Honda Accord Audio Questions

londonbobby

My mistake

tankbeans

Hey all-

I recently decided to have an aftermarket CD player installed in my car, a 2003 Accord LX Coupe. In lieu of having the factory player taken out, costing $160 for parts alone for installation, I opted to have the CD player installed in the CD pocket beneath the dash. Has anybody opted for this option? Is there still power to the factory CD player?

Thanks to anyone with an answer.

I haven't had it installed yet because they are waiting for the parts to arrive at the installation center.

fahdi

Hey guyz.I want to install ipod classic on my accord 2006 ex-l factory radio .I researched for devices and found devices listed below.
1- Honda music Link
2- USA-SPEC p11-Hon2y
3- P.I.E HON 03-POD/S
they all cost me between 150 to 200 CAN$.Please give me your opinion which one is best for me because they all have almost similar features.Thank you

jaxs1

USA SPEC is the popular one.
Most people hate the Honda Music Link.

tallman1

I think you will find many recommendations for the USA Spec by looking at some of the previous posts in this thread.

fahdi

Thanks jax & tallman.I want to use sonic impact v55 player which i bought with ipod it have aux output and also mini usb port to connect to pc.US-SPEC device have ipod interface which this player allready have for docking i just need mini usb or usb interface so this player works with usa-spec p11-hon2y.
I know it still work through audio red/white channel of us-spec if i want to use as vdo player but for audio i have to take out ipod from player and attach to us-spec ipod cable and switch the pin from aux mode to ipod mode located on the rear side of usa-spec device. Any help will highly appreciated.

Here is the link of my player.

http://www.si5.com/products.php?pID=4025

dolfan1

Just another reminder for those interested in having a Ipod interface installed. Not all of them are created equal. Some, like the USA Spec, will allow you to use the steering wheel controls to change tracks. Others will not. Unfortunately, the one I had installed doesn't, and it's a pain.

divadonna

I've been surfing the messages and am still not clear on what would be my best option here. I'm willing to pay dealer prices if this is the best option. I have an MP3 player that's not an ipod that I'd like to be able to use. Ideally I would like to control via the steering wheel but if not, I'm ok with this. I don't want to cut into my dashboard if I can possibly help it. I apologize if somehow I missed the answer on this one. I'm tech-savvy but I admit - not car-savvy.

lilengineerboy

AFIK the iPod is the only one that is supported with steering wheel controls. The USA Spec adapter in the post above yours is the most common solution I believe. There are other options such as using an FM modulator (either connected to the music device or directly to the antenna-in on the Accord system).
FWIW, my previous car used an FM modulator for the CD changer and in that vehicle, the lower signal quality was never an issue.

srizvi1

In both my wife's '07 accord and my '04 accord, I would love to just get an aux jack installed. I don't need iPod controls with the steering wheel or stereo because I'm usually all over the place with my iPod and I don't think the limited controls by the Honda factory system could help much. I need Apple to make an iCar maybe with a touch screen in the middle of the steering wheel and then I'll be set. Damn.. that's a good idea actually.

Anyways, for anyone else interested in this, I've posted a bit in the logjam forums and have participated in some helpful threads. I'm still worried though. Both my cars have Nav and from one thread I've read, it's a little trickier with Nav (however, in a later thread, it seemed it actually wasn't a big deal?). And also, in my car, I have a tape player connected too.

I'm really not handy at all so am hesitant to take this on without really clear instructions. I would much rather prefer to pay a Honda installer to put this in.

For now, I am just listening to my iPod off of the tape player connector (I had a Honda factory tape player installed shortly after buying '04 Accord). My poor wife only has the CD changer in her '07 Accord and is using her FM modulation and that doesn't sound too good to me at all. I assume that an AUX input would be the best quality sound, correct?

Here are the threads on Logjam that I have found helpful:

Beauford Buddy's link to his installation summary (non-navi):
http://logjam.d3datasolutions.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=653&hl=

Installing with a tape player:
http://logjam.d3datasolutions.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=885&hl=

Stephen Segari's early '08 installation (Nav, XM):
http://logjam.d3datasolutions.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=2166&hl=

Also, if anyone's interested, a Sirius radio installation discussion:
http://logjam.d3datasolutions.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=1872&st=0&gopid=565- 9&#entry5659

tankbeans

I feel bad that your wife only has a changer. Just kidding. Anyway would that mean that your wife's audio set up is compatible with MP3 CDs. I would think with a changer it probably would be, in which case she could burn MP3s onto CDs and go that way.

