2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sport Wagon Stock Audio System Upgrade Advice?

[everclear101]

Hey guys,

I currently own a 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i Sports Wagaon. It has the basic stock stereo package (single din) and I am looking to upgrade the system. My biggest complaints are that the sound is just horrible. Can't get very loud and if you do go above 24 db, it just sounds "cheap". I think we all can relate. I want to fix the problem and make the car audio system better, however, I want to keep the cash outlay to minimal at best.

Some more details:

- Stock basic audio package on car

- 4 speakers (4 doors)

- No Sub

- Basic Head Unit (looks like it came out of a cracker jack box)

Okay, so here is the goal. The goal is to make the audio system better. I am not an expert in car audio, but I am in tune with audio systems outside the vehicle (doesn't help much here). Here are some of my questions:

1. If I replace just the head unit, will that improve my sound output?

2. Do I need to change the speakers? Or can I simply start with the head unit and make incremental improvements as I go?

3. Suggestions on how I could improve the vehicle audio system?

NOTE: I do like having the bottom bay open in the 2-din slots, however if a touch screen system were suggested, I may not be oppossed to giving up those two slots.

(Here is an image of what the stereo system looks like. NOTE: This is not my car, but it is the same stereo -

)

Thoughts? Any suggestions would be most appreciated!//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/veryhappy.gif.fec4fed33b4a1279cf10bdd45a039dae.gif

Click to read more...

 

[bigaudiofanati2 10+ year member]

Replacing the head unit will help your sound quality not by much but it will. The first thing i would do is look at what you want from your head unit do you want nav, dvd playback and all? Or do you just want a nicer single din head unit that will be nicer and offer more features. Next I would look at what are you looking to accomplish with this system are you looking for something better or just blast anyone that gets in the car away. Also the key part is what is your budget? Let me know those things and I can help you build a nice setup. Just post her or PM me.

 

[everclear101]

Thank you for the quick reply. Good questions. My ultimate goal is to just get a better sounding system. I want to hear the music with wonderful clarity and depth. I don't need to "blow" anybody away when they get in the car. I just want to be able to listen to my music and not be disgusted by the horrible sound quality.

In terms of what features I want, I am really interested in exploring multiple options. First and foremost, a more economical approach, keeping it under $200, what can I do with that? Obviously a touch screen DVD/Nav System is not an option, however I would like to then explore that environment as well. What woudl we be talking about if I raised the price tag to under $500. Obviously that is a big jump. Trying to get the most bang for the buck.

At a minimum, I would like to have some of these features:

- iPod connection cable capability

- Song Information read out on Stereo (for those stations that broadcast)

- Full EQ control (bass, treble, mid, etc.)

If going with the more pricey route (possible touch screen, or nav or pop up screen), having the capabilities to hook up an external hard drive would be nice. Just somethign to price out). I will say though, if a Touchscreen system were chosen, I think I would definitely want some type of NAV system as well as DVD playing capabilities (hacked so I can play while driving! ha)

Ultimately at the end of the day my goal is to just listen to better sounding music. All the extra bells and whistles are great, but they would probably fall into the "nice to have" category.

I was hoping to get a couple options of arrangements on the table and go from there. Cost = Benefit!!

Thoughts?

 

[bigaudiofanati2 10+ year member]

Yes one minute I have a few options for you.

 

[everclear101]

Excellent!

Thank you so much for taking the time. I really appreciate all your help.

Remember, the goal is NOT to spend a lot of money. As, like the rest of the world, WE"RE ALL BROKE!!!!

haha

 

[bigaudiofanati2 10+ year member]

People that know me know that I am going to recommend alpine, they just work and have a very nice integration for the ipod. Here is the head unit I would suggest no matter which route you go.

http://www.woofersetc.com/p7563/CDA105--Alpine-CD-MP3-WMA-AAC-Receiver-and-iPod-Controller.htm

You can stop there and see what is sounds like. But I am going to warn you once you start upgrading it can become addictive.

Now if you are looking to upgrade your speakers as well you will also want a amp, components like to get power and a head unit if not going to feed them what they rely need or want. But that is going to cost more as well.

Here would be a budget amp for powering your speakers.

http://www.woofersetc.com/p4308/CS604--JBL-4-Ch-240-Watt-Full-Range-Amplifier.htm

Now for speakers I know you want quality and a cheap price. I have used these polks before and for the price they are pretty good. You can get them pretty cheap on ebay.

