- Thread Starter
- #2
I should add that I need to keep the trunk space free (to transport all my dj equipment), so a sub box is not really an option for me. I would need to use the stock location.
if you are a dj then i assume you kno whow to wire speakers and such.. it's simple to run an amp... almost any joe on this site can walk you though it.. and it's not hard to wire speakers, positive wire to positive, negitive to negitive... simple.. however, if you not inclinded to do it yourself, you should have no problem going to a pro and getting 4 new speakers and a 4-channel amp for less then 1000.. if i was you i would check different shops and see what they carry and price everything out... some shops charge a lot more of stuff.. just do your homework before you buy... let me know if you want any recommendations...
thaster
10+ year member
CarAudio.com Elite
first, you should contact your dealer to ask if installing aftermarket equipment will void your warranty especially if you do it yourself.
Installation of audio equipment is very simple. it is almost the same as a home audio system. There is the sub that you must wire to the amplifier that must be power up. Only hard part i see is maybe the wiring, tuning and a clean looking installation. other than that, its cake.
I think you should just install 2x component systems, maybe even one to the front, if you are not looking for bass, but sound quality. You dont really need a sub since the mids and tweeter provide the sound quality which i assume you are looking for.
Installation of audio equipment is very simple. it is almost the same as a home audio system. There is the sub that you must wire to the amplifier that must be power up. Only hard part i see is maybe the wiring, tuning and a clean looking installation. other than that, its cake.
I think you should just install 2x component systems, maybe even one to the front, if you are not looking for bass, but sound quality. You dont really need a sub since the mids and tweeter provide the sound quality which i assume you are looking for.
- Thread Starter
- #5
Ok, that makes sense, I do know how to configure home audio systems and professional systems, but what worries me is removing all the paneling and such and building a clean installation; that's where I think this may be beyond my capabilities.
If I decide against replacing the sub (which is apparently the hardest part of the install), I may be able to do it; what kind of boost in quality can I expect from four new speakers and an amp? Will there be any bass level at all? And for wiring, if I get four speakers and an amp, do I need to replace the wiring or can I use the existing wiring? I apologize if these are dumb questions I have zero experience with car audio.
Also, the head unit; does it make sense (generally) to stick with stock or should I upgrade? My stock unit has XM which is nice, but no ipod capability. It might be nice to get something with which I can use my ipod. Thoughts?
Thanks.
If I decide against replacing the sub (which is apparently the hardest part of the install), I may be able to do it; what kind of boost in quality can I expect from four new speakers and an amp? Will there be any bass level at all? And for wiring, if I get four speakers and an amp, do I need to replace the wiring or can I use the existing wiring? I apologize if these are dumb questions I have zero experience with car audio.
Also, the head unit; does it make sense (generally) to stick with stock or should I upgrade? My stock unit has XM which is nice, but no ipod capability. It might be nice to get something with which I can use my ipod. Thoughts?
Thanks.
thaster
10+ year member
CarAudio.com Elite
I never worked on a honda pilot so i really cant tell about taking out the paneling and wiring so it will be a clean install. You could try searching online for a honda pilot forum and asking there. Im pretty sure someone have installed a system in a honda pilot and would be able to help you.
I think installing the four speakers is the hardest thing to do really. You have to take out the door panels, install new speaker wires through the doors which might be a complete hassle, and you will probably need an mdf ring so your new speakers will fit in your door. And if you opt to get some sound deadening, thats another issue you have to deal with.
As for the sub, is it possible for you to measure the area of the stock sub? some sound quality subs only need about 1 cu ft of space which is really small and might be able to fit in that stock location.
I think you should just get 1x component system to replace your front speakers, leave the back speakers alone, and get yourself a sound quality sub. This will provide both sound quality and bass and is less of a hassle to install.
as for the stock radio, do yours have an AUX input? is it a 6 disc changer? do the stock radio have rca outputs built in?
I think installing the four speakers is the hardest thing to do really. You have to take out the door panels, install new speaker wires through the doors which might be a complete hassle, and you will probably need an mdf ring so your new speakers will fit in your door. And if you opt to get some sound deadening, thats another issue you have to deal with.
As for the sub, is it possible for you to measure the area of the stock sub? some sound quality subs only need about 1 cu ft of space which is really small and might be able to fit in that stock location.
I think you should just get 1x component system to replace your front speakers, leave the back speakers alone, and get yourself a sound quality sub. This will provide both sound quality and bass and is less of a hassle to install.
as for the stock radio, do yours have an AUX input? is it a 6 disc changer? do the stock radio have rca outputs built in?