If that's not the case I'm sorry I wasted your time.

sgalant1

HI,
I have just upgraded to an 2006 Accord exl which has the 6 disc changer and XM. I decided to purchase a Garmin 660 Gps for navigation and that is my problem. I simply want to connect the headphone output to the aux input on the accord. Now i have noticed that that the aux input is not shown on screen when the xm/aux button is pushed.First question-is Xm using the aux ?, is there more than one aux ? Is the aux device auto-detected and that is the reason nothing appears. I have heard about many devices but they all seem to relate to an ipod which i do not want to connect . In case you were wondering the Garmin accepts sd cards from which its music player can play. Anyway what are my options?I would like to do this as simply as possible> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You

srizvi1

I'm sorry, i'm an idiot. I wanted to say that the my wife just has the CD player, not a CD changer. Anyways, 2 months later and I'm still hoping to come across an easy solution to get an aux input line connected in both her 2007 Accord EX w/ Navi and my 2004 Accord EX w/ Navi so we can connect our iPods.

My car's at 110k+ miles now and the Navi's still kicking. If it dies in the near future, I'm considering figuring out a way to put a small computer or something in there (like a Mac Mini). Anyone ever come across anything involving that?

tallman1

Search past messages here. I'm sure this is the place that someone once posted how to do it. I think there was even a link to a webpage with directions and photos.

Perhaps it just had how to add the aux line to the XM link... I can't remember.

electronboy

When searching for a new car i was unhappy with the audio quality of almost everything out there. I bought the accord not for audio, but for the fact that pretty much everything else about the car was a good match for what i was looking for. I figured if i was really that unhappy with the audio, i could always have an aftermarket shop change out the speakers. However, much to my suprise, i found that if i practically turned off the subwoofer, the sound system seemed much more balanced and realistic. I have the 270W premium sound system that comes with the EX-L trim levels. I did not get nav, my audio settings are all "C", except treble = +3 and subw = -6. The sound is now so much better im questioning my need for new speakers.

Anybody else think that Honda setup the subwoofer with too much boost for the premium system?

What audio settings are you using that you think yield the best/most natural sound?

Just curious what others are thinking about this system...

dolfan1

Bug4 gave a rather detailed opinion on this forum @ post 317.

electronboy

Thanks for the redirect dolfan1. Alot of good information Bug4...you put into words what i could only best describe as "it just feels wrong/odd". The best car system i've had was the Bose system in an '01 Pathfinder. My wife currently drives an '06 Ody EX-L with the non-upgraded audio system, and that one is substantially better than the one in my '08 accord.

A discussion with a local radio aftermarket shop was just like a previous post where someone indicated just change the speakers out for substantial improvement. The local installer indicated he could get a real nice system that involved changing out all the speakers and installing a better amp and cross-over that takes the audio out from the factory radio...for the bargain price of $1000. Its tempting just so i can have awesome audio again but im gonna sit on it for a while.

I still keep playing with the subw and bass controls to see which one should be brought down. When i think i got it for one artist, i find i have to i adjust again when playing another artist. I think they have 220W of the system going to sub.

bvdj84

That is what my radio shop has said. I actually believe it, because I did this not my last lease. I upgraded to Memphis Audio components in the front and 2 way 6 by 9's in the back. All without an amp, and it was amazing! Though, I could have went a step further (for volume) gotten an amp, but at the end of the day, my car is still a lease, and in another 3 years, I will be moving on to another lease.

I think that we are able to get by with the system in the car, it sounds satisfactory. Good enough to enjoy, but perhaps a needs a few tweaks here and there. I think if they used higher quality speakers, they would see an overall improvement, and it wouldn't cost to much more. Also if they teamed up with company to supply their sound. For me, I am not sure its worth the expense, when at 2 yrs, I'll be looking to get a new car. Alot can change in 2-3yrs.

