Researching and Gathering Info for Audio System Upgrade

[Jhoge04]

Hey everyone, I just joined the forum today and this is my first post. I have a 2013 Civic Si coupe, and I love it, and I'd like to invest in various upgrades over the long term, so I expect to be frequenting these forums a lot as time goes on. So, I'm looking forward to being a part of this community!

Anyways, I really want to upgrade the audio system in the car. I'm a music guy, and I need quality sound in my car. I looked through a bunch of threads already, didn't quite find as much info as I'd like, so I'm asking this question: What are some good speaker sets with quality subwoofers, or combinations of tweeters/midwoofers/subwoofers that I should look into? I've come across a few name brands, such as JL audio, Alpine, Rockford Fosgate, etc. My cousin, who has offered to help me with the full installation, including building a custom case for the sub and all that, mentioned Infinity kappa. And I believe he installed a Kenwood system in his vehicle. I'd like to spend less than $1000 for everything, including the speakers themselves and all the parts needed for installing the speakers. I know I will need an aftermarket amplifier as well. So, any suggestions or advice would be wonderful! I know there are more factors than those I've listed that need to be taken into account as well; feel free to educate me on whatever else I should be aware of.

Thanks!

 

[Jhoge04]

Anyone?

 

[Brandt]

1.) There are already plenty of threads with this topic, as our premium audio system flat out sucks, I assure you that you should be able to find everything you are looking for if you look moar. If you already have read up on said topic, then you should already know that there is very little you can do as far as replacing the stock sub in the rear panel because of limited space.


2.) We don't know what car you drive.If we knew the exact year/model, then maybe one of our professionals can help you find what you are looking for, or at least refer you elsewhere to someone who can help.

Hope you find what you need, bro

 

[Brandt]

Oops, my phone didn't load a lot of your post, my apologies, if you want a full upgrade, there is a nice custom box and sub/amp setup in the audio threads here, but do u want it super loud or just to sound better with a little moar bass??

 

[Jhoge04]

No worries When you say a nice custom box and sub/amp setup, are you referring to a specific thread? I'd like it to sound better, with a lot more bass, and be able to crank it I'm not considering putting a new sub in the rear panel, as I've read up enough to know that won't work for my purposes, so I'm ready to install a new sub in the trunk. As I mentioned, I have a cousin who's ready to help me build a custom sub case and help with the installation.

 

[Brandt]

http://9thcivic.com/forum/index.php?threads/4848/

Here's a lil somethin, hope it helps get ya started

 

[Jhoge04]

Wow, looks like a good thread, thanks very much!

 

[Brandt]

The stock head unit might be an issue, so read up on replacing that as well, the DIY audio section has a bit on this matter. Just know that depending on which route you take, you might lose your I-MID, just make yourself super educated on this before making a final decision lol

@Bulkybear might have some input on this I'm sure

 

[Jhoge04]

Ok great, good to know. I definitely don't want to lose the I-MID!

 

[Brandt]

Here's one moar post that might help in case you decide to replace the head unit as wellhttp://9thcivic.com/forum/index.php?threads/4848/

 

[Brandt]

And imo, this is the best setup for a sub enclosurehttp://9thcivic.com/forum/index.php?threads/10207/

In case you need all the trunk space u can get lol

 

[Jhoge04]

That's perfect, I remember reading through that thread at some point. Thanks again!

 

[Brandt]

Np at all man, glad I could help.

 

[Bulkybear]

Where do I start lol. Well first off if you replace your head unit you will lose the audio portion of your imid, Bluetooth, and steering wheel controls. The steering wheel controls can be retained with a seperate module though, and bluetooth comes on many aftermarket head units. I personally just upgraded the sub to a JL audio stealthbox for an 8th gen civic. If your cousin can do fiberglass work, having a box like the one in the thread linked will be cheaper. Stock head unit using a line out converter on the factory sub channel. The problem is the factory amp uses an eq to shape the sound and attenuate frequencies to prevent damage to the stock speakers. If you pull signal from anywhere post amp you will not get a full signal. For example, instead of a rumbling low bass note I just get a buzz because frequencies below 50hz are attenuated to keep people from blowing the stock speakers. @Hillstones instead pulled his signal pre amp and kept the factory head. To do this you need an amp that accepts balanced differential inputs and there are only a few.

So what would I do? I personally would replace the stock head, lose what I lose. Replace all the speakers, wire them up directly to the new head, bypassing the stock amp. And feed my sub amp straight from the new head via rca. You could come in under a grand if you're smart about which components you pick, as thats what is going to determine most of the cost.

 

[Jhoge04]

Thanks for the reply. I don't want to lose anything in my iMID, or my bluetooth or steering wheel controls. I'm thinking about just replacing the sub first, and seeing how much that improves the sound, before I go for a full on system replacement. Therefore, could I keep the factory head unit, thereby retaining all the aforementioned controls, and pull the signal for the sub pre amp as you said and get a good sub sound?

 

[Bulkybear]

You can pull a signal pre amp as long as you get an amp that accepts balanced differential input. Other than that you would have to pull signal post amp @Hillstones has a lot of infor for the preamp signal and which amps accept that input method.