Replacement speakers for STOCK head-unit

[Obsessive]

I'm looking for some replacements for the stock speakers.

I'm not looking for component speakers or something that would require a sub for bass response.

Yes, I realize that it won't be the ideal system, but my days of car audio are behind me and I just need nice, clean, efficient replacements for the stock head unit.


Recommendations?

Eric

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[jobber]

I have to say there is no recommendation. Its a complete waste to get new speakers on the stock head unit. The stock speakers are specially matched to the very cheap stock deck power. You never upgrade speakers first in this car.

I am the same way, i'm not interested in fancy systems anymore. so I did a $109 Pioneer color matching deck which was EASY to install. Right away it made the stock speakers sound a lot better. But the stock speakers got muddy in the higher end of the new head unit power. so I got a $100 set of Alpine coax and now both sides are perfect. Only $209 out of my pocket for very simple but way better sound.. (Plus deck harness, speaker harness, speaker adapters).

[Sky92x]

any speakers you add will sound worse... aftermarket speakers just aren't as efficient.

[Daishi00]

Yup. You'll spend money for no return...at least nothing equal to the money you put out.

[Sausage]

what about the OEM upgraded speakers?

[Mulder]

Originally Posted by Sausage

what about the OEM upgraded speakers?

They are somewhat better, plastic cones vs. paper and 6-1/2's in the front vs. 5-1/4. Plus you can use the adapters to put aftermarket 6-1/2's up front later on.
Just don't pay dealer price for them, buy some used ones cheap in the classifieds.

[Obsessive]

Ok, I took everyones advice.

I purchased a Pioneer DEH-P3000 (Had to have my iPod controls available as an upgrade, and my satellite radio controls), Kicker DS600's for the front and Kicker DS400's for the rear. Going for efficiency here, not uber-audiophile sound. I DO NOT want to have to buy an external amp.

If it doesn't sound better than stock, I'm stabbing someone... In the head.

J/K.

I'll let everyone know, that way it's documented as a viable alternative or so people can learn from my mistakes. I read a few posts that recommended the Kickers for stock/mildly powered decks, so that's why I chose them. If it isn't full enough, I'm probably going with a KSC-SW1 under-seat sub, or a 6" bazooka (amplified) just to fill in the low end a bit.

E

[ScoobyNubieToo!]

Very interested in following up on this........

[Obsessive]

Well,

Did the install yesterday.

What a difference. It's night and day. I did find out that I had the 'upgraded' factory speakers, which look really nice until you take them out and see that the magnets are the size of half-dollars. WTF...

I still may upgrade to a sub in the near future, but the system picked up a lot of range that I didn't have before. The bass increased dramatically.

The kickers are a little tinny, but they are a lower-end speaker model. Like stated earlier, efficency over sound quality was my preference since I didn't want component speakers and a seperate amp.

I definately recommend this combo.

E

[dc2skel]

Eric, I do have a JL 250/1 amp if you would like to run that. I was going to put it into my fiance's car but she doesn't really want a system. I know you don't want to go external. But it is an option. Thing is brand new. Got it to see about adding second 12 to my car but one is enough (plus already takes up lots of space as it is).

[ScoobyNubieToo!]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

Well,

Did the install yesterday.

What a difference. It's night and day. I did find out that I had the 'upgraded' factory speakers, which look really nice until you take them out and see that the magnets are the size of half-dollars. WTF...

I still may upgrade to a sub in the near future, but the system picked up a lot of range that I didn't have before. The bass increased dramatically.

The kickers are a little tinny, but they are a lower-end speaker model. Like stated earlier, efficency over sound quality was my preference since I didn't want component speakers and a seperate amp.

I definately recommend this combo.

E

Nice! How much did this all cost you?

[DFWrxWagon]

Originally Posted by Sky92x

any speakers you add will sound worse... aftermarket speakers just aren't as efficient.

what? Anyone measured the sensitivity of the OE Subbie speakers?

I just cannot agree with this blanket statement. Efficiency is one part of the equation.

