Hey there r0graham,
Sorry to hear you're hitting roadblocks with your audio project. It's a bummer that such a well functioning stereo has such little power for audio. Although you're right to not want to tinker with the car electrics at all, I do think you'll be a lot happier if you find a way to add some power to the system. Until recently I was satisified with my LX system with improved speakers, but on a recent highway road trip, I found the musicallity just disappeared against the road noise. In the end, my conclussion is that more amplification is needed to push the lower registers of the audio spectrum.
I'm working on a project to add an amplifer to my Hybrid LX and I'm going to post it soon. Here's what I'm looking at.
This amp -
powers off the same 15 amp circuit of the radio. -
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_158XMS400D/Sony-XMS400D.html?tp=72998&#customer-reviews-tab
This Wiring Harness. (no need to cut any factory wiring - just plug and play)
Axxess AX-DSP-HON2 • Plug and Play T-Harness for AX-DSP for Select 2016-Up Honda Vehicles • T-Harness to Connect to Axxess AX-DSP • Fits Select 2016-Up Honda Vehicles • Simplifies Connection to AX-DSP
www.sonicelectronix.com
Regarding the ANC...I've already disconnected the ANC and I personally cannot tell the difference. Also, I did not have to tear apart the dash at all to disconnect it, making it much easier. Now I'll admit, this may not work well for larger hands, but all I had to do was disconnect the glove box, pull the side tabs in to drop it down, and then just reach behind the upper plastic lip to find the ANC harness. (look for the air filter cover, it's all just above this) From there, I just walked my fingers up the harness until I found the connector and I was easily able to push down on the plastic tab to release it and disconnect. I had to pull down on the plastic a little for clearance and there might have been some explitives, but it was much easier than pulling apart the dash. I'm testing it out for 2 weeks to see if my wife and I can tell. So far, nada.
Regarding the speaker adapter plates. The brand Crutchfield provides is perfect for the rear deck, but you're right...the front ones do have a big gap.
I added these silicon baffles front and rear to fill the gap and they are amazing. (picture below)
Buy NVX XBAF65 Silicone Rubber Speaker Baffle Kit for 6.5" Speakers: Coaxial Speakers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
Feel free to reach out for qustions. We're all in this together!
So, I replaced the front speakers with Infinity Reference (not the best, but decent), andI found it had less bass response than the factory speakers. I called Crutchfield tech support and they said that the factory speakers have thinner material for the cone and didn't require as much power to drive them, even though the ones I bought were pretty efficient.
I also noticed that the mounting adapters that Crutchfield supplied were about 1/2" shallower than the original speakers. I'm not sure how much of a difference that would make, but I found it interesting.
I am thinking about putting the Infinity speakers in my 2015 Accord and going back to the factory speakers in my 2019 EX. Any other suggestions? I just want a little more bass without dealing with a subwoofer and disconnecting the ANC system.
Thanks