Now, I will say, they need to look at the VW systems on like the Jetta or Passat, they are amazing, and clean sounding. My mothers 08 Jetta is great!

dolfan1

Like bvd, I (well, a professional sound shop, actually) replaced the speakers in my 07, added a small amp and ipod interface for around $900, so unless you can do it yourself the price you were quoted should be right on.

I like good sound, & the ridiculously small magnets on the stock Honda speakers just doesn't cut it. I suggested before that Honda makes a fabulous car but lags behind in their the sound systems.

bmonks

I am looking to replace my existing plain jane radio for a 6-disc in dash ...I find two types out in the internet world.. one with single zone w/6-disc.. and option two is the same but with dual zone heating and ac... thinking about it seems like it should work...looking at the back they are the same except the dual has two plugs...but what I dont know is does my existing accord have both plugs sitting there ready to be used.. seems like it should but I am not sure...i know for sure one is there...my question is a..can i do this and is the second plug there just sitting there doing nothing but just hanging... b... if I purchased the dual will it work if there is no second connection...

bmonks

This car is a honda accord 07 lx model... 4 door sedan...

lilengineerboy

Short answer: No

Long answer: different wiring harness for Auto Climate cars that has sunload sensor connection and inside and outside temperature connections. I don't know if the brain is in the head unit or just the control, because if its missing the brain, its not gonna work so hot either.

pyheme

Hi - I recently bought an Accord LX 2005 with a Single CD stereo.

I added an auxiliary input converter to plug in my iPod which works great.

I also found a bargain for a factory 6CD stereo, installed it instead of the single CD one that came with the car, got the activation code from a Honda dealer.

The AM/FM works fine, the Auxiliary input works great too BUT I cannot load CD's in the changer.

I am now wondering if the 6CD and Single CD stereos are interchangeable.

Meaning, can I install a factory 6CD stereo for Accord EX into my Accord LX that came with a Single CD one???

If anybody has the answer, thanks a lot in advance!

Have a great day.

Pyheme

srizvi1

hello,

I posted on this topic about 6 months ago. I was wondering if the usa spec was still the recommended solution for using an iPod in an accord with navi. I'd like to order something this month since i'm planning on getting a new iPod Touch in about a week. I'll be passing my iPod Nano 4gb off to my wife. Again, i'd be open to have just an aux jack put in for both our cars. Any advice on tools needed would be greatly appreciated. And links to installations would be helpful too.. I scrolled through 6 months of posts and didn't see anything, but i can look more later on to see if there's info in here

tallman1

Try doing a search on "USA Spec" here. There are many posts. IIRC, it uses the same input as XM radio with the Navi but it looks like you can still use XM with an additional connection.

Crutchfield lets you download a PDF version of the owner's manual so you can see the install procedure. Check here: USA Spec at Crutchfield

Do a Google search on "usa spec honda accord" and you'll find several links to more info. There's even a YouTube video that shows how to take apart the dash. You don't have to take out the radio to do the install.

srizvi1

thanks tallman1. I'll look around some more both within this thread and on the web. Glad to hear the XM won't be lost, that's something i didn't want to lose.

tankbeans

If by the subject line you mean that you have a tape player in your Accord I would say you could go low tech and by a car-kit, which plugs into the tape tech with the other end plugging in to the headphone jack. They're inexpensive, about $10 at Wal-Mart.

srizvi1

yeah, that's what I'm doing now, but I'm pretty sure I'm losing quality going that route, right? Plus, ipod controls would be nice if I could get that going. Otherwise, an aux jack will do.

tankbeans

Honestly, I've used the car kit in a previous car and then I've had a CD player installed in that same car. I was using a car-kit for a Discman. Anyway I didn't notice that much of a difference either way.

