Good Afternoon All:

I've been asked by a good friend of mine to help build a decent sterio for her 1996 civic dx hatch. Since I don't know anything about the car (ie. speaker size, din, etc..) I went to the best place I can think of, Honda-tech.com.

Her price range is between 4 and 5 hundred dollars and she needs all speakers and a head unit. Can you guys help me out with this? (please include speaker sizes in your setups, thanks)

Honda-Tech =

 

Hmm - if anything you can go all Alpine

You should be able to have a nice little system for that much. What does she want - lots of base, clear sound, a little bit of both?

 

w-a-o: She wants alittle bit of both. Alpine sounds expensive what exact parts would you use?

 

Let see see what I can think of lol - if you take it in they are going to sell you a box / sub / and amp for 500. Look around on Ebay...

 

A sub isn't that important. Good all around speakers with a good head unit should be enough for her. Shes not a bass head or anything

 

12" Eclipse 87121.1 - $120.00 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=WDVW

6.5" Focal Polyglass Components - $170 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=WDVW

Eclipse CD3414 CD/MP3 Player - $155 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...=WDVW

Rockford Fosgate 200a1 mono amplifier - $112 shipped
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...&rd=1

Total
$557

Sorry about going over, that is an AWESOME system, the only thing I cheaped out on was the amp because I went a little over on your budget, this system will sound insane, wont be crazy loud, but insane quality, if you want to upgrade later i would get a higher power amp and turn it way down so you dont out-power your amp with the sub, but you dont want it to be too loud and overpower your focal components. . If this isnt what you want, hope it helps

 

The above post is a nice start.

hmm...

If you take out the sub, then maybe get a decent 2-channel amp to really power the components better. Or a 4-channel: use 2 channels for the components and save the other 2 channels for when she does get a sub (but that sub will rattle her poor civic).

Eclipse, Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion: They all make decent headunits in that price range.

Focal, Alpine, Resonant Engineering: Nice component sets in that price range

or a DIY component set could be had...problem will be the crossovers, hopefully the amp or headunit will have that. I'd say DIY only if willing to do a little extra work - might be a pain in the *** for simple needs.

 

Yea. If she doesn't want alot of bass, just good quality sound, I would recommend a nice zapco amp, some mid-high range focals, and an eclipse deck. That might get pricey though. Sound quality owns loudness.

 

I would do something like a pioneer or alpine lower end deck, some resonant engineering comps and a zapco iforce amp. Just run stock rear 6x9's off the deck or she can later buy some if she absolutly needs em.

 

that eclipse cd/mp3 deck powers up by 14.4V which is weird... does it require an inverter ??? Also this declk doesn't play wma files. I'm not sure if it plays higher than 128kbps mp3's .. Anyone knows??

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by archmage &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The above post is a nice start.

hmm...

If you take out the sub, then maybe get a decent 2-channel amp to really power the components better. Or a 4-channel: use 2 channels for the components and save the other 2 channels for when she does get a sub (but that sub will rattle her poor civic).

Eclipse, Alpine, Pioneer, Clarion: They all make decent headunits in that price range.

Focal, Alpine, Resonant Engineering: Nice component sets in that price range

or a DIY component set could be had...problem will be the crossovers, hopefully the amp or headunit will have that. I'd say DIY only if willing to do a little extra work - might be a pain in the *** for simple needs.

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

 

THE MASTER SETUP for 400-500

Infinity Basslink Subwoofer: $180-200- Ebay
Alpine Type S or equivalent: $120 for rear 6x9''s and $100 for 6 1/2'' fronts. Got mine buy one get one half off at Circuit City.
Alpine's cheapest decent headunit is about $140.

She will need the Dashkit: $15, Wiring harness adapter: $14, and a small amp kit: $25-$50.

She might need to save about one more hundred bucks. The Infinity Basslink is THE BEST woofer for those who want good sound, good price, and small equipment. For those who don't know: It's a 10" woofer with a 10" passive radiator in a small box along with a 100-200 watt amp. Sounds JUST RIGHT. Not too much, not too little. Good 6x9's will give some bass as well.

 

seems people are forgetting some parts that equal close to 100$ total... Amp power wire kit, and RCA cables...

I would just go Pioneer and JBL with headunit from Pioneer as well as speakers from both, or one... It SHOULD sound good enough without an amp. and be within the price range.

 

thanks guys. If anyone has any more ideas keep them coming but I'm very greatful for the suggestions already given.