I totally agree that the stock HU is a POS.. on all specs.. But the OE speakers are a total compromise in Warranty survival. Hence why they lack on both ends of the musical spectrum. They have to build in bass protection to limit excursion & they have to build in protection for the tweeter as well... so they pull back the specs to make the speakers survive the initial warranty...

I'd really like to see some specs on the OE speakers to prove this statement.

Rob

[jobber]

Originally Posted by DFWrxWagon

what? Anyone measured the sensitivity of the OE Subbie speakers? I just cannot agree with this blanket statement. Efficiency is one part of the equation. Rob

Well, the stock speakers may be the best match for the STOCK head unit.. Lot of people say aftermarket speakers on stock head unit sounds worse. I happened to do my deck first, which made a nice difference. But then I threw in my alpine type-S 92dB efficient speakers and they made an even bigger difference. The sound quality went up. I really think you have to do both sides, not one or the other. My Pioneer deck and alpine speakers only cost $120 each, not like its expensive. I also added the Pioneer SIRIUS tuner to really make it sweet, only another $100.. The job is very easy too.

[DFWrxWagon]

Originally Posted by jobber

Well, the stock speakers may be the best match for the STOCK head unit.. Lot of people say aftermarket speakers on stock head unit sounds worse. I happened to do my deck first, which made a nice difference. But then I threw in my alpine type-S 92dB efficient speakers and they made an even bigger difference. The sound quality went up. I really think you have to do both sides, not one or the other. My Pioneer deck and alpine speakers only cost $120 each, not like its expensive. I also added the Pioneer SIRIUS tuner to really make it sweet, only another $100.. The job is very easy too.

understood... really Jobber I get that...

what I am trying to convey is that because our aural experiences are largely based on our MENTAL expectations.. translation... if I "think" becuase someone tells me good speakers will sound worse, then they will...


I would just like to compare the average aftermarket sens. of 89-93db to the stockers... i'm all about factual experiences.

Rob

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by ScoobyNubieToo!

Nice! How much did this all cost you?

I purchased everything from Crutchfield for ~$250 shipped. This included speaker adapters, adapter harness for speaker and deck, and the dash pocket kit. They had a deal that if you spent $129 or more on a head unit, they would include the install goodies for free.

Ron, I'm not sure on if I'm going powered yet or not. I'm going to live with it like this for a bit and then possibly move to a *small* sub (i.e. underseat or at the most a 6" bazooka). Reason being is that I'm trying to maximize trunk space do to being a daddy in the late summer, and I figure I'll need all the room I can for 'support' gear.

E

[dhunckyn]

a little off topic but I did a used alpine deck and the lowest line of JL Audio speakers in my GF Kia and it sounded much better and didn't break the bank

[dc2skel]

I understand Eric. Just throwing it out there. But you got the subbie to play with. Have fun with. Actually with my single 12 it doesn't take up much room. A little more than I would like, but that is going to change while the car is at the body shop. Time to actually build a box now instead of going out driving around.

[ScoobyNubieToo!]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

I'm going to live with it like this for a bit and then possibly move to a *small* sub (i.e. underseat or at the most a 6" bazooka). Reason being is that I'm trying to maximize trunk space do to being a daddy in the late summer, and I figure I'll need all the room I can for 'support' gear.

E

I actually picked up a 10'' powered Bazooka tube which I put on the floor behind the passenger seat. I rarely have more two other people in my car so it's not much of a problem. And if the need arises to pack all five seats in the Subie, then I unlpug two wires and Bazooka tube goes in the trunk.

[Obsessive]

Originally Posted by dc2skel

I understand Eric. Just throwing it out there. But you got the subbie to play with. Have fun with. Actually with my single 12 it doesn't take up much room. A little more than I would like, but that is going to change while the car is at the body shop. Time to actually build a box now instead of going out driving around.

I appreciate it.

Yeah, that sucks about your car. It looks pretty bad. Is it totaled?

[dc2skel]

Originally Posted by Obsessive

I appreciate it.

Yeah, that sucks about your car. It looks pretty bad. Is it totaled?

Still haven't heard. Going to body shop first thing in th morning. Have to drop off stock key fob so they can turn off the factory alarm. It keeps going off, so now they can't start the car and have to listen to the alarm go off everytime they open the doors.

