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12-19-2016, 04:42 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 447497
Join Date: May 2016
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Most practical solution to solve my stock audio woes
Ok I'll try to make this short and to the point.
I'm 6 months in to a 3 year lease on a 2017 WRX. I foolishly thought the stock sound system would be good enough, so I didn't get the kickers or HK or anything. I read it would be bad, but didn't realize the WRX has the worst sound system stock I've ever heard in any car. I realize I have to give the car back at the end. BUT the audio is so bad that to me, personally, it's worth about 1-1.5K to drop something in there to make my driving experience way better for the next two and a half years I'll have the car. To me it's worth it even if I don't keep the car because music is a big part of my life. It would be a plus if at the end I could swap the stock system back in and sell off the aftermarket, but if that's not possible I'm still willing to take a hit in the pocket to have a good system for the remainder of my lease. To me, it's worth it. So... Desires - loud, clear sound system with subwoofer for bass-heavy hip hop music (and other genres but mostly hip hop) Budget - 1.5K Questions - aftermarket or go with Subaru kicker system? Any considerations I should make since it's a lease that could benefit me? (i.e. Resale) And yes I know why lease blah blah
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12-19-2016, 05:39 PM | #2 |
*** Banned ***
Member#: 421858
Join Date: May 2015
Vehicle:2012 Impreza |
You're going to need to have it in stock condition when you return it. Doesn't matter if you leave a solid gold block in place of the stock unit, you can't return it any other way than how you got it. Just a warning.
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12-19-2016, 06:01 PM | #3 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 447497
Join Date: May 2016
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Quote:
Gotchya. I don't know much about the technical aspects of audio but I hear the Subaru Kicker system is "plug and play." I'm assuming this implies ease of installment/uninstallment. Maybe it'd be logical for me to buy the whole kicker set up and then when it's time to give it back, revert to stock and sell the kicker system to get some money back? |
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12-19-2016, 07:52 PM | #4 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 388366
Join Date: Apr 2014
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: So Cal
Vehicle:2016 SUBARU WRX(cvt) CBS w/eyesight |
http://oemaudioplus.com/subaru/wrxsti/
He just upgraded my 16 HK system and its amazing. They tune the stock system to rip!! Guaranteed or money back. Ask for Sandy |
12-20-2016, 10:15 PM | #5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 458854
Join Date: Nov 2016
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Most practical solution to solve my stock audio woes
IMO don't go with OEM Audio Plus. I had a very bad experience and gave them three attempts to correct issues and they failed.
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12-21-2016, 09:21 AM | #6 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 7250
Join Date: Jun 2001
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Home
Vehicle:2018 Honda Clarity |
That's a pretty decent budget. Given your concerns, I would go with OEM+. The Subaru kicker setup is just okay, very bright tweeters and uneven bass. Both of these setups leave the factory wiring largely intact with little effort on your part.
If you have a little more skill with wiring up audio, I'd go custom. My own setup is alpine type r comps up front, alpine mrv500 and ktpu445 amps, and alpine sbr-s8 sub. I used a custom breakout harness and the ktp is bridged to the fronts. From that harness the rear speaker signal is tapped into the high inputs on the mrv which powers the sub. Rear speakers themselves are powered by the deck. I could uninstall everything and go back to stock in a few hours. The system sounds great. I did spend a few hundred on sound deadening which I wouldn't on a lease. Deaden the doors and trunk and spend the extra money on a better amp like a pdx100.4. I'm really happy with the s4 sub. It's an amazing box and install was a simple as 4 Velcro tabs and dropped right in the trunk. |
12-21-2016, 11:06 AM | #7 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 447497
Join Date: May 2016
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After looking at the OEM+ single sub package for 1200, it seems like it might be a good choice. Ease of installation and price seem decent. Looking at the website though it looks like the dual-sub package is 2 grand. So it's an extra 800 for just another 8" sub? Can someone verify this or am I missing something?
One of my main concerns is bass. Do you guys think a single 8" sub will satisfy my needs? I don't need earth-shattering bass but after spending 1200$ I wanna be able to at least feel those bass lines in my chest. Anyone here have experience with the dual? Also, last thing. Do you guys think it will be relatively easy to re-sell the OEM+ system after I revert back to stock, and how much money do you think I can recover? If I spend 2k on a system knowing I can get at least half or more back at the end, I'd be more willing to pull the trigger |
12-21-2016, 03:25 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 440019
Join Date: Feb 2016
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I would personally just go custom build, too. With that budget, you can get an earth shaking sound system. I went with custom JBL comps up front and JBL coax out back with the ktp amp to power those. Also have Rockford Fosgate amp to power my Fosgate 12 in the rear. I can easily remove those as well if I'm going to return mine after the lease, but at this point I'm thinking of keeping it.
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12-21-2016, 03:40 PM | #9 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 447497
Join Date: May 2016
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Quote:
That does sound good but I don't know **** about system equipment or how to install it, zero experience. I'm willing to learn, but I want to avoid two things. 1) ****ing something up and not being able to revert to stock without damaging something and 2) if I decide to go aftermarket and the install is too complicated, I don't wanna pay 25% of the price of the Setup for labor installation. If I can get an aftermarket system where an audio noob can install and uninstall without major work or alterations to the car, while getting a better value for money than an OEM route, that would be great |
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12-21-2016, 04:19 PM | #10 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 83067
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Quote:
This is what I have - stock head unit, 5 channel amp under the drivers seat and replaced the front door & tweeters with a good component speaker set. Plus a 10' sub in the trunk. It looks stock and would be easy to put everything back. My system sounds awesome - it can go loud and its very clean. |
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12-21-2016, 04:27 PM | #11 |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 59993
Join Date: Apr 2004
Chapter/Region:
International
Location: WWAAYY west of the Mississippi
Vehicle:Ass, grass or cash no one rides for free!! |
Email the guys over at OEM+. I hear they're taking $200 off for 2017 Pre Orders. If you'd still like to go that route.
