Hi,

I love music, so I'm looking to upgrade the factory system in my 2001
Honda Accord. I'm not very mechanically inclined, so I'm going to
have a reputable shop install the equipment. I have had equipment
installed in previous cars, but I haven't found my perfect system yet.
I haven't heard many aftermarket stereos, so I'm having a tough time
deciding what to put into my car. I definitely want to replace the
fronts, add a sub, and amplify both. I'm also considering
replacing/amping the rears, but I'm not sure how much I would gain
from that. The absolute maximum I'm willing to spend on this project
(including labor) is $1500. I have some equipment left over from
previous installs, but I'm not sure if I should use it. I'm in
Massachusetts, and beyond the amp/speakers/sub, I'm figuring the
install labor and miscellaneous parts (wires, etc.) could be around
$500 (that's only a guess based on the shops I've talked to).

I would like to keep the factory look, so I don't want to replace the
head unit. I would also like to use the stock locations for speakers
(6.5" in front doors, tweeters in dash, 6x9 in rear). I already have
the following equipment from previous installs:

DEI Studio Series 3055 5.25" separates
JL Audio TR525-CX 5.25" coaxes
Rockford Fosgate 400a4 amp (50w x 4 at 4 ohms, 100w x 4 at 2 ohms,
200w x 2 bridged/mono at 4 ohms)
2 MB Quart QM 250.92 10" subs in custom made box for my last car
(DOESN'T fit in my current car). Subs are 6 ohms, 175w max
Rockford Fosgate 10" Punch sub in tube enclosure (Box That Rocks)

My favorite type of music is synthpop (including Yello, which I know a
lot of you guys use to show off your systems). I also listen to a lot
of classic rock and talk radio.

I haven't had a chance to audition many front speakers, but here are
my feelings on the JL Audio and DEI Studio Series speakers I have used
for my front stage in previous cars. The JL's had a full sound, but I
found something about them a little heavy/tiring to listen to at high
volumes. I also really didn't like the way talk radio sounded on them
(the voices seemed muffled in some way, whereas the DEI's seemed very
crisp). The DEI's also were very easy to listen to at higher volumes,
and guitar sounded great on them. They did seem a little thinner
sounding though. I was using a different amp with the JL's, so I'm
not sure how much of a difference that makes. Overall, I definitely
preferred the DEI's (which probably isn't surprising, considering they
were $90 more).

My factory speakers are lacking the clarity of the DEI's, but they
seem to have considerably more midbass (probably because they're
6.5"), which I really like. So, at this point, I'm thinking I should
buy new 6.5" separates that will fit in the stock door locations (I've
heard there isn't a ton of mounting depth there). I also want to put
the tweeters in the stock dash locations (right where it meets the
windshield). I read this isn't the greatest tweeter location because
of the added brightness, but I'd like to keep the higher
soundstage/factory look. I'm thinking I should just sell the 2 sets
of 5.25" speakers I already have, because they're not the right size.

I want to add a sub, but I wasn't happy with my previous sub
configuration in a 1991 Nissan Stanza. They bridged 2 of the channels
of the Rockford amp to run the 2 MB Quart subs. It wasn't obvious to
me there were subs in the trunk (they didn't seem very loud). I
called MB Quart, and they told me those subs like about 100w each, so
they should have been getting enough power. They also told me those
subs were designed more to fill in the lower frequencies rather than
to be boomy/loud (not that I necessarily want to annoy all the
neighbors). The subs were facing the backseat, so maybe they would
have been louder if they were facing the other way. Most shops are
quoting at least $250 to build a custom box for the subs, which I'm a
little hesitant to pay, given I wasn't totally satisfied with their
performance in my last car. I also don't like giving up so much trunk
space, so I think I'd be happier with a single sub, even if it means
less bass (I just want to be able to hear the sub). I want to keep my
system simple and clean and like the option of being able to easily
take out of the sub (not that I'd do it very often). I also have a
10" Rockford Punch sub in a tube enclosure that I was using at one
point in time, but I'm thinking I shouldn't even consider that,
because it's a lower end product.

I'm willing to buy mail order or used. For instance, someone locally
is selling the following used equipment at reasonable prices: Boston
Acoustics 6.5" Rally separates, JL Audio 500/5 amp (100w x 2, 25w x 2,
250w x 1), and an Eclipse 10" aluminum sub in a box. I'm thinking
maybe I should just buy his equipment and sell my current equipment.
Then maybe buy inexpensive 6x9's for the rear (would I need to replace
the factory speakers if I want to amp the rear?). How important is
amplifying the rear speakers (vs. running them off the deck)? I
prefer the idea of having a single 5 or 6 channel amp instead of 2
separate amps (that is, if you guys think the Rockford amp I have
isn't enough for my system).

Anyway, thanks in advance for any advice you can provide regarding
system design, brands/models, etc. I'd also be interested in hearing
from other Accord owners. Also, if anyone is interested in buying any
of the gear I won't be using, let me know.

Thanks,

Jay