- Thread Starter
- #7
Do I need to install new wiring in the doors, or can I just keep the factory wiring and hook it up to new speakers?
I've read about deadening a bit, and unless it's easy to install I'm probably going to skip over that; I'd be more likely to consider it for the sub enclosure, as that is what creates the most vibration of the paneling anyway; does that logic make sense? If deadening is generally thought to be necessary, I might consider it.
I think a new sub will fit in the stock location (from what I've read), but I've also heard that the paneling is EXTREMELY difficult to remove. This seems to be the hardest part of the install, by far. If anyone can correct me here go for it.
How does this sound? I'm now thinking that I might as well replace the HU since my factory unit does not have an AUX input; I'm thinking Alpine iDA-X100. Then four new speakers for each door (the component system seems much more difficult to install, and in the Pilot specifically, the tweeters are located in an awful location as they point direct up at the windshield) such as the Infinity 6022si. Plus an XM adapter for the HU, the total comes to a little over $600 (priced on crutchfield).
How much of an improvement could I expect here? Am I going the completely wrong direction (IE, do I need an amp/sub)?
Once again, I apologize if these questions have been answered before, I did my best to find answers on the board. Hopefully I've provided enough info here (I also know it's frustrating when people ask for help yet give virtually nothing to go on). If there's anything else I should be spelling out please let me know. Thanks.
I've read about deadening a bit, and unless it's easy to install I'm probably going to skip over that; I'd be more likely to consider it for the sub enclosure, as that is what creates the most vibration of the paneling anyway; does that logic make sense? If deadening is generally thought to be necessary, I might consider it.
I think a new sub will fit in the stock location (from what I've read), but I've also heard that the paneling is EXTREMELY difficult to remove. This seems to be the hardest part of the install, by far. If anyone can correct me here go for it.
How does this sound? I'm now thinking that I might as well replace the HU since my factory unit does not have an AUX input; I'm thinking Alpine iDA-X100. Then four new speakers for each door (the component system seems much more difficult to install, and in the Pilot specifically, the tweeters are located in an awful location as they point direct up at the windshield) such as the Infinity 6022si. Plus an XM adapter for the HU, the total comes to a little over $600 (priced on crutchfield).
How much of an improvement could I expect here? Am I going the completely wrong direction (IE, do I need an amp/sub)?
Once again, I apologize if these questions have been answered before, I did my best to find answers on the board. Hopefully I've provided enough info here (I also know it's frustrating when people ask for help yet give virtually nothing to go on). If there's anything else I should be spelling out please let me know. Thanks.
- Thread Starter
- #8
Bump
Kai Winters
10+ year member
plain ol' me
Well it depends on what you want for the $1000 you have to spend.
You can use the stock wiring, which for the budget and sound you describe, will be acceptable.
Basically for a grand you can get a decent head unit, front component speakers, possibly 6 1/2" round, 4 channel amplifier, wiring and harness kit, labor and taxes. Perhaps a bit over the grand but not much and you will have a nice system that will play loud, certainly loud enough for most, and have expandability to add a sub woofer in the future...the sub will finish off the sound and is a definate need for a good system.
Head Unit: $250, more or a bit less, will get you a good quality hu. All the major brands are included. Pioneer, Alpine, etc. You will not get the tuning flexability of the higher end hu's but those features may not be a "must have" for the average listener.
Speakers: The same amount of money will get you a very nice pair of speakers for your front doors, do not bother with the rears...most do not use them or use a decent pair of coaxials... Most major brands have 6 1/2" components available in this price range. Brand suggestions do not work because we all hear differently and speakers are a very individual choice. Make a compilation cd of a selection of your favorite songs in varied genres and take it to your local shops and audition the speakers. Choose the pair that fits your budget and sounds the best to your ears. They will sound different in your car but not enough to make you say "ugh" and if they do the installer will likely replace them at no additional cost.
Amplifier: Somewhere around $300 or a bit less/more will get you a decent quality amp in the 45/50 to 75 watts per channel range. Again most major manufacturers have amps in this range. Quality will be good. Use the front channels for the front speakers and the rears will be bridged when you connect a sub in the future or at the time.
Sub: You may be able to use the sub that comes with the vehicle until you can get a good one. I do not know about the sub that comes with the Pilot. A decent sub and enclosure will run you around $250ish for a decent unit that will work with the power your amp supplies.
Another $50 or so for the wiring/harness. You will need an adapter if you are going to replace the factory unit. I am not sure if there is an adapter available. You can get an adapter to replace the cubby in the console for a single din unit. According to Crutchfield you will lose the use of the powered sub and xm radio. You can use a double din unit as well with a different adapter that will also use the cubby.
