[kirch]

Looking for recommendations for someone "reliable" in town for car stereos.  Want to upgrade the factory one in my Subaru and don't want to spend more than $500.  Is this remotely possible?

I'd rather not use Best Buy if possible.  The guys at JLAudio in Fenton are way outta my league.  I don't need anything fancy, just a better sounding one than the factory system.  I don't really drive much, but when I do I want it to at least sound decent.  Not the muddy mess that comes with the car.  Thanks!

[Scott F.]

Hiya Kirch,

I'm not sure you're going to be able to do it for those dollars. Part of the issue is that car stereos nowadays have a separate head unit and amp (sometimes located under the back seat). These things get pretty tricky sometimes. Often, the manufacturer runs things like the fuel pump, turn signals, climate controls or all manner of stuff through the head unit or amp. There are wiring bypass kits (usually) available.

Sometimes the problem with the sound is the head unit, sometimes its the amp, sometimes both. If you decide to use the amp in an aftermarket stereo, you have to rewire all of the speakers. That can get pricey depending on the car. I cringe when I think about how much I spent on the stereo in my Continental (Pioneer AVH Head Unit (Nav, Bluetooth, XM, DVD), Butler tube hybrid cab amp, top end Polk speakers, dual 12" subs, sub amp, all new speaker wiring, tons of dampening material).

That said, Best Buy can be good or bad depending on which one you go to. I had the one in Chesterfield Bottoms do mine. It took them three days to finish the install. I stopped by everyday and checked progress and quality of install. I gotta say the guys out there did a fine job.

It would be worthy of checking in at the store to see what they think. They may have seen/heard enough Subarus to know if the issue is the head unit, amp or maybe just the speakers. They'll also provide you with a quote so you know what you are getting into.

[electricbear]

most of the units fitted to subarus are integrated. There is no seperate head and amp. I think the units in the LL Bean editions were different. In the more recent subarus there were controls fitted to the stearing wheel , this might make replacement a little more difficult. I know the guys at JML are pricey but they are the only ones I'd recommend. If you talk to them tell Josh that you are a friend of mine, Tim that used to be with The Sound Room,  he might cut you a bit of a break. You could also name drop GAS, tell him that all the GAS guys will see and hear his work. I agree that the units in Subarus are built to meet a price point, they are less than hifi. I'm on my 4th Subaru now, my 2006 Impreza probably had the worst sounding system. My 2010  Outback Sport is marginally better. I've thought about going the upgrade route but I normally just listen to radio while driving so I'd just be wasting money. 

[gooberdude]

Replacing the head unit in my '07 WRX was a cinch, but my car is bare bones as far as that goes.  I had Best Buy in Fairview Hts do the work, simply due to the fact that they have certified installer(s) on staff & aren't the local crappy chop shops.  In & out in an afternoon.

If your head unit is integrated, like in most newer Subaru's, check the internet forums and call the dealership in St Charles.  I hang out at stlsubaru.com, and that's the only local stealership that people trust.

Oh, and the guys at stlsubaru.com would be more than willing to help you out.  Its a good, non- agressive group.  You might be able to find the answer by just searching that 'site.  Feel free to PM me with your cars info & I can post a thread for you. 

matt

[electricbear]

The dealership in St Charles is Lou Fusz. If you call them tell Liz, Andrea and Rich that I send my regards from Florida. They are the best Subaru guys around. Good to know that GAS has 3 Subaru owners.

[kirch]

Thanks guys.  I have the '09 base stripped down Forester with no bells or whistles. Nice little SUV.

Looks like I might have to take my chances at Best Buy based on what I've seen online.

[dwarfed centipede]

I agree JML does great work, but there is no way Josh will cut you a price break.  That is the one bad thing about them, and the minimum you spend is $100 even if they just do 10min worth of work.  I'm not sure about install prices, but a new head unit usually runs around $200 and decent new front speakers would be around $150.  You will notice a significant improvement by just replacing the head unit since the amp is more powerful and cleaner.  I'm not sure how bad the factory speakers are on the Subaru's, but you may want to just try the new head unit first and see if that is enough improvement for you.  I would recommend Alpine, Clarion, and Pioneer in that order.

[kirch]

I was wondering about that exact thing DC.  The tuner sounds totally different from the CD section.  While not great, the CDs sound much, much better than anything coming over the radio.  Might upgrade the speakers just because...  Thanks.

[gooberdude]

I've owned quite a few cars and mod'd most of them. As a youngster was way into car stereo's.

never, ever have i known about let alone owned a car as bad sounding as my wrx.  its sad really.  the sheet metal is so thin, the factory stereo was obviously an afterthought. 

IF your '09 fozzy doesn't have an integrated head unit go for the $200 Alpine cd player head unit & buy new front door coax speakers, re-using the factory wiring.  Best Buy or wherever, shouldn't be a big job.  BB often has free install offers on the head units, and i've owned 3 difft $200'ish Alpine CD heads the last 10 yrs or so and all have been fantastic for the $ with quite powerful internal amplifiers & good bass.  2 of these were bought & installed by BB. 

I'll check in with NASIOC and stlsubaru.com for you as well.  Both forums are a wealth of subie knowledge, and support the forrester (not just wrx junkies).   

Looks like the basic '09 has a huge double DIN stereo. As long as its not the 6 cd changer or nav, you s/b fine.  I'd recommend calling Crutchfield just to get their side of it, or to maybe shop for some better door speakers somewhere.  Crutchfield would sell any wiring harnesses or install kits that BB might not carry.

If you want bad-ass door speakers get the ones Dwarfed Centipede has in his mazda.   

[gooberdude]

EB or anyone, have you upgraded the factory stereo's in your subaru's?   Speakers, amps, etc?

Kirch's thread got me thinking about my craptastic situation, and just how much work is required to make a wrx ready for decent speakers.  My guess is that the Forresters have more sound deadening material, esp the newer body style.   

-Strip the entire interior
-Silicone rtv all the sheet metal joints (for a # of reasons) 
-Dampen all sheet metal panels  (30% coverage only)
-Dampen door panels inside & out  (a fair amt of work to do correctly) 
-Layer of hush mat or similar   (including the roof) 
-Install new speakers, wiring, a 4 channel amp
-Re-install interior

just ridiculous!    If I didn't have the engine to listen to i would sell the car   

[electricbear]

I've never done any upgrades on the systems in my Subarus. I only keep my cars for 4 years and generally only listen to KSHE so it's never made much sense to me to put any $$$ in them. I also realise that I'll never be happy with the sound in a car so I don't need to go chasing that rainbow. If I were driving an Aston Martin things would be different.

[kirch]

Thanks for the input guys.  I went ahead and put an inexpensive JVC head unit in along with some Polk Audio speakers.  Sounds waaaaaayyyy better than the stock stereo.  Night and day difference for $400 installed from Best Buy, and I was pleasantly surprised with their focus on customer service and satisfaction in the installation dept.  Like the BlueTooth too!