Ok, this is about car audio...

[audiobam]

Hello all!

I can't find a forum related to car audio...

Well this will be a general question

I have Civic 2010 which comes with stock unit, stock speakers, stock everything. It has four speakers, plus one subwoofer and two tweeters, it is, 7 speakers total. It is supposed to have an amplifier.

Ok, I want to upgrade the speakers only, I don't want to upgrade the head, ever.

Ok, given I will keep the stock unit and amplifier, does it make sense to buy "big name" speakers?

I mean, Im offered Sony speakers against Focal speakers (components, non coaxials). Focals are, as far as I know, way better quality than Sony. But, is it worth the price? Focals are about US$60 more expensive than Sony. I know I can afford them. But I wonder if it is any worth as Im keeping the stock head unit and the stock amplifier which is good enough.

I know Sony has pretty bad reputation, but to be sure some friends have Sony speakers in their cars and in my opinion they sound great. I have also listened to Focal components and no doubt they are excellent but as I have heard them in different cars with different head units, different placement, different music, different everything, there is no way to objectively compare.

So, more or less, my question is this: if keeping an inexpensive factory head unit and amplifier, is it worth to invest in high end speakers? Im absolutely sure I don't want to upgrade my factory unit ever.

Thanks and sorry if this is not the right forum to post about car audio...

Regards!

 

[BMXTRIX]

If you are indeed using external amplifiers with the factory head unit, and you are happy with the sound of your factory head unit, then there may be some need down the road for cleaner power with a better amp. You keep the head unit, but replace the amp so it can deliver better power to whatever speakers you end up using.

I'm certainly no car audio guru, and I think there may be better forums for this discussion (Crutchfield?), but at the end of the day, you do want good speakers. Good speakers can make a significant improvement over cheaper speakers and it is worth doing your research on getting good speakers. You certainly will get some far more educated responses on this than what I have to say, but since it does sound like something you care about doing right, then poke around the more specific car audio forums, and do that research.

 

[slipperybidness]

Personally, I would not go with Sony! Sony is pretty much junk IMO, and their customer service is some of the worst in the industry.

Get the Focals. Or, at least look/listen to Pioneer, Kenwood, Alpine, or Infinity as they will be better than Sony and maybe less $ than focal. For car audio, I usually go with Kenwood myself, they offer pretty good performance to price ratio.

 

[ReUpRo]

A lot depends on how Honda has implemented the system. Specifically, how the signal is distributed from the amp to speaker (crossover) and if this will work for a "drop in" kit. The amp being sufficient depends on the speakers you end up using. As Bmxtrix said, probably best to also ask on a dedicated car audio or better yet, 2010 Civic related car audio forum.

http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/
http://www.civicforums.com/forums/181-8th-9th-gen

 

[zieglj01]

With the right power and set-up - I would go Focal

Kenwood does make nice auto speaker systems, and also JBL

Sony, I would pass

 

[darien87]

Just curious as to why you are so against upgrading the head unit. No stock stereo I have ever owned ever came close to the options and features that an aftermarket one did. If your dash has a weird shape and you're worried about how an aftermarket stereo will fit, there are adapter kits that are made just for that.

Plus as aftermarket stereo will make the entire upgrading process much simpler as you won't be locked into the most likely meager connection options that your stock stereo offers.

 

[slipperybidness]

Just curious as to why you are so against upgrading the head unit. No stock stereo I have ever owned ever came close to the options and features that an aftermarket one did. If your dash has a weird shape and you're worried about how an aftermarket stereo will fit, there are adapter kits that are made just for that.

Plus as aftermarket stereo will make the entire upgrading process much simpler as you won't be locked into the most likely meager connection options that your stock stereo offers.

I do agree with your arguments here.

But a lot of the modern stock stereos are pretty nice. But more importantly, it may have the navigation, rear camera, etc, etc. The way the industry has been headed lately with car stereos, sometimes it is just more trouble than it is worth to swap the factory unit.

 

[Nestor]

Just curious as to why you are so against upgrading the head unit. No stock stereo I have ever owned ever came close to the options and features that an aftermarket one did. If your dash has a weird shape and you're worried about how an aftermarket stereo will fit, there are adapter kits that are made just for that.

Plus as aftermarket stereo will make the entire upgrading process much simpler as you won't be locked into the most likely meager connection options that your stock stereo offers.

Sometimes, replacing the OEM head unit can be a big hassle, especially with integrated climate controls and other features.

A standard line output converter will bring down a speaker level voltage to allow fitting of aftermarket processors and amps.

If EQ curves are part of the OEM head unit/amp, then a better, but more pricey option is the JL Audio Cleansweep.

JL Audio CL441dsp Factory Stereo Signal Processor

 

[audiobam]

Hello all!

Many thanks for your time

My decision not to upgrade the head unit is that, first it would be a hassle. I know, Crutchfields sells the whole stuff I would need to do it plus detailed instructions and online customer service and so on. But still, I need to address the issue o steering wheel controls, interface, and climate and this and that. And it adds a lot of money. My car lacks navigation system so that's not an issue.

But another issue is that Honda Civic comes with a tiny battery, so upgrading amplifier may probably need more amps which in turns would require a bigger battery and things get complicated and expensive again.

So, I want to go on a budget. I mentioned Sony because, honestly, I have heard them and they sound pretty good to my ears. I have a friend who has Sony on their car but it is not a Civic, it is a Toyota Rav 4 and can't complain, really, though he has an Alpine head unit.

So, wanted to limit the money I put into it. Believe me, it took me a while to decide to ditch the factory speakers, it sounds good.


Yes, I visited the civic eight generation forum but couldn't get much help, will try again. As far as I know, in that forum they say factory head units for Civics eight generation are made by Alpine (no navigation system) and Clarion (with navigation system). I think either are great brands, right?

Thanks anyway!!

 

[slipperybidness]

Hello all!

Many thanks for your time

My decision not to upgrade the head unit is that, first it would be a hassle. I know, Crutchfields sells the whole stuff I would need to do it plus detailed instructions and online customer service and so on. But still, I need to address the issue o steering wheel controls, interface, and climate and this and that. And it adds a lot of money. My car lacks navigation system so that's not an issue.

But another issue is that Honda Civic comes with a tiny battery, so upgrading amplifier may probably need more amps which in turns would require a bigger battery and things get complicated and expensive again.

So, I want to go on a budget. I mentioned Sony because, honestly, I have heard them and they sound pretty good to my ears. I have a friend who has Sony on their car but it is not a Civic, it is a Toyota Rav 4 and can't complain, really, though he has an Alpine head unit.

So, wanted to limit the money I put into it. Believe me, it took me a while to decide to ditch the factory speakers, it sounds good.


Yes, I visited the civic eight generation forum but couldn't get much help, will try again. As far as I know, in that forum they say factory head units for Civics eight generation are made by Alpine (no navigation system) and Clarion (with navigation system). I think either are great brands, right?

Thanks anyway!!

Yup the head unit swap can be tough, especially the new cars with all the extra bells and whistles.

I don't think the battery would be much of a concern unless you are planning to run it without the engine running. If you plan to run it without engine running, then no stock battery is gonna cut it, you need a bank of batteries. It is the alternator that needs to be robust because stereo will run while engine is running. But I highly doubt you have any worries here either.

No doubt, Alpine makes some of the best stuff out there. Clarion doesn't have as good of a reputation, but I actually really like their stuff too.

I still highly recommend anything other than Sony though.

 

[lsiberian]

This is a home theater forum mainly. the12volt.com is the best car audio source I know of and they do have a forum. That said Infinity speakers are the safe bet in car audio.