There's quite a lot of debate about the S2000's audio system. Some say "Who cares, I'd rather listen to 9000 revs!". Others want that whole bass pumping low rider, wide-boy throb that makes birds fall from the sky. And others, well they're sorta in the middle. They just enjoy music and want a bit more quality.

I fit into the latter category. I found the standard stereo set up inadequate in all but the ideal conditions. Start driving hard, or with a bit of road noise and the stereo can't compete. Turn it up the volume and distortion abounds. But in my efforts to upgrade I got a lot of mixed signals. "Buy really expensive speakers or you won't notice the difference", "Even if you buy expensive speakers, you won't notice the difference without an amp!", "You're guuna need a new head unit as well, and I'm afraid you're gunna lose them dash controls". Loosely translated this means "I really don't have clue, I'm not really gunna think about it, but I want to sell you all the most expensive stuff".

I believe in the Burke and Wills approach. If someone says it can't be done I just plow ahead and do it. Sure I might die of thirst in the desert, but we're talking about car stereo here! I was buying a new CD head unit for my girlfriend's Civic and so I picked up a pair of Sony Xplod XS-HL635 separate two way speakers. $250 left my wallet and off I went. Here the journey begins.....