for SPL, and had great imaging.

I have the Nav too and was going to mention it was an alpine system. :D Again depending on the source some music I have I can crank it up to 40 and its ok and then others are too loud at 20. So the recording levels may help or if you have a MP3 player like I use you can bump up the volume with that and your radio and Badabing.. sounds Mahvelous !! Im not going to rip anything out of mine, was just talking about replacing the tweets with something better. :rolleyes:

I thought I was the only one that thought it sounded like crap.
No imaging at all, the sound is a mess.
Sometimes it sounds good enough, but mostly when
I want to rock, it sucks. Tiring.
Front speakers will definitly get replaced.

I pretty much agree that the imaging and the mid to high freqs are just not there. Now the bass, that's another thing, but I would like a more balanced sound like something similar to my RX-300. Hell, I thought something was wrong with the limiter on "40". 40? That's like saying the party starts at 7:03PM! :D
It's fine for now, but I think some satellite tweets mounted on the rear view mirror panel (black, triangle kinda cover. I did this on my Accord and it turned out very nicely) And I agree it lacks the overall spaciousnes of my Bose system, but it ain't milquetoast either, ya know.
That EQ screen always shows the mid to be flat as a pancake, but of course it has no mid range attent. I have even tried using different acoustic settings on my DFX module while burning CDs, but it doesn't seem to "open it up" like I want it. (soooo American, isn't it? pay $34K for a vehicle, then bitch about it!!! :rolleyes: )
Thanks for the input.

Wouldn't be bitching if it sounded better. :D

there was an early posting about the stereo system in the RL. I guess if you have the RTS and above the Head Unit or HU has enough power to push any upgraded speakers. The thing was, nobody knew the size of the speakers that was in the door or have experience taking or replacing the speakers.
I've decided to wait a little longer in getting my RL, not in a hurry to get one yet. If or when i do, i plan on replacing the door speakers with H/K speakers (Harmon Kardon Speakers) and keeping the head unit, and finding a way to hook up my IPOD to the HU too.

Hmm...I was initially under the impression that the Ridgeline had pretty decent audio. I guess it depends on who you ask.

I'll probably bring over my 240W Alpine HU and see how the OEM speakers handle it. Something tells me I'll be doing a complete overhaul. Has anyone looked into where to put an aftermarket subwoofer/amp? I'm getting an RT, so I'm guessing there's a space where the OEM sub is located in the RTS/RTL, though I've heard it's pretty tight. I'd just hate to take up storage space under the back seat if I can fit it elsewhere.

Hmm...I was initially under the impression that the Ridgeline had pretty decent audio. I guess it depends on who you ask.

I'll probably bring over my 240W Alpine HU and see how the OEM speakers handle it. Something tells me I'll be doing a complete overhaul. Has anyone looked into where to put an aftermarket subwoofer/amp? I'm getting an RT, so I'm guessing there's a space where the OEM sub is located in the RTS/RTL, though I've heard it's pretty tight. I'd just hate to take up storage space under the back seat if I can fit it elsewhere.
Please post some pics if you do decide to put the alpine HU. I wonder if the alpine HU with navi will fit? or just a standard MP3/WAV Alpine HU?

There are lots of nit picky type things going on on this forum, but this is not one of them. I agree with the sentiments about bitching above. It's not bitching at all because it is a substandard system for sure. I've got the volvo guy's issue, I come out of my Expedition with the 350 watt stock Eddie Baurer system, albeit an upgrade, into the RL's (150 watt's maybe?) system and the speakers are underwhelmed, sound quality is poor with no depth IMHO.

I have no clue what the soloution is so I will be watching this thread with interest.

Thanks for a great websight contributions. Nice to learn so mch about my truck before I've even turned the first 1,000 K !

John

Are you guys all deaf? I can't play my stereo above 12 without getting a headache. :eek:

Seriously lay off of the Rock Concert Rides for a while and let your ears have a break before all you hear is a constant hum.

I guess I am lucky, got hit by a car when I was 4, and lost part of my hearing. I thought it sounded great. Now I am wondering if I should be disappointed? But would I know the difference?

