I am a complete neophyte when it comes to car stereos and
would like some assistance on my options for adding CD
playing capabilities to a 1992 Honda Accord EX. I have the
stock am/fm cassette tape player and ideally, I'd like to
leave this in place since I have a bunch of tapes, and add a
CD changer housed in the trunk to the factory radio. Is this
possible? If I don't change the speakers, how much better will a
CD sound than a tape? Will changing the stereo system reduce
the value of the car at all vs leaving everything stock?

 

naw, the cd player will boost the value, do you have cd changer controls on your OEM radio?

 

There is no CD button on the factory Honda radio in my 1992 Accord. There is a void space under the factory AM/FM cassette tape deck. Is this to accomodate a CD player or a bigger radio, such as the ones found on the Acura Legends? I like the looks and sound of the Bose CD system on 1991-1995 Acura Legends. I'd like the car to look as factory as possible . Don't like the ugly look of today's car stereo's and huge speakers. Is it possible to basically put a 1995 Acura Legend sound system in a 1992 Accord? The Bose speakers on the doors of a 1995 Legend seem to be in the same location as the Accord, don't know about the size. The rear speakers looks very similar too.
How about putting a 1993 Accord SE Bose radio and speakers in a 1992 Accord? Honda Accord SE's from the early 1990's had a Bose system. Not sure if they came with a factory CD player or changer in th trunk. But it would probably sound better than the factory system I have now. Acura Legends have factory CD changers in the trunk and a big full size radio deck. That would be ideal for me.Having both tape and CD. Since we are talking about factory equipment for an older car, would this conversion process of getting a new deck and speakers be only handled by a dealer?

If I get a CD player, CD's will only sound better than tapes if I get better speakers, otherwise might as well just use a Discman wih a car kit.

 

You can either get an RF cd changer, which is a standard 6, 10, or 12 disc player that tags into the antenna line up front to feed the audio to your radio. It's one of those ones with it's own display/control peice you put up front and tune your radio to a certain station to pick up. But, just like with home audio, using the modulated signal will reduce the sound quality. With a factory radio though you might not even notice.

Your 2nd option is to get one of those packages that come with an aftermarket Tape deck and a CD changer that is designed to plug directly into it. This is a better setup than the RF modulated because:

1> It's a direct feed to the radio, so the sound quality loss from the modulator is completely elminated.

2> You control the changer directly from the radio so there is no other control/display peice hanging around up front.

3> By changing the stock tape deck to an aftermarket you'll gain more sound quality (or the potential to have alot better sound quality if you change the speakers down the road), and your tapes should play alot better since the tape head is now new and super clean.

Another option is to get a double din radio setup. Those are the ones that are twice the size and would fill both the tape spot and the pocket spot. I don't know if they'll mount into a 92 accord, it's one of those things you have to try. We had a customer who wanted the pioneer double din 2 years ago, who had a 98 accord. He was told by everyone (Crutchfield, circuit city, etc) it couldn't fit in there, but we decided you don't really know unless you try. It fit, with extra space around the radio. Used the trim/filler ring we had for the radio, and bang. It looked beautiful. Also, I know some places like Alpine and some other companys (I forget who off hand) have special kits for Hondas/Acuras that fit double dins and also kits that do a dual stack. I say find a place that will let you return it if it doesn't fit and give it a shot.

And last but not least, as I said above about the double stack, you'll possibly have the option of getting a tape deck and a matching in-dash single CD player. I know kenwood atleast use to make them, and I'm sure all the major brands still have them out there. This way will typically run more than a CD Changer package combo since the units aren't packaged. Get a tape deck that's CD Changer ready, and find that brand's single in-dash CD player. It's designed to mount somewhere near the radio (such as under it) and plug into the changer port. Basiclly it's a 1-disc cd "changer".

There are four brake downs for you, now you just have to figure out which meets your price budget and goals, and take it from there

 

Dear RJR162m
A big thank you for the plethora of information. Good to know I have a lot of options. The double din option sounds the best to me since I like the look of it the best. Is it possible to buy a 1991-1995 Acura Legend factory stereo with CD changer in the trunk for example, or a tape deck and in dash cd changer from a late model Accord that would be compatible? I understand what you mean about mounting and fitting but how about wiring and all? Does that differ from stereo to stereo? I'm sure a dealer or specialty car audio place would know what to do right? I really like the factory Bose stereos and speakers but I posted this question another bulleting board and here is the response I received about Bose.

"you cannot buy a bose system to put into your car aftermarket. bose has
contracts with certain car manufacturers (nissan (infiniti), acura, etc.) and
designs the stereos it puts in each car exactly for that car, so it would not
sound "perfect" in a car they didn't intend it for.....and they don't want
that reputation. even cars with bose factory systems are hard to modify,
because they use external amps and different wiring configurations than
normal stock systems. just another way bose tries to keep it all in the
family. nothing wrong with that though.....they do sound very nice."

I'm not stuck on a factory Bose per se, but if I do get one, based on this, seems like Ebay is the only answer.
Still learning.

Happs

 

Honestly the Bose isn't worth it. You can get as good if not better sound by doing after-market setups, plus any repair costs aren't going to be outrageous. For example a customer of mine called to find out the price for a factory Bose speaker for his older caddy... $700. For $700 you could redo your factory system with some Infinity or Alpine speakers, an Alpine head unit, and either an amp + sub or a 4 channel to increase the sound quality anymore.

