Guys, I might not have explained myself well enough... I appreciate your comments and feedback, and I understand that the stock HU is a limitation, but this is a challenge that I am 'considering' tackling if I hear from an S2000 owner who has gone this route and has had success.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE STOCK HEAD UNIT IS A LIMITATION.

Part of what I am going for a surprise. Someone sees a stock stereo and they think nothing of it. If you turn it on and it blows your ear drums out then you are pleasantly surprised. I'm basically trying to do what Honda should have done in the first place.

I wonder if I can take the stock HU to an electronics specialist and have him crack it open to get the pre-amp signal out of it... hmmmm...

 

You don't need to. Use a line level to RCA converter. Google "line output converter." They're pretty cheap.

 

i understood what you asked, but that factory radio is horrible, sound quality sucks, yes you can do a hi-low converter and run to amp, but you will be limited to the quality of that radio, lack of features, you could always do your system with the hi-low put it behind radio, then when time come to change to aftermarket radio - its like 5 min install.

 

Hehe... I should have said this in the first post. I was a stereo installer for about three years, so I know all the basics and more... using a line-level converter is the obvious solution, but then you are running the signal through the crappy HU internal amp, converting it back to low voltage, then running it through another amp. Bad sound quality.

If a couple of wires can be soldered to the circuit board inside of the head unit, and the factory amp bypassed, it might be possible to get an actual high quality signal out of the stock head unit.

D

 

lol... then I'll stop trying to "help you" with things you already know

GL!

 

Since you are intent on keeping the stock HU, have you thought about getting the Alpine Imprint or similar (I know some other companies make units like this but can't remember all the names!) product to at least clean up and help the HU? It might be easier than trying to bypass the factory amp and may provide more of that "surpirse" out of the stock HU (along with amps and upgraded speakers of course like you are planning). Either way, jump in and share the results!

 

Hehe... its not that I don't appreciate your intentions, but the point of this topic is to talk to someone who has upgraded their system with the stock HU and I we were getting a little astray.

 

OK, here is a little update. Yesterday I installed a line-level converter that I had laying around, plus a 4-channel MTX amp and a sub with a JL 10W1. I was going to install some Phoenix Gold component speakers in the doors, but it turns out that the previous owner installed Infinity separates already. Yahoo! Total cost: $8 for some 8 gauge power wire from the battery back to the trunk (bye bye spare tire).

Knowing that the factory head unit is crap, here is my opinion of the new system. It sounds pretty good while listening to CDs. The radio, though, is very tinny and treble-biased. I don't listen to the radio much, so that isn't so bad. There is some distortion on the upper end of things, but I tuned the gains down enough that it is minimal.

Downsides... I still don't have an iPod input (that is easy enough to fix, though) and now I don't have any trunk space. That is not acceptable.

So I returned my Phoenix Gold 6.0 separates and grabbed a pair of Kicker coaxial 6x9s that I plan to install behind the seats in the vent area. This should actually make things sound better, since most of the bass from the trunk wasn't making into the cabin anyway.

I'll let you know if that sounds OK, if so I'll be ordering an iPod adapter for the stock HU and calling this done. If not, a new HU will go in along with Modifry's DCI.

 

Sorry if I may be a little late, but I'm running the stock head unit, with Diamond Audio components (mid-range and tweeters), powered by an Eclipse PA4212 2-channel amp. I ride with the top down everywhere I go unless it's raining, and I can hear the music just fine. To all those that say that the stock head unit is a huge restriction, you haven't really pushed its capability. I've been in some higher-end audio vehicles (read: $10,000+ systems), and I have a mild car audio background. A nice audio setup with the stock head unit is nothing to scoff at. I have a fantastic, crisp sound, very distinct highs, a powerful midrange, and just nice, subtle low tones (I don't need booming bass, I'm not a big rap fan). Not an iPod owner anymore, so no adapter here, but my CDs and radio stations sound great (when they're clear).

 

Thanks for that input The Internet, it wasn't too late at all, since I haven't replaced the HU (yet?). I have heard rumors that the 2000-2003 HU was decent, but I haven't compared it to my 2005 HU. Mine sucks donkey balls. Distortion in the signal is noticeable at around 30 on the volume dial -- and the internal amp isn't even pushing anything!

I pulled the sub out of the trunk and started work on installing the 6x9s behind the seat. I know that many of you purists are going to call me out on this, but I had to do some major trimming of the metal to get these suckers to fit. It took about an hour to get the driver's side done... and I'm calling it quits tonight. Here is the end result:


crappy cell phone pic

The sound is ummm... different. The 6x9s are strong on the mid-range, which the front speakers were lacking. I was hoping to feel a little more vibration through the seat into my back to enhance bass. (my Titan has a factory vibration device connected to the bench seat frame and it really makes the bass feel like it sounds louder) The bass isn't quite as good as having the sub in the trunk, but I don't need the boom and I do need the storage. The soundstage is not as far forward as I would like it... but the important thing is that I can rock out with the top down, and this will definitely do it.

The jury is still out on the deck... it might go, it might stay, not sure. $100ish to add iPod capability to the deck, or the cost of a new head unit plus $100 for Modifry's DCI makes keeping the OEM HU a little more financially reasonable. Hmmm....