Head Unit changing the radio

pete23 · 23rd July 2007, 12:51

hi, has anyone changed the radio in their civic, i know there is a wiring harness available, but no facia. has anyone tried or seen any of them changed, cheers

czechplastik · 23rd July 2007, 18:16

Have a duke at this thread, not for me....

adapter Double Din

pete23 · 25th July 2007, 20:00

this is what i am after but only for a rhd car, does anyone know if they are available, i think pioneer do one but i cannot get a picture to see if it looks right

czechplastik · 25th July 2007, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete23

this is what i am after but only for a rhd car, does anyone know if they are available, i think pioneer do one but i cannot get a picture to see if it looks right

I imagine there aren't many that have gone for it.

robbo51 · 25th July 2007, 21:14

Excuse my ignorance, but why would you go to all that trouble to change the dash and fit a din sized radio? IMHO theres not a lot wrong with the OEM one!!

FWH · 25th July 2007, 21:21

Isnt it possible to fit a new HU in the compartment infront of the gear lever (the one with the silver flap) or is that space too small?

Doing something like that could keep the original HU in place.

czechplastik · 25th July 2007, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWH

Isnt it possible to fit a new HU in the compartment infront of the gear lever (the one with the silver flap) or is that space too small?

Doing something like that could keep the original HU in place.

I'm pretty sure it would be too small.

If you were really set on doing it you could probably fit a new HU into the central armrest.

WoolyCiv · 25th July 2007, 23:02

Got to agree Robbo - WHY

czechplastik · 25th July 2007, 23:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by WoolyCiv

Got to agree Robbo - WHY

We couldn't change it even if we wanted to! But either way it spoils the looks of the interior!

pete23 · 26th July 2007, 00:10

hi, its not for a din size unit its for a double din , ie dvd screen , nav bluetooth all in one. you can get this all in one package without paying the extortionate prices, may not look as well but ah well

Pottsy · 26th July 2007, 06:34

If the Civ had a DIN sized unit I would have had it out in a flash. Fitting a good quality Alpine or similar (kind of £600+ or so being good quality) in my Audi was just a revelation. For a start it has an external DC-DC converter, so has a powerful and punchy amp. But when you combine the delicious resolution to the time alignment feature then you were left with a proper soundstage projected across the top of the dash. Vocals and instrument all came from their own points. You could ask someone to close their eyes and point to where they thought the speakers were and in fact you couldn't hear their location - all you could here was the music coming from across the bottom of the windscreen.

The Civ HU is OK, but just a million miles behind what you can achieve with proper kit.

pete23 · 26th July 2007, 09:31

exactly, in terms of qualityand value for money, good aftermarket gear will usually always be better than the manufacturer.

robbo51 · 26th July 2007, 09:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete23

exactly, in terms of qualityand value for money, good aftermarket gear will usually always be better than the manufacturer.

I dont doubt that but the Civic ICE is not that bad. I fully understand the need to change it if the OEM one was crap, but it isnt. Add the major surgery needed and it seems even more pointless to me.
Your choice. Good luck

FWH · 26th July 2007, 10:01

Personally, I would convert the speaker out puts of the original HU to line level and then feed these to a seperate amp which powers the speakers.
This would improve sound quality but not destory the dash.

czechplastik · 26th July 2007, 16:39

If the HU wasn't so integrated I would have replaced it a long long time ago.

robbo51 · 27th July 2007, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by czechplastik

If the HU wasn't so integrated I would have replaced it a long long time ago.

Again, down to priorities and taste. The ICE was secondary for me to other features on the car. If it was #1 then I wouldnt have bought the car if it didnt meet my standards, particularly when it cannot be changed

baillieswells · 28th July 2007, 15:44

I cannot understand why anyone should want to attempt hi-fi in a car. Engine noise, tyre noise and wind noise in my opinion preclude any serious music. I have hi-fi in my living room at home, and that's good enough for me. Nothing is more irritating than walking along our country lanes and have someone drives past, with windows open and radio blaring. I have noticed in this forum that people are forever going on about making changes, new wheels, larger wheels, extra this, extra that etc. Am I odd, but to me a car is simply something to get me from A to B as safely, comfortably and as fast as possible. That is why I bought the cheapest model I could with the components I wanted. i.e. a 1.8 SE i-shift.

3rd Honda · 28th July 2007, 16:04

For many, its not so much HiFi in the car, but just to be able to listen to the radio without interference, breaking up, and loosing the signal.

The standard unit may be OK in good signal areas, but elsewhere its poor. My dealer tells me they have had a lot of complaints about radio reception, but Honda don't intend to do anything about them.

If one could fit a better radio - it would be nice. There have been threads on this before, and the rear screen based aerial has been suggested as a possible reason - however my previous Honda had a rear screen based aerial - and had excellent radio reception.

TTDegs · 28th July 2007, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by baillieswells

Am I odd, but to me a car is simply something to get me from A to B as safely, comfortably and as fast as possible. That is why I bought the cheapest model I could with the components I wanted. i.e. a 1.8 SE i-shift.