As for the plugs, I forget if the Bose plug is the standard Honda plug, but any pre-1999 Honda/Acura should have the same plug. The mounting might be and most likely is different though. Plus the SQ of the "factory" equipment will be less than an after-market counter part. Again I'll use the JVC package as an example. For $179 you can get the JVC KSF-160 tape deck and a 12-disc CD changer, and it will sound better than the factory options, especially any older factory options. If you have any other questions or what not don't hesitate to ask!

 

I visited two car stereo stores today for informational purposes and left both with the consensus that I want an old fashioned factory system with big buttons! The first place I visited, they were in awe that I wanted a tape player and had to go digging in the backroom to see if they had one. They only had two left. I told then I was interested in a tape player and CD changer and better sound. The put together a $980 package (including parts, labor, and all taxes) that includes a JVC cassette deck with 12 disc changer, 1 pair of Alpine 6/9 speakers for the front, 1 pair of different Alpine speakers for the rear, kit/harness/antenna adaptor, and an Alpine 4 channel amplifier. A subwoffer is extra. They said the $300 installed amplifier is basically necessary for this combination because the speakers need power and it's power thazt makes all the difference. I asked if the speaker would fit into the door and they basically said they would make it fit, even though the speaker is round and the door speaker is not completely round. I said thank for the information and left. No way am I going to sacrifice 1/4 of my trunk space for a subwoofer and amplifier and a 12 disc changer and $980 for all of this is overkill. Plus, I can barely see the head unit buttons or touch them with my fingers. I like big buttons and something that's user friendly and easy to use.
Next store I went had a different approach. When I told them about FM modulation and wanting to add a CD changer underneath the cassette deck and add new speakers, they said it would be a waste of money since the stock head unit doesn't have enough power to power the CD changer and speakers and that I would need to buy an amplifier so it would end up costing too much money. They seemed proud of their facility and even took me to the install areas where they were working on a Porsche and a Hummer. Felt like the poorest person there. So they recommened I buy a new head unit that's poweful enough to power new speakers. They suggested a $200 pioneer single CD unit with 1 pair of Eclipse speakers. They didn't suggest an amp or subwoffer either. No need to buy rear speakers they say since the front ones do all the work and most o the soud comes from them. Total cost with tax, installation, wire kits/harness/and ant adaptor is $510. When I asked about how the speaker would fit, they said it would fit in just fine and they would spray paint it to match the color of the interior. They said if I want to play tapes, I could plug in my walkman to the CD player with this special adaptor but that it would burn batteries like crazy. I thanked them for the info and left. No way will I have someone spray paint an interior speaker. What if it flakes off in a year and how can get the color to match perfectly?
So I left feeling more frustrated and wanting desperately an old fashioned factory system, but where do I find a single din CD player/changer that would go underneath the current head unit, or better year, where do I find a double din 1995 Acura Legend head unit with 6 changer in the back? the acura dealer? How about the factory Bose CD stereo that came on a 1993 Honda Accord SE? A Honda dealer? I am stubborn about keeping things factory. I have bad vision and can't see the darn buttons on these new decks. Does the dealer sell completely compatible speakers too? If I buy off of Ebay, where do I go to install stuff? How do I go about hiring someone?

 

This http://www.circuitcity.com/det...50121 might be your cup of tea. It's not factory, but has a nice sized display and comes with a remote (which comes in handy quite honestly) IIRC it runs around $350 or so, but it is a tape deck + cd player all in one double din. The only thing I could think might even be close to an option is the mounting, but any shop in your area should know if they can do it or not. Worst case a tape deck/cd changer option would run about $320 or so anyhow.

As for the amp... blah. You don't *need* one. Grab a pair or two of either Infinity Reference speakers, Alpine Type S speakers (top two choices in my book for the price) or some kenwood, pioneer, or polk speakers. The price would range from about $50 to $110 a pair depending on waht size your car takes. They might be found on the internet for less, searching around is always a good idea.

Get the radio from a Circuit City or Best Buy if you have one in your area. They typically run free install on those type units (changers typically run around $60 if you go that route). Speakers run around $35 a pair.

As for the RF changer... they will work with any radio that gets FM reguardless of the power output of the radio its self. It's an easy way to get the CD Changer, and some can always be converted over to a "direct connect changer" if you get the same company's cd or tape deck that can support a CD changer down the road (I know alpine's can easily... some others you might have to buy a direct connect changer cable in place of the RF Modulator unit). For the money, this might be the way to go as the unit its self shouldn't be more than $179 for a 10 disc Sony for example, and install should run around $60 to $75. Total setup: $140 to $155 before tax.

 

I was interested in your post about wanting to get a Acura Bose CD system I myself was hoping to find one but never could the speakers themselves I've been told are completely different configurations they have ports and all kinds of other things but I did was went to the junkyard found a 90 to 91 Honda Accord has to be that year depending on what your yours is yours was a 90 so it has to be a 90 or 91 you can't use a 92 or 93 because they're different plus they make two different types of CD players if you look in the picture I sent you that is out of a 91 the CD player was an option for that year I have a 1991 Honda Accord SE however it didn't come with the CD player option it did however come with the sunroof and the black leather one other thing I'm trying to find which I have found are the factory fog lights but they go for around 500 plus. So anyway this picture shows you the setup the CD unit has to go on top because if it were at the bottom when you would go to load the CDs or inject eject of the CDs they would hit the gear selector messing it up badly so you have to put it on top that's how they did it Factory but it looks really nice I haven't finished putting it back together but I saw your post and just thought I would see how good of a time you had trying to find the Acura Bose or Honda Bose system for that matter if you get this email me at troyamondok@gmail.com. good luck