$500 to spend getting new system started, what should i get?

[stockwes 10+ year member]

I recently got a 2008 Honda Civic and it is time to put a stereo into it. In the past i have had a few systems so i have a basic idea of what is going on however i have no idea of any places to look for info nor what equipment i should be looking at for the current times...

In the next few weeks i have about $500 to spend to get me started. I have a JL Audio 450/4 in my closet so i have an amp to get me started with. Everything else is stock so i was thinking i want to do the upgrade in two parts. I would like to find a head unit and front speakers for now. That way i could get the jl amp back in use and have something resembling a system. In a few months when i have money i will purchase a sub and sub amp so my current purchases need to be made with compatibility in mind.

I have a roll of 12gag speaker wire and a bunch of 1/0 and 4 gag left over from previous installs. I also have several fuse housings and misc connectors and terminals and such. I have no idea what i need to install the new head unit though...

Now that i have explained the situation here is what i really need the help with. Send me in a direction for some front speakers, a head unit, a install kit for an 08 civic, and some possible resources for how to put the stuff in.

As of now the only features i need are mp3 with a front/rear/sub pre-out on the hu, and at least 150 watts rms on the speakers. SQ is important, i listen to mostly rock/metal sort of music. I am ok with used if you know of anything.

So far i am thinking...

Diamond Audio Hex S600A, found for $209 shipped

No idea on the HU or install stuff... The only thing i need is mp3, front/rear/sub outs, and good clean sound

Thanks ahead of time, Steve

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[misfit138 5,000+ posts]

You're starting things in an intelligent manner, man.

cd player = Alpine CDA-9886: mobile video, car audio, car speakers, car amplifiers, car cd players, car dvd players, Alpine

components = CTX65CS - Image Dynamics 6.5" Component Speaker System

install kit: Metra - Installation Kit for 2007 - 2008 Honda Civic Vehicles - Black - 99-7871

 

[stockwes 10+ year member]

Thanks for the quick response. Like i said before, its not the first system i designed, however it has been quite some time so i have no idea what equipment is up to par. I want a decent front end and i can worry about bass later. I like to hear the music as much as feel it...

The only issues i see, the speakers are only 100rms, the amp puts out 150rms @4ohms so wont it be over powering those speaks? Also, the deck looks great however it has several features that i dont really need such as bluetooth... Could cash be better spent on the speakers and a lesser deck? And the final thing, i see the install kit has all the dash parts, is there a wire harness to connect it to my existing plug in the car? Or will it just be a fun soldering game?

Thanks the the help so far... I am sure i will have many more questions

 

[misfit138 5,000+ posts]

Thanks for the quick response. Like i said before, its not the first system i designed, however it has been quite some time so i have no idea what equipment is up to par. I want a decent front end and i can worry about bass later. I like to hear the music as much as feel it...
The only issues i see, the speakers are only 100rms, the amp puts out 150rms @4ohms so wont it be over powering those speaks? Also, the deck looks great however it has several features that i dont really need such as bluetooth... Could cash be better spent on the speakers and a lesser deck? And the final thing, i see the install kit has all the dash parts, is there a wire harness to connect it to my existing plug in the car? Or will it just be a fun soldering game?

Thanks the the help so far... I am sure i will have many more questions

- You don't have to match the rms rating of your amp perfectly with the speaker's rms rating. That's a common misconception. Those Image Dynamics components are pretty nice, and they'll take the power just fine. Just make sure the gains on the amp are set correctly.

- Of course you could buy a cheaper cd player. That's a decision you'll have to make. Just make sure you get something that has the options you're interested in and enough outputs to handle what you want to do. I just thought you'd like to have a deck that looks good and offers some upgrade possibilities. Just because you don't want Bluetooth now doesn't mean you won't want it two years from now.

- I don't know if that install kit comes with a wiring harness or not. You'll have to read the website. If it doesn't, the harness can be purchased elsewhere.

- You should also think about purchasing some type of deadening material. It really does make a huge difference...

 

[stockwes 10+ year member]

You think those speakers will sound better than the diamond hex set that only costs $30 more? As for the bluetooth, i use a headset. I dont see my self needing the built in one anytime soon... I do like the appearence of the deck. I have never owned an alpine before but i have heard good things. I also like that it has the 24bit conversion. What is the deal with the Imprint gadget you can get for it?

Oh yeah, dynamat or some form of deadening is part of the plan, just not til later

 

[misfit138 5,000+ posts]

- I have no experience with Diamond so I can't really answer that question. I do know that the ID components are nice for what they cost.

- Alpine's Imprint technology supposedly tunes your system to suit your vehicle's acoustics. I've never personally used it.