The only device that I've ever noticed a real quality difference from were those play it over the air things. The ones which you have an adapter and then find a radio station with a bad signal and play that way. Those things are junk.

dolfan1

I don't think you'll lose noticeable quality. I've used that setup when renting cars & haven't had a problem (the Walmart cord). Just a reminder about interfaces. The one I had installed will not allow the channel selector on the steering wheel or on the dash to be used. The only thing that does work is the volume control. I believe the USA Spec does allow the use of the channel selector, and yes, it does matter. I wish I had the Spec installed, because I can't skip songs without using the ipod controls, and doing that while driving is obviously dangerous.

warriorphan

Honda TechLine is still trying to find out why my 2008 LX-P does not read the correct number of folders on MP3 CDs. The CDs play properly in several other MP3 players, including the Accord LX model. I recently tried the MP3 CDs in a 2009 LX-P with the same result, the 2009 model will not read them correctly either. I ripped and burned them using two different programs, did not make a difference. Anyone else have this problem?? What did Honda do to solve it for you??

tomshare

6-CD changer for Acura TL 2002 was skipping and is now jammed. What are my options to get CD player working? Recently bought this standard TL model with with 95 K miles and standard audio system. Otherwidse car is in excellent condition.

soplush

Can someone explain if the 09 Accord Coupe offers true iPod integration or not?
Meaning, can I connect my iPod to the audio system and control it through the car on the steering wheel or the command center?Or is the only option an AUX port connected through the headphone jack?

I can't believe they'd have iPod integration on the Fit and not the Accord but...anything is possible. Thanks.

jakuta

I've had a sudden problem with CD's not playing. I can be playing one and if I turn the car off and back on, it will not load, then ejects it. If I put it back in, sometimes it works, sometimes it just spits back out at me. It also happens when I change CDs. The car is 5 years old and never had a problem with this before. Of course, it's out of warranty.

jaraz

Does anyone know if the 2008 Accord EX is XM Ready? I want to be able to install XM in my new Accord and wasn't sure if the factory radio in the car was XM ready. I have a feeling it's not. If that is the case has anyone here installed an aftermarket radio w/ XM in their Accord and still able to use the steering wheel controls and digital display?

bill208

I recently inherited a 99 Accord with a radio/tape player and would like to change it to a radio/CD player. The existing unit has a button for tape/CD on it and there are front door and rear deck speakers. In some other research they were talking about wireing harness changes etc. Is that really necessary. Couldn't this be just a swap out and in with the newer unit? It doesn't have to be anything fancy/no ipod,gps etc.
Thanks.

tankbeans

I think they started putting CD players in Accords in 03 and that wouldn't fit in your car. You would have to buy an aftermarket deck and a wiring harness that will seat into the harness of the car. The deck just comes with wires and you would have to buy the harness. Your comment about changing the wiring harness, if I understand you correctly, has nothing to do with the one in the car.

I only know this because in every car except one I've replaced the factory stereo with an aftermarket CD player.

bill208

There is a button on the existing radio that you can push for tape / CD. The radio is FM1, FM2, AM. If the tape/CD button is there is that bogus or would there need to be a bigger/extra unit in the storage space below.

tankbeans

If there is a button that you can select cd from I would guess that you may be able to contact your dealer and see if they could install one for you. I think I remember reading that the 99s had a cd player optional. You may be able to get the factory cd player installed.

I know that mine has an aux button, but there is nothing connected to it, I could put a changer in, but don't feel that it's worth the money. You would probably need an extra unit in the bottom storage bin.

Your best bet would be to buy an aftermarket because it will end up being cheaper in the long run. I know it sounds stupid, but when I was looking at getting a different head-unit, with MP3 capabilities, the dealer said that it would run about $500 plus labor. You can get a better cd player aftermarket for half that especially since you don't want anything fancy.

bill208

Tankbeans,

Thanks. I think I'll go your suggested route with an aftermarket product. Honda service is such a ripoff there really is no other way to go. I appreciate your reply.

tankbeans

No problem. I hate factory decks anyway. I just know that it isn't worth the extra money to put another factory radio in. Certainly keep your original radio in case you ever want to sell your car. That should be easy enough to put back into your car as soon as you sell.

With mine I chose to have an aftermarket put in underneath the factory. Reason being the part to slip the aftermarket in would have been $160, but your deck looks pretty straightforward. They started integrating everything into the center console in 03.

Good luck.

