2004 Honda Element Factory Amp/Sub
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=81743
Printed Date: May 10, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Topic: 2004 Honda Element Factory Amp/Sub
Posted By: bertokamus
Subject: 2004 Honda Element Factory Amp/Sub
Date Posted: August 18, 2006 at 10:29 AM
I'm working on a buddy's 2004 Honda Element which has what I believe to be the higher-end factory stereo, although I'm not entirely certain- (Sub in the base of the console, MP3/aux inputs in the shelf of the glove compartment, etc)...
My question is this- he has an aftermarket Kenwood (Z828 or Z919 if I'm not mistaken) from his former vehicle, and we'd like to know if there's a way to swap this head unit in for the factory head unit and retain use of the factory sub.
I don't know if the sub amp is built into the HU (I would think improbable, but it *is* only a 6" sub from what he claims, so perhaps not impossible...) or if the sub amp is external to the HU. If it's only a matter of turning a pair or two of wires out of the HU harness into RCA's supplying the external sub amp, that'd be great. I'm hoping that worst case scenario, we have to add a small amp between the new HU and factory sub, assuming it's not a sub of some bizarre voltage that Honda has for some strange reason proprietarily modified.
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Does anyone have any familiarity with this particular system and/or ideas on how to retain use of the factory sub? I'm aware JL manufactures a box designed specifically for this application, but we were hoping to save the expense of changing it out *if at all possible*.
Thanks, again, in advance, and I look forward to and appreciate all input as always!
Replies:
Posted By: austincustoms
Date Posted: August 18, 2006 at 12:18 PM
The sub is definately not in the headunit. Connect all the wires as they should be, and be sure to connect the blue amp turn on from the Kenwood to whatever the install kit says is the amp turn on. Unless the Kenwood has aux in, the factory aux in won't work. EDIT: You may have to install an amp. It looks like the sub amp is built into the factory HU. Another option would be to put high pass filters on the sub wiring, run the rear mono, and connect the sub to the second rear channel. Real ghetto, but it could work.
Posted By: bertokamus
Date Posted: August 18, 2006 at 2:15 PM
Okay wait a minute- on the AUX inputs, that's really neither here nor there, I'm not really concerned with them at this point- my primary focus at this juncture is the employment of the factory sub and/or amp after the removal and replacement of the factory HU. Now, would it be possible for you to elaborate/clarify this statement: austincustoms wrote:
The sub is definately not in the headunit.
Were you saying that you didn't think the sub amp was integrated into the factory HU, and then later corrected yourself to say that the sub amp WAS likely integrated into the factory HU? I apologize for my ambiguity, I'm just looking for as many answers (and clear ones) as possible before I go to surgically disassembling his dash... Thanks again for anyone's/everyone's input! And by all means please feel free to chime in if you know anything that might be helpful with this particular system!
Posted By: integratyper934
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 12:07 AM
kenwood is crap anyway......put in a real sub and deck
Posted By: austincustoms
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 12:20 AM
no, it was early. I thought you meant the sub was actually in the headunit, which it's not. It's in the console. The amp for the sub in in the headunit. You will need to add an amp, or wire it the way I mentioned earlier. It's not the most desireable way to do it, but it will work.
Posted By: bertokamus
Date Posted: August 19, 2006 at 12:59 AM
integratyper934 wrote:
kenwood is crap anyway......put in a real sub and deck
::: standing ovation ::: Wow- well, I have to stop here to take a moment and applaud integratyper934's successful utilization of a textbook example of a counterproductive and might I add worthless contribution to the thread- OUTSTANDING, BUDDY! THANKS for your lack of useful input, whatsoever, likely contributed in the hopes of bolstering that incredible post count of what- 54? Stupendous! My buddy is simply trying to use what we have handy, which happens to be his prior Kenwood HU (more/better capabilities than the factory HU, so it's not "crap" in comparison to factory, and between us we probably have a good amp to install for the sub laying around, so it'd be a pretty cheap upgrade if not free if we can skate by with the factory sub and enclosure for now)... Perhaps you misunderstood my original post in which I stated the goal of this project. And now, in total sincerity, thanks to austincustoms for his constructive suggestions thus far, and to anyone else who might be able to give me any more insight into this system... Does anyone know offhand what kind of power the factory sub is rated at? I realize it may have it stamped or stuck right on the side of the speaker if I pull it apart, but it'd be nice if I knew right off the bat what kind of amp to have lined up in advance. THANKS, AGAIN, as always!
Posted By: austincustoms
Date Posted: August 20, 2006 at 1:42 AM
After a little searching I found it's a 6.5" DVC, but couldn't find a power rating. IMO, you would be safe around 45 or 50 watts. You're right, it is stamped on the back of the sub. https://www.re-vision.com/element-j/subwoofer.html has a good, quick DIY on taking it out if you want to take a few minutes to make sure.
Posted By: austincustoms
Date Posted: August 20, 2006 at 1:53 AM
After some more searching, it does have a factory 6ch amp for the speakers and the sub, so you won't need an amp. Just hook up the Kenwood normally.
Posted By: auex
Date Posted: August 21, 2006 at 4:43 AM
The factory amp is in the passenger's kick panel, incase you needed to know. Haven't had to integrate personally though.
Also Kenwood is not crap, I have all kenwood mids/highs/deck/screens. Well Kenwood Excelon that is, they are over 5 years old and still have no problems(they are actually lasting better then the vehicle they are in, hehehe).
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