I'm perfectly happy with the stock system (that's 160 W, btw). Usually keep the radio at 20 or below and CD's lower than that (sometimes I will crank it on up though). Granted, I'm not a stereophile...

My complaint is not volume related, its with the blend of the front tweeters. I go for more of the quality of sound. It has good bass and midrange but it lacks the "CLEAR" highs from the tweets. MHO

I don't really turn my stereo that high " rock concert decibles ", I am just used to Surround Sound DTS systems like my Alpine HU model: IVA-D901.
I guess once you've gotten used to great surround sound you could never go back to Stereo. Listening to DVD music like Kenny Chesney or BOND classical musics at a moderate level in DTS surround sound just sounds awesome....my 2cent.

Please post some pics if you do decide to put the alpine HU. I wonder if the alpine HU with navi will fit? or just a standard MP3/WAV Alpine HU?I just have a standard, single DIN, CD/MP3 unit. I think ANYTHING will fit in the hole left from the OEM unit, but does Alpine even make anything larger than 1-DIN anymore? I'm more worried about it looking stupid by being too small, might have to find a matching equalizer / sound processor or something to throw in under the HU.

So does this mean no one has so much as swapped out the head unit yet?! I would have to think that will solve the apparent clarity problems. I'm not saying all tweeters are created equal, but I can't imagine they're THAT bad.

not terrible, but if you go from sorround sound to this, it sucks...somewhat.
I'm hoping just a speaker upgrade will do enough to get me over the hump...then I'm fine.

not terrible, but if you go from sorround sound to this, it sucks...somewhat.
I'm hoping just a speaker upgrade will do enough to get me over the hump...then I'm fine.It may help, but usually muddy sound is the result of a muddy head unit producing muddy signals. Upgraded speakers may just recreate those muddy signals more precisely...

It may even be the angle they install the tweets in the dash. maybe they thought it would bounce off the windshield without degrading the sound? Was drving to work today and wondered if they put the tweeters in the dash to give the side curtain airbags full clearence? ( instead of the inner part of the side mirrors like the MDX has ) JMHO

i guess i've just gotten used to having great sound and a little worried how certain music will sound. In my current car VW Passat i have 10 total speakers, 5 in the front, 4 in the back and a subwoofer in the trunk. All powered through 1 amp and an alpine HU. X-over & mosfet amp is built in the HU.
Alpine, i don't think buids any double din HU, just single din's. I was thinking, if i decide to get a lower base RL, is to replace the head unit with my current HU & speakers, in hope when the LCD pops out, it wouldn't hit anything or block any thing.

I sent a message to my connection at Alpine asking him what he thought of the RTL head unit. Here's what he said:

"Not my department but the audio guys are right next door. I asked xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx who is the OEM Manager about the unit we provide for the RidgeLine. He says the unit is on par with our mid-grade aftermarket units. To upgrade the unit would only result in audio improvement measurable by sophisticated instruments and not by the human ear. It sounds like a better than average unit. He said the amplifier is not the best but shouldn't be bad either. I will ask for specs but many OEM products aren't ever specd out in traditional ways."

I am somewhat of an audiophile and haven't listened to the Ridgeline unit. I see it's advertised as 160 watts with an 8" sub. I suppose the 160 watts is total power... who knows if it's even RMS? I'm expecting to have to do some upgrading, but not a big deal.

I'd agree with the mid-grade assessment, which makes it very good for a stock OEM system. The imaging is definitely better with your head against the seat back, but still not great.

On my two test drives I didn't even turn the radio on. I believe there are two different sound systems in the Ridgeline. A Clarion 100 watt and the Alpine 160 watt system.

Mine will have the Alpine system. I suspect I'll start with changing out the door speakers. If the unit can't power them I'll look at an amp. Sounds to me like the head unit specs will be fine.

Only time will tell!

It's not horrible, just needs some help. :cool:

sounds interesting mugen, The A pillars are full of side curtain airbags so I dont think the tweets would work there. Please post some pics after your done with everything, would love to see it ( and hear it ) after its all done.

