Would getting new speakers improve the overall sound quality by much if I am using a factory radio? If so, by how much? I am not going to replace the factory radio because too many aftermarket ones get stolen. I do not wish to get amps or subwoofers, so basically, I'm just thinking about getting new speakers. Does anybody here use aftermarket speakers with a factory radio? Please let me know how the speakers improved your sound system.

Also, if I decide to get new speakers, should I just get lower end speakers? I'm thinking that buying expensive speakers for a factory radio would be a waste. Thanks!

 

It all depends on the speakers. If your going to stick with headunit power get something what a 90dB or higher sensitivity rating. You might like the difference in sound, or you might hate it. If you plan on upgrading your headunit, then I would do that first.

 

Some factory speakers are good. A seller on ebay has Eclipse 6.5" for $53 a pair. They are not the best but are pretty good. I think you can't go wrong inveting in speakers

 

I just checked some info and it seems that you need to be careful if you are buying aftermarket speakers for a factory reciever:

http://www.crutchfield.com/infocente.../speakers.html

I found that Honda has an accessory speaker for the 99-00 Civic. I guess that I couldn't go wrong with this one because it is made by Pioneer and it is probably designed to work with the factory headunit and only costs $24.50. Would this speaker be a direct fit for a 96-98 Civic because is is only listed as a 99-00 Civic accessory? If it is, would it work well with the 96-98 headunit?

Specs: 60Watt max, 50Hz-16Khz frq range.

Here is a link to the site that is offering it (you need to scroll down a bit):
http://www.handaaccessories.com/civelec00.html

Here is a picture comparison with the crappy factory speakers:

 

I'm fairly certain that those won't sound much different than stock.

 

As long as the speakers are 4 Ohm , they should work with the factory headunit.

 

if you just want a good all around headunit thats not too desirable for theives get a pioneer like 3400 or 4400 series and your speakers depending on how old they were you'll see a big inprovement in quality and not have to buy new speakers.
EDIT: I don't remember posting this...I was drunk as HELL


[Modified by GTlvr82, 2:17 AM 3/16/2003]

 

Thieves don't give a damn what it is. My friend's car was broken into for some spare change on the seat.

 

IMO, no. I would never do it. I would never replace the speakers unless I was going to amp then. A stock HU (or any HU's) does not have enough power to make it worth it. I would get a pair of Component speakers, amp them then stick them in a down by your feet in a kick panel.

 

they say the speaker is the most critical component in any audio setup.. but remember, it can only do what the source of the audio can do, and factory radio's are mostly designed to get by. I'd bite the bullet, switch the radio and grab some new speakers. the difference will be night and day. Get an alpine (you can get the outgoing models for good prices right now, such as the CDE-7870, CDE-7872, or if you want changer the CDM-7874.. although the new models have alot more features than the one they were replacing for the same original retail). then you can grab a set of speakers to toss in, like the infinity 652I's... which are also an outgoing model, but the replacement is nearly identical to the current. You should be able to find a good deal on those too

 

if you throw on aftermarket speakers on your factory deck you might actually loose sound and bass. factory speakers are designed to work with the little amount of clean power your oem deck actually puts out; when upgrading, you might actually be putting in a pair that requires a little bit more power to 'move'.

replacing your stock deck, or adding a small amplifier will help those stock speakers and deck sound better. then consider upgrading.

my 0.02
-Rage

 

If your stock head unit has a decent power section/amplifier, adding aftermarket speakers will improve sound quality. However, most aftermarket speakers need more power than the majority of the stock head units in cars. If your stock unit has more than 45 watts per channel, go for it, but as mentioned, don't expect a whole lot of improvement until you get some real juice pumped through them.

 

I swapped out my stock speakers for some Infinity Kappas. They did sound better, but the stock head unit did not have enough power to push them, so I ended up having to buy an amp to push them. I finally gave in and upgraded to an Alpine head unit last November. It really makes a big difference, in the fact that it's more "tweakable"

 

As a general rule, I think replacing head unit makes more improvement in sound quality than upgrading speakers. I know someone who replaced his head unit in 2001 Civic with a $129 unit and the sound vastly improved with stock speakers. Better low and high frequency improved a lot.

 

I read somewhere that stock headunits put out between 4-12 watts RMS (constant power), while aftermarket units usually run 15-22 ish. This small difference in power can make a huge difference on stock speakers, but can't hold a candle to the difference you get with an amp.

The 45x4, 60x4, etc.. rating on a headunit is b.s.

 

most factory speakers don't have hte range though. They use the dual cone... yuck!