Upgrade Car Sound Quality

[littleprince]

I've been driving my new RSX for a few weeks now, and the sound quality is just aweful. The treble sounds muted and not clear, the mids are boring and no depth, and bass is non existent. Could be the hatch and not having bigger speakers on the rear deck.

Without spending a lot of money, what would be a good way to improve the sound. I thought a set of new speakers would do it, guy at the garage recommended a new head unit which he says would be the biggest improvement, and if I still wasnt happy to than start on the speakers.

What do you guys think would be the best recommendation? I don't need anything super loud and thumping, it's just gotta have some depth and quality to the music.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

If it's brand new, tell the dealership that the SQ is garbage. It shouldn't be nearly as bad as you're making it out to be.

Also, check the balance/EQ settings.

- M4H

 

[MmmSkyscraper]

Originally posted by: littleprince
Without spending a lot of money, what would be a good way to improve the sound.

One man band FTW!

 

[R Nilla]

I'm in the same boat with my new (to me) '04 Civic. I used to have a '98 Maxima with the "premium" Bose package, which actually was pretty decent for what it was. The Civic's sound is greatly lacking.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Details on your current setup? Did you just get the base single-disc + 4 speaker setup? If so, upgrade.

- M4H

 

[Ryan]

I drive an EP3 Civic (based on the same mechanicals as the RSX) - my stock speakers blow. That said, I've got a set of Kenwood Excelon speakers from my Scion that I will be installing, along with a new headunit.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Details on your current setup? Did you just get the base single-disc + 4 speaker setup? If so, upgrade.

- M4H

Me or the OP? I have the base single-disc + front door tweater/sub (x2), rear deck speaker (x2) setup. I plan on at least replacing the head unit as it has a blemish in the upper right corner, plus MP3CD capabilities would be nice.

 

[RagingBITCH]

It's a stock system...what are you expecting?

Any combination of upgrades would help in your situation...since yo uhad the money to spend on the car, you should have the money to get a new deck/speakers, and get an amp+sub while you're at it

 

[torpid]

I get a funny picture in my head when I read "aweful".

I went from an A4 with the bose sound package to a used lexus GS 300. The sound system was really terrible. I had no choice but to spend inordinant amounts of money on an upgrade.

What's "a lot of money" to you? I think you could get a pretty decent upgrade for $400 or so, if you just got a low-end alpine or clarion type head unit and some reasonable speakers.

 

[LS20]

150$ pioneer head unit
100$ 2-way front speakers

cheapest upgrade

next step up is 150$-200$ component speakers, and a 200$ amp

next step up is 200$ component speakers, 300$ multi-channel amp and a small subwoofer

id go the last step. having nice music in my car is a large part of the driving enjoyment

 

[littleprince]

Its the stock single disc with the 2 door speakers front, and 2 side panels rear.
It does suck, but I never expected it to be worse than my 04 corolla or 98 maxima or 04 corolla! I mean, not worse than the corolla!

$400 sounds good to me. Do you guys recommend just starting with the head unit and 2 way front speakers? There's a pioneer head unit about 180 cdn, and an infinity speaker that looks like a gd deal here.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Are you sure your bass and treble settings aren't seriously jacked up? It shouldn't be horrible.

oh hi, I upgraded your stereo

- M4H

 

[littleprince]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
Are you sure your bass and treble settings aren't seriously jacked up? It shouldn't be horrible.

oh hi, I upgraded your stereo

- M4H

I've tried playing with them. Cannot find a setting that sounds half decent.