[plechatyr]

Evening...just got a black on clack base 2017 LX manual trans. The radio as I assumed is not great at all. Considering I use to compete in sound offs (I am showing my age... 51 many people have no idea what that is/was)...Anyway wanted to see if anyone has upgraded the stereo to something after market...what they went with...din or double din, amps, speakers etc thanks

Rob

 

[geolemon]

I'll be tuned in with interest... but I'm NOT planning to replace my head unit.

Bear in mind I'm a 43 year old audiophile who's had a mobile audio side-career that simply evolved from passion over the years... I went to CES for 10 years, and SEMA for 4 as a product engineering rep - managed a retail start-up (while still in my IT career job)and still moderate a handful of DIY mobile audio forums... although far less actively than I used to.

I'll start by pitching an alternative to replacing your head unit -
I'd (I'll) personally spend my money on an AudioControl DM-608... use your judgment but I'm doubtful that I'd (or you'd) need the extra two channels of the DM-810. Both have anything you'd ever wish for in processing, including the ability to "fix" the factory signal, from both frequency/amplitude to frequency/phase/delay.

From there I'd feed straight into amps, and speakers of your choice. I have my favorites, but I've been out of the retail circles for quite a few years now, so if there are new standouts I'm not tuned into them.

I look forward to seeing what you do...
Locally here, not only aren't there any sound-offs, there aren't even any bass-offs anymore... I blame millennials. :laugh: Unfortunately... that's a joke but there does seem to be some truth to it. There's so much less passion to pursue anything of excellence these days, far more than other generations.

Anyway... check out the DM-608 and DM-801. Identical other than the number of channels.
And let us know what you do!

 

[brucemac]

Dear Rob,
I just installed the New Kicker 11HS8- 8inch Car Audio Powered Subwoofer Sub Enclosure HS8 in both our 2017 EX Civics. The units are mounted under passenger seat and really improves the sound quality, especially the bass. Amazon has them new for about $248 and reconditioned for $150. Previously, we had 2 Honda Accords -EX-L with Navi so our radio sound expectations were high. These Kicker units seemed to do the job. Best Buy will install for $80 and remove them free for your next vehicle.

 

[C.J. Pavlovsky]

I am also curious on the install of a new system. I would assume that Double Din is the way to go, but considering that my '17 Sport is a Lease I need it to be an easy and clean reversible project.... If I do get a new Headunit it would be under the circumstances that I could retain all functions of steering wheel control... Since I'm not very install savvy I'm not sure what all is possible. I would like to keep my stock USB ports too because of the location.

The headunit will be the first thing if I upgrade only because I'm not a fan of the functions, no XM, no HD, and even when you have a iPhone plugged in the steering wheel controls are useless for any other function than Volume, Skip to next song, and input.

I love my car but I was astounded at how crappy the audio is in it. I wont go for a massive upgrade but an underseat sub/amp combo along with new Speakers (and an amp for them if needed) could be possible.

My last civic wasnt a hatch so I think that plays into sound quality as well, just more open space to fill without speakers back there.

Anyone with tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

If its not possible to get what I want/require I was thinking about getting a small XM radio installed to at least have good radio if I have shitty function of the Stock Headunit.

 

[geolemon]

A head unit is going to be pretty lease- unfriendly, I hate to advise.

Granted, I haven't personally researched any potential Civic-specific quirks or aftermarket kit availability (or lack of), but typically there is an optional steering wheel control interface cable you can buy (companies like PAC) to allow your steering wheel control to be retained.
That's usually in addition to the wire harness adapter cable you'll need to avoid cutting and splicing the head unit in, and in addition to the plastic dash adapter kit that'll integrate the new head unit in physically, including any additional trim to make it look factory correct.
And that's in addition to the head unit itself.
...there's a lot of wiring and dash disassembly required - and just as much to restore it back [fingers crossed the installer gets it all back right and it works].

If you relax your wish list down a bit - maybe no XM, or just use your (or get) unlimited phone data to pull XM on your phone that way - you might avoid replacing the head unit entirely.

