Can I Increase The Volume on Stock EX-L Stereo?

[ecarfar]

The stock radio in my EX-L is OK, not great, but OK. One thing that's bothering me is that the volume isn't really that high (I think it stops at 40) and I'm thinking there's some kind of restriction that can be removed on the radio to increase the volume. I mean the thing is a 270 watt system and my other car has a 100 watt system that's MUCH louder! Any ideas on why the stock stereo is like this (I can barely get a thump out of the subwoofer!)? Maybe a hack?

[rdorman]

More efficient speakers!

[ecarfar]

Originally Posted by rdorman

More efficient speakers!

Hmmm, that's a good idea!

[rdorman]

Speakers are the biggest bang for the buck you can get when upgrading a stock stereo system. Seems to me they are 5 1/4" front and rear. With the tweeters in the dash, I don't know if the front doors are full range or if they are simply using a upper tweeter to raise the sound stage. If the latter is true, the upper tweeter usually will play about 12Db less then the main so not much is coming out of there... relatively speaking. You will have to so some research and I recommend starting with one of the car audio forums such as:

CarAudioForum.com - The WWW Car Audio Forum

I don't recall the subwoofer size......

How far you go depends on your budget, tastes and OEM processing. The topic could take pages just on one car.

The head unit most likely involves some sound processing. This is usually done for a number of reasons including: speaker placement is a secondary consideration in most cars; acoustics of the car; cheap speakers. Some of this processing will work for you, some will not. What Honda is doing I don't know... but it can be found out. There are ways around it without replacing the head unit. I once installed six speakers (MANY years ago) in a car with a factory AC Delco AM/FM radio as the only amplification. NO one could believe the sound level. Everyone insisted I had a amp or another head unit hiding some where else. Speakers.......

Anyways, start with the speakers. Research them well and shoot for highly efficient speakers. Simple job to swap them out and you will almost definiately be rewarded with a increase in sound quality and level. Have fun!

[rdorman]

On a side note....... my current system in my Infiniti (I bought the CRV for the wife as a Christmas present) includes: six channels of xtant amps, 8" midbase in the doors, 5 1/4" for the mids and 1" tweeter in the kick panels, 12" sub in a front loaded aperiodic 'enclosure' all from JL Audio, two 30 band mono EQs, six channel fourth order active crossovers all from Audio Control and a Esclipse high volt pre-amp head unit... all designed/tested/installed by me (my budget is much larger then when I put speakers behind that AM/FM Delco radio!). I am considering playing with some tweeter to raise the sound stage and fight the rainbow effect. What was in my Infiniti was a complete Bose sound system subwoofer and all. There is NO comparison between the two. The new system makes the Bose sound like a boom box. While you have your door panels off putting in your new speakers, sound proof them.

[ecarfar]

Originally Posted by rdorman

Speakers are the biggest bang for the buck you can get when upgrading a stock stereo system. Seems to me they are 5 1/4" front and rear. With the tweeters in the dash, I don't know if the front doors are full range or if they are simply using a upper tweeter to raise the sound stage. If the latter is true, the upper tweeter usually will play about 12Db less then the main so not much is coming out of there... relatively speaking. You will have to so some research and I recommend starting with one of the car audio forums such as:

CarAudioForum.com - The WWW Car Audio Forum

I don't recall the subwoofer size......

How far you go depends on your budget, tastes and OEM processing. The topic could take pages just on one car.

The head unit most likely involves some sound processing. This is usually done for a number of reasons including: speaker placement is a secondary consideration in most cars; acoustics of the car; cheap speakers. Some of this processing will work for you, some will not. What Honda is doing I don't know... but it can be found out. There are ways around it without replacing the head unit. I once installed six speakers (MANY years ago) in a car with a factory AC Delco AM/FM radio as the only amplification. NO one could believe the sound level. Everyone insisted I had a amp or another head unit hiding some where else. Speakers.......

Anyways, start with the speakers. Research them well and shoot for highly efficient speakers. Simple job to swap them out and you will almost definiately be rewarded with a increase in sound quality and level. Have fun!

Thanks for the detailed explanation. I will look at replacing the speakers first. I also own a 2004 PT Cruiser and I replaced the head unit, all six speakers and put in an amp and the difference was night and day.

The sound on my CRV isn't terrible, I just thought that they maybe had some kind of a restrictor on the radio volume (most likely for future hard of hearing lawsuits) similar to the way iPods come form the factory. I've found hacks to increase the iPod's volume I thought something similar might be out there for stock car stereos.

[rdorman]

No hacks that I am aware of. iPod of course is a different animal. You probably don't want to replace the Honda head unit if you have Nav. etc. It can be costly and you may loose some of the OEM integration. I have not researched the Honda because I have no plans on upgrading it (the wife is happy and if it is not broke......). Spend most of the money on the front speakers are they are most important. You may of noticed there are no rear speakers in my Infiniti any more (Bose had some in there), they are not needed.