Well today as the topic states I got to drive a new '04 S2000 today. I was the lucky tech that got to do the PDI (Pre Delivery Inspection). First impression, clean car. I like the headlights a little better. They lost the shark gills of past for the corner lights. Could do without the new bumpers. Wheels are very nice although forty series tires look a little strange with a stock suspension. Interior revisions are nice. Shnazy new center consule with mechancal opening access to the cup holders. Brushed aluminum is now part of the radio cover with S2000 writen nicely over top. An XM compatable radio now sends the tunes through the same crappy speakers of previous years. Alas, there is a new accessory in town though. Headrest speakers are now offered through Honda. The drive. Suspension is in no means watered down. Steering is not quite as twitchy due to the new ratio in the steering gear box. TORQUE! Oh my god! Shifting is very nice now with the carbon double coned sycros as opposed to the harsh triple cone. All and all, the car is very nice. Personally I would like to see a combination of the previous and present cars. Everything that I mentioned is just my opinion. So go and check one out and share your opinions. I like it, but I'm not ready to trade the '03 for it .

 

Sounds good, first test drive ive heard of yet

 

wow - makes me wanna trade in my newly acquired 00 for an 04..............

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TommyV &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow - makes me wanna trade in my newly acquired 00 for an 04..............

</TD></TR></TABLE>

biiig difference

 

wait so those are headrest speakers. any one know the quality of them?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by M-Type &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wait so those are headrest speakers. any one know the quality of them?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, wouldn't that be hard on your ears?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by M-Type &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wait so those are headrest speakers. any one know the quality of them?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't care what the quality is if the imaging is not correct.

You can have mediocre speakers in custom kick panels that will kick *** over high-end speakers that are imaged totally wrong.

 

I agree JMS. One thing that I think Honda should have changed with the '04 is the speaker placement. With the mids in the door, your leg covers the speaker up. And the tweeter pods are facing two different directions, and not towards the drivers face. Still sporting a crappy factory sound system.....which just leaves more room for improvement in aftermarket

Other than that.....'04s look great, can't wait to find one on the street.........

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JMS JT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I don't care what the quality is if the imaging is not correct.

You can have mediocre speakers in custom kick panels that will kick *** over high-end speakers that are imaged totally wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LOL - that is sooooooo true. A sound system needs to be engineered no different than an engine to "perform" correctly.

I am still curious.. is there a way to add two more speakers to the S2000?
I think someone mentioned a kit that a guy sells. I love cranking my tunes when I drive and unless you are parked with the engine off, the stock stereo sucks ***.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TommyV &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

LOL - that is sooooooo true. A sound system needs to be engineered no different than an engine to "perform" correctly.

I am still curious.. is there a way to add two more speakers to the S2000?
I think someone mentioned a kit that a guy sells. I love cranking my tunes when I drive and unless you are parked with the engine off, the stock stereo sucks ***. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes. Add custom kick panels. If they are installed and adjusted correctly, the imaging will be better than anything. I plan on adding custom 5 1/4s in the kick panels, 6 1/2s if they fit. You might be able to try custom kick panels with extra mids in the stock door location. The question is, why do you want more speakers?

I'm not sure if it will be beneficial or phase eachother out though. I'm not an expert, that's what my stereo guy is for.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JMS JT &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I don't care what the quality is if the imaging is not correct.

You can have mediocre speakers in custom kick panels that will kick *** over high-end speakers that are imaged totally wrong.</TD></TR></TABLE>

that's on the money.

 

ok let me rephrase it, have you heard the new 04s with the rear assessory speakers? Does it sound good?


i understand imaging and that its not the best idea to put rear speakers there, but who knows maybe it sounds good the way it is set up

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by M-Type &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ok let me rephrase it, have you heard the new 04s with the rear assessory speakers? Does it sound good?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No. And No.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i understand imaging and that its not the best idea to put rear speakers there, but who knows maybe it sounds good the way it is set up</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't think you do understand. Go to an high-end audio store with a sound room with speakers placed on speaker stands that are aimed directly to a chair. Sit in the convienent chair they have right in the middle and listen to the music. Now walk towards the speaker, turn yourself around, and have the speaker facing to the back of your head (Not to mention in the S2000 the seat being in your way). What do you think will sound better?

"Good" is very subjective. But IMNSHO, it will sound shitty. I don't care if it's a $600 dollar component set (which we can safely say we know it isn't).

p.s. Is the rear speaker a tweeter only? Or does it have mids?

 

I'm not trying to claim anything, flukes happend. Sometimes wierd combination works out for the best. I'm just curious

 

I don't have any details on the rear speaker system yet. I think we will be assembling a demo for test drives. Most likely the speakers will be one of the accessories installed. I'll let you know how it goes and if there's any chance of a retrofit into previous model years. Lucid automotive makes a wonderful kit right now for those of you who can't wait ( http://www.lucidautomotive.com/ ). I'll keep everyone updated.

 

If any would like to know what the new S2000 headrest speakers, feel free to go to any run-of-the-mill used car lot and find Miata. Sit down in the seat and hear how incredibly horrible the what you would call music sounds like coming out of the back of your neck. This should explain everything. If anyone is stupid enough to spend the expected $400 to $500 at the dealership for this piece, they deserve the crap they get in their "Mazda engineered" sound system.......

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by M-Type &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm not trying to claim anything, flukes happend. Sometimes wierd combination works out for the best. I'm just curious</TD></TR></TABLE>

Bro. I realize that. I'm just telling you not to waste your time. Feel free to find out for yourself, but I'd put money on it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hondatec38 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't have any details on the rear speaker system yet. I think we will be assembling a demo for test drives. Most likely the speakers will be one of the accessories installed. I'll let you know how it goes and if there's any chance of a retrofit into previous model years. Lucid automotive makes a wonderful kit right now for those of you who can't wait ( http://www.lucidautomotive.com/ ). I'll keep everyone updated.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thank you - now I see where they are positioned.......... doesn't really make sense, however I bet the stereo system overall sounds louder - not necessary better....... but LOUDER...........

edit: WOW - thank you - what a great resource!!!!!!!!

 

so i take it the new shift ratio is better than the old? bc i lvoe my car but everywhere i drive is on the freeway and i dont mind the windnoise but maaann... my '00 is a screamer. At about 80-85mph its at like WAAAHHHHHHH haha but it still feels nice dont get me wrong...

 

Nice board you guys have here. I picked up my 04 silverstone metallic s2000 on Wednesday. I'm still in shock. It's a big step up from my 96 Accord. I can get pics as soon as I get home, any requests?

 

Good luck with your new car.

 

Requests? Have fun and drive safe.

Congrats.

 

YEA CONGRATS, I hope you enjoy it.

 

went to an s2k meet a while back and one guy had the lucid speaker mod. said that it made a tremendous amount of difference and said it was well worth it. i never got to actually hear it though, so this is strictly word of mouth.

personally, never been a big fan of the speaker in the headrest idea.. heard it in a miata once... not that impressed. who knows with honda though.

 

In my opinion the goal in an s2k is not to have a good sounding system, but rather to have a system you can hear, so I'm up for the headrest speaker ideas. A good system will just get stolen anyway.