art5 July 14, 2024, 1:15 p.m.

Help choosing 4 inch speakers for my old car

Hey all, I'm trying to breathe some life into my 2010 Honda Civic's sound system. The stock speakers are shot, and I've measured the openings - looks like I need 4" speakers for the front doors.

I'm not looking to win any competitions, just want clear sound for my daily commute. I listen to mostly podcasts and rock music. Budget is around $100 for the pair, but flexible if it's worth it.

Any recommendations for good 4" speakers? Should I be looking at coaxials or component systems? Also, do I need an amp, or can I run them off the stock head unit?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

boy197170 July 14, 2024, 8:56 p.m.

For a simple upgrade, coaxials are your best bet. They're easier to install and should work fine with your stock head unit. Check out the Infinity Reference REF-4022cfx. Good all-rounders for the price.

Double__2 July 15, 2024, 12:22 p.m.

4" speakers? Are you trying to recreate the sound of a 1950s drive-in movie theater? xD Just kidding, but seriously, don't expect earth-shattering bass from these little guys.

LLT July 24, 2024, 11:42 p.m.

Hey now, some of us like that vintage sound! @art5, for podcasts and rock, you'll be fine with 4". Just focus on speakers with good mid-range clarity.

bug008 July 16, 2024, 8:33 a.m.

Don't listen to @Double__2, size isn't everything! I've got Rockford Fosgate R14X2 in my Mazda and they sound great. Clear highs and decent mids. Might want to add a small sub later for more low end, though.

BULL July 17, 2024, 3:03 p.m.

Before you buy, check out the "Car Speaker Sizes Guide" on soundcertified.com. They have a detailed article about speaker sizes and fitment for different car models. It might help you confirm if you can fit slightly larger speakers with some modifications.

burd July 19, 2024, 11:14 a.m.

Have you thought about going active? Separate woofers and tweeters can give you better sound, but it's more work to install and you'll definitely need an amp.

B101 July 20, 2024, 4 p.m.

Whatever you choose, consider adding some sound deadening material to your doors. It's cheap, easy to install, and makes a huge difference in sound quality.

EvilM.D. July 25, 2024, 6:11 p.m.

is spot on about sound deadening. It's like giving your speakers a quiet room to perform in. Makes a $100 pair sound like a $200 pair. Don't skip this step!

booom July 22, 2024, 8:55 p.m.

I've had good experiences with the rockford fosgate model mentioned. One tip though: don't judge the sound right after installation. Give them about 20-30 hours of playtime to really open up. I usually put on a playlist of varied music styles and let it run while I'm doing other things. You'll notice the sound becoming fuller and more balanced over time. If you're still not satisfied after break-in, consider tweaking your head unit's EQ settings before thinking about replacements.

blackhole July 26, 2024, 5:07 p.m.

Why stop at 4" speakers? Go big or go home - install a full pipe organ in your Civic! ))) Imagine the looks you'll get at stoplights. But seriously, for your needs, the Rockford Fosgate or Infinity options mentioned earlier should do the trick. Just don't expect miracles from 4" drivers.