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I am leasing a 2004 Civic EX Sedan, and would like to replace the factory audio setup. I'd like to put in some JL Audio VR650-CXi speakers in the front, but I want to make sure they will fit without any serious modification (because I am leasing). I'd like to avoid cutting the metal up in there, too (though maybe that doesn't matter in a lease? I don't know...).

If these will NOT fit, would the VR600s?

Hopefully someone here can help me out!

Thanks.

 
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the VR's arent going to give you so much performance gain over the stock setup that its even worth considering the upgrade.

If you are leasing, theres no reason to consider adding a stereo at all.

the only way I can think of to put in an aftermarket system without inherrently damaging the value of the vehicle is to add q-logic kickpanels,and now we are talking about a stereo that is becoming prohibitively exopensive for someone who is considering VR JL's.

I dont see it as being worth changing things.

 
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I'm also putting in an amp (MTX Thunder 404 -- already bought it...) and a new head unit (Eclipse CD3422 -- also already purchased). I'm also considering buying a sub, depending on how everything sounds.

Not sure if that makes a difference? Can the factory speakers handle an amp and/or will the fact that an amp is installed change the picture?

Also, I am "allowed" $1500 of damage (terms of the lease are that they will cover th first $1500 of damage, though no more than $500 for one particular area). Plus, I am considering buying the vehicle at the end of the lease. So damaging the car is ok, though I would like to damage it as little as possible so as to keep open the option of turning it in at the end of the lease.

And I am also open to other audio suggestions. I don't have a fixed budget. Basically I want my system not to sound so thin, and I want to be able to listen to my music going 80 on the highway with the windows down (the stock system can sort of do this... not quite there).

Kick panels are a possibility. I considered kick panels and VR525-CSi, bought thought that the price jump wouldn't be worth it. Would the VR components be significantly better? I don't think I'm going to be interested in the XRs. I've heard them in a friend's car and they are very nice, but the price jump is not worth it to me.

Another thought I had was buying some extra sail panels and putting a tweeter up there (so I could buy component speakers). Is that worth it?

Uh, yeah, long post. Basically: Given that I have the head unit and amp I listed above, what would you recommend? Basically I'm willing to spend enough to significantly improve my system -- I'm interested in "better than stock" but notso much in "really awesome," if that makes any sense.

Thanks!

 
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if you are looking ot minimize damage to the vehicle, q-logic is the way to go. there is no realistic way to fit a speaker up front that carries midbass without cutting the door even just a teeny bit, the hole is too small.

this gives you the advantage of running a 6.5 as opposed ot a 5.25 and you dont have to care about magnet size.

as far as components vs coaxials, since you are considering the speakers you are, the performance will be similar qualitywise with component versus coaxial. you arent looking at some piece of junk speaker that will have cone rub up the shaft that holds the tweeter or anything.

sonically, there will be a difference however between teh tweet down low and up high. most often, the on axis direction the tweeters fire in the sails, coupled with the close proximity to the ear versus down low nearly always brightens the tweeter, sometimes excessively.

I would say you shouldnt have an issue with harsh highs with the VR set, I love how smooth that tweeter is. it will also raise the stage to have it high up.

however, considering the cost of kicks, you might be advised to purchse coaxials too, to save money.

 
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my personal opinion (and please dont take this as an insult, none is intended)

to save value of the vehicle, I would get Qlogic kicks.

I would get sail pods and put VR components in them, for that extra volume kick that impresses the kids.

I would run them off the deck and use that MTX amplifeir to power a single 12 in the trunk, I believe the realism of sound will be greater, i fyou really want to run a subwoofer.

to preserve the max value of the vehicle, it would be best not to run a subwoofer, or that amplifier at all.

 
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IBTL

i've heared great feedbacks with alpine speakers... but a bit expensive... check em out!

 
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ibtl?

 
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I'm not sure what you mean... do you recommend buying Q-Logic kicks AND using the sail pods?

Anyway, I definitely care much more about the sound than about preserving the value of the car. It is a good, reliable car to own, so if I have to end up buying it in the end, that's fine if it is worth it. Which it sounds like it is.

So what would you recommend if I don't mind cutting up the (inside of the) door? Components with woofers in the factory location, and tweeters in the sail pods?

And I think I do want to amp the speakers. I've read enough about how amped speakers sound so much better, and in my own experience I definitely liked the sound of amped speakers better (granted, they were component XRs and my speakers were coaxial Infinity Kappas... so not really a fair comparison). I think I'll spread the cost out a bit and decide what to do about a sub (whether -- and how -- to run it off this amp, or whether to buy another amp for it) next month.


About Alpine speakers -- I've heard they are ok, but that for the money you can buy better speakers (e.g. JL Audio, MB Quart, etc.). I've also heard what JLs sound like (XRs from several years back), and know that I like what they do. So that's why I'm leaning toward JLs.

And I don't know what IBTL is either...

 
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Well, I went and bought the VR650 components. I'll fit them in somehow!

Thanks for all the advice. Now I just need to decide what to do myself, and what (if anything) to have the shop do...