'99 DX audio info needed

[Rampart Crawler]

I have a '99 Civic DX, and would like to upgrade my stock head unit w/ tape deck for a new one w/ cd player. Also, the right, rear sub sounds scratchy, but the rest are okay as long as they aren't put too high.

There is this system I am looking at on the Walmart web site that can play 160 watts at max. I will line up the questions so it is easier for you guys to answer.
and the link to the system....
http://www.walmart.com/
Type up 'Pioneer Auto CD Player with 4 Speakers, DEHSP043'

How many watts can the stock system play at max?
How many watts can the stock amp(lol, what is an amp?) handle?
Will I need anything else, or will it run out of the box?
Should all of this equipment fit right in where the stock goes?
Is this system good for a beginner who isn't looking for a crazy system?

[azn's civic]

First of all you shouldn't get that deck. Pioneer is a good brand but that model is just base level. Do you want just a cd player or MP3. MP3 is a lot better if you wanna have more songs on ur cd's. If budget is what your worried about pioneer sells good products. I have a pioneer myself. Speakers are pretty cheap but good by pioneer. Aftermarket speakers such as pioneer run different watts to their speakers. I know that pioneer decks run 50 watts so thats 22 watts rms to each speaker. Get pioneer speakers that are either 3 way or 4 ways. crutchfield sells these speakers and deck online so visit there. Crutchfield gives u free stuff like free wire and speaker harneses along with an installation kit. hope this helps..

[GScivic7]

Crutchfield is waaaaaaaaaaay over priced. www.ikesound.com www.thezeb.com www.woofersetc.com are the cheapest places online and they all have a great staff and customer service.

[Rampart Crawler]

Originally Posted by azn's civic

First of all you shouldn't get that deck. Pioneer is a good brand but that model is just base level. Do you want just a cd player or MP3. MP3 is a lot better if you wanna have more songs on ur cd's. If budget is what your worried about pioneer sells good products. I have a pioneer myself. Speakers are pretty cheap but good by pioneer. Aftermarket speakers such as pioneer run different watts to their speakers. I know that pioneer decks run 50 watts so thats 22 watts rms to each speaker. Get pioneer speakers that are either 3 way or 4 ways. crutchfield sells these speakers and deck online so visit there. Crutchfield gives u free stuff like free wire and speaker harneses along with an installation kit. hope this helps..

Thank you, but I don't mind having a base system. I was asking if it is better than a stock system. I don't want an MP3 player, I only have/want cd's, so a CD player is fine. Like I said, I don't want some crazy system, just something to start off with in my first car. What is this rms and that they only run at 50 watts? Does the particular one I am looking at just need 50 watts to play, but can put out 160(40 per speaker)? If that is better than stock, I will be satisfied. Also, what does 3 way and 4 way mean? lol. I need to look at a 'sound system for dummies' book. My friend is willing to put in the system(which he and his father are good at), but I don't think he will know what all of this means to help me.
Yes, I am kinda on a budget If I could get 4 speakers and a reciever w/ cd player for under $150, I would be happy.

[Rampart Crawler]

Hey guys: Think I should get one of Autozone's brand name head units that are $80-$100 and just get the speakers there or at wallmart? I will try and stick with brand names and get help from the clerks. Speakers seem cheaper to get than recievers. Would 6 1/2" subs in the front and 6-9" in the back(same basic shape as stock) help the sound performance? Would they fit? I am not much into rap and don't need to have people hear me from a mile away. I just want to know if it would sound smooth and have a higher quality than the stock one's do when I turn them up moderately high.

[azn's civic]

The 6 1/2 inch speakers that u refer to as subs are not subs, they are speakers. You would have to look up in ur manual what output the stock stereo puts out. RMS is constant power to your speakers. Its gonna be lower than wattage. the amount of 6 1/2 inch speakers at walmart...for pioneer speakers are about 60 bucks or so. 6X9 speakers are about the same. wattage listed is probably max watts. 3 way and 4 ways are the type of speakers. 3 way means lows, mediums and highs. 4 ways probably are the same except with an extra tweeter for vocals. 2 way speakers aren't that great because all you have is lows and highs. 3 and 4 ways enhance your speaker clarity. I prefer 3 and 4 ways. I actually have 3 way pioneers front and rear and they kick hard along with my subs. You won't get as much power to your speakers from your stock head unit. Pioneer head units have a built in amplifier and that runs the speakers at a certain wattage. i would suggest going aftermarket. Even if it is just a cd player the deck will push more power to your speakers and with new speakers that will sound good. If you need any more help IM me...Quicksilver1427

[GScivic7]

Subs are speakers, they are a type of speaker. And what the hell do you mean by RMS and wattage are different? RMS is a rating of wattage. There are two different ratings for all audio equipment. RMS and MAX rating, you want to go by RMS rating because that is the amount of constant power your speakers can handle and the constant amount of power your amplifiers will give it.

Honestly, I hate 3 and 4 way speakers. They don't sound any cleaner. If anything you are just mixing frequencies together having that many separate speakers that close together. There is a reason component speakers come in only 2 separate parts, the midrange and the tweeter. Don't waste your money on 3 and 4 way speakers. You won't tell the difference between a coaxial speaker and a 3 or 4 way speaker.

Stock head units also have internal amps, just like aftermarket ones, how do you think they power the speakers?

If you want audio help, go into the car audio forum here. People who know what they talk about actually post in there.

[Rampart Crawler]

Originally Posted by GScivic7

Subs are speakers, they are a type of speaker. And what the hell do you mean by RMS and wattage are different? RMS is a rating of wattage. There are two different ratings for all audio equipment. RMS and MAX rating, you want to go by RMS rating because that is the amount of constant power your speakers can handle and the constant amount of power your amplifiers will give it.

Honestly, I hate 3 and 4 way speakers. They don't sound any cleaner. If anything you are just mixing frequencies together having that many separate speakers that close together. There is a reason component speakers come in only 2 separate parts, the midrange and the tweeter. Don't waste your money on 3 and 4 way speakers. You won't tell the difference between a coaxial speaker and a 3 or 4 way speaker.

Stock head units also have internal amps, just like aftermarket ones, how do you think they power the speakers?

If you want audio help, go into the car audio forum here. People who know what they talk about actually post in there.

Ahh! People are arguing... Well, some of that I learned at honda-tech, already, but not what that rms was about, so thanks. Yeah, I figured out every head unit has amps. I also tried the audio forum, but nobody replied. They don't want to bother with a noob, I guess. I am seeing headunits that can handle 200 watts, max. I don't think I want to confuse myself even more with an external amp. I ould just get 4 50 watt(max) for my civic. I just want a higher quality sound, not anyting much louder than my stock can handle.
I own an xplods head w/ 4-52 watt plug in thingies. I might use that, but it isn't in the best of shape and I have heard it isn't the best brand.

[GScivic7]

Since you are on a budget, this is what I would get.

This cd player http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/2670

and these speakers http://www.ikesound.com/product-product_id/1292

that will be a good improvement above stock without spending too much money.

[azn's civic]

Yeah those look alright. good luck with it all