You might know little about SVC car audio, or you may just be hearing about it for the first time. It is always a good thing to learn more about your car’s features. So, why not read about your Honda’s SVC system?
I will discuss what the SVC means in a Honda as well as the SVC car audio setting. These are followed by a section covering the description of the three best SVC subwoofers curated by me.
Reading this article will show you how to get a better experience from your Honda’s SVC system. And maybe you would want to get one of those subwoofers to do just that.
Table of Contents
What Does SVC Mean in a Honda?
What Does SVC Stand for?
The abbreviation “SVC” means Speed-Sensitive Volume Compensation. You can find this system in modern cars, but it isn’t new tech. SVC adjusts your Honda’s radio volume when the speed of the vehicle changes, making the ambiance in the cabin better.
How Does an SVC System Work?
An SVC system works by utilizing the car’s speedometer to keep track of speed. The data is used to get an average measurement. You don’t need to control the radio’s volume when driving at a fixed speed, and there is no change of lanes or use of the acceleration pedal. This is because there won’t be an alteration in volume.
However, increasing or decreasing the vehicle’s speed will trigger the SVC to change the radio’s volume. The faster the car speed is, the louder the audio volume becomes. Therefore, the music or sounds coming from the radio will be heard clearly over the rising noise of the wind and vehicle engine.
Change the SVC mode using the following directions:
- Press the selector knob and turn it to “Sound Setup”, then push the “Enter” button to go to the next menu.
- Turn the selector knob to choose “SVC” and press “Enter” to view its present setting.
- Use the selector knob to choose the level you want and press “Enter” to finalize the process.
When Is SVC Used?
SVC is useful in various situations, such as in traffic jams or crowded areas. It will automatically alter the volume to suit the frequent change in vehicle speed for your comfort.
SVC Car Audio Settings
Your car’s SVC setting is simple to understand. Honda SVC systems typically have four modes, including “Off”, “High”, “Low”, and “Mid”.
Those options enable you to select the most preferable setting for controlling your radio’s volume automatically. They control the limits to which the volume is decreased or increased.
“Low” lowers the volume the least, “Mid” does more than that, followed by “High” which decreases the most.
For instance, “High” might reduce the volume to the equivalent of 60% when you stop your car if your volume is at 100%. It could be 72% for “Mid”, while “Low” might put it at 84%. “Off” will deactivate the system, of course.
“Mid” is the default setting, and you can change it to other options by turning the PWR/VOL knob.
Note: The above percentages are fictIonal values that I am using to explain the typical differences in settings.
3 Best SVC Subwoofers
It might be time to change the subwoofers in your Honda if the sound quality produced isn’t satisfactory enough after tweaking the SVC car audio settings. Below are the three best SVC subwoofers I selected from several similar products on Amazon.
1. Overall Best SVC Subwoofer: Rockford Fosgate Punch P1S2-10
Rockford Fosgate P1S2-10
The Rockford Fosgate P1S2-10 offers a signature “Punch” bass that other products require huge amplifiers to produce. That merit is supported by the premium paper cone, which is made with reinforced Kevlar fiber. Enjoy the flex elimination made possible by a lightweight and rigid design when using the subwoofers in high-power situations.
Buyers can choose between the 2-ohm and 4-ohm voice coil versions. DIY installers will be able to get the product installed easily. The Rockford Fosgate P1 series is among the group of globally popular “The Punch” subwoofers.
Key Features
- Proprietary spider design.
- Spider plateau venting that supplies added cooling to the voice coil.
- Half-roll surrounds with high density and butyl rubber material.
- Dual 10 AWG compression speaker connector.
- 250-watt RMS/500 watts max power handling.
- Maximum motor performance through optimization.
- 9.14-inch cutout diameter.
- 5.33-inch mounting depth.
Drawbacks
The Rockford Fosgate Punch P1S2-10 has great merits, but buyers have to watch out for faulty components possibly coming with their packages. You will be disappointed to find out that the grill is sold separately. Ensure that you get the “official” grill for Rockford Fosgate and not one from another brand. There is a likelihood that an “unofficial” grill will contact the sub and cause rattling as a result of the sub’s unique edge/rim.
Using this product for high-power functions will put it at risk of getting blown. So your bass level and gain settings shouldn’t go beyond the sub’s capacity. No subwoofer or speaker should be set to perform above their limit. Be ready to pay for shipping if a return is made for any reason.
Scores Based on Shopping Criteria
| Sound quality | 4.4 / 5 |
| Durability | 4.0 / 5 |
| Value | 4.5 / 5 |
| Overall Score | 4.3 / 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
The Rockford Fosgate P1S2-10 has an average rating of 4.6/5 from 315 reviews on Amazon. Many customers were happy about this product’s affordability, but some complained about getting defective products in their packages. Several reviewers claimed that their subs stopped working after short periods and they faced hassles during returns.
