Re: Help with Speaker/Amp Selection

[Stylistics18]

I'm looking to replace the stock speakers in my 2015 Subaru WRX while maintaining the stock HU for functionality. I'll be amping components for the front and some decent coaxials (hopefully matching) for the rears. I'm limited to tuning based on amp selection and HU controls, so I need something rather plug and play. A sub is out of the question for me so the door speakers really need to be versitale and have some decent low midbass.

After reading through pretty much every speaker review within my price range possible, I'm utterly lost as to where to go from here. I've studied up on the JBL MS-62c, RF T1652-S, Pioneer D1720, Polk DB6501/MM6501, HATS, Hertz, Massive, Focal, you name it if it's a component set for $200 or under I've checked it out.

My budget is $500 for front components, rear coaxials and an amp. I was pretty set on the PPI 900.4 but having trouble finding speakers to match up to the power output.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

On a new vehicle like yours it's my opinion you would be better served with a JBL MS-8 equalizer with a built in 8-channel amplifier. This would connect to the factory HU if there is no amplifier, or if there is an amplifier it will connect to that on the speaker outputs. With MS-8 you will perform some quick measurements with the included microphones to get an Un-EQ'd and flattened signal to then retune to your liking. Most stock sound systems are not actually plagued by terrible speakers, it's the tuning provided by the factory that is a bigger issue. They have their compromises to make and just like with car audio shops, a good tuner is uncommon.

$500 for 2 sets of speakers and an amplifier is do-able, but I think it will lead to disappointment because of your lack of tuning controls.

 

[Stylistics18]

Trumpet, thanks for the excellent response. Subaru, especially the Impreza/WRX are notorious for weak head units and absolutely horrible stock speakers. While I know I'll be completely limited due to my choice of keeping the factory HU, the weakest links at this point are low watts and deplorable speakers. If I can get this to even a stock BMW in sound I'll consider my upgrade a win.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Myself and my buddy are doing his 2014 wrx We did cdt Es 010 tweets in the pillars. Es 6im Mids. And hd 6ex coaxes in the rears. A bit over your budget. But worth it. Also amps everything and a 80 prs deck. Sound really good. But you'll need to deaden the doors to like he did

 

[Stylistics18]

Myself and my buddy are doing his 2014 wrx We did cdt Es 010 tweets in the pillars. Es 6im Mids. And hd 6ex coaxes in the rears. A bit over your budget. But worth it. Also amps everything and a 80 prs deck. Sound really good. But you'll need to deaden the doors to like he did

I'm sure that system will be pretty nice, unfortunately that's a bit out of my league. I may just end up running with the JBL MS-62cs, JBL GTO629's and an Alpine MRX-35. The JBL MS-8 looks extremely nice, but that's pretty much my entire budget which still leaves me with terrible speakers and 5-8w powering each channel.

 

[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

I can put you into a set of components and coaxes for $200 shipped that will work for you. But you'll still need the deadener for the frt doors at least. Which is another $50 to bring the mid bass out more

 

[UMWDawg92 10+ year member]

You could always save up a little more and then go a little more high end. You have a nice car should just get nice equipment to start with. That's my thoughts.

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

what stock functionality are you trying to keep?

 

[Stylistics18]

what stock functionality are you trying to keep?

There's an MFD with audio information that aftermarket HU's cant connect with currently, stock mic for BT voice control functions cannot be connected etc. small things to some, but I want to keep all options I have now if possible.

While the stock system sounds horrible, the two biggest culprits were the low watts from the HU and stock speakers. Defeating the internal EQ seems to do wonders for SQ but without proper power intolerable is the best that can be acheived.

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

There's an MFD with audio information that aftermarket HU's cant connect with currently, stock mic for BT voice control functions cannot be connected etc. small things to some, but I want to keep all options I have now if possible.
While the stock system sounds horrible, the two biggest culprits were the low watts from the HU and stock speakers. Defeating the internal EQ seems to do wonders for SQ but without proper power intolerable is the best that can be acheived.

have you looked to see if Maestro can be utilized in your car?

 

[Stylistics18]

have you looked to see if Maestro can be utilized in your car?

There are some guys much smarter than me who are fully dedicated to Subaru audio/tech solutions and I've never heard of Maestro being used to this point. Metra makes a harness for the SWC and USB adapter, but the MFD and mic are still outstanding.

While I know an aftermarket HU is going to give me the most flexibility, my goals aren't unrealistic and many before me have had some success with this same build. I'm just trying to narrow down exactly which products will give me the best end result, even if it's not perfect.

