Newbie - Hello and my new car system 500$ budget

[bigbangmtl 10+ year member]

Hi there. I just came around to upgrading my audio system in a Honda Civic 99 CX Hatchback. It's 6.5 6x9.

I decided to set a budget of $500. After some research I decided to go the following route. Please comment as I can return most of the stuff in exchange for something better.

Head unit: Sony DSX-S100 (direct ground)

Amplifier: Alpine mrp-f300 4 channel 300W RMS (8 gauge wiring / 50A fuse)

Front: Polk Audio db6501 6.5" component (18 gauge)

Rear: Infinity 9633cf 6x9" co-ax (18 gauge)

Comments:

I've received the head unit and it's pretty awesome. It eats your Ipod literally (no cd player) and operates it through the front face. It's got 2V front and rear pre-outs so it's good for my system so far. I was thinking of getting the CDX-GT700HD instead which has HD radio built-in and can control the Ipod externally for about the same price. It also has the advantage of a sub pre-out as well. The sound quality is better than stock, but I have not yet received the amp or components.

Can I do better with $500? I'm not thinking sub yet, but maybe in a month or two.

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[its10v1 10+ year member]

From the specs of the equipment you bought it seems your on the right track for a clean sounding system. You shouldn't have a problem with the speakers them selves. Installation often was my minor set back.

Personally I went the opposite route of what you did when starting a car system. I got subs first, now trying to decide what to do is the hard part. If you enjoy deep clean bass, save the money up and do your subs right, don't just throw ish together last minute trying to get a little more bass. You'll end up as disappointed as I was when I first started. I just threw a whole bunch of wires in the car, put them in terminals, put subs in the trunk, heard a little bass from em. Went around the corner, turned the ish up, and first thing: puff of smoke.

Don't rob your subs of sound quality, Do a legit build and you'll be happy.

(I'm looking around town for a deal on dynamat or something equal to seal trunk off and stop my back interior panel/doors from rattling as much as they do.)

Seal/weather proof your doors for your speakers. You'll be amazed at the amount and intensity of sound that can come from some comps that are sealed right. There's plenty of info on CA.com (CarAudio.com) to get you started on thinking about doing some major over-hauls to your car, you just have to pick where to start.

Synopsis: Go with what your tastes like, If you like how it sounds when you get done with putting in the Amp, 6x9s, and 6.5s, then hold off for a while before getting subs. Critique your system, ask pro's for their opinion, if you come across a problem post in the proper category and normally someone will answer you with valuable information.

 

[bigbangmtl 10+ year member]

Thanks for your feedback its10v1. I have some questions regarding your comments on weather proofing of the doors.

In a 99 Civic, the plastic door panel actually houses the speaker in an open compartment covered with a removable plastic grill. When the speaker is installed, is sits within the door frame making a sandwich with the plastic panel. The panel is screwed to the frame around the speaker and the speaker is screwed to the panel.

Given this information, do you believe weather stripping the door is as effective?

Also, by weather stripping you are refering to covering all the cavities in the door frame with the oem plastic sheet and gunk.