2012 Impreza Stereo Upgrade

[Sidewindor]

So I am ordering my 2012 Impreza. I currently drive an 09 Legacy with the Harmon Kardon audio package. I am guessing that the stock speakers are going to be crap. Does anyone have the oem kicker sub, the under the seat sub, or the tweeters installed? If so, how do they sound. I am not sure what route to go, I don't need or want a crazy stereo setup - just something that is close to my current setup with the Harmon / Kardon. Any help would be appreciated.

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[norcal]

If you're asking if anyone with 2012 Impreza has these installed, then that would be a no, since no one has taken delivery of one yet.

[Sidewindor]

I suppose I should have specified 2011 owners. Kicker had stereo components available last year....I assume that they are going to be the same this year.

[ScoobieNoob]

I have the factory-option kicker sub (I think it's an 8") mounted under the drivers side seat. It's nothing to write home about. It's definitely noticeable, but it's pretty weak. It's kinda hard to explain since it's relative. I mean, I actually love dubstep and hip hop, but I don't need the bass to dominate. It gives me enough satisfy my taste for the bass, but no window-knocking, door thumping type stuff like when I had a 12" sub back there. I wish it was a 10" or a bit more powerful, I suppose. I'm still running the stock non-nav head unit (worst POS i've ever used). I'm not much of an audio guy, so I'm not sure how much that will affect the sound--but people on here make it sound like a lot.

[phenryiv1]

Originally Posted by ScoobieNoob

I have the factory-option kicker sub (I think it's an 8") mounted under the drivers side seat. It's nothing to write home about. It's definitely noticeable, but it's pretty weak. It's kinda hard to explain since it's relative. I mean, I actually love dubstep and hip hop, but I don't need the bass to dominate. It gives me enough satisfy my taste for the bass, but no window-knocking, door thumping type stuff like when I had a 12" sub back there. I wish it was a 10" or a bit more powerful, I suppose. I'm still running the stock non-nav head unit (worst POS i've ever used). I'm not much of an audio guy, so I'm not sure how much that will affect the sound--but people on here make it sound like a lot.

The underseat sub is a Clarion-made unit (IIRC) that also functions as a bass-blocker for the front stage, when installed. It adds a little midbass, but not much.

The trunk (or hatch) units from Kicker are a small enclosure with a 100W amp built in. They are designed by Kicker, but I don't even know for sure that Kicker makes them. They are a step up from the underseat option, but not on par with an aftermarket setup of similar cost.

[ScoobieNoob]

Originally Posted by phenryiv1

The underseat sub is a Clarion-made unit (IIRC) that also functions as a bass-blocker for the front stage, when installed. It adds a little midbass, but not much.

The trunk (or hatch) units from Kicker are a small enclosure with a 100W amp built in. They are designed by Kicker, but I don't even know for sure that Kicker makes them. They are a step up from the underseat option, but not on par with an aftermarket setup of similar cost.

Thanks, my mistake. I usually don't make such uninformed posts but I'm feeling a bit self righteous today. I forgot about the kicker option. I wish I could have seen it in person as I couldn't afford to give up much hatch room at all. It either took up too much room or was absurdly expensive, I forget which.

I actually feel like the underseat unit provides plenty of bass for my tastes. I listen to some dubsteppy stuff and the bass still hits reasonably hard. Perhaps I don't know what I'm missing, not sure. It rattles the **** out of the pastic panels in the door, where the lock/window switches are, and some other areas. I can't imagine what a ton of bass would do in this rattle-trap.

I did have a 12 in my previous car. It was great for rap, but it kind of ruined other music when turned up even the slightest.