I've even seen some aftermarket rear-view mirrors that have Android touch screen LCDs built in - you could possibly run these extra apps there rather than the phone, and would be easy to restore, or that you could simply turn in as-is.

Food for thought.

 

[SonicTMAN]

A head unit is going to be pretty lease- unfriendly, I hate to advise.

Granted, I haven't personally researched any potential Civic-specific quirks or aftermarket kit availability (or lack of), but typically there is an optional steering wheel control interface cable you can buy (companies like PAC) to allow your steering wheel control to be retained.
That's usually in addition to the wire harness adapter cable you'll need to avoid cutting and splicing the head unit in, and in addition to the plastic dash adapter kit that'll integrate the new head unit in physically, including any additional trim to make it look factory correct.
And that's in addition to the head unit itself.
...there's a lot of wiring and dash disassembly required - and just as much to restore it back [fingers crossed the installer gets it all back right and it works].

If you relax your wish list down a bit - maybe no XM, or just use your (or get) unlimited phone data to pull XM on your phone that way - you might avoid replacing the head unit entirely.

I've even seen some aftermarket rear-view mirrors that have Android touch screen LCDs built in - you could possibly run these extra apps there rather than the phone, and would be easy to restore, or that you could simply turn in as-is.

Food for thought.

I'm not big audio guy I just recently started researching to change out my base LX radio with a double din one. I even had talks in the work with a guy to purchase his old radio that was still a good radio for cheap. I would say the radio in the car is real easy to replace and really does not involve a lot of disassembly. Honest talk out the side trim next to the console and remove the ac panel. You can buy harnesses and adapters to retain factory controls. You can even splice in a parking brake module to remove the wire to run to your parking brake which is even better. Honestly probably would take you a few hours from start to finish to just change out the head unit. If you wanted more then maybe that might involve more taking apart but I would honestly start with the head unit and go from there. Most often its the head unit in cars that are the weak links and that alone might be enough to satisfy you.

 

[JasonBovberg]

I'm NOT planning to replace my head unit. I'd personally spend my money on an AudioControl DM-608... anything you'd ever wish for in processing, including the ability to "fix" the factory signal, from both frequency/amplitude to frequency/phase/delay. From there I'd feed straight into amps, and speakers of your choice.

I'm close to getting a new 2018 Sport manual, having test-driven the 2017 a couple times, and the only thing that's already bugging me is the inadequacy of the audio system. I don't really want to go through the hassle of replacing the head unit, because honestly it has all the functionality I want. (I'm not a bells-and-whistles guy, I just want good sound.) So your solution intrigues me. I had read that the existing head unit has fidelity limitations. Does your solution bypass these problems? Ideally, I'd like to simply have a solution like this, an amplifier, and better speakers in the doors. Will that be enough to dramatically improve the sound?

 

[JasonBovberg]

A local installer told me the following. Any truth to it?

"I just looked and the aftermarket industry has not released any specks or information on that vehicle yet. Yeah, that'd have to be seen before any work could be done. We don't even know what will work with it as far as speaker depths, size, ect. I really don't think a signal processor will remedy a poorly built head unit as you're thinking but I could be wrong. Once the aftermarket industry catches up with that year in a year or two, they will make dash kits that look stock and interfaces that will utilize the other functions like the steering wheel controls, ect. There are those guys that out there that will tackle anything (sometimes with undesired results), however that's not me anymore."

 

[hawk02]

9" seems to be the most popular. https://phoenixandroidradios.com/collections/all/make_honda+model_civic+year_2017

 

[duremars]

Honestly, I'm pleased with the system I have, but I'm planning to replace it and put a more modern model. But really, on the long trips, we need to have the possibility to connect in every moment and always to stay in touch with my fellow truckers. That's why I took a set of handheld CB radio for this goal from 7 Best Handheld CB Radio Reviews 2020 – Expert Buying Guide. To tell the truth, it was the best solution that makes our job easier and economize our money. More than that, it allows you to communicate over sufficiently long distances in places where the network is not available. Indeed, I'm very pleased with it.