Audio system/SatNav

[Barryfoley]

I'm sure this has been aired before, but I can't find anything via the search button -
How can I upgrade the audio system in my 1996 NSX? Local car audio specialists say it's not possible because of the surround.
Any ideas/recommendations anybody?
Thanks!

[NSXGB]

Welcome come to the NSXCB.

Try this;
http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/showthread.php?10150-Britludes-NSX-story&highlight=Britlude




I'm sure this has been aired before, but I can't find anything via the search button -
How can I upgrade the audio system in my 1996 NSX? Local car audio specialists say it's not possible because of the surround.
Any ideas/recommendations anybody?
Thanks!

[Kaz-kzukNA1]

Hi, Barryfoley. Welcome to the club.

Do you mind sharing the reason on why you want to upgrade?

Addition to the link of above post from NSXGB, there are lots of examples on NSX Prime but depending on how far you want to go, it could cost you a lot.
Also, with the modern ICE front face, somewhat you will loose the OEM classic look.

I'm not an audio guru but when the OEM system is operating as it should be, personally, it's good enough for my ears when combined with iPod adaptor at the CD changer port.


For the sat nav, you may want to consider separating it from the head unit as the new hardware is released almost every 6 – 12months.
In fact, I no longer use dedicated sat nav devices such as TomTom, Garmin, etc and just use mobile app on the smart phone.
You will get new hardware every time when you change your phone and most of the sat nav companies have shifted their effort on the app side rather than trying to develop their own hardware.
For example, TomTom shifted their main target to iPhone users long time ago. The android version of TomTom is not at the same level as the iPhone version though....
There are lots of nice free sat nav software available such as Waze, M8, etc and ofcourse, the Google map.

Kaz

[britlude]

Try page 12 on my build thread....

http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/showthread.php?10150-Britludes-NSX-story/page12&highlight=Britlude

:)

[nobby]

NOT TRUE

Your specialists are not obviously all that special
You can by pass the Bose system and either use the amplification from your new head unit or install a separate amp.
You would be advised to remove all the speakers including sub and get new speakers and wiring installed
The headunit cage can be bought from the likes of Science of Speed etc

IF you like your tunes in the car and want up-to-date ICE ... then an upgrade is a no brainer. The sound in my car is night and day over original and i have the integrated sat nav system etc.

I understand why a lot of owners keep the OEM system in car. However, I bought my car to drive it, I love music and I go in trips in my car and use my mobile phone etc so a cassette deck was NEVER going to help me. But a point i must make is that my car on purchase was already interfered with and the work was poorly done so IMHO between Sudesh and I we fixed up a right mess.

BUT dont discount an upgrade, if done properly car can be restored to OEM if required

Check out some pics and info on NSX Refresh thread by Sudesh (recent pages as I uploaded)
If you want more info PM me




I'm sure this has been aired before, but I can't find anything via the search button -
How can I upgrade the audio system in my 1996 NSX? Local car audio specialists say it's not possible because of the surround.
Any ideas/recommendations anybody?
Thanks!

[britlude]

My head unit uses the low level outputs to feed the original boss amps/speakers....

[Hagasan]

NOT TRUE

Your specialists are not obviously all that special


Oh my size nine's lol!! I'm sure the full comment from his audio people was with reference to the shape of the surround and the fact it cannot be done as is without cutting it up. A wastefully expensive option if you don't have a spare..

I love the advice given by people at times that seem to lift no more than a feather duster on their cars. I like others fitted a later style unit myself so have first hand experience of doing such a mod..

If the op wants to pursue a double - din installation without wrecking their OEM console I have an OEM console that would be suitable for modifying. It has been broken but anyone with the skills to reshape the opening can repair it easily. And no, I didn't break it!!

Yes, I've just woken up lol.. But I do get irritated reading derogatory openings to posts..Forthright opinions are one thing but why the insults..

[britlude]

A word of warning... Many double din installs lose the ashtray... This is because its all easier space wise as it is very tight getting a nice flush finish and retain the ashtray. Doable, but is time consuming.

