Advice for a noob (07 Subaru Impreza WRX sedan)

[agrogasboy 10+ year member]

Car is an 07 Subaru Impreza WRX sedan. I've already replaced the stock headunit with a 2-DIN Pioneer DVD so i could attah my iPod (I used to use a tape adaptor with the stock headunit, which really irritated me).

Anyways, i've finally saved up some cash to upgrade front speakers and add a sub & amp. I listen to a broad range of music, and I give more importance to SQ. I would like to hear the instuments and vocals clearly. I'm new to this and have just spent the past 4 days checking several forums. This will be the first and last investment into the car, from an audio perspective, so I want the system to be good enough that I will not want to upgrade, ever.

Appreciate your advice on the following set-up offered to me by a local shop:

Option 1:

Focal 165VR

Earthquake SWS12 sub

4-channel amp (can't recall what brand/model they recommended)

price quote: ~$960(installed)

Option 2 (cheaper):

Focal 165CA1 (i think this will be powered by the HU)

Earthquake SWS12 sub

2-channel amp (any recommendations)

price quote: ~$600 (installed)

In both options, the reco is to kill the 4in speakers in the back seat. I don't mind since I stay up front all the time anyways.

Is it worth investing in sound deadening? Is it advisable to just do the front doors and trunk?

If you have any other recommendations, pls feel free to enlighten me.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Click to read more...

 

[jackie.scoth]

If you have enough cash, you can do both options that will enhance your car more.

 

[maddskillzz 10+ year member]

Car is an 07 Subaru Impreza WRX sedan. I've already replaced the stock headunit with a 2-DIN Pioneer DVD so i could attah my iPod (I used to use a tape adaptor with the stock headunit, which really irritated me).
Anyways, i've finally saved up some cash to upgrade front speakers and add a sub & amp. I listen to a broad range of music, and I give more importance to SQ. I would like to hear the instuments and vocals clearly. I'm new to this and have just spent the past 4 days checking several forums. This will be the first and last investment into the car, from an audio perspective, so I want the system to be good enough that I will not want to upgrade, ever.

Appreciate your advice on the following set-up offered to me by a local shop:

Option 1:

Focal 165VR

Earthquake SWS12 sub

4-channel amp (can't recall what brand/model they recommended)

price quote: ~$960(installed)

Option 2 (cheaper):

Focal 165CA1 (i think this will be powered by the HU)

Earthquake SWS12 sub

2-channel amp (any recommendations)

price quote: ~$600 (installed)

In both options, the reco is to kill the 4in speakers in the back seat. I don't mind since I stay up front all the time anyways.

Is it worth investing in sound deadening? Is it advisable to just do the front doors and trunk?

If you have any other recommendations, pls feel free to enlighten me.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Every considered doing the install yourself?? you could save yourself alot of money plus you would know how everything was installed..now for your options.

i have heard decent things about focal stuff...should be ok..

is there some reason you are using a shallow mount sub?? not to mention earthquake is kinda lowend stuff..

But basically all i am sayin is..you should be able to get a really decent amp for 1 12 for about $200...good speakers up front for $100...good sub for about $150...install it all yourself, save money and sound better

 

[maddskillzz 10+ year member]

oh yeah...by the way...nice car

 

[agrogasboy 10+ year member]

oh yeah...by the way...nice car

Thanks.

I just specified to the shop I went to that I still need some trunk space. probably why the recommended a shallow sub? Am just assuming that's why.

What brand/model amp & sub would you recommend? Something mid-range, value for money, that I will be satisfied with, forever...

As for the installation, i wouldn't want to risk installing anything myself, being new at this. So, i'm very much willing to pay a pro to do it.

 

[agrogasboy 10+ year member]

If you have enough cash, you can do both options that will enhance your car more.

I 'd rather just do a one-time expense... and keep it as simple as possible. I like the idea of a sub in the back, an amp, then decent front speakers.

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

oh yeah...by the way...nice car

x2 been looking at the 09's

 

[maddskillzz 10+ year member]

well since you are going to pay for the install, what brand subs/amps does your shop carry?

if possible i would go with a Alpine 10 Type R. or an RE SE 10...i say 10 because you wanna keep alot of your trunk space..FYI RE's sound awesome in small sealed enclosures..

And for an amp i would go with anything namebrand, you will here alot about dirty power and clipping but as long as the amp pushes what the sub is rated for you should never get into this..but for reference..sundowns are awesome..kicker makes good amps...us amps....

You also said in an earlier post you wanted the sound to be really clear...if you have the money replace the front speakers with components and a small 50-100w amp..

 

[maddskillzz 10+ year member]

x2 been looking at the 09's

never drove one but they say these things will out run the wrath of god...lol

 

[agrogasboy 10+ year member]

never drove one but they say these things will out run the wrath of god...lol

It is a fun drive... crappy stock sound system though. Hoping to fix that soon, so it'll be even more fun.

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

never drove one but they say these things will out run the wrath of god...lol

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif this is why i have been looking at it over the lancer

 

[maddskillzz 10+ year member]

It is a fun drive... crappy stock sound system though. Hoping to fix that soon, so it'll be even more fun.

you never did say what your local shop carries? they tend to only want to install what they sell

 

[05fronty 5,000+ posts]

also like above posts said, get a small 10,set of components, and a couple of amps.

 

[agrogasboy 10+ year member]

well since you are going to pay for the install, what brand subs/amps does your shop carry?
if possible i would go with a Alpine 10 Type R. or an RE SE 10...i say 10 because you wanna keep alot of your trunk space..FYI RE's sound awesome in small sealed enclosures..

And for an amp i would go with anything namebrand, you will here alot about dirty power and clipping but as long as the amp pushes what the sub is rated for you should never get into this..but for reference..sundowns are awesome..kicker makes good amps...us amps....

You also said in an earlier post you wanted the sound to be really clear...if you have the money replace the front speakers with components and a small 50-100w amp..

Both focal speakers recommended by the shop are components. The tweeters will be located by the AC vents, wile the speakers fit into the doors with a litttle modification to the bracket, replacing the stock speakers.

 

[thaster 10+ year member]

buy everything in my sig except the ported box. go with a 1 cu ft seal box for maximum trunk space.