Are new speakers worth it?
#1
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Are new speakers worth it?
'05 Civic LX sedan, here. I recently installed a new Sony head unit capable of about 50 watts output. My old man hearing thinks the stock speakers sound just fine. I know they aren't rated nearly high enough for full power from the head unit, but my old man ears can't take more than 25% volume from the head unit, anyway.
From your experience, have new, higher-quality speakers been worth it for these cars?
From your experience, have new, higher-quality speakers been worth it for these cars?
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i would go all out and spend 300-400 on a set of high end components. once you actually hear the sound reproduction of a high quality setup you can never go back to cheap stuff its not just about being loud. im not talking about polk or alpine im talking focal and German MAESTRO thats what i use http://www.german-maestro.de/US/strada.htm
Last edited by lowlife9; 11-13-2012 at 02:08 PM.
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IMO, you're better off getting a sub (if you already dont have one).
stock speakers + sub = better sound balance than spending $1k on speakers/amp without a sub.
i run infinity kappas all around with a dedicated amp.... sounds good, but still not the a full balanced sound as when i had stock speakers with a 2 12s
but thats just personal opinion.
if you get aftermarket speakers you will need to amp them because of of them require much more power than what the 50w headunit (and like 20w RMS) can do.
stock speakers + sub = better sound balance than spending $1k on speakers/amp without a sub.
i run infinity kappas all around with a dedicated amp.... sounds good, but still not the a full balanced sound as when i had stock speakers with a 2 12s
but thats just personal opinion.
if you get aftermarket speakers you will need to amp them because of of them require much more power than what the 50w headunit (and like 20w RMS) can do.
#5
Kenny the Ricer
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Re: Are new speakers worth it?
i would go all out and spend 300-400 on a set of high end components. once you actually hear the sound reproduction of a high quality setup you can never go back to cheap stuff its not just about being loud. im not talking about polk or alpine im talking focal and German MAESTRO thats what i use http://www.german-maestro.de/US/strada.htm
Unless you are a true audiophile that absolutely needs the best audio in his house AND car, but only drives a civic.
IMO, you're better off getting a sub (if you already dont have one).
stock speakers + sub = better sound balance than spending $1k on speakers/amp without a sub.
i run infinity kappas all around with a dedicated amp.... sounds good, but still not the a full balanced sound as when i had stock speakers with a 2 12s
but thats just personal opinion.
if you get aftermarket speakers you will need to amp them because of of them require much more power than what the 50w headunit (and like 20w RMS) can do.
stock speakers + sub = better sound balance than spending $1k on speakers/amp without a sub.
i run infinity kappas all around with a dedicated amp.... sounds good, but still not the a full balanced sound as when i had stock speakers with a 2 12s
but thats just personal opinion.
if you get aftermarket speakers you will need to amp them because of of them require much more power than what the 50w headunit (and like 20w RMS) can do.
#8
Kenny the Ricer
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Re: Are new speakers worth it?
and 2) it does matter.
The civic is not sound insulated, or insulated at all to that matter.
You'd have to deaden the entire car to keep the sound in the cabin instead.
and even then, you'd still have a lot of road/engine noise drowning your music.
I'd spend at most 1K for a setup in a civic.
But if I had a newer bimmer/merc/lexus or any luxury car for that matter, I'd be willing to dish out at least 5x as much to invest in good audio.
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without a doubt you will hear difference.
I noticed a huge difference.
biggest thing is to match your source.
if you gonna drive with aftermarket head get 50w rms or less
pioneers sound good.
i would imagine lower end kickers would too.
sub is a must imo as well.
I noticed a bigger difference going from Alpine
to my new pioneer
I noticed a huge difference.
biggest thing is to match your source.
if you gonna drive with aftermarket head get 50w rms or less
pioneers sound good.
i would imagine lower end kickers would too.
sub is a must imo as well.
I noticed a bigger difference going from Alpine
to my new pioneer
Last edited by dred; 11-13-2012 at 10:31 PM. Reason: more info
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Because it's a cheap *** car, not worth putting lots of monies in.
and 2) it does matter.
The civic is not sound insulated, or insulated at all to that matter.
You'd have to deaden the entire car to keep the sound in the cabin instead.
and even then, you'd still have a lot of road/engine noise drowning your music.
I'd spend at most 1K for a setup in a civic.
But if I had a newer bimmer/merc/lexus or any luxury car for that matter, I'd be willing to dish out at least 5x as much to invest in good audio.
and 2) it does matter.
The civic is not sound insulated, or insulated at all to that matter.
You'd have to deaden the entire car to keep the sound in the cabin instead.
and even then, you'd still have a lot of road/engine noise drowning your music.
I'd spend at most 1K for a setup in a civic.
But if I had a newer bimmer/merc/lexus or any luxury car for that matter, I'd be willing to dish out at least 5x as much to invest in good audio.
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The speakers I run were about $450 for the pair years ago. But I would never consider running them with a stock head unit. For that I would run a pair of my cheapie $150 speakers as they are more efficient.
You will notice clearer sound with after market speakers but you may be disappointed in the bass response. It's difficult to find an aftermarket speaker that will produce solid bass powered by a head unit.