Playing with the fader fixed the problem, but the resulting sound is lifeless and empty (lack of treble). Boost the highs and it sounds way too bright and attenuates all the wrong frequencies.Would you be that disappointed in any of Alpine's mid-grade head units, or is the OEM unit clearly not at that level? I have a hard time taking the OEM Manager's word on OEM quality (which is usually horrible).

I don't think double-DIN adapters or install kits will be available for the RL any time soon. It'll have to be a complete custom install. Complete custom? What other options are there than just trying to cram another adapter in there? :D

I plan on powering the system via a deep cycle gel cell in the rear fender (lots of dead space in that location). Who would have thought there's so much useful space behind the fenders...lol. You mentioned possibly putting a 10" sub in the OEM location -- is there room for that? The only dimensions I've heard are something like 18"x12"x4" for the space available, and 4" is not much mounting depth! :eek: As for the gel cell, have you heard of Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM)? For a comparable price they are supposed to have all the benefits of gels while being much more rugged and capable when it comes to charging rates and voltages. I'm clearly not the expert though.

It may even be the angle they install the tweets in the dash. maybe they thought it would bounce off the windshield without degrading the sound?They're in the DASH? Crap! I thought they were mounted in the door by the side mirrors... :(

Alpine, i don't think buids any double din HU, just single din's. I was thinking, if i decide to get a lower base RL, is to replace the head unit with my current HU & speakers, in hope when the LCD pops out, it wouldn't hit anything or block any thing.That's exactly what I plan on doing, though without the LCD. From what I've seen I don't expect that anything would get in the way with the screen, though.

Great multi-post Tris .. oh and by the way .. Happy B-day !! :D

Ive sat in a RT Ridge in the dealers showroom after I had mine for a while and I when I first got in, it felt like someone broke into my ridge and took everything. The Nav screen really is huge when you compare the different models. I never got to listen to the radio in an RT so I cant compare it to mine, im sure its similar even though it has less power. You should have plenty of room for the LCD in the RL its huge.

I think this is a good location for tweets Honda, let have this done by 07 please :rolleyes:

I never got to listen to the radio in an RT so I cant compare it to mine, im sure its similar even though it has less power.
This is just a guess, but I would say the only difference in the stereo between the RT and RTS is a 60W sub. Both have 6 speakers (not counting the sub) and there is only 60W difference between the two systems. Makes sense to me...

sounds interesting mugen, The A pillars are full of side curtain airbags so I dont think the tweets would work there. Please post some pics after your done with everything, would love to see it ( and hear it ) after its all done.
yea, i was thinking of adding an A piller pod much like a pod for meters or turbo or something in that nature.

I just found out today that you can turn the subwoofer off in the RTS - dial to the lowest setting.

Good deal mugen1, that will be an awesome setup. I had to goto Mercedes for my speakers, when i found out one of AMG vehicles carried H/K speakers @ 6.5, i had one of my buddy to get 4 pairs of component for my current vehicle VW Passat. It fits nicely (Harmon Kardon speakers) and sound great. Didn't have to add an amp just using the built in amp in the Alpine. Didn't feel to re wire the car and add amps in the trunk. the built in amp in the alpine was sufficient to power the speakers without distortion or sounding weak. So when i do decide to get one, i was thinking of just transplanting this system into the RTS RL.

I listen to the radio/CD player in my Ridgeline all of the time, but...

If you are an audiofile and you want the best listening experience, listen at home or in a studio. As quiet as the Ridgeline is there is still some road and wind noise. This easily negates any improvements you might gain by signifigant expensive upgrading of the audio system.

Save your money and by some good equipment for home. The Ridgeline system is more than enough for any vehicle.

You certainly have a right to your opinion. The Ridgeline has a very good stock system. Some of us can appreciate a better system and are willing to invest in it. The search for the right components is as enjoyable to us as the search for the right wheels, accessories, etc. is to others. It has nothing to do with our home systems, wind noise, or anything else unrelated to the system in our trucks.

What makes the booming sound that is heard from some cars when their owners play their music for all to hear? Is it the subwoofer or is it that they're just playing their music too loud? Will the subwoofer in my RTS sound that loud outside of the car? Sometimes I like to blast my music (with the windows closed) but I'm concerned that it might sound like I'm playing it for the world to hear.