Labor: You should be able to get everything described, except the sub, for around $1000 including labor if you choose to have it "professionally" installed. Perhaps a bit more but it will depend on the shop and area.
If you are going to have it installed you can bargain a bit for the total package if you can find all the gear you want/like at the same shop. Buying something elsewhere and asking the local shop to install it will incur a higher, usually, install cost. They want you to buy the gear there and have it installed there as well. They are a business with people to pay and profits to make.
You can certainly do it yourself. The hardest part is removing the bits and pieces that need removing without marring them hehehe. I suggest you buy the Haynes Repair Manual. It will have detailed photos and instructions on how to remove those sometimes pesky bits and pieces. It is a worthwhile purchase for every car owner just to learn about their vehicle and costs around $20.
My system ran around $1200 complete. I got everything at the same shop and had it installed. I have been installing my own gear for around 35 years but it is much different now than then and I simply did not have the confidence or time, especially time, to do it myself. The shop allowed me in the bay to watch which was a nice bonus but I have been buying there for some time and have a good rappor...meaning I spend money there, remote starts, etc...with them lol.
Good luck and keep us informed. Take photos as well. We LOVE photos.
You can use the stock wiring, which for the budget and sound you describe, will be acceptable.
Basically for a grand you can get a decent head unit, front component speakers, possibly 6 1/2" round, 4 channel amplifier, wiring and harness kit, labor and taxes. Perhaps a bit over the grand but not much and you will have a nice system that will play loud, certainly loud enough for most, and have expandability to add a sub woofer in the future...the sub will finish off the sound and is a definate need for a good system.
Head Unit: $250, more or a bit less, will get you a good quality hu. All the major brands are included. Pioneer, Alpine, etc. You will not get the tuning flexability of the higher end hu's but those features may not be a "must have" for the average listener.
Speakers: The same amount of money will get you a very nice pair of speakers for your front doors, do not bother with the rears...most do not use them or use a decent pair of coaxials... Most major brands have 6 1/2" components available in this price range. Brand suggestions do not work because we all hear differently and speakers are a very individual choice. Make a compilation cd of a selection of your favorite songs in varied genres and take it to your local shops and audition the speakers. Choose the pair that fits your budget and sounds the best to your ears. They will sound different in your car but not enough to make you say "ugh" and if they do the installer will likely replace them at no additional cost.
Amplifier: Somewhere around $300 or a bit less/more will get you a decent quality amp in the 45/50 to 75 watts per channel range. Again most major manufacturers have amps in this range. Quality will be good. Use the front channels for the front speakers and the rears will be bridged when you connect a sub in the future or at the time.
Sub: You may be able to use the sub that comes with the vehicle until you can get a good one. I do not know about the sub that comes with the Pilot. A decent sub and enclosure will run you around $250ish for a decent unit that will work with the power your amp supplies.
Another $50 or so for the wiring/harness. You will need an adapter if you are going to replace the factory unit. I am not sure if there is an adapter available. You can get an adapter to replace the cubby in the console for a single din unit. According to Crutchfield you will lose the use of the powered sub and xm radio. You can use a double din unit as well with a different adapter that will also use the cubby.
Labor: You should be able to get everything described, except the sub, for around $1000 including labor if you choose to have it "professionally" installed. Perhaps a bit more but it will depend on the shop and area.
If you are going to have it installed you can bargain a bit for the total package if you can find all the gear you want/like at the same shop. Buying something elsewhere and asking the local shop to install it will incur a higher, usually, install cost. They want you to buy the gear there and have it installed there as well. They are a business with people to pay and profits to make.
You can certainly do it yourself. The hardest part is removing the bits and pieces that need removing without marring them hehehe. I suggest you buy the Haynes Repair Manual. It will have detailed photos and instructions on how to remove those sometimes pesky bits and pieces. It is a worthwhile purchase for every car owner just to learn about their vehicle and costs around $20.
My system ran around $1200 complete. I got everything at the same shop and had it installed. I have been installing my own gear for around 35 years but it is much different now than then and I simply did not have the confidence or time, especially time, to do it myself. The shop allowed me in the bay to watch which was a nice bonus but I have been buying there for some time and have a good rappor...meaning I spend money there, remote starts, etc...with them lol.
Good luck and keep us informed. Take photos as well. We LOVE photos.
- Thread Starter
- #10
Thank you very much for the response, it was tremendously helpful. I'll report back with results soon.
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