Remember this is if you decide to upgrade them

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB6501/Polk-Audio-db6501.html?tp=105

Rear speakers I am against but if you have passengers you will want them.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB401/Polk-Audio-db401.html?tp=105

Now you will also need power wires and rcas as well but you can get those pretty cheap on ebay as well. If you have any questions or need any advise just ask. Also I did not include a sub or amp for that because I am still searching.

 

[rugdnit 10+ year member]

hey

my second vehicle is a 2006 Forester XT. upgrading the head unit is a good place to start, but obviously upgrading the speakers will go a long way! i had ALOT of road noise in my forester, so i spent alot of time using second skin products-- mainly the front doors. check out the damplifier pro and ensolite linings. there is not much mounting depth in the doors for speakers either. i am running Hertz Space comps in the doors- ultra lightweight and minimal mounting depth- with great sound as well. those are just places to start obviously- i went alot further than that, but it's up to you and your pocketbook where you want to go with it. best of luck!

 

[everclear101]

Rugdnit,

What suggestions would you have for a system upgrade then? Do you think just getting a new head unit will not be enough?

Thanks!

 

[everclear101]

People that know me know that I am going to recommend alpine, they just work and have a very nice integration for the ipod. Here is the head unit I would suggest no matter which route you go.http://www.woofersetc.com/p7563/CDA105--Alpine-CD-MP3-WMA-AAC-Receiver-and-iPod-Controller.htm

You can stop there and see what is sounds like. But I am going to warn you once you start upgrading it can become addictive.

Now if you are looking to upgrade your speakers as well you will also want a amp, components like to get power and a head unit if not going to feed them what they rely need or want. But that is going to cost more as well.

Here would be a budget amp for powering your speakers.

http://www.woofersetc.com/p4308/CS604--JBL-4-Ch-240-Watt-Full-Range-Amplifier.htm

Now for speakers I know you want quality and a cheap price. I have used these polks before and for the price they are pretty good. You can get them pretty cheap on ebay.

Remember this is if you decide to upgrade them

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB6501/Polk-Audio-db6501.html?tp=105

Rear speakers I am against but if you have passengers you will want them.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB401/Polk-Audio-db401.html?tp=105

Now you will also need power wires and rcas as well but you can get those pretty cheap on ebay as well. If you have any questions or need any advise just ask. Also I did not include a sub or amp for that because I am still searching.

Do you have any other suggestions beyond the one head unit? What about the touch screen nav system option? Waste of money?

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

I would start with replacing your front speakers and adding some sound deadener to the front doors. Do this in stages. You won't get anywhere with a $200 budget for the whole thing. $500 is better, but still won't get you far with a DVD head unit.

Start with some better speakers and deadener to see if that gives you the sound you are looking for.

Next step I would get a Kenwood DNX-6140. It is a 6.1" double din DVD, Navi, BlueTooth unit. Everything is built in. I have installed one in a Subaru just like yours and it looks factory (the buttons change color to match the interior), it is very easy to use and not too pricey. You can get one unauthorized on those sites like woofersetc, but be careful as I and others have had bad experiences with those sites. Better to save up and buy at a local shop.

Then see how your SQ is with the new speakers and head unit. That may satisfy you. Again like others have said, leave the rear speakers alone for rear passengers, or replace them with some cheap coaxials if you like.

Next step I would add a 4ch amp to better power your fronts. You could also add a small sub as well off the rear channels of the 4ch amp.

Like I said though, do this in stages and see how happy you are at each stage. I'd upgrade front speakers first though, rather than head unit.

 

[rugdnit 10+ year member]

Rugdnit,
What suggestions would you have for a system upgrade then? Do you think just getting a new head unit will not be enough?

Thanks!

everybody is different with what their likes and dislikes are, so it's not for me to say that a new head unit will not be enough ( i am not you ). like most here are saying-- you will need to upgrade the headunit and start with the front speakers ( i wouldn't worry about the rear door speakers ). just from my experience with this vehicle it produces alot of road noise and i made sure to use the damplifier pro and ensolite foam on both front and rear doors as well as the roof. you can have the best sounding speakers in the world, but if you have a ton of road noise you are not going to hear how good the speakers are. once you get that far you will probably want to add an amp, but that is just my guess.