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Old 04-10-2013, 06:18 PM   #1
ponchsox
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Default 2013 Subaru Impreza 5 door sound system upgrade

Took delivery of my new 2013 Subaru Impreza 5 door limited two weeks ago. Love the car so far, except for the sound system (which is crap even after turning off loudness and EQ.)

I have a couple of things in mind for the first phase of my new system and wanted to get feedback on how this would sound:

Current: everything stock

1st upgrade:

Headunit- replace with Kenwood DNX890HD (looking for nav, Bluetooth, Pandora to synch with Galaxy S2 while keeping existing steering wheel controls.) Will also add a steering wheel control adapter kit.

Subwoofer- add a S/O B-8PT. Need bass to complement current speakers. Not looking for anything earth shattering, just a nice mid bass for rock music.

2nd upgrade will come later and will replace all OEM door speakers. Not sure what I will get yet as I want to hear some different speakers. Will most likely amp them up.

Last edited by ponchsox; 04-10-2013 at 08:07 PM.
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Old 04-10-2013, 07:16 PM   #2
soobie doo
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I replaced my head unit and door speakers with various Pioneer bits a couple of weeks ago. I could do with a bit more bass, but I don't want to take up valuable space with a subwoofer. Overall it's a huge improvement over stock.
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Old 04-11-2013, 03:31 PM   #3
TheBoostedOne
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I am looking to purchase a 2013 Subaru WRX, do they offer upgraded sound systems? Do not want to change the subject but may be someone can chime in and help me and the OP out.
Thank You
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Old 04-11-2013, 04:00 PM   #4
phenryiv1
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBoostedOne View Post
I am looking to purchase a 2013 Subaru WRX, do they offer upgraded sound systems? Do not want to change the subject but may be someone can chime in and help me and the OP out.
Thank You
You can buy some overpriced Kicker stuff for some models. It was not an option in my '11 but it is in the newer Imprezas. If should fit in the WRX, but I would go with aftermarket.
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Old 04-11-2013, 05:41 PM   #5
ponchsox
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheBoostedOne View Post
I am looking to purchase a 2013 Subaru WRX, do they offer upgraded sound systems? Do not want to change the subject but may be someone can chime in and help me and the OP out.
Thank You
Yes, but you are better off getting the base OEM stereo and doing your own upgrade. The OEM radio in mine sounded like a clock radio.
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Old 04-11-2013, 06:53 PM   #6
GreyFixer
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Old 04-14-2013, 09:48 AM   #7
4getu
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Has anyone heard if the subwoofer under the driver's seat from Subaru sounds good?
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Old 04-17-2013, 05:03 PM   #8
Inubito
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4getu View Post
Has anyone heard if the subwoofer under the driver's seat from Subaru sounds good?
I have the "subwoofer" option on mine, though it's behind the rear driver's seat, not under. (Mine is a 5 door)

It...sounds pretty terrible. Seriously. Just go with something aftermarket.
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Old 04-19-2013, 08:19 AM   #9
goregasm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 4getu View Post
Has anyone heard if the subwoofer under the driver's seat from Subaru sounds good?
lol

IIRC it's from kicker

Kicker sucks at everything. It's what 18 year old asian kids in Civics with no muffler or trailer trash in Pontiac GTOs buy.
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Old 04-14-2013, 04:39 PM   #10
ponchsox
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Got the Kenwood head unit installed and S/O subwoofer this weekend. Sounds 100x better and that little sub rocks!
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Old 04-19-2013, 09:10 AM   #11
phenryiv1
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The Subaru underseat subwoofer is from Clarion. The hatch/trunk subwoofers are Kicker models.

The underseat Subaru sub is actually a Subaru-specific version of the Clarion SRV314 6-3/4" 120 W "Counter Drive" Powered Subwoofer (or the preceding/postceding model, depending on what year Subaru you have).

This is a picture of the Clarion-branded version.



I had one in my Legacy and sold it when I bought my WRX. In truth, i really liked it, particularly for the price. That is the exact one that I owned- I stole the pic form the seller from whom I bought it.

For an underseat subwoofer, it isn't terrible. It ass some sub-bass and gives a little "bump" where the stock speakers and many un-amplified aftermarket speakers can't reach. It won't blow your doors off, but for windows-open cruising, at least you have some tactile bass at highway speeds. It is certainly felt more than heard.

If you have the time and can collect 2 of them, they can be run in a pair under both front seats using a harness form svxDC and could be some nice bottom end with zero loss of usable space.

If I was buying an underseat sup, I would still look at buying the NVX model that is exactly the same as the Focal unit that costs 2.5x as much.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...NVX-QBUS8.html
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Old 04-19-2013, 10:12 AM   #12
goregasm
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^ That explains it. Clarion R&D team couldn't find their ******* with both hands.
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