Good Tuesday Morning from Alameda, CA,

I read through a lot of post in both 1st gen and 2nd gen sections, from what I gather upgrading the components made a huge difference. but I have to throw away working items, the main reason I bought the fit was be less wasteful.

So pls help me identify the end result of changing each components in the system.

1. HU - almost everyone pointed to the HU being the culprit for shallow muddy trebble (highs) and nearly weak mids. Just switching HU helped what?
- Highs?
- Mids?

2. Tweeters - front tweeter, I read that upgrading these to different tweeters helped improve the highs and some mids
- has anyone just upgrade the tweeters with stock HU? did it help?

3. Front lows and Rear full-range speakers - Though I drive alone most of the time having sound come out all 6 speaks help :-)
did upgrading any of these help with the sound quality?

also, I am curious to bench test the stock HU, if anyone is in Grand Rapids, MI or near, and has a stock HU would let me borrow it for a weekend I would appreciate it.

 

I replaced the HU first and then the speakers second. Replacing just the HU makes a substantial difference in clarity throughout the range, and in stereo imaging. Then replacing the speakers does the same, but even more. I actually replaced the speakers two at a time, and between the two installations I adjusted the fader to switch between stocks and the new Polks, and the difference was very noticeable (I can't comment on the stock tweeters as I've just left mine in place). Overall, if I were you I'd forget about bench-testing the stock HU, and simply start planning on a new system, both HU and speakers. If you appreciate good sound, you won't regret it.

 

I upgraded everything at once (the HU and all the speakers). I owned the car for about 8 months before I did this. I wrestled with the same thoughts you are having...and I just went ahead and pushed forward with what I ULTIMATELY wanted and it has been well worth it.

Since the upgrades, I've had people ask if I have subwoofers installed. They are surprised to find out that I don't have any at all.

I think if you upgrade the head unit and all the speakers you should also consider at least installing Dynamat around the speaker locations while you're at it. It really helped for me.

 

ive owned my GE6 for 3 weeks now, and i installed my new head unit recently.
firstly i opted the Sony GTWX78UI. i was quite happy with the sound upgrade, a bit louder but quality wised wasnt that much of an upgrade. after a few days i got a mad deal on the Alpine IXAW404E, after i installed that, the sound quality is amazing!

the speakers are loud and clear, i can push it to about 85% volume before distorting. people asked me if i installed an amp for my speakers and if i installed components as well
LOL!

i then installed subwoofer to compliment to clarity

 

my 2 cents till now (5 trips)
1. Radio sucks unmentionable farm animals behind. reception, mids, highs, yuck!
2. stereo input jack - mids are lacking and highs are muddy but I could bear it.
3. CD - have not tried any yet.

one thing I am confused about is, when I look up honda specs on my base, it says 4 speakers, so I do not have any tweeters in the dash?

also, for speakers did you guys go with a components for the fronts?
Thks

 

yea I am getting front/rear and tweeters in this weekend..I was also getting a sub put in but now Im thinking about holding off on the sub and instead getting a new HU cannot waitt skoooweee

 

pls take pics, do you have a base model?

 

no i have an 09 sport, I'll post pics up this weekend

 

Definitely the HU will make the biggest difference. Whatever you add down the line, as long as the source is crappy, it'll all sound crappy.