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So I own a 2003 Honda Civic EX and I'm looking to put in a sub and some new speakers. The speakers/sub don't have to be top of the line, super good quality, etc. Just something that will be better than stock. I don't know much about technical stuff for audio, and I need some help. I found some really cheap speakers and sub on a site called http://www.monoprice.com and didn't know if they were complete crap or it would be worth the money.

Woofer: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...=2#description

Front Speakers: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Rear Speakers: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Amplifier: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Thanks in advance for any help!

 
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What head unit do you have? Cuz if you're running on an OEM head unit then you're not gonna get good quality sound so it would be basically pointless to get speakers and stuff.

 
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I have a JVC KD BT1. I think it should suffice. Right now I can only turn it up to about 1/5 of the volume on my stock speakers before it starts getting distorted.

 
Rep Power: 211

Check the link in my sig. Has all of the audio lingo defined in human language (plus some). With audio you get what you pay for. None of those links worked when I click on them, but to be honest you're better buying them from a site that specializes in selling car audio like Crutchfield. You pay an extra dime but you get lifetime customer support, all the hardware, etc. Theres also a sticky in this section titled "Car Audio 101".. I really hope you checked that out before posting this. The reason why you can only turn it up so high is because your head unit (or any head unit for that matter) only produces about 15-20 watts a channel. To remove that distortion you need an aftermarket amplifier that will provide sufficient juice to your speakers.

Some brands that make great stuff for good money:
Pioneer
Alpine
Kenwood
JL Audio

If you want a sub then you're going to need an amplifier anyway and depending on what set up you get even an entry level setup is going to run you about $700..just think;
speakers: ~$70
sub + box: ~$200
both amps for speakers and sub + wiring: ~$400
capacitor depending on how powerful your sub is: ~$100
..it adds up quick.

And if your car has the original battery or if you haven't replaced it in awhile plan to replace that eventually too, since the extra 2 amps are gonna put a higher amp draw on your battery which will reduce it's life to some extent, so add another ~$100 to that too. Even modifying your audio system can mess with a whole lot of crap in your car so you gotta plan out your budget and your game.

 
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All I need to know is if that bundle of stuff is worth the money and if it's any good. I know I need an amplifier, I even have it listed there.

I realized the links were broken, but they're all fixed now

EDIT: I also know that I'm not going to be getting top of the line stuff for this cheap of a price. I'm not a very big audophile so it doesn't matter to much to me. All I really want is speakers better (even just a little) than stock, and a sub woofer that will make a lot of noise.

 
Rep Power: 188

i would never put that stuff in my car, it looks cheap and the prices say that its not going to last more than a couple months.

let me tell you this, craigslist is ur friend, especially on budget systems. you said that you dont really care about sound quality (but its still etter to get good stuff) so dont worry about the extra amp for your speakers.

that said, i hooked up my friends civic using everything from craigslist except the wiring which you can get a 8 gauge kit for around 30 bucks.
12" JL sub with box - $40
Alpine 400 watt rms amp - $35
2 pairs of speakers - $40
brand new alpine deck- $80

so in total it was $225. it took about 2 weeks to find all the stuff but in the end it was worth it because if we got everything new it would have been close to 1k. just search around on craigslist and you never know what youll find

 
Rep Power: 188

this is what i came up with in about 10 minutes. you already have a deck so i didnt factor that in, and this stuff isnt amazing...but alot better than what youre looking at from monoprice. just find stuff like this on the craigslist in your area

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ele/2361970309.html - $100
http://www.frys.com/product/6354701?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG - $25
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ele/2356625090.html - $25
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/ele/2368666050.html - $20

total - $170 before bargaining with ppl lol.
last week i picked up some sony 4-way speakers 250-watt max, only $13. you never know what youll find

 
Rep Power: 192

Here's the sub setup I have in my civic:

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-TNP212D2.html

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-BAIP-650.html

Those two things include everything you need to install them. Ive had these for more than 6 months....they hit hard and are pretty clear. everything's brand name and the durability is excellent....I highly recommend sonicelectronix.com because they have great prices, fast shipping and Ive never had a problem with them

 
Rep Power: 291

OP, your best bet, is to never go that cheap and buy no name brands.
You honestly get what you're paying for.

For budget systems, I really suggest what amamdani said, and keep your eyes out on craigslist.
With the economy tanking, a LOT of people are selling their systems on craigslist for dirt cheap to pay off some bills.

I personally spent only about $200 on audio equipment and sounds good, and lasted me forever just because of craigslist.

Depending on where you are, i also suggest taking a look at local mobile audio stores, most of the time, they will have better deals than online prices.

 
Rep Power: 184

I agree 100%

You think that you will be saving money because it is a lot cheaper than quality name brands, but after a few months, the subs will blow. Then you will want better subs...but your cheap amp won't be powerful enough...

If you don't believe this will happen, go ahead...you will learn


This happens with everything...buying cheap stuff, you end up spending more in the end...You should just buy good stuff from the start. (the craigslist ideas are good, just make sure you test the system before buying)

 
Rep Power: 196

This^^

If you're going through the trouble of installing something just for entertainment and fun, something you don't want to replace every 2-3 years, go as high as your budget will let you.