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12-21-2016, 05:38 PM | #12 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 7250
Join Date: Jun 2001
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Home
Vehicle:2018 Honda Clarity |
Quote:
Go OEM+ with a single sub and you should be able to resell that without issue. I haven't heard the double setup but it seems really expensive for what you're getting and it will be harder to sell. The bass on the single sub setup is pretty good but it doesn't sound aftermarket. I don't know if that makes sense. Just like the name, it sounds like a good high end OEM system. My little type-r 8 will pound when called upon. There is a pretty significant difference. |
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12-21-2016, 07:01 PM | #13 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 447497
Join Date: May 2016
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Quote:
The OEM+ sounds like a pretty desirable option but damn, my fear is to be disappointed by the sub and be left craving more bass/volume. I can't seem to find any good demonstration videos either and it'd be better to hear it in real life but idk where I'd find a car with that same system installed. |
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12-21-2016, 09:54 PM | #14 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 388366
Join Date: Apr 2014
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: So Cal
Vehicle:2016 SUBARU WRX(cvt) CBS w/eyesight |
I felt the same way as far as base is concerned so went 2 sub route. Honestly I could have been fine with 1 sub as I had to change impedance of the subs to tone it down. The 300 watt Rockford fosgate amp is very efficient. I have the amp turned down as far as it will go...LOL
There service is second to none. I have been at their location on 2 different days making the HK system as good as possible. Here is my suggestion: Call Sandy and see if you can get the wiring harness for 2 subs but start with 1 sub? If it is possible? I can tell you with the tuning they provide and the powered sub or subs you will be amazed. I think with the black Friday special, the second sub was $500 or so. But again ask them. PM me if you want any more info or check my other thread .Happy shopping!! |
12-23-2016, 02:31 PM | #15 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 440019
Join Date: Feb 2016
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My system that I installed didn't require me to hack up the oem wires at all. If I decide to return the car to them, all the stock speakers can still be installed without a problem. There's wiring harnesses for the speakers, too, so that you can solder the aftermarket speakers to those instead of cutting up the car's harness to install yours.
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12-23-2016, 03:21 PM | #16 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 447497
Join Date: May 2016
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I just watched the OEM audio plus installation video and it looks pretty intimidating lol. More complicated than I thought. I'm scared of ****ing things up when I'm taking them apart/putting them together. Should I persist and try to install myself or is it a better idea to just pay someone? It probably wouldn't be worth it at that point
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12-23-2016, 08:42 PM | #17 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 440019
Join Date: Feb 2016
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If you have done that kind of stuff before, it shouldn't be too hard. I would go with what others said about asking your local Subie groups or any other car enthusiast groups for someone who would do it for a case of beer or a little lunch.
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06-13-2018, 11:37 AM | #18 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 472953
Join Date: Aug 2017
Chapter/Region:
International
Location: Panama City, Panama
Vehicle:2017 WRX '17 WRB |
Quote:
I dont want to bash OEM audio + because they have an excelente customer service and integration with the quick sync harness, but hopefully I can get everything fixed. |
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06-13-2018, 11:46 AM | #19 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 472953
Join Date: Aug 2017
Chapter/Region:
International
Location: Panama City, Panama
Vehicle:2017 WRX '17 WRB |
Quote:
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06-13-2018, 12:14 PM | #20 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 463931
Join Date: Mar 2017
Vehicle:2017 WRX Red |
head unit swap. /thread
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06-13-2018, 09:41 PM | #21 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 486869
Join Date: Jun 2018
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Dallas, TX
Vehicle:2018 WRX CVT Stage2 Lapis Blue |
Speaking of head unit swapping, how well does an aftermarket head unit play with the OEM+ kit?
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06-18-2018, 03:09 PM | #22 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 363805
Join Date: Jul 2013
Chapter/Region:
SCIC
Location: Irvine, CA
Vehicle:2015 WRX Limited Crystal White Pearl |
Quote:
O+ will tune the kit specifically for the unit of your choice. I know a few owners that have aftermarket head units with their O+ setups. I am pretty sure this is a service they offer for free (at least it has been historically). |
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06-18-2018, 06:26 PM | #23 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 33730
Join Date: Mar 2003
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: Outaouais, QC, Canada
Vehicle:2018 WRX base DGM |
Should be well under your 1500US budget and took me a couple hours to install it all myself. I already recommended this setup to 2 WRX owners around here and looks like i'll be doing the install on one of them.
https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/sho....php?t=2876838 |
07-02-2018, 04:13 PM | #24 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 472953
Join Date: Aug 2017
Chapter/Region:
International
Location: Panama City, Panama
Vehicle:2017 WRX '17 WRB |
Quote:
Agree completely with this. Talked with Daniel about the issues I was having, he sent me a new AMP at no cost. I havent had time to install it yet. When I do I hope everything is fixed. I will give you another update as soon as I install the new amp. |
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08-09-2018, 03:45 PM | #25 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 472953
Join Date: Aug 2017
Chapter/Region:
International
Location: Panama City, Panama
Vehicle:2017 WRX '17 WRB |
I installed the new amp. Apparently the older amp was not tuned properly and had the gain set way to low. I still have engine noise and static coming through the speakers which is getting annoying.
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