Upgrading TrailSport audio (but keeping the head unit)

jerrym303 said:

You can learn alot in the gen3 forum that will almost surely apply to gen4. First step is to disable ANC (automatic noise cancelling) - removing the unit that usually sits behind the glove box seems to be the best method. Going from memory, the base unit for gen3 was amoplified in the head unt (so use a line converter) and the Touring/Elite system had a separate little amp.

I never upgraded my 2017 EX-L, but plan to upgrade the Trailsport. I plan to make a removeable sub box to fit between the two rear seats. May build a tray on top for junk.

For a quick refence, here are some converters:

Speaker level to line level converters

There are some that add equalization. Someitmes the amp has equalization.

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JohnT10 said:

I wish the TrailSport had the upgraded audio system found in the Elite/Touring. It looks like the enhanced system has better speakers and some sort of secondary sub. Unclear if the head unit has how power. I'd like to upgrade the system but keep the integrated head unit as is, and not reduce interior space by adding big sub boxes, etc. OEM systems have gotten so good over the years that I haven't played in this game since the 90s. Any thoughts or recommendations? Thank you for your guidance.

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Pa488 said:

This is more of a curious question, how do you tap into factory harness? I don’t think adapters to fit the oem connectors are available yet.
p.s. my experience is beginner/crutch field level

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blairellis said:

If there’s no adapters you’d have to cut and splice them in. I’d wait personally in case you ever want to go back to stock and sell the car but that’s just me.

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infantry200505 said:

No adapters available yet. I used the Honda speakers spacers that were in my 2021 passport they fit no issues. I plan on keeping this pilot once the lease is up.

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JOE MAMA said:

I will likely be doing the same thing. Replacing all speakers and a sub with a 5 channel amp. Do you have a write up on how you did it? What components did you use?

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