I wan't to add in an HD Radio receiver, but I'm not sure what I need. I have an '06 Civic EX with the premium audio. It has an XM/Aux port, but XM is not installed. Can I just get an HD receiever to plug into where the XM would go, or do I have to replace the exisiting receiver/cd player? What are some good options for receivers? I wan't something that has the specs to match my speaker system, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on something that's overkill.

 

you would have to call honda to see if they make an hd tunerbox that plugs into your radio, otherwise you are going to have to replace the whole stereo

 

Go with an alpine 9885 if u have the money and like an ipod, its around 300 bucks and is much better than the factory one.

 

I doubt it, because you still would have to have a way tog et teh HD Channels. Each station has 2-3 HD Channels.

 

NOO just call honda or visit a localdealershipand they should hook it up for u. my cousin bought the New Armada and he said thats what he had to do. they gave him 3 month free and than he piad like 12 dollar a month (not sure of price) for normal subscription

 

^^^ that is satelite radio not HD radio HD is free but satelite is sweet, Serius is better but Xm is still a big improvment from local stations

 

Before you spen any money on anyhting HD, find out how many channels are actually broadcast in your area. In the Puget Sound area here in Washington state, we got like 3.

 

ok look to have HD radio you have to have a radio that is either HD ready with the corresponding HD tuner or a radiowith a built in HD tuner. You CANNOT get HD through your stock radio because the radios are not HD ready, especially not the 06 models. the only car that I know of that has it is the new BMWs.

You have two different choices. You can get the radio with the built in HD radio, which the only one at the current time available is the JVC KD-HDR1. it retails around 200, and thats all you have to buy so its gonna be your cheapest option. Also alpine makes a DVA-9965 thats built in, but it retails for $1499.

The other choice is to get a radio that is HD radio ready with the corresponding HD tuner. Off the top of my head I know some Alpines, Kenwoods, Sonys, and Eclipse are HD ready. If you go this route you will have to buy the radio, as well as the correct brand HD tuner. (i.e. if you get an Alpine radio get a Alpine tuner) usually the tuners retail around 200, then you have to buy the radio too. so it get more pricey, but IMO Alpine and Eclipse make some of the best radios out there and are worth the extra money. I would recommend, as said earlier, get an alpine CDA-9883 ($200), or Alpine CDA-9885 ($300). and get the tuner ($200). and you will be more than happy. these are awesome radios on their own, and will only sound better when you add HD.

also +1 on checking you area for available HD stations. cuz it wouldn't be worth the money if you only have 2 or 3. just do a google search.

 

There is a $200 seperate tuner (forget the name) that would get HD thru the aux in on the factory unit but you have to mount it's control panel somewhere. Its basically a stand-alone tuner with no amp. The JVC is about the only one on the market without spending $400 or more.

I have a HDR-1, and it does tune HD radio, and it only costs $200, but that's about the only good things I can say about it. It's user interface is very poorly done. There is some neat stuff like a 7-band equalizer but it is impossible to operate without going thru many menus.

On the shelf at the local Wal-Mart there is another JVC with built in HD, at a glance it appears identical to the KD-HDR1, but has a different model number and is being sold for $175.

 

x2 on the JVC I've installed several recently.