[duncan]

Barry,
Hi and welcome [and the other posts mean that as well].

The existing head unit is a unique size, hence to replace it with a Din, Double Din or any other size means the whole central facia from the centre air vent to the gear lever surround will need cutting, reshaping, filling and painting.
See Britlude’s link to give an idea of what’s involved.

Without saying what’s best for you or for others, the range of options are,
A complete dash reshape, this will change the head unit, the sub option is to use that new unit to drive the existing Bose amps in the doors and floor or to replace them and the existing speakers. A look on the American NSX site http://www.nsxprime.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/36-NSX-Electronics-(1st-Gen)
This will show an ever changing range of combinations.
Coming down in scale-
Honda produced an OEM sat nav pod that sits above AC unit, whilst these were intended used to house a screen they have been more recently used by some to mount iPads and the like. See the SoS website in the States for commercially available products
http://www.scienceofspeed.com/products/interior_performance_products/NSX/stereo_system.asp
The least invasive, as promoted by Kaz,
Is to use the existing system to support a CD player [OEM option when new] or with an adaptor an iphone type device feeding into the head.
The OEM units [2xdoor + floor amps] suffer when the capacitors on them fail and then leak onto the circuit boards, thus it may be possible to upgrade your system by simply having them repaired and to have the system work as originally designed.
The bottom line, it’s your car, from the posts above you can see that others have encompassed a range of solutions AND as yet all use a common forum.
Have fun, enjoy the car and whatever you decide on.

[nobby]

Sorry I did not mean to insult, and perhaps was slightly hasty in my opening line but this was not something that Sudesh or the company I used over here to do my stereo upgrade eluded too. Yes it requires time and is awkward and quite fragile etc but it is achievable.

I don't know the business the poster was referring to nor were they named so I have not made any negative opinion or been derogatory as you put it on any known business. If a business had been named I would not have remarked. But let me be clear like many niche business especially in ICE the word 'specialist' gets knocked about and I have seen 'specialist' work good and bad and terrible! It may be wise for him to seek out alternative advice from another business in the field of ICE too if no luck.


i had no spare and my unit of choice was fitted. Then again I am no expert hence why I had specialists work on my car and you may have more knowledge than me. I think my surround was previously butchered in the past and I may have referenced that earlier anyways and perhaps I had nothing to lose. A single din put into a double din was quite frankly horrific.

i would definitely say to push on with the upgrade, the Bose system in the car is not on the same page to those speakers that are available at reasonable cost in today's market. IMHO You would not regret it and it just makes the car even more enjoyable to spend time in.

good luck Barry with whatever you decide to do and my apologies to you again if I caused offence. NOT intentional

BTW, i actually have size 11's and perhaps you should have stayed in bed awhile longer ...


Oh my size nine's lol!! I'm sure the full comment from his audio people was with reference to the shape of the surround and the fact it cannot be done as is without cutting it up. A wastefully expensive option if you don't have a spare..

I love the advice given by people at times that seem to lift no more than a feather duster on their cars. I like others fitted a later style unit myself so have first hand experience of doing such a mod..

If the op wants to pursue a double - din installation without wrecking their OEM console I have an OEM console that would be suitable for modifying. It has been broken but anyone with the skills to reshape the opening can repair it easily. And no, I didn't break it!!

Yes, I've just woken up lol.. But I do get irritated reading derogatory openings to posts..Forthright opinions are one thing but why the insults..

[Senninha]

Hi and welcome ...

Apart from refreshing the OEM unit and adding an adaptor for CD/iPod, all other options will require you to modify the console unit. If you need to keep the ashtray / power socket then maybe one of the single DIN units should be a consideration. I beleive some have a pop-up display plus all the other mod cons for phone use etc. The single DIN option is easier to install and to some looks less obviously like an aftermarket install.

For reference I have a single DIN Alpine unit (only really gets used when the good lady is in the car), genisis amp mounted where the CD unit would mount in the boot, and Diamond speaker sets.

Enjoy your NSX how you want to, and make sure its ready for next years Silverstone event so we can all admire the handywork!

regards, Paul