When looking for speakers, look at the sensitivity rating. The higher the number, the better they will work with just a head unit. Look for 90dB or higher. 92 - 95 is really good. These require less power to reach a decent volume. (Low end Polk's and Infinity's are both rated around 92-93dB)
Unless you have some type of premium sound system stock speakers are almost always full range which means that the single driver has to produce frequencies from 20Hz to 26K Hz. Virtually impossible to do well. A good 2 way speaker will have a tweeter to handle the high frequencies over 2800Hz depending on the brand with the mid-bass driver handling the lower frequencies. And even most of those only work down to between 35 and 70Hz. Which is why a sub makes a huge difference as some are capable of playing as low as 5 - 7 Hz.
You will notice clearer sound with after market speakers but you may be disappointed in the bass response. It's difficult to find an aftermarket speaker that will produce solid bass powered by a head unit.
When looking for speakers, look at the sensitivity rating. The higher the number, the better they will work with just a head unit. Look for 90dB or higher. 92 - 95 is really good. These require less power to reach a decent volume. (Low end Polk's and Infinity's are both rated around 92-93dB)
Unless you have some type of premium sound system stock speakers are almost always full range which means that the single driver has to produce frequencies from 20Hz to 26K Hz. Virtually impossible to do well. A good 2 way speaker will have a tweeter to handle the high frequencies over 2800Hz depending on the brand with the mid-bass driver handling the lower frequencies. And even most of those only work down to between 35 and 70Hz. Which is why a sub makes a huge difference as some are capable of playing as low as 5 - 7 Hz.
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I've GOT A 2010 CIVIC-LX. This week I brought it to my local auto stereo geek. He removed the Honda OEM radio/speakers.
He installed, in its place, an Alpine CDE-W235BT head with matching Alpine SPS-610 & 610C
component speakers.
2 rear deck speakers , 2 door panel speakers, 2 front dash tweeters, that match the increased output of the Alpine head.
Entry level stereo set up requiring NO seperate amp.
$861.00 / complete parts and labor. 4 hours install time. Matching OEM interior dash bezal for the Alpine head unit.
Bluetooth THRU the Alpine head with microphone cable run hidden up the A-pillar/ eternal microphone clipped onto driverside sun visor. Wireless communication for phone calls BETWEEN my Samsung Galaxy cell phone and the Alpine head. cool!
The stereo SEPERATION is definately noticeable. The sound QUALITY is definately noticeable. The sound CLARITY is definately noticeable. The low cost of this set up is definately noticeable to my wallet. The car is a Honda Civic and road noise is a problem at times, but "the rocks come with the farm!"
Listening to that rap music song 15 times to try to understand those lyrics that your homie is dropp'in, because of the quality of the sound in your unit? This Alpine has very much improved quality in sound clarity over the Honda OEM speakers. You'll be a lyrical genius in no time, and swagger-jack'in much sooner from your favorite artist, with a new stereo set-up
I have been listening to the tune THUNDERSTRUCK on my AC/DC disk for a year now. In the song, there is a fade from the front dash tweeters to the rear deck speakers in the song, that I NEVER EVER picked up on the Honda OEM set up. When I just heard that for the first time, It justified the expense of the new Alpine set up for me..............mattandchris
He installed, in its place, an Alpine CDE-W235BT head with matching Alpine SPS-610 & 610C
component speakers.
2 rear deck speakers , 2 door panel speakers, 2 front dash tweeters, that match the increased output of the Alpine head.
Entry level stereo set up requiring NO seperate amp.
$861.00 / complete parts and labor. 4 hours install time. Matching OEM interior dash bezal for the Alpine head unit.
Bluetooth THRU the Alpine head with microphone cable run hidden up the A-pillar/ eternal microphone clipped onto driverside sun visor. Wireless communication for phone calls BETWEEN my Samsung Galaxy cell phone and the Alpine head. cool!
The stereo SEPERATION is definately noticeable. The sound QUALITY is definately noticeable. The sound CLARITY is definately noticeable. The low cost of this set up is definately noticeable to my wallet. The car is a Honda Civic and road noise is a problem at times, but "the rocks come with the farm!"
Listening to that rap music song 15 times to try to understand those lyrics that your homie is dropp'in, because of the quality of the sound in your unit? This Alpine has very much improved quality in sound clarity over the Honda OEM speakers. You'll be a lyrical genius in no time, and swagger-jack'in much sooner from your favorite artist, with a new stereo set-up
I have been listening to the tune THUNDERSTRUCK on my AC/DC disk for a year now. In the song, there is a fade from the front dash tweeters to the rear deck speakers in the song, that I NEVER EVER picked up on the Honda OEM set up. When I just heard that for the first time, It justified the expense of the new Alpine set up for me..............mattandchris
Last edited by mattandchris; 11-15-2012 at 06:44 AM.
#16
Re: Are new speakers worth it?
Its worth it, and sub and amp too. What you could do to save $ is just upgrade the front speakers and disable the back ones.
Only thing i wonder is if a double din is worth it, not for a civic....it will get stolen and theyre so expensive.
Only thing i wonder is if a double din is worth it, not for a civic....it will get stolen and theyre so expensive.
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