Old School - I NEED to Update my CD Player

[Scotty13]

I desperately need your help.

I have a low-frequency hearing. Let me give you an example. If I'm listening to music or watching a video on my phone or my TV is too loud I have to turn it down very low or I'll get a tension headache.

Here is what I need. I'm looking to upgrade my stereo w/ a CD (I love my CDs) player in my new/used 2020 Honda Civic. I'm looking to spend around $800. The width of the current radio is 8.5". I don't need anything bigger than that.

If you could send me your recommendation for a great-sounding stereo w/ a CD player & speaker brands, I would be very grateful.

I don't care about Bluetooth, Spotify, GPS, etc...

Thanks,
Scott

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[Deiimos]

Maybe try over at diymobileaudio forum as well. I mean some here could probably help, just give it a time. I know I won’t work on modern stereo systems, my newest vehicle is 22 years old and I stay away from the modern OEM integrated systems.


At any rate, diymobileaudio is another good car audio forum.

DIYMobileAudio.com Car Stereo Forum

A forum community dedicated to all mobile audio enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about capacitors, amplifiers, subwoofers, marine and automotive audio, troubleshooting, and more!

www.diymobileaudio.com

 

[huberoy123 10+ year member]

I desperately need your help.

I have a low-frequency hearing. Let me give you an example. If I'm listening to music or watching a video on my phone or my TV is too loud I have to turn it down very low or I'll get a tension headache.

Here is what I need. I'm looking to upgrade my stereo w/ a CD (I love my CDs) player in my new/used 2020 Honda Civic. I'm looking to spend around $800. The width of the current radio is 8.5". I don't need anything bigger than that.

If you could send me your recommendation for a great-sounding stereo w/ a CD player & speaker brands, I would be very grateful.

I don't care about Bluetooth, Spotify, GPS, etc...

Thanks,
Scott

Contact support at crutchfield.com

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

I like Kenwoods quite a bit.I really enjoy my older Eclipse Single Din HUs for the simplicity. Alpine has always been a great brand as well. Are you running any aftermarket amplifiers or is the vehicle All stock with NO Amplifier and existing/stock speakers? Doesnt sound as though you need an amplifier unless you just want to clean things up a bit at

 

[Grimmjoww]

I'm a Kenwood and Alpine fan myself. With the newer cars you often have to have it professionally installed unless your good at it as there is a lot involved with some cars. I'm with hube, I would call Crutchfield and tell them exactly what you want. Crutchfield can be a little more expensive than some, but their customer service is second to none imo. And they have fantastic support. I also recommend looking at reviews for your local Car Audio shops, some are very good and its always cool to spend money with the "little man." I would still buy what i wanted and then have them install it though.

 

[audiobaun 5,000+ posts]

I'm a Kenwood and Alpine fan myself. With the newer cars you often have to have it professionally installed unless your good at it as there is a lot involved with some cars. I'm with hube, I would call Crutchfield and tell them exactly what you want. Crutchfield can be a little more expensive than some, but their customer service is second to none imo. And they have fantastic support. I also recommend looking at reviews for your local Car Audio shops, some are very good and its always cool to spend money with the "little man." I would still buy what i wanted and then have them install it though.

Dammned good advice from both you guys man.

 

[Firewalker]

Sonicelectronix does the same stuff as Crutchfield and is cheaper sometimes and when they sell a head unit they send the stuff you need to install it as well. For some reason people forget about them.

 

[Scotty13]

Maybe try over at diymobileaudio forum as well. I mean some here could probably help, just give it a time. I know I won’t work on modern stereo systems, my newest vehicle is 22 years old and I stay away from the modern OEM integrated systems.


At any rate, diymobileaudio is another good car audio forum.

DIYMobileAudio.com Car Stereo Forum

A forum community dedicated to all mobile audio enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about capacitors, amplifiers, subwoofers, marine and automotive audio, troubleshooting, and more!

www.diymobileaudio.com

Thank YOU! I will do that.

 

[Scotty13]

I like Kenwoods quite a bit.I really enjoy my older Eclipse Single Din HUs for the simplicity. Alpine has always been a great brand as well. Are you running any aftermarket amplifiers or is the vehicle All stock with NO Amplifier and existing/stock speakers? Doesnt sound as though you need an amplifier unless you just want to clean things up a bit at

No AMP. Its the factory radio. Thanks for the info.

 

[Scotty13]

Contact support at crutchfield.com

Than you.

 

[Scotty13]

I'm a Kenwood and Alpine fan myself. With the newer cars you often have to have it professionally installed unless your good at it as there is a lot involved with some cars. I'm with hube, I would call Crutchfield and tell them exactly what you want. Crutchfield can be a little more expensive than some, but their customer service is second to none imo. And they have fantastic support. I also recommend looking at reviews for your local Car Audio shops, some are very good and its always cool to spend money with the "little man." I would still buy what i wanted and then have them install it though.

Thanks for the info. I will reach out to them later. I 'am going to have it professionally installed. I spoke to someone yesterday at a local tint/stereo installer, told him what I wanted, and tried to sell me a Sony stereo without a CD player. I asked him about buying one and bringing it in and he said it would not be covered under warranty.

 

[Scotty13]

Sonicelectronix does the same stuff as Crutchfield and is cheaper sometimes and when they sell a head unit they send the stuff you need to install it as well. For some reason people forget about them.

Thank you. I'll reach out to them later.

 

[Grimmjoww]

Thanks for the info. I will reach out to them later. I 'am going to have it professionally installed. I spoke to someone yesterday at a local tint/stereo installer, told him what I wanted, and tried to sell me a Sony stereo without a CD player. I asked him about buying one and bringing it in and he said it would not be covered under warranty.