The stock sub won't bump like that.

Great multi-post Tris .. oh and by the way .. Happy B-day !!That is altogether disturbing and wonderful, thx!

Ive sat in a RT Ridge in the dealers showroom after I had mine for a while and I when I first got in, it felt like someone broke into my ridge and took everything. The Nav screen really is huge when you compare the different models.Speaking of disturbing/wonderful things, I read this last night and then went to sleep, and your comment made its way into my dreams...I was getting into my new RT and the entire dash and console area that normally has radio and HVAC controls was completely flat plastic, and instead there was an ugly radio embedded into an ugly steering wheel. Haunting!

I think this is a good location for tweets Honda, let have this done by 07 pleaseWhere ARE the tweets?? I can't figure it out from any pics.

OK, I'll stop it. before I drive people nuts. It's a fine system - nothing wrong.Aaaaaaaarrrrgghh!!! :confused: lol

Sorry bout that tris, hopefully the b-day was less disturbing than the dream :eek:

~~~ In your dream tonight .. money will start coming out of your CD player ~~~ :D Hope that's better !!

The real tweets are in the front of the dash, the ones in the pics are IMO better places for them. Even the built in ones in the upper door panel would be a nice place and out of the way like the Lexus has.

The stock system in my RTL is not the best system I have ever had but its by far not the worst.

ha, I was j/k about the b-day thing, I'd just forgotten it was in the profile...didn't think I knew anyone with a GTO. Or a Ridgeline for that matter. :D

I could try the money-coming-out-of-the-cd-player thing, but in the end I would just be disappointed when I woke up. At least today I was relieved to wake up. lol

As for the audio, that Lexus looks like it has a couple hands up on the Ridge. :rolleyes: Maybe Honda was just looking out for those people who prefer to listen to their car stereo with the door open?

ha, I was j/k about the b-day thing, I'd just forgotten it was in the profile...didn't think I knew anyone with a GTO. Or a Ridgeline for that matter. :D

I could try the money-coming-out-of-the-cd-player thing, but in the end I would just be disappointed when I woke up. At least today I was relieved to wake up. lol

As for the audio, that Lexus looks like it has a couple hands up on the Ridge. :rolleyes: Maybe Honda was just looking out for those people who prefer to listen to their car stereo with the door open?


And just the driver door at that, the rest of them are trying to get out!! :eek: :eek:

They should come up with some super small satellites and place them in all 4 corners of the roof and a sub to fill in. Like a bose system for your truck. One of the best sounding factory systems I have ever heard was in the Acura TL and an Infinity Q45 Bose system. Outstanding. I have a bose system at home and the clarity of sound is amazing. If anyone is shopping, its well worth the price if your going for quality and clarity over blare and volume. JMHO :)

I interviewed with them (for their Japanese OEM divison, no less) a few years ago before taking the job I have now and they were testing one car with something on the order of 20 or so speakers (looked like 901 drivers) in the headliner (not all at once, mind you, they were testing different combinations). They do take it very seriously.

I was a consultant at Bose for a little while. They're a great company. I do not like the sound of their products, except for the boom box and the wave radio. Their consumer audio and pro audio gear do not get along with my ears at all. Too processed and lifeless.

really? Everyone that comes to my house is blown away by them and I am extremely happy with them. The wavradio is a pretty expensive alarm clock but I agree it does sound good. :cool:

I see four speaker grills, two in the front and two in the back. Does'nt the RTL suppose to have seven including the subwoofer? If so, where did the locate them? :confused:

2 tweets in the dash
2 front door speakers
2 rear door speakers
1 sub WOOOOOOFer :D

JMHO bellteck - lots of people like Bose - and more power to them.

I have Snells and I love them.

Thanks for the info Belltech. I will look again for the tweeter on the dash. Where is the subwoofer located? :confused:

BTW, I do like the sound very much. I listen almost exclusively to XM Jazz stations. No upgrades necessary for me! I do have a Bose surround system at home, and waveradio + bose alarm. I used to own the 901's. ;)

JMHO bellteck - lots of people like Bose - and more power to them.

I have Snells and I love them.


