I'm feeling lazy today and this forum needs some traffic anyways...

Is there any way to get rear speakers in/out of the ITR without removing the actual side panels? After the speaker grill comes off, there doesn't appear to be enoough space to snake in/out even the tiny OEM speakers.

My 2000 has some foam surround where the speakers are and this is blocking the way. I don't remember the same thing in my 97 GSR, but then again it has been over 10 years ago since I had that car.

 

You could probably squeeze the stock speakers out, but installing new ones is another story.
You're going to need to modify the stock plastic housings that hold the stock speakers for any aftermarket speaker anyway, so you might as well take the side panels...

It's work the extra 10mins and a few bolts/screws...

 

i was ghetto and cut away the styrofoam just enough to snake my pioneer speakers into the spot.

 

Yeah, I even tried to slip the OEM speakers through the grill opening and I couldn't get them in.

Guess I'll have to pop the side panels out (which is how I got them out in the first place, about 8 years ago).

Weird Honda would change this though. I definitely (ok, 95%) remember changing the rear speakers in my GSR through that hole. Maybe it's an R thing?

 

I have swapped out the rear speakers without removing anything except the covers, cut up my fingers/knuckles squeezing them out/in.. I do have tiny female sized hands.

If I do it again I will be removing the panels (plus you can clean behind there and find change)

 

i did, and was a big freaking pain ... lol

 

Remove the panels and don't risk damaging your car. Do it right.