Due to overwhelming popular demand, i.e. a brief conversation with colleagues DiPietro and Magrath last week, I headed for the parking garage yesterday with my trusty test CD, determined to find out whether my long-ago statement that "this is the best two-speaker stereo I've ever heard" still holds water.
Does it?
Oh, you betcha.
Granted, the competition isn't exactly stiff. We're talking about a 1985 Tercel, a 1987 Toyota pickup, a '90s Daihatsu K-car in Japan...not what I'd call leaders in mobile audio technology. But seriously, this GX stereo does pretty damn well for a boombox. Not surprisingly, clarity and separation aren't particularly impressive, but bass response is satisfying at the "+4" (of 6) setting, and the soundstage is remarkably full given that it's being created by a pair of ankle-level speakers. I actually suspected this was a stealth 2+2 system -- two speakers, two dash-mounted tweeters -- until I came across a CarSpace post to the contrary.
Yes sir. Still the best two-speaker stereo I've ever heard.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com
dougtheeng says:
01:00 PM, 06/25/09
I really hate this trend of stereo/dash integration such that you cannot easily install an aftermarket system. This is going to be a real pain for Honda buyers in the future, when they're looking at used versions of this car. Looking back at other used Civics, I don't seem to see many out there with stock stereo head units.
adavis2493 says:
01:02 PM, 06/25/09
You guys have been talking about this car more, is it going to retire from your fleet soon?
mustang5507 says:
11:33 PM, 06/28/09
even better than my CD player from Sharper Image? Or more comparable to iPod ear buds?