2011 EX-L Tweaking the speaker system

[Larbo]

I didn't see an earlier discussion on this. Rarely are factory audio systems that great but after having had umpteen custom systems stolen over the years, I have given up that route. So, now that I am leasing, I try to tweak the factory one to make it just a little better... a crossover mod here or a level reducing resister there.

My first choice is to do something about the subwoofer which I find to be pretty muddy. I learned in the old days that one can reverse phases on the midrange in order to get upper bass cancellation, thereby tightening up the lower bass. I might first try to reverse the phase on the sub.

How does one remove that big rear interior panel to get to the sub?

Thanks, Lar

[rocky]

I used the forum's search function "subwoofer" and quickly found what you are looking for

Another sub in stock location thread

[Xeption]

gosh, another forum that shouldnt have been started!!!..Noob!.....(Ive been accused of this before and think its hilarious!)

[Larbo]

Originally Posted by Xeption

gosh, another forum that shouldnt have been started!!!..Noob!.....(Ive been accused of this before and think its hilarious!)

Thanks for the heat-free flame~~ Oh, this Noob wanted to mention that you meant "thread", not "forum"!!

I am on my second Pilot (prev: 2007) and glad to have found a like-minded forum. Never really had any issues with the '07. I'll ck out that thread and search for others. Due to the info on this forum, I also pulled out the moonroof fuse to prevent getting a dead battery until I get to the dealer for something else. Thanks!

[mikejfrd]

Originally Posted by Xeption

gosh, another forum that shouldnt have been started!!!..Noob!.....(Ive been accused of this before and think its hilarious!)

Yeah because this forum is just booming with new threads and posts that we really need to keep the thread count down

I agree with the OP thought, the sound system sucks and I'm currently looking at my options which I hate to say it are pretty limited!

[Larbo]

Originally Posted by rocky

I used the forum's search function "subwoofer" and quickly found what you are looking for

Another sub in stock location thread

Sadly, that link is for the previous generation Pilot. I SEARCHED numerous pages and found nothing on how to get to the subwoofer for the current gen Pilot.

Also, does anyone know how the sub is filtered/crossover'ed? In its own amp or at the driver, or not at all?

Any suggestions on getting to the sub beside buying a Service Manual? Thanks

[oter178]

Worst sub ever in my opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You think since this model has been out since 09 they could have fixed for 11' but nope it still sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Larbo]

For sure! I just don't understand why no one has any useful tidbits on the topic regarding access to the sub or to the wiring to the sub. You and I cannot be the only ones that feel this way.

An easy fix may be to reverse polarity on the sub so that the mid bass of the door speakers will cancel the predominant (and inappropriate mid-bass of the the so-called subwoofer). I have done this on other cars and the improvement can be quite dramatic. On the other hand, reversing 2 of the door speakers instead may be an option. I just don't want to get into aftermarket electronics (leased car). Maybe adding a choke to the sub would help, though that would just eat up the power to the sub.

[nLinyu]

I am on this topic as well, trying to figure out how to remove the sub panel. I will post any info I come across with if I ever do. The 2nd gen makes it impossible to do any DIY on the stereo system.

What saddens me is the impossible (or possibly ugly) double din kit and our stereo panel. More to come.

[nLinyu]

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/pdfs/16393.pdf

For the discontinued JL stealthbox sub, but same instruction for opening and accessing the panel. Hope it helps

[Larbo]

Those instructions are great, thanks!! I tried to find them on the JL site and nada. How did you do that?? They don't even list the Pilot under the Honda section.

Two questions:
1. I would like to find another pdf with rear door instructions. Any suggestions?

2. If I were to just attempt to reverse the phases on the woofer, maybe I could just find the two wires in a wiring harness somewhere and switch them around. Without buying the Service Manual, where could I get that info?

Thanks, Larry

[ED27]

Originally Posted by Larbo

Two questions:
1. I would like to find another pdf with rear door instructions. Any suggestions?

Haven't seen instructions posted here but Crutchfield might be able to send you their guide. Otherwise for $10 (3 days) you can get online access to service manuals and ETMs for any/most Honda vehicle through Helm inc.

Originally Posted by Larbo

2. If I were to just attempt to reverse the phases on the woofer, maybe I could just find the two wires in a wiring harness somewhere and switch them around. Without buying the Service Manual, where could I get that info?

RED(-) and WHT(+)....located on the 24-pin harness of the outboard amp. The amp should be in the upper passenger side kickpanel area. See the attached diagram.

[samelcamel]

Am I the only person who likes the sound from the stock system? I have the 2011 Touring Edition and I like the sound of the stock system. If you're listening to an "original" CD recording or a high bitrate MP3 at a fairly high level (the stereo seems to balance out once you turn it up) it seems to sound pretty good. I would prefer a little more bass from the sub, but for stock it's not bad.

I can listen to a Techmaster PEB song and still hear most of the frequencies coming from the sub (although it's definitely not the best I've ever heard.) It's not bad...

-Sam

[Larbo]

Originally Posted by ED27

RED(-) and WHT(+)....located on the 24-pin harness of the outboard amp. The amp should be in the upper passenger side kickpanel area. See the attached diagram.

Good tip on Helm, never heard of it. And thanks for the wiring diagram. I was also thinking of intercepting the wiring in the passenger door sill cover (or whatever that's called). Either way, the wiring diagram should allow me to play and modify just as I'd wanted to.

Thanks again. I will report back on my findings.

Originally Posted by samelcamel

Am I the only person who likes the sound from the stock system?

When it comes to audio, I speak for no one but myself. But my consensus of one is a "B-", partly for the sub, partly for the distortion and partly for the lousy AM/FM SQ. If I can clean up that low end, that would be half the battle (for me). Glad your happy with it, I am envious.

[Larbo]

I finally got a chance to play around with the stereo a little bit. I first reversed the phase on the subwoofer with no benefit. I did that by switching the wires in the harness by the amplifier.

So, I put that back together and moved to the rear doors and switched phases on the door speakers. Wow, was that easy!!! The door panels come off really easy (much easier than my wife's 1st Gen Ody) and I was able to easily remove the contacts in the speaker connectors and reverse their positions.

BTW- The attached page from the service manual (above) was really helpful but I guess the 2011 is a little different. The sub wires were correct but the door speaker wires have been moved around or have changed colors. Position A8 and A9 were no longer both BLU but were now PUR and ORG, respectively. The second row of the harness seemed to have a lot of BLU wires but I could not correlate as the attached manual page primarily covered only the top row of the 24P connector where my sub wires were (page 23 of 33). I guess that would have been on p24!

I am going to drive with it for a while and check it out on the road. I will get back on this, but for now, I think the bass is tighter.

Question: Does anyone know exactly which frequencies the SVC (road noise compensator) alters and by how much (+/- dB) OR is it just a simple volume increase?

Lar