2. Best SVC Subwoofer for Durability: PIONEER TS-A2500LS4
PIONEER TS-A2500LS4
PIONEER’s TS-A2500LS4 is built with an A-series sound style that rivals full-range speakers. That design makes the quality of sound produced smooth and seamless. You will be able to feel the pure vibes from dynamic sounds featuring an impactful bass.
A top-notch experience in the cabin is ensured with an IMPP cone made of standard-quality materials reinforced with mica and glass fiber. Expect high durability from this subwoofer because of its very rigid build.
Users can install the subwoofer under or behind a car seat, depending on the vehicle type. Its compact design makes it easy to be installed on a broad range of vehicles. Lastly, it is worthy to note that the PIONEER TS-A2500LS4 has some unique patent-pending features.
Key Features
- Maximum power: 1,200 watts/300 watts nominal.
- 4-ohm voice coil.
- Rubber surround.
- 8-AWG push terminals.
- Double-reinforced cone structure with a spider design.
- Small enclosure fitting: 0.35-0.75 cubic feet.
- Mounting Depth: 3-3/8 inches.
- Shallow mount.
Drawbacks
The PIONEER TS-A2500LS4’s bass isn’t as good as those of some of its competitors. It shows weakness in the area of power handling and it has 85-decibel sensitivity. So keep your expectations low and the product’s performance limits in mind to avoid getting it burnt.
Installation may not be easy for those who find the screws too soft. The screws are fragile and can strip out, making it hard to remove the subwoofer from the box. You may end up having to use a saw to cut the box just to retrieve the speaker. It is advisable to buy replacement screws of higher quality before installation.
Scores Based on Shopping Criteria
| Sound quality | 4.0 / 5 |
| Durability | 4.5 / 5 |
| Value | 4.3 / 5 |
| Overall Score | 4.2 / 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
190 Amazon reviewers gave the PIONEER TS-A2500LS4 an average rating of 4.4/5. Many of them were impressed by the value they got for their money, in addition to the cheap price. But some pointed out that the bass wasn’t as strong as they had hoped.
3. Best SVC Subwoofer for Sound Quality: Kicker 44CWCD124
Kicker 4-Ohm SVC Subwoofer
Why did I give this subwoofer such a high score for its sound quality? This product from KICKER is a CompC sub with a hard-hitting bass that many reviewers have testified to. Then there is the polypropylene cone featuring flex resistance for withstanding pounding lows with no distortion.
Buyers should anticipate a 600-watt peak power. The 4-ohm voice coils ensure max power supply from mono amplifiers. There is a free flow of air to all the parts of the motor structure, so no overheating even in high-performance situations. It is easy to connect the sub to a multi-sub setup.
Key Features
- 12-inch CompC DVC perimeter venting.
- 4-ohm voice coil.
- 300-watt RMS/600 watts max power handling.
- Sturdy foam surround plus yellow stitching.
- 5.37-inch top-mount depth.
Drawbacks
This sub is prone to get blown in a short time because it isn’t strong enough to handle high-power functions. The time frame could be a matter of months, weeks, or even days. So you have to be careful when using it close to its performance limits.
KICKER’s quality control for this sub is poor because you may see glue stains on the exterior. Even the mounting holes may be clogged. Owners may have to do an extra job of removing glue residue from the holes to make way for the screws during installation. There is also the issue of part of the exterior coating coming straight from the package. But it might not be a significant problem to you if you are all about sound and not appearance.
Scores Based on Shopping Criteria
| Sound quality | 4.5 / 5 |
| Durability | 3.9 / 5 |
| Value | 3.9 / 5 |
| Overall Score | 4.1 / 5 |
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon customers numbering 238 scored the Kicker 44CWCD124 an average of 4.4/5. It was mixed reactions from the reviewers with some being satisfied with what they got, while others expressed their displeasure at getting faulty subs.
A number of those from the latter category were frustrated about not getting a replacement or refund when returning the defective items. Still, some customers from the former category asserted that they were OK with the sub’s bass.
Final Thoughts
You can take steps to make your driving ambiance more comfortable, now that you understand what your SVC car audio is all about.
Get a great SVC subwoofer for the system to boost the sound quality. Hopefully, you saw something you liked among the subwoofers I described. Their pros, cons, and Amazon reviews should help you decide whether or not to make a purchase.
Always remember to adjust the system’s settings to get the best experience out of it. You may need to take steps like shutting the car windows for satisfactory results.