Options New car buyer sound equip options

[Jonathanm]

Hello All,
I will be ordering a new Civic EX within the next week or so. In my current vehicle I have been using the portable GPS as an MP3 player and piped it through the sterio system. Can you do this with the factory GPS in the CIVIC?
How good is the standard sound system system?
Do any of you have any thoughts on the value of the concert pack?
Is the CD changer a good investment. Do you loose too much good space in the armrest?

Sorry about all the questions but I think I'm in the right place to get some answers.

Thanks

Jonathan

[FWH]

Hi Jonathan and Welcome to the forum,

Good questions.
Most of the answers you can find on the forum (see Wiki section or search), but I will give you a few pointers.

a) Can you connect an external mp3 player to the Civic?
No, not straight off.
Well there is a Honda i-pod adapter which has limited functionallity and is rather expensive. A popular option is to fit a "Connects2" adapter.
http://www.civinfo.com/wiki/index.ph..._an_MP3_player

b) Is the standard stereo any good?
The standard system is about as "ok" as any comparable car. Not great, but I have heard worse. Upgrading the front speakers with aftermarket units apparently does quite a bit of good.
http://www.civinfo.com/wiki/index.ph...front_speakers

c) Concert pack value for money?
This is the "bass works" plus co-axials.
Very few people reckon that the concert pack is value for money. Spend it on after market speakers / amp / sub-box instead. Read here about bassworks:
Bassworks Kit

d) CD-changer
Don´t know about the changer. But it probably does take up quite a bit of space in the armrest if that is where it goes.
I´m sure I have seen a pic somewhere in Honda´s documentation, but couldn´t find it now.
Page 10 (16 if it is printed) in the accessory catalogue just shows a pic of it on its own:
http://www.honda-access.com/uk/en/Images/64787.pdf

Did find this however on http://www.honda-access.com/uk/en/products/index.jsp:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 CD Changer

ALSO REQUIRES 8 CD CHANGER ATTACHMENT - ALSO REQUIRES 2 PIN BUS CORD IF FITTING WITH FACTORY FITTED SAT NAV. INSTALLATION UNDER PASSENGER SEAT - FOR LHD ONLY- NOT FOR CARS WITH FACTORY OPTION NAVIGATION
( - what does this mean? / FWH)
Technical Description: In combination with cd changer attachment 08b26-smr-500/600 - also requires 2pin bus cord 08a31-0h6-000 to combine with factory fitted navigation system
Part Number: 08A26-5E6-101
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the Swedish accessory list it says:

08A26-SMG-KIT4 , 8 CD Changer (incl assy kit), to be installed in front centre arm rest - only for cars with factory sat nav.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Best get that checked by your dealer...
What are you being quoted for that?

I´m going for mp3s on CD (which works as standard in the Civic), so no need for external player or cd-changer.
Most people agree on this instead of a changer:
cd changer
I don´t think the cd-changer plays mp3 discs, although this is neither confirmed or denied in any of the documentation I have seen.

With the satnav unit you can access the disc quite well, although it needs to "think" for a few seconds when you start it up (depending on number of songs on the disc).
See the end of this page:
http://www.civinfo.com/wiki/index.php?title=Satnav_demo

I was looking at the ipod adapter and basswork (concert pack) option but after reading and discussing on this forum chose not to. See thread:
What audio options should I choose? +aux?

There are also a number of threads, try searching for "bassworks" and "infinity" and "co-axials" etc

Good luck!

[Foggy69]

The easiest way of dealing with mp3 files on a Civic is to put them on CD.
The CD player is quite happy playing mp3 files, and it does away with the need for a CD changer as well.(10 albums on 1 disc)
As for the sound quality of the standard set-up, it's OK, not brilliant but not bad.

[Minkster]

I don't have sat-nav, but I keep seeing comments about the standard stereo being 'just OK' but I have to differ...

I've run quite a few cars with standard stereos and also a fair share of cars with aftermarket stereos added, usually to gain MP3 functionality and I have to say that I think the sound from the standard Civic stereo is the best I have heard, especially if you adjust the EQ slightly (I found a degree or two more bass makes all the difference). The speakers seem much better than I was expecting too.

My only real gripes with the factory fit stereo in the non-satnav version are :
- Display doesn't scroll and the font size doesn't change. This is well behind the functionality in most MP3 playing CD units.
- The 'folder change' knob on the left hand side is way too sensitive. On a number of occasions my girlfriend has been in the car and has 'wiped' the dash on the passenger side to remove any dust (she is like that!) and has accidently touched the knob, which has changed the album currently being played! Its just a sensitivity issue I think.

[medicsource]

Originally Posted by Minkster

- The 'folder change' knob on the left hand side is way too sensitive. On a number of occasions my girlfriend has been in the car and has 'wiped' the dash on the passenger side to remove any dust (she is like that!) and has accidently touched the knob, which has changed the album currently being played! Its just a sensitivity issue I think.

Are you sure she just doesn't like your taste in music, so keeps "accidentally" changing it?

[illegalhunter]

Welcome to the site if you dont get the right info here you will never

[FWH]

Originally Posted by illegalhunter

Welcome to the site if you dont get the right info here you will never

You should enter THAT in the slogan for the site "competion".

[Jonathanm]

Thank you all very much for the replies. I've got quite a few other teasers - I will start another thread with these