City GM6 - Audio Enhancement - Complete

Executive Summary:

An entry on the Honda City that got some audio enhancement. Initially, 2 pairs of Xcelsus component speakers were selected to be installed, one planned, and the other due to IBS (itchy backside syndrome). The speakers were later removed to be replaced with a set of the Hertz Mille Pro Components, paired with the aWave 4 channel DSP and a Blaupunkt active subwoofer, XLF-150A.

Details:

Phase 1:

I needed a diversion from all that I am working on, so this was just perfect, something not complicated that will manifest almost immediate results. The Honda City was in need of some audio enhancements. Since the car belongs to the wife and we use it when we travel on a longer distance, it will be nice to have a nicer audio system installed.

Checked for some opinions as that I was looking for a pair of component speakers to fit the City. I was also specific to ask that these speakers will be powered by the head unit and not an amplifier and I will need a pair of speakers to do just that. 

A budget was discussed and we agreed on the Xcelsus XP6.2B. This set was to be installed to the original locations of the speakers and I did not want any hint of modification that there has been an upgrade. Agreed on a COD and we met in SS2 for the purchase.

Now the Xcelsus does not come in flashy packaging and it can be pretty straightforward that may not make the packaging looks exclusive. A simple black box with some prints and texture was all it was. The inside was properly segregated and the whole space was properly utilized. 

Now the installation, I was recommended to get the installation done in a car accessories shop in Jenjarom because this installer is meticulous and he does things in a systematic order. Called them up and made an appointment for the installation.

On the day of installation, I was 20 mins late, due to bad traffic and poor road condition, it was just poor that it felt like I was driving on 'expired' roads. I greeted me warmly and we went ahead to have the installation done. Mou was very diligent, put the car on a battery charger, and started working on the car.

The first thing he mentioned to me was that the door cards were loose and it was not properly fitted, it wasn't a problem, but he was just informing. And off he went slowly prying out the door cards to have the installation done. While he was at it, he had an audio track played to ensure that he was working on-phase. As I watched him work, I itched to have the rear speakers replaced too, it's just something about watching good work done. Went up to the installer and asked if he had a pair of speakers that will complement the front pair for the rear and he says he has got a pair that will do the job, the Xcelsus XP6.2 was recommended. We agreed on the price and off he went to install it.

A good 2 hours later, the speakers were installed. Initially, it did not sound great, since the speakers needed to be run in, but it was definitely an upgrade from the old stock ones. Since the speakers were powered by the head unit with no other processors, the tuning was limited to Bass and Treble only. 

After a minor tweak of the system, off I headed home. Again, the initial impression was not great, but after a short while, the sound became better. This pair will need about 70 hours of running in before it performs well.

Later at night, I took the wife and mom out for a drive just to enjoy the music in the car. I have to say, the detail and clarity have vastly improved and I am definitely delighted. If any, I think the next upgrade will be to add a DSP as I notice some of the frequencies are just too bright and will be really pleased if it is toned down. Not to mention the vast tuning capability that a DSP allows.

The Xcelsus XP 6.2B

Another view of the 6.2B

The Xcelsus XP6.2, the larger tweeter (right) is from the XP6.2B

WIP - Front component speakers installation

Installer at work on the front component speakers installation

The change of plan to have the rear speakers upgraded

Phase 2:

So the day has come for more upgrades to be done. While the Xcelsus were much better than the original Honda speakers, I was itching to have it improved. I opted for a DSP to be installed which was from aWave. aWave is a company that also owns the Steg brand.

It was installed and tuned. At the end of it, I wasn't impressed. Yes, the sound was centered but everything else also did. The hearing experience was awful. I expected a lot more at this point, and on a minimum, it should sound much better after the pairing with a DSP, but on the contrary, it was worse. The listening experience gave me a headache as it felt like I am only listening from my left ear and not both.

I had the speakers of my mother inlaw's car replaced with the Hertz Cento series and I was amazed at how it sounded out of the box powered by the factory head unit and it was brilliant. My favorite go-to song is the Hotel California by The Eagles.

This can't be happening, two sets of decent speakers and a DSP installed which is in the range of RM 3,000 should sound somewhat good, but that's not the case here.

Phase 3:

A sleepless night later (Yes, only one sleepless night later), I knew that I will need to make this right, it was bugging me so much that the whole idea of improving the audio made it worse. For once, the speakers sounded better without the DSP.

I made a deal to sell both sets of the Xcelsus and bought a set of Hertz Mille Pro component speakers for the front leaving the rear replaced with the OEM speakers without connecting it. This time, the installer took some time to tune. I have a hunch that the installer knew the speakers were just okay but he didn't want to make the situation worse by breaking it to me.

After the tuning was completed, this was when I enjoyed the music in the City again, it's clearer. To ensure its not placebo, I sat in my mother inlaw's car and listened to her audio and had Hotel California played on it, and did a comparison with the City. It sounds way better, but the lower frequencies are suffering as there isn't a subwoofer to reproduce them properly.

Phase 4 - Final:

I have finally installed an active sub to the City. The installation was quick and I got a Blaupunkt XLF-150A installed under the passenger seat. I am not looking for hard raw punching power but rather a sub that would fill in the missing lower frequencies while being dynamic enough to sound good on different genres of music. I also want to reconfigure the components to run at a higher frequency and reduce unnecessary vibrations from the door cards.

The installer took his time to further tune the DSP and recalibrated the time alignment parameters while adjusting the crossover point. Definitely sounds complete now.

The final setup:

• Head Unit: Honda City OEM
• Front Components: Hertz Mille Pro
• Tweeters mounted to the side mirror custom covers
• Mids on the door speaker placement location
• DSP: aWave DSP-3456A, mounted under the front passenger seat
• Subwoofer: Blaupunkt XLF-150A, mounted under the front passenger seat