Hopefully they will tell me what the estimate is and what all is getting replaced. They said Friday that the car actually doesn't look that bad. At least underneath doesn't. I had concerns with the passenger side rear suspension. Had a little more camber up top then I remember. But I think that was due to no tire on drivers side. Have some negotiating to do here soon if I can.

Ron

[couchflambeau]

Originally Posted by Sky92x

any speakers you add will sound worse... aftermarket speakers just aren't as efficient.

I'm gonna throw the bs flag on that one too....

efficiency is just ONE spec for a speaker, and if you're buying speakers based solely on the dB output at one meter, you're buying for the wrong reason. If that were the case then bullet tweeters would be the best thing in the world...

Freq response and overall sound quality are what I'd look at, which you'll only get if you actually LISTEN to a component. (part of the reason I could never understand why people who claim to be interested in SQ buy mail order speakers without ever having heard them first hand) Even an inexpensive set of pioneer aftermarket speakers are going to sound better than the factory crap, assuming they are installed correctly. I've listened to dozens of different aftermarket speakers and barring a few sets of good (and overpriced) OEM's have ever even been close to decent in comparison to a reputable aftermarket speaker.

Given the substandard quality of the subaru factory gear, you can't possibly go wrong with tossing them.....

[Obsessive]

So, since I went ahead and replaced BOTH the factory speakers and the head-unit (mostly for iPod functionality), can anyone answer the original question (for someone else who stumbles upon this).

Not to knock on anyones comments (they are all valuable). But, of the people who have ACTUALLY tried to hook aftermarkets up to a stock head-unit (I had the 6 CD), was it worth it?

If not, that's totally cool. The initial comments + my want of an aux input (without a blank CD requirement) drove my decision, but someone else may only want to replace, let's say, the fronts because one popped.

I CAN say that the factory upgrade speakers (while they look really cool mounted in the door), have magnets the size of 1/2 dollars. Really sad....

Thanks for the input!

Eric

[Fendyman]

^^^
Yeah, I'm on the same boat now. I had TR w/ single CD HU which was suck big time. I found OEM 6-CD changer on eBay off '05 WRX for a great price & it sounds MUCH... better already than the original single CD HU. But I feel like the OEM speakers (non upgraded) need to be replaced or something. I like OEM 6-CD changer & I don't need bad ass sound system banging my head (lol... I'm 35 w/ a 4-year-old son who does the banging already). I just want something (even a little bit) better than my current speakers.

Btw, is there any difference between TR vs. regular WRX (front & rear) speakers besides additional tweeters in regular WRX? I'm thinking maybe I should just find used (or maybe upgraded) OEM speakers w/ tweeters.

[dc2skel]

Eric, I have the kenwood componets up front and pioneer 4's in the rear. Just upgrading the rear (didn't have the fronts at the time and the pioneers were just laying around my garage) I did notice a difference. But I also swapped out my stock deck about a week after getting the car. Once I upgraded my fronts I noticed a huge difference in sq.

Fendyman- I don't believe there is a difference between the TR and WRX. I may be wrong. I think they are the same speakers with the option of going with upgraded factory speakers. Personally instead of spending the money on the upgraded factory and tweeters I would go with a nice set of midbass speakers. The quality of factory speakers (whether they are stock or the upgraded ones) may be good, but by far there are better speakers out there for close to the same price.

[DFWrxWagon]

It has been my experience that a higher efficiency (sensitivity spec) will benefit any head unit.

I understand the mentality of "its a waste of money on a stock HU" since the stock HU is sooo grossly underpowered & a replacement HU is a better bang for your buck... HOWEVER, for those with security, budget or other concerns, a high sensitivity speaker upgrade IS a worthy upgrade... especially a component set up front.

I haven't pulled the stock Subbie speakers out yet so I don't know their impedence or sensitivity.But with the older GM & many import cars, the OE speakers are 6-8ohm (again for warranty preservation) & a simple high sensitivity 4ohm speaker upgrade is literally like doubling the OE head unit power. that is a pronounced & audible increase.

I just cannot fathom how a speaker upgrade can be a step backwards!

Rob