I've corresponded with Jim (Lucid) several times by PM last week. Not only did he take the time to answer all of my questions, he never pushed any of his products. In fact, he went so far as to suggest to me that I should save some money by doing some of the work myself! After all the time and energy that he spent on me personally, not to mention the benefits that he brings to the board, the least that I could do was to buy some of the stuff for my project from him. I encourage anyone interested in this modification to give Jim their support as well.

And to the naysayers: why would so many people claim improved sound from his rear speaker modification if it didn't add some benefit?

 

I think that suggestion that Lucid is grossly profiteering at the expense of S2000 owners is very wide of the mark. I am sure the panel prices (from Honda) are widely known by prospective purchasers of Lucids mod (they have certainly been posted on this board in the past). I had a very similar experience to CoralDoc in my many virtual chats with Jim - patient, considered answers, no presure to buy and encouragement to 'do it myself'.

Get of Lucids back - he is offering a low hassle, sensibly priced solution which is praised by the majority of owners who have either installed it or heard it in someone else's car.

 

For me, Lucid's speakers make a huge difference.

My guess is that the rear speakers utilize otherwise untapped amplification from my head unit's rear outputs. This increase in rear speaker volume permits a lower "volume" control setting and lets the head unit run more in its "sweet zone".

My head unit is an Alpine CDA-7876 powered directly from the battery and not through the wiring harness. It is rated at 60 watts x 4 channels (27 watts rms x 4 channels).

I really don't care if the sound isn't better to some more sophisticated analytical tool than my ears. To my ears it is much better.

 

whoa, a flame war starting...

here is my take if anyone cares:

do I think Lucid is a really great guy? yup...

do I think lucid is knowledgeable? yup, though I dont agree with his opinions on rear speakrs, but its all personal preference anyhow...

Do I think he should charge 60 bucks for doing what he does? hey, its America right? supply and demand, sure thing...

Would I personally charge 60 bucks for what he does? Probably not, I htink its a easy enough mod that belongs in an online, pictured tutorial.

heck, if enough people here want to learn how to make a fiberglass tub enclosure, just let me know, and Iw ill try and put one up online. but fiberglass is quite a bit more complex and unforgiving then cutting holes in plastic panels.

I say as long as people are willing to pay for it, way to go lucid. but I think would save people money and time if you can show people how exactly its done online.

take care,

Bing

 

My main problem is:

Almost everyone on the board purchased their cars from a dealer who sold the car for MSRP. Some people waited on waiting lists for 6 -8 months... some drove/flew across the country and drove their cars back to not pay a dollar over MSRP...

Then you pay 3.51 x the retail price of panels because they are "cut". Notice, I said absolutely nothing about the "whole rear speaker concept"... nothing about the custom wiring harnesses (a very good easy solution)... I merely mentioned: $60.00 CUT, $17.08 UNCUT.

That was all...

 

I think $17.08 for the pair is very close to dealer's wholesale. I think those panels list for abut $30 for a pair. So, $30 for discovering, planning, cutting wasn't bad. Actually, I think I paid Lucid about $120 for cutting, supplying the Polk speakers. mounting and wiring the Polk speakers, developing and supplying the installation instructions, and for shipping to me overnight.

 

Shaner, apparently money is worth more than your time. If your "main problem" in life is the the price of these cut panels, I'd love to trade lives with you.

I know people have the net and can look up prices on everything. Not everyone can make the cuts themselves. Even if you have the tools you'll still have to have some skill or patience to find the exact spot to cut. If you mess up the cut you'll have to order new ones - they can take up to a month or more sometimes to come in from Japan (I know this!) your dealer doesn't just stock these like oil filters. If I mess up the cut I have to use new panels and absorb the loss.

From a business/demographic point, most S2000 owners are affluent professionals who don't want to spend their entire day off gathering parts, dealing with tools, soldering etc. They want a complete no-brainer plug n' play solution AND detailed instructions. Most cases they want to keep their original radio, and get more from it. You pull up to an audio shop looking for an upgrade or have questions for your S2000 and they're licking their chops over the sale. I'm saving them the problems with being a guinea pig at audio shops who never worked on an S2000 and will try to squeeze every dollar they can from them.

I've been forthright and honest with everyone answering their questions and trying to save them money, I pay for sponsorship on the board, and I've posted the most detailed public guides.
One thing I can honestly say is that I'm not overcharging anyone.

In any case, if you want this audio upgrade and can cut the panels yourself - do it. I know of several people who have and are happy with the results.

 

way to go lucid!

 

LUCID is the KING !!!!!!!

 

Lucid, I am in agreement with the statements you made above. They ring true for me and I am sure many others that are silent.

For those who think its too much money

I think most of them are just pissed they didnt come up with something like this themselves. Imagine the guy who made wire seeing the first paperclip.

As they always say "No good deed goes unpunished"

Thanks for the effort. BTW for those nonprofessionals out there...fee for service work is a REAL job. The "value" of this type of "product" lies in not only the materials, but also the workmanship, and the knowledge and skill needed to produce it. Few people who have ever worked in this type of field will have anything less than respect for another charging for this product. I wouldn't have it any other way and do it every day...next patient please....

Mark Foust, O.D.