Which is fine, and of course, your choice

However, not everyone wants the base model, which is why Honda offer the EX

And for some, even the EX isn't spec'd highly enough

FWH · 28th July 2007, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTDegs

Which is fine, and of course, your choice

However, not everyone wants the base model, which is why Honda offer the EX

And for some, even the EX isn't spec'd highly enough

I´m one of those who can´t have enough toys...

23rd July 2007, 12:51	#1 (permalink)
pete23 Valve Cap Join Date: 21st July 2007 Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	changing the radio hi, has anyone changed the radio in their civic, i know there is a wiring harness available, but no facia. has anyone tried or seen any of them changed, cheers

25th July 2007, 20:00	#3 (permalink)
pete23 Valve Cap Join Date: 21st July 2007 Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	cheers this is what i am after but only for a rhd car, does anyone know if they are available, i think pioneer do one but i cannot get a picture to see if it looks right

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This thread is about: changing the radio, it's in Ipods, MP3 Players and ICE at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; hi, has anyone changed the radio in their civic, i know there is a wiring harness available, but no facia. has anyone tried or seen ...

25th July 2007, 21:14	#5 (permalink)
robbo51 On holiday!! Civinfo guru Join Date: 1st July 2007 Location: Bingley, W.Yorks Posts: 3,087 Thanks: 47 Thanked 40 Times in 37 Posts	Excuse my ignorance, but why would you go to all that trouble to change the dash and fit a din sized radio? IMHO theres not a lot wrong with the OEM one!!

25th July 2007, 21:21	#6 (permalink)
FWH Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 3rd June 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 5,227 Thanks: 6 Thanked 44 Times in 39 Posts	Isnt it possible to fit a new HU in the compartment infront of the gear lever (the one with the silver flap) or is that space too small? Doing something like that could keep the original HU in place.

25th July 2007, 23:02	#8 (permalink)
WoolyCiv 12th June 2006 1.8EX Rocketship door handle Join Date: 28th May 2006 Location: Lancashire Posts: 1,118 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Got to agree Robbo - WHY

26th July 2007, 00:10	#10 (permalink)
pete23 Valve Cap Join Date: 21st July 2007 Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	hi, its not for a din size unit its for a double din , ie dvd screen , nav bluetooth all in one. you can get this all in one package without paying the extortionate prices, may not look as well but ah well

26th July 2007, 06:34	#11 (permalink)
Pottsy Administrator Civinfo master Join Date: 10th April 2006 Location: Leics Posts: 5,034 Thanks: 12 Thanked 94 Times in 50 Posts	If the Civ had a DIN sized unit I would have had it out in a flash. Fitting a good quality Alpine or similar (kind of £600+ or so being good quality) in my Audi was just a revelation. For a start it has an external DC-DC converter, so has a powerful and punchy amp. But when you combine the delicious resolution to the time alignment feature then you were left with a proper soundstage projected across the top of the dash. Vocals and instrument all came from their own points. You could ask someone to close their eyes and point to where they thought the speakers were and in fact you couldn't hear their location - all you could here was the music coming from across the bottom of the windscreen. The Civ HU is OK, but just a million miles behind what you can achieve with proper kit.

26th July 2007, 09:31	#12 (permalink)
pete23 Valve Cap Join Date: 21st July 2007 Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	exactly, in terms of qualityand value for money, good aftermarket gear will usually always be better than the manufacturer.

26th July 2007, 10:01	#14 (permalink)
FWH Super Moderator Civinfo master Join Date: 3rd June 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 5,227 Thanks: 6 Thanked 44 Times in 39 Posts	Personally, I would convert the speaker out puts of the original HU to line level and then feed these to a seperate amp which powers the speakers. This would improve sound quality but not destory the dash.

26th July 2007, 16:39	#15 (permalink)
czechplastik King of the rodeo Civinfo guru Join Date: 24th October 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 4,500 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If the HU wasn't so integrated I would have replaced it a long long time ago.

28th July 2007, 15:44	#17 (permalink)
baillieswells Valve Cap Join Date: 9th July 2007 Location: South Cambridgeshire Posts: 23 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I cannot understand why anyone should want to attempt hi-fi in a car. Engine noise, tyre noise and wind noise in my opinion preclude any serious music. I have hi-fi in my living room at home, and that's good enough for me. Nothing is more irritating than walking along our country lanes and have someone drives past, with windows open and radio blaring. I have noticed in this forum that people are forever going on about making changes, new wheels, larger wheels, extra this, extra that etc. Am I odd, but to me a car is simply something to get me from A to B as safely, comfortably and as fast as possible. That is why I bought the cheapest model I could with the components I wanted. i.e. a 1.8 SE i-shift.

28th July 2007, 16:04	#18 (permalink)
3rd Honda Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 24th July 2006 Location: Tewkesbury Posts: 367 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	For many, its not so much HiFi in the car, but just to be able to listen to the radio without interference, breaking up, and loosing the signal. The standard unit may be OK in good signal areas, but elsewhere its poor. My dealer tells me they have had a lot of complaints about radio reception, but Honda don't intend to do anything about them. If one could fit a better radio - it would be nice. There have been threads on this before, and the rear screen based aerial has been suggested as a possible reason - however my previous Honda had a rear screen based aerial - and had excellent radio reception.