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Hey there. I just bought my first car last week, a sexy 2003 Civic EX sedan.

Anywho, I need some help with car audio, since I'm a complete newbie.

I have a FM adapter for my iPod, but don't really like the sound quality, so I want to get a car stereo with an auxiliary input in the front.
I was thinking about getting something like THIS.

If I get that, or something similar, would my car's sound quality suffer? Or would that Kenwood (or similarly priced stereo) have the same sound quality as a stock 2003 Honda Civic stereo? Is there a chance the sound quality would even improve?

Also, I was thinking about improving sound quality overall, mainly improved bass (but not too much, since I listen to rock). A subwoofer is out of the question due to my car's size, and I really don't want to install mid speakers in the doors. Would installing a small 2-channel amplifier in the trunk help in any way? If I get a better stereo with increased bass control (past +6), would that work? Is there any other sort of subwoofer-like alternative?



Thanks a bunch, and sorry for all the questions.
Cheers!

 
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a new stereo is almost guaranteed to be better than the oem one. they have more power/features and if you still arent happy, then you can look into getting speakers with an amp. but if you do not listen to music very loud, i think the new deck will be enough.

 
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Start off with a new deck with an ipod adapter. If you are not happy then start swapping out the speakers. As for bass, all music sounds better with bass, doesn't have to be overwheling.

 
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^ +1 on all the post above.. a new deck if you dont want it to be so loud or a new speaker with amp if you want some booming sound..

 
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I've got an aftermarket JVC with nothing else done to the speakers/audio and there is actually quite a bit of bass.

Btw, your car is not too small for a subwoofer...

 
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Thanks for all the advice guys. I guess I'll just go with a new stereo for now, and see how I feel about that.

So far, my first choice is the Kenwood KDC-MP242 I linked earlier, mainly because it's cheap, has good features, and the blue color matches my instrument panel. Of course, I'm not going to get it from Best Buy (completely overpriced). But does anyone have any better alternatives to the Kenwood KDC-MP242?

Also, the guy at the Best Buy said installation would be $100, including a whopping $50 for the stereo dash kit and wiring harness. I checked eBay and found a few cheaper ones. Any advice on which I should go with? Or any others?
THIS?
THIS?
THIS?
THIS?

Thanks!!

 
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The kenwood is fine for what you want, plus you can expand it later on, can you wait, this is a better deal plus it has USB and is a newer model.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113MP34...&tp=5684&avf=N
Buy it from crutchfield, any stereo over $129 gets free shipping and free wiring and dash kit plus instructions. For a basic deck install it is easy, just match the wires take apart the dash and plug in.

 
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Hey guys, I actually saw another stereo that I might get instead, the JVC KDR300: LINK.

I can get it on clearance for around $85. Any problems or experience with it? Is it as good or better in quality than that Kenwood?


Also, I'm still looking around for a good dash kit. Which one out there has the closest grain/texture to the rest of the Civic dash? Also, is there any out there that lets me keep the little compartment WITH the little door?


Thanks!

 
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As far as I know, there is not a dash kit that comes with that door. Most of them just have an opening big enough to put 3 (maybe 4) cd cases in. As far as matching the dash color, I don't think there is much difference among brands.

 
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How bout if I get the Metra 99-7897 dash kit, that looks like this:


I'm assuming if I only replace the top part, which is the kit shown in the picture, I can keep the original bottom pocket/cover part?

 
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That dash kit allows you to keep your factory pocket w/door.

Also, the JVC deck you linked to a bit ago is similar to the one I have. Mine has a few more features (Better screen, bluetooth and USB), and I haven't had a problem with it. I dunno if that one has the ability to change the colour, but on mine I've been able to tune it to match exactly the same colour as my dash + instrument cluster.

 
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I have a 98 Hatchback so I cannot attest to the best way to mount the unit in your newer sedan, but I do have the same JVC Headunit you linked and can atleast comment on that.

I have had the head unit since June of last year, and I can say that I am quite pleased with it. The 7 channel customizable EQ, Fader and other audio settings enable you to set up your music exactly for the conditions of your car. The 50w amp is enough to give you good power from even the stock speakers, and the unit can be expanded to be bluetooth compatable, satelite compatable and Ipod compatable.

However: If you are looking at running an Ipod as your main source of music, you may want to look into an Ipod control unit, as that allows you to control the Ipod from the head unite. Also, the Aux. plug is a simple 3.5mm jack and not a USB input as it is with some head units, so Without the Ipod control dock the only connection between your IPod and head unit will be a headphone jack. While this allows nearly any portable electronic to be plugged into your head unite, I have found it does not offer the sound quality of the USB connection, and obviously it does not charge the device as its playing like a USB connection does.

For me though, because I use a Creative Zen instead of an IPod, I found the JVC head unit pictured to be ideal for me.

I hope this helped in some way and doesn't seam like the rambling of a crazy-man.

 
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ebay thats where i get my stuff

 
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heres my experience i have a 01 ex and i swapped about 5 different alpine head units for testing purposes and at first thought that i would be almost like night and day, but to my surprise the stock head unit seamed well matched for the stock speakers,it almost made me go back to the stock unit cause i haven't upgraded my stock speakers,when i'm finish gathering all i need i will replace the hole stock system,i think the days of really crappy car head units are coming to and end,i think the stock speakers are made by pioneer if im not mistaken.