For what it's worth the service at my dealer isn't bad, but I know that all dealers are different and you may have been misfortunate enough to get into a bad dealer.

tallman1

I haven't looked at a 99 but most Accords had an optional CD player that fit in another compartment, as Tankbeans said. Definitely check out aftermarket options.

fourthrock

Does anyone know if there is a standard code for a Honda Accord ('05) to get the radio back after the car battery is changed? We used the device that is supposed to save all that info when we changed the batter but it obviously didn't work. My audio system won't even turn on without a code.

Thanks!

tankbeans

You will have to go to your dealer and they will be able to get your code. They won't do this over the phone I don't think. They want to make sure that you haven't stolen it. Security.

kcrossley

amazon.com has a ridiculous deal on the original Harmon Kardon Drive + Play. http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon-DP-1US-Controller/dp/B000BT97UO/ref=pd_bbs_s- - - r_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1225397581&sr=8-1

Instead of hooking this up to my 2006 Accord EX with Navi using an FM Transmitter, I'd prefer a direct connection like an FM Modulator. Has anyone done this? Which brand works best?

Thanks,
Kelly

stickguy

get a USA spec integrated unit. I have one in my Odyssey and it workt great. Connects the ipod (and charges). You can use the radio buttons to skip songs too. Also has exrtra set of RCA jacks which I use for an XM roady.

Check Crutchfield to see what the unit is for the Accord.

There is an extra connector (a Y splitter) in case you have nav (or is it XM?), since the unit uses the aux input taken up by the XM

srizvi1

tankbeans, I you can actually call Honda's Customer Care (1 800 999 1009) and they can help you. I JUST called them a few minutes ago to get the radio code and navigation code. this is the 2nd time I've called them to retrieve this info, the first time was back in December 2006.
I did a long post on this here: http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1370390&uid=999509572&dir=1&postid=25320- 040#25320040

You can also login to ownerlink here: http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/prod_home.asp
And from there, you can retrieve your codes if you put in the serial info (to figure out how to get the serial info, see the post I just linked in honda-tech.com). However, I should warn everyone, the radio code I got back from the online system was incorrect. The navi code worked (to put in the navi code you use the touch screen display), but the radio code would not (to put this in, you have to use the tuning knob - at least with the navi models that is). So that's why I called the Honda Customer Care number and after a few different attempts, she gave me a different 4 digit code which showed up on her screen (not on mine) and THAT was the code that worked.

srizvi1

Thanks for the responses tankbeans and dolfan1. In my Accord, maybe I'll keep using the tape deck then. But in my wife's car, she's using the over the air thing and it definitely sounds like crap. I logged into my ownerslink after many months and saw a notice saying I could put the musiclink 2.0 in my wife's 2007 Accord Coupe with Nav, and my father's 2007 CR-V. Maybe that's something to consider for them? I know a lot of people are saying USA SPEC but I am not handy enough to install anything on my own, nor do I know anyone who would do it. The price for the musiclink is coming up at $214 for my wife's accord and I'm not sure if that includes installation or not. but if it does, I could just have honda install it for me and let it be a done deal. thoughts?

tankbeans

Not being at all familiar with USA Spec or whatever it is, I'd say if you can buy it at Circuit City or Best Buy they may have a deal where if you spend more than a given amount they do it for free. I'm not sure I haven't been there for a while. I'd say do whatever makes you comfortable.

dolfan1

Do some research Honda's Musiclink & you'll see a lot of negative remarks. Even a Honda salesman responded to me on one of these threads (I can't remember which) Honda's system was inferior. Most everyone that knows anything about Ipod interfaces recommends the USA Spec. I had a different brand installed because the sound shop that did my upgrades didn't carry it. The thing works fine except the steering wheel controls to change tracks are non-functional with my unit, and I can tell you if I could do it over again, I'd would've found a way to get an interface (like the USA Spec) that does do that.

Call around to your local sound shops & see if any carry the Spec or a model that will fully integrate with your existing system. It should run you around $200 installed. And if you love your music, it's worth it. Those FM converter things really are junk (IMO). Yea, it's a cheap solution, but the sound quality really isn't acceptable to me. Also, the interface will also charge your Ipod too.
Again, for the same money, skip the Musiclink, go to a professional sound shop and get a quality interface.