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A newbie here but very active on the gas guzzling Mercedes Boards. I just sold my E55 so I can roll in the HOV lanes here in SoCal.


First thing todo is to replace the stock stereo.

Here is what I am thinking - please let me know your opinions and if you know anyone in the OC who is a great installer.

1. Headunit - Pioneer AVIC-D2 - or any other double din choices out there? I need XM too and the pioneer seems to do it all. Does the double din fit easily into the 2005 Civic? anymods needed?

2. Speakers - 5.25's or 6.5's what size works best front and back? I will go pretty high end like Morrel or Dynaudio and they are really deap - will they fit? or what about a good less expensive choice that fits easily into the factory locations?

3. Amps - I'll probably go with a big JL or similar.


Thanks
David

 
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Kenwood and Eclipse both have double din models, I believe the Kenwood model # is DDX7015 and AVN5425 and AVN5435 for Eclipse. Alpine I believe is also coming out with one this year but I don't know anything about it.

6.5" speakers will fit front and rear. They might not fit, if not all you need to do is buy/make spacers. The speakers that I have (Hertz HSK-165) fit right into the stock locations (only having to dremel out the sail panel for the tweeter), they are great sounding speakers, for about maybe $350 USD, that's if you can find a pair.

3. JL works

 
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David - I'm very curious - since it's a hybrid, do you know if there's any impact to upgrading to aftermarket stereo with amps?

You can't go wrong with Alpine for head units and amps, I'd recommend Boston Acoustics or Focal for speakers, as I have a JL 10" sub myself, I'd recommend it as well. Don't know what design changes occurred with speakers in the 2005 but you'll probably encounter depth issues with both fronts and rears. Be ready to customize spacers for your fronts to address the smaller cut out that remains when the door speakers are removed.

 
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Alpines Double din will not have nav built in like the Pionner or Eclipse. Still will be a very high quality unit. Speakers, theres many choices. Im a big fan of Boston or JL speakers for the price. Amps, I've always had good experience with JL amps, Zapco (for a little more $$), even Bostons line of amplifiers are VERY nice. So many choices to choose from.

 
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I think you'll enjoy the D2, but, doesn't have DVD capabilities. Thats if your not looking for one that has them, then its perfect. I've heard some really good reviews about the Kenwood one, looks nice and has great control, the Eclipse one has it all, Eclipse is known for there HU's. So it all depends on your budgest and preferences.

 
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Thanks for all of your comments. I can't wait to be active member of this board.

1. Eclipse - that would be cool but no XM right? I really need XM. The Pioneer AVIC-D2 doesn't seem to be out until around March 1st and will be $1,500+, I can get the D1 for $1000 new - should I go for the new one or the D2?

2. Not sure about the aftermarket amp effect on the Hybrid battery - I think that the car has lots of DC juice - that is what it runs on - so I am not concerned but am curious if anyone has any feedback.

3. How about a very discrete sub installation - does anyone make a kit/box specifically for my civic sedan?

4. Or maybe I can put a lot of power into 4 - 6.5" - 2-ways - but the mounting depth concerns me - especially if I am dependand on them for woofers.. Or do I go with more basic 6.5's for mids and highs and go with some woofs?

5. Does the double din go easily into the dash?

 
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Any double din unit should fit right in without any other work needed.

Have a look at Kenwood, they might have XM. Or you can get Sirius

 
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xm direct makes a kenwood interface

I'd be pretty interested in the effect of having aftermarket accesories in a hybrid. I know the hybrids operate ~ 100 volts so i think the 12 volt system would work just like a conventional car

 
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Slick has a hybrid with a system in it, it's the same as any other car. Changing the electrics would be fine, they still run on 12v, it would be far too expensive to develop a whole new set of electronics for a hybrid vehicle just to run it at a different voltage.

I would even think you could change the alternator, the electric system probably charges seperately from the car's conventional charging system, that's the case AFAIK, I took a Hybrid from work out on the road a couple years ago and I took it to an audio shop and we had a look at it, I do remember that there were 3 4awg lines running to the back of the car, although I dont remember what they were connected to in the front.

 
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It was tbaleno I was thinking of, not slick

And yes you can upgrade the electrical to your heart's content. Proof:

 
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Hybrids have no tweeters like the EX coupes.
You will have to drill a hole into the door and mount them or find another location.

Remember that the Civic's interior design made it so that you can't read your headunit during the daytime.

 
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Sony has a xm double din unit "SONY WX7700MDX"

 
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Id wait for the D2, and check to see if they have made DRASTIC improvements to the maps.

 
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go with any unit and just run an external xm unit that way u can take it out of the car and bring it inside......instead of having to activate two accounts. Thats how i have mine set up. I would check out the kenwood double din, or even the Jensen double din. My boy has the Jensen and doesnt have a single issue with it and has had it since it hit the retail market. just a thought....the jensen unit runs around 800 at places like circuit city.....install is rather easy too!

 
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PunkingCivic, i'm sorry but that HU is freakin hideous. I would definatly do the D2 or Alpine IVA-W200 when it comes out next month.

 
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Yeah the jensen is a terd as well.... have more returns and complaints with it than any other indash whether it be single or double din. But you know....its got some pretty nice features on it..... idk. Buy a warranty =)

 
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Just to note. Somone previously mentioned in this thread that you might be able to upgrade the alternator in the hybrid. YOU CAN'T. It doesn't have one. It uses a DC/DC converter to charge the 12V battery. I haven't had any problems with too much current going through the converter, but it is something to keep an eye on.

 
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thats good to know. Happen to know the current limitations on the DC/DC convertor?

 
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if i recall, the dc/dc is an 80 amp, and that controls EVERYTHING 12V in the car, so I would be very very careful with messing with too much power.

 
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so there is a catch !

had a hunch

 
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I would recommend the eclipse AVN5495 that was just released very high end unit with the built it 30 gig HD 10 for NAV and 20 for your music. It also has a memory stick slot that you can run music from too as well lol. Or perhaps wait until the AVIC Z1 is released in the next couple months it is very similar to the eclipse unit along the lines of the 30 gig HD 10 for NAV and 20 for your music. Both units would make you smile haha.

 
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Sexy

 
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1. I think that I will go with a Pioneer AVIC - either the D1 or D2 - Maybe I can score a D1 new for $8-900. I would like the newer one (D2) but don't think that I can pay double for it. It's just my commuting car. And I really like expensive amps and speakers

2. I want the built in XM. That's a huge priority, with touch screen control and a read out on the lcd. - I don't need to take it with me because I stream XM at work on the net for free and I get it at home on my Directv for free.

3. How do I fit the double din in that weird space? (silvery pic attached) Should I get a radio surround from a 2005 special edition (pic attached) is that a true double din? I guess I could get on from the dealer. Or is there a kit or something? I saw a post of someone that had a black suede type piece around the radio - it looked cool - anyone know about it?

4. So can I use a nice size JL or Zapco amp and run a line to my 12V battery? something 4x100 of real power.

5. Speakers - looks like nice big 6.5 coax's for the back - but what fits in the doors? Does anyone know the mountig depth? will I have trouble with big Focals or Dynaudio?

5. Sub or (s) any easy place for one? or should I just live with ,my 4 6.5's well endowed with power?


Thanks Again for all of your comments on this tread

 
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id check out some image dynamics chamelions and cdts, look on woofersetc.com they have a ton fo high end stuff. if you wanna run em active the ulymate setup would be brax graphic edition tweets, mids and amps...whether you wanna plop down 7 thousantd for just speakers and amps is another question in itself.