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

There are some guys much smarter than me who are fully dedicated to Subaru audio/tech solutions and I've never heard of Maestro being used to this point. Metra makes a harness for the SWC and USB adapter, but the MFD and mic are still outstanding.
While I know an aftermarket HU is going to give me the most flexibility, my goals aren't unrealistic and many before me have had some success with this same build. I'm just trying to narrow down exactly which products will give me the best end result, even if it's not perfect.

Maestro paired up with a new Kenwood DD will integrate all the MFD stuff at least on some vehicle. it's at least worth doing the research.

 

[bumpasauras 10+ year member]

If using a stock deck My first choice would be a jl audio clean sweep (even though I am not a jl guy) the clean sweep is a really good way to run a stock hu and convert line lvl to rca.

Then I would buy a PPI 900.4 to power it all .

Next is a bit subjective there are 3 routes as I see it you could put a quality comp set on the front channel of the amp and do something like 4 6.5" woofers in the back deck or just buy 2 quality comp sets 1 for the front 2 channles and one for the back 2. If it were me I would put 1 set of comps in the factory door locations and the other set in a set of kick panels (which can be found no prob for the wrx) . 3rd you could put a e series 8" woofer mounted to the rear deck in a very small sealed box..I think the e series can run in .5 cu3 power the woofer with the back 2 channels bridged in 2 ohm (dual 4 ohm woofer) and put a good comp set on the front 2 channels.

1 thing I will tell you is to get good sound outta subie doors you have to damp them mdf stand off rings are a must with as much sound deadened material as you can afford ...this will make a world of difference in the sq.

so you will need

Jl audio clean sweep....or any quality line lvl to rca converter

PPI 900.4 amp Hands down the best mid/high amp out there for the money ...I mean c'mon a fully active capable amp 240 rms per ch X 4 for 168.00$ shipped...Cant beat it for the money I have and like 5 of them now (I had 2 stolen bought 2 more and have one in the wifies car) all of them drive multiple comp sets.

Sound deadener

Choice 1 :

1 comp set (I like soundqubed comp set really high quality for 100% shipped)

2 sundown neo pro 8"s (which you could fit in the back deck) or 4 6.5" woofers stuffed in the back deck or any combination of that ...like 2 8" neos and 2 6.5" woofers would be cool.

Choice 2:

2 sets of comps either set in the stock door location and rear deck, or buy a set of kicks and put them all up front like your supposed to.

Choice 3:

1 set of comps in the front, and put you a sundown e series 8" woofer in the back deck...it will fit with a little modification I have done it to a customers car. This would be an ideal set up ...small foot print ..hell the ppi 900.4 is smaller than a cigar box you can put it anywhere and if you put the e series woofer in a small sealed enclosure mounted on the rear deck you would never even see a sub box.

Hope this helps

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

I'm sure that system will be pretty nice, unfortunately that's a bit out of my league. I may just end up running with the JBL MS-62cs, JBL GTO629's and an Alpine MRX-35. The JBL MS-8 looks extremely nice, but that's pretty much my entire budget which still leaves me with terrible speakers and 5-8w powering each channel.

It's 18W per channel at 4 ohms and roughly 30W per channel at 2 ohms. That is real power, not inflated values. I think you're drastically underestimating the quality of new speakers in your Subaru as well as not understanding the massive benefits that come from tuning with MS-8. That's understandable, on both accounts, because 1) DSP is very difficult to truly understand without hearing the difference for yourself 2) you may have heard people call DSP a "bandaid" fix, as many old school car audio guys feel this way 3) car audio branded speakers have massive power ratings, and advertising makes us believe you have to have big power to get good sound 4) some factory speakers truly are terrible, but that is not always the case, as I was mentioning in my previous reply

The MS-8 route sets you up for success in any future upgrades. When you replace the speakers you retune MS-8 and you'll be ahead of 99% of others running the same speakers.

 

[Stylistics18]

Great information Bumpauras! As I'm trying to keep the car as stock as possible, I'll most likely be using the standard door locations (6.5 speaker holes) for my install. The 15 WRX is night and day better than previous gens in terms of stock sound deadening. With that said, I will still invest into making sure the install is done properly with enough material to make it sound good.

I'm pretty set on the JBL MS-62cs for my front stage and JBL GTO629 for the rears. The 3 ohm impedance on the GTO's is a bit distasteful, but I'm certain I want to match as close as possible the front and rear stages.

The ppi 900.4 wouldn't be overkill driving these speakers? I figure the gain would have to be set just above zero or these speakers would be toast within a few minutes at volume.