96 Accord - need help with speaker setup
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96 Accord - need help with speaker setup
hi guys, i'm new to this forum and was wondering if some of you guys can help me out with my problem.
i'll try to be brief about the background info:
first, i bought a 1996 Honda Accord Sedan DX value package used in 2001. original owner took out the stock HU and stock speakers and put in a sony HU, MTX speakers, sony CD changer and a sony amp.
about a year later, the HU, cd changer and amp were stolen. i bought a kenwood HU and took it to circuit city to get installed. the guys there said "it would be a major hassle to re-wire my car because its wired to the amp right now". so they convinced me to buy a "cheap" amp from them, so i got a kenwood amp.
a couple of years later, the HU and the amp were stolen. so then i bought another sony HU, another sony AMP and a sony subwoofer. this past christmas all 3 were stolen.
so i decided to get a new HU and some new speakers because my MTX speakers are all blown out anyway. i got some 6x9 Clarion Rears (from newegg) and some 5.25 Kenwood fronts and a somewhat cheapo Dual HU (both from crutchfield).
i decided NOT to get a damn amp seeing how 3 AMPs have been stolen. i'd rather deal with the "hassle" of having to re-wire my speakers, but the only problem is i don't know how to do that. i'm a pretty handy and techy guy so im pretty sure i can figure it out given enough time and instructions, but since i have no idea how to do this i thought i'd ask the board for some input.
how hard is it to "take out" all my amp stuff?
how hard is it to re-wire all my speakers so they go straight into the HU?
if its too hard for me, can anyone recommend any good installation guys (i live in orange county)?
thanks in advance.
i'll try to be brief about the background info:
first, i bought a 1996 Honda Accord Sedan DX value package used in 2001. original owner took out the stock HU and stock speakers and put in a sony HU, MTX speakers, sony CD changer and a sony amp.
about a year later, the HU, cd changer and amp were stolen. i bought a kenwood HU and took it to circuit city to get installed. the guys there said "it would be a major hassle to re-wire my car because its wired to the amp right now". so they convinced me to buy a "cheap" amp from them, so i got a kenwood amp.
a couple of years later, the HU and the amp were stolen. so then i bought another sony HU, another sony AMP and a sony subwoofer. this past christmas all 3 were stolen.
so i decided to get a new HU and some new speakers because my MTX speakers are all blown out anyway. i got some 6x9 Clarion Rears (from newegg) and some 5.25 Kenwood fronts and a somewhat cheapo Dual HU (both from crutchfield).
i decided NOT to get a damn amp seeing how 3 AMPs have been stolen. i'd rather deal with the "hassle" of having to re-wire my speakers, but the only problem is i don't know how to do that. i'm a pretty handy and techy guy so im pretty sure i can figure it out given enough time and instructions, but since i have no idea how to do this i thought i'd ask the board for some input.
how hard is it to "take out" all my amp stuff?
how hard is it to re-wire all my speakers so they go straight into the HU?
if its too hard for me, can anyone recommend any good installation guys (i live in orange county)?
thanks in advance.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,279
From: Quad Cities, IL
it is not a hassle to wire that car, or for a head unit. they just wanted to sell you an amp (which isn't a bad thing).
Has the factory wire harness at the head unit been cut or is the factory plug in place?
My signature has a link to the wiring color code for any aftermarket head unit harness. If you need the wiring harness colors for your Honda, let me know.
Buy a spool or two of 16awg speaker wire (100' will do the whole car). i prefer color coded to clear, but clear can work if you pay close attention to the writing. You may be able to reuse the speaker wire that is already in the front doors, just find the other end (probably at the head unit).
or even simpler, if the speaker wires for front and rear speakers are already at the amp, just run four speaker wire pairs from the new head unit to the old amp location, and connect them together. be careful to keep polarity correct.
To run speaker wire you will need to remove the side trim and hide it under the carpet. just leave the amp wiring there, but disconnect the power wire from the battery, tape up the end, and secure it with zip ties. any loose wiring should be secured with zip ties.
you should address why you're getting your stuff stolen. first, most head units have a removable face, start taking that off. even if you just lock it in the glove box, it isn't on the radio. second, when you install amps and subs, they should be secured to the car so the person stealing them needs tools and several minutes. you can use security screws to throw them off. third, investing in an alarm might help you keep your investment and it's a nice feature when you sell the car.
I also recommend buying some open weave automotive carpet and cover your speaker grills so they are not visible. this may mean using small pieces cut to match the opening, or covering larger areas. if you can see anything from outside the vehicle, it is at risk. if it looks stock from outside, you're more safe. all that said, most thefts are from someone who knows you.
Has the factory wire harness at the head unit been cut or is the factory plug in place?
My signature has a link to the wiring color code for any aftermarket head unit harness. If you need the wiring harness colors for your Honda, let me know.
Buy a spool or two of 16awg speaker wire (100' will do the whole car). i prefer color coded to clear, but clear can work if you pay close attention to the writing. You may be able to reuse the speaker wire that is already in the front doors, just find the other end (probably at the head unit).
or even simpler, if the speaker wires for front and rear speakers are already at the amp, just run four speaker wire pairs from the new head unit to the old amp location, and connect them together. be careful to keep polarity correct.
To run speaker wire you will need to remove the side trim and hide it under the carpet. just leave the amp wiring there, but disconnect the power wire from the battery, tape up the end, and secure it with zip ties. any loose wiring should be secured with zip ties.
you should address why you're getting your stuff stolen. first, most head units have a removable face, start taking that off. even if you just lock it in the glove box, it isn't on the radio. second, when you install amps and subs, they should be secured to the car so the person stealing them needs tools and several minutes. you can use security screws to throw them off. third, investing in an alarm might help you keep your investment and it's a nice feature when you sell the car.
I also recommend buying some open weave automotive carpet and cover your speaker grills so they are not visible. this may mean using small pieces cut to match the opening, or covering larger areas. if you can see anything from outside the vehicle, it is at risk. if it looks stock from outside, you're more safe. all that said, most thefts are from someone who knows you.
Last edited by keep_hope_alive; Dec 31, 2009 at 07:43 AM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,279
From: Quad Cities, IL
1996 Honda Accord Stereo Wiring
Constant 12V+Yellow/White
Switched 12V+ White/Red
Ground Black
Illumination Red/Black
Dimmer n/a
Antenna Trigger Yellow/White
Antenna Left Rear
Front Speakers 5 1/4" Doors
Left Front (+) Blue/Green
Left Front (-) Gray/Black
Right Front (+) Red/Green
Right Front (-) Brown/Black
Rear Speakers 6 1/2"
Rear Deck Left Rear (+) Blue/Yellow
Left Rear (-) Gray/White
Right Rear (+) Red/Yellow
Right Rear (-) Brown/White
Constant 12V+Yellow/White
Switched 12V+ White/Red
Ground Black
Illumination Red/Black
Dimmer n/a
Antenna Trigger Yellow/White
Antenna Left Rear
Front Speakers 5 1/4" Doors
Left Front (+) Blue/Green
Left Front (-) Gray/Black
Right Front (+) Red/Green
Right Front (-) Brown/Black
Rear Speakers 6 1/2"
Rear Deck Left Rear (+) Blue/Yellow
Left Rear (-) Gray/White
Right Rear (+) Red/Yellow
Right Rear (-) Brown/White
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