thats ok shovel, I never said Bose was the best but they are good. Ive heard better but of course it came with bigger price tags too. I almost put some built in Polks in the walls but bose had a special at the time. :cool:

Thanks for the info Belltech. I will look again for the tweeter on the dash. Where is the subwoofer located? :confused:

BTW, I do like the sound very much. I listen almost exclusively to XM Jazz stations. No upgrades necessary for me! I do have a Bose surround system at home, and waveradio + bose alarm. I used to own the 901's. ;)


Tex, your sub is behind the back seat. Tweets are at the front sides of the dash. I find the XM jazz stations do not even come close to my MP3 player hooked into the ext jack. Try a CD and see if it sounds better for you. :cool:

I was a consultant at Bose for a little while. They're a great company. I do not like the sound of their products, except for the boom box and the wave radio. Their consumer audio and pro audio gear do not get along with my ears at all. Too processed and lifeless.

I agree but, I would still rather have a Bose system in my Ridgeline.
It won't leave me wanting, like I do now.

Hey everyone! I own my own car audio shop and have answers for anyone planning to change the audio components in their RidgeLine. I contacted Metra Electronics and unfortunately it looks like it will be a little while before they offer a kit. The wire harnesses and antenna adaptors are on the way, so in other words, don't be in too much of a rush unless you want to do some fabricating. I also pulled the door panels and discovered that the speakers as well as the mounting brackets are all one piece. Easy solution, fabricate a custom build-out and hide it behind the door panel. Or you can go the easy route, and Metra makes plastic spacers pf various dimensions. I am starting the system in my RidgeLine, I'll keep everyone posted on my install as well as availability of parts. Picture will be on the way in the not so distant future of all of the fabrication work. Any questions, leave me a post.

I used the mounting kit for the accessory MP3 player to mount my motorized VGA display in the dash. The opening isn't exaclty DIN sized, but the mounting brackets are. I found that the mounting holes were a little too far back for my use, so I attached the trim ring to the unit and marked and drilled new holes in the brackets to mount it where I wanted it. I wish I'd been able to use the Honda mounting points though because it would have been more secure, the problem is all the cables coming off the back of the screen needed more clearance as the ventilation system has ducting running right there.

Hey everyone! I own my own car audio shop and have answers for anyone planning to change the audio components in their RidgeLine. I contacted Metra Electronics and unfortunately it looks like it will be a little while before they offer a kit. The wire harnesses and antenna adaptors are on the way, so in other words, don't be in too much of a rush unless you want to do some fabricating. I also pulled the door panels and discovered that the speakers as well as the mounting brackets are all one piece. Easy solution, fabricate a custom build-out and hide it behind the door panel. Or you can go the easy route, and Metra makes plastic spacers pf various dimensions. I am starting the system in my RidgeLine, I'll keep everyone posted on my install as well as availability of parts. Picture will be on the way in the not so distant future of all of the fabrication work. Any questions, leave me a post.

Thanks for the info. I'm interested in the door speakers and the sub. We ran a frequency test CD on my system and I'm convinced the head unit is pretty accurate. No need to change it out.

I've seen info here that the door speakers were 5 1/4" (I think that's what was posted), but I've also seen were the factory lists them as 6". I assume they use the standard Honda connectors and the regular Honda adapters will work for aftermarket speakers.

Can you give more info on the door mounting? Assuming they are really 6" speakers... what would be needed to mount replacements? Do they have rain cages?

Anyone taken a look at the sub yet? Would really like to bump it up in size and power. Really needs some help.

Will be impossible to just upgrade the existing sub as it is a whole unit that comes in a sealed box about 18-20 in wide and 12 to 14 high.

Well now I just received more info. All the speakers are made by Pioneer. The door speakers are actually 17cm.

Here's the info I received:

2006 Ridgeline RTL speaker info
Door speakers P/N 2047761 SPEAKER ASSY. (17CM) (SINGLE) (PIONEER)
Tweeters P/N 2047759 SPEAKER ASSY., TWEETER (PREMIUM) (PIONEER)
Subwoofer P/N 2047760 ENCLOSURE ASSY., SUBWOOFER (PIONEER)

So all four door speakers are the same.