Crutchfield will honor the warranty. That's the down side of local shops, they want to sell you their stuff and sometimes don't listen to what you want but insist on "this" is better. Find a ship who doesn't have a problem installing your own gear, do not even tell them you want to buy from them, tell them you already have it.

 

[Grimmjoww]

This is what your looking for, but make sure you get the install kit for your car. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DDX396/Kenwood-Excelon-DDX396.html?fr=1&b=PremiumPick

 

[Scotty13]

This is what your looking for, but make sure you get the install kit for your car. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113DDX396/Kenwood-Excelon-DDX396.html?fr=1&b=PremiumPick

Thanks for the suggestion on the receiver. Any suggestions on what kind of speakers gives out theclearist sound?

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Thanks for the info. I will reach out to them later. I 'am going to have it professionally installed. I spoke to someone yesterday at a local tint/stereo installer, told him what I wanted, and tried to sell me a Sony stereo without a CD player. I asked him about buying one and bringing it in and he said it would not be covered under warranty.

This is sensible for a bloke trying to keep the lights on at a brick and mortar store. They likely rely on some of the profit they have in the MSRP of the stuff they sell when they quote install prices and of course they have the option to only use brands they trust if they have to be on the hook when something fails. Best Buy may install stuff you buy elsewhere if you're dead set on something in particular you can't find local, but, loss of a retail sale aside, try to put yourself in their shoes and think about the can of worms you open up installing things that a customer hands you over the counter.

For what its worth I've been using mostly Sony head units for many years now and I've always had great luck with them and feel price to performance ratio is about the best in the industry at the moment. If there is some feature you wish to have just ask that shop to order you a Sony that has those features.

I would also suggest talking to Crutchfield if you were going to DIY or find a shop who will install something you buy elsewhere since they really are top notch with customer service before and after the sale and if I know what features I need but don't know which makes/models have those features the folks at Crutchfield always seem to know what's available on the market AND returns/tech support/exchange are no hassle and you deal with competent Americans who speak English as a first language when you call up. Might even call Crutchfield, feel them out on what make/model you like and just ask the local store to match their price so that they can still make a profit and feel safer installing something they buy from their distributor.

I'm a big fan of Harmon International (JBL/Crown/Infinity family). I've been using their products since the 80s and have always been happy with performance. Generally if you stay out of the junk drawer most of the off-the-shelf component sets from the big name brands should perform all about the same.

Lastly, you say something about sensitive hearing. Do you mean sensitive to certain frequencies? If so you may consider figuring out which head unit has enough built in processing power for you to be able to apply some aggressive EQ to your sound so that you don't get into fatigue. It may start to get spendy but you can get some very serious processing power in the dash these days. Or again, call up Crutchfield and they can probably give you a list of options of models that will be able to do what you need. Also along those lines, and if you've never tried it, try to buy something with a remote control. It sounded like the corniest thing ever when they first started coming out many years back but today I find models without (like the Alpine in my Jeep) I just don't like. It's not so much about reaching up to the dash is too much effort, but that once you have muscle memory for where the buttons are on the remote you never have to take your eyes off the road to change station/tracks adjust volume, pause, etc.

 

[Grimmjoww]

Thanks for the suggestion on the receiver. Any suggestions on what kind of speakers gives out theclearist sound?

I like Infinity Kappa or Reference series and also like Polk. There are better setups but they get real pricey real quick.

 

[Deiimos]

I'll also show Sony some love, people tend to skip over Sony, but they have really nice head units. I have a big stack of old head units of various brands, and Sony would be my next buy, should I ever buy a modern head unit.

 

[Scotty13]

This is sensible for a bloke trying to keep the lights on at a brick and mortar store. They likely rely on some of the profit they have in the MSRP of the stuff they sell when they quote install prices and of course they have the option to only use brands they trust if they have to be on the hook when something fails. Best Buy may install stuff you buy elsewhere if you're dead set on something in particular you can't find local, but, loss of a retail sale aside, try to put yourself in their shoes and think about the can of worms you open up installing things that a customer hands you over the counter.

For what its worth I've been using mostly Sony head units for many years now and I've always had great luck with them and feel price to performance ratio is about the best in the industry at the moment. If there is some feature you wish to have just ask that shop to order you a Sony that has those features.

I would also suggest talking to Crutchfield if you were going to DIY or find a shop who will install something you buy elsewhere since they really are top notch with customer service before and after the sale and if I know what features I need but don't know which makes/models have those features the folks at Crutchfield always seem to know what's available on the market AND returns/tech support/exchange are no hassle and you deal with competent Americans who speak English as a first language when you call up. Might even call Crutchfield, feel them out on what make/model you like and just ask the local store to match their price so that they can still make a profit and feel safer installing something they buy from their distributor.

I'm a big fan of Harmon International (JBL/Crown/Infinity family). I've been using their products since the 80s and have always been happy with performance. Generally if you stay out of the junk drawer most of the off-the-shelf component sets from the big name brands should perform all about the same.

Lastly, you say something about sensitive hearing. Do you mean sensitive to certain frequencies? If so you may consider figuring out which head unit has enough built in processing power for you to be able to apply some aggressive EQ to your sound so that you don't get into fatigue. It may start to get spendy but you can get some very serious processing power in the dash these days. Or again, call up Crutchfield and they can probably give you a list of options of models that will be able to do what you need. Also along those lines, and if you've never tried it, try to buy something with a remote control. It sounded like the corniest thing ever when they first started coming out many years back but today I find models without (like the Alpine in my Jeep) I just don't like. It's not so much about reaching up to the dash is too much effort, but that once you have muscle memory for where the buttons are on the remote you never have to take your eyes off the road to change station/tracks adjust volume, pause, etc.

Thank you for taking the time to give some great advice.