The common thought on amplifiers for car stereos is that it is necessary to create a loud car audio system. While this is true, volume is only one of the benefits to adding an amplifier. If you have a subwoofer as part of your Honda Odyssey's system, you will need an amplifier to drive that speaker. Also, to provide a depth of sound and really get the most out of your factory-installed or aftermarket speakers, you will need to install an amplifier. You can have an amplifier installed in your Honda by an audio technician, or you can do it yourself with little previous audio experience.
Open the hood of the Honda. Disconnect the negative battery cable from the negative battery lead with a 10-millimeter wrench. Remove the cable from the battery.
Connect the amplifier wiring kit's ring terminal to the positive battery lead. The ring terminal will have a power cable connected. Route the cable through the opening on the firewall to the inside of the vehicle.
Remove the trim panel around the stereo. Use a flat screwdriver to pry the lower edge of the panel from the dash. Place your fingers in the relieved area of the panel and pull it from the dash. Disconnect the climate control knob wiring from the back of the panel.
Remove the six screws around the Honda stereo with a Phillips screwdriver. Pull the stereo from the mounting bracket.
Disconnect the wiring from the back of the stereo. There are three connections: the antenna, the power supply, and the speakers. Pull the power cord and antenna cable from the stereo. The speaker wires need to be grabbed by the plastic wire grouper and pulled from the back of the radio.
Connect the stereo wiring to a wiring harness adapter. Connect the signal cable and turn-on lead (from the amplifier wiring kit) to the wiring harness adapter. Run the newly attached cables through the back of the stereo mounting dock, to the floor of the Honda.
Slide the stereo back into the dash dock. Replace the screws around the radio's perimeter. Connect the climate control knob wiring to the back of the trim panel. Place the dash trim panel back around the stereo and push it onto the dash by hand. The panel will snap back into place.
Remove the trim panels at the door panels, on the floor, with a trim panel removal tool. Run the cables from the stereo along the right side of the Honda, beneath the carpeting.
Run the power supply cable from the floor of the driver's side (routed through the firewall) along the left side of the vehicle, beneath the carpeting. All of the cables need to be routed to the rear cargo area of the vehicle.
Place the amplifier in the rear cargo area of the Honda Odyssey. Connect the signal cable to the amplifier, as well as the turn-on lead and the power supply cable. Connect the grounding wire from the amp wiring kit to the amplifier. Connect the wire to a bolt or screw in the rear cargo area. Any bolt connected directly to the frame of the Odyssey will do.
Connect speaker wires to the amplifier and route them to the speakers you wish to amplify.
Place the negative battery cable's clamp around the negative battery lead. Tighten the clamp with a 10-millimeter wrench.
