New OEM Radio Installed into MY11 WRX: Source MY11 Forester

[Corners]

Originally Posted by Porkchop-WRX

Price seems good but I'm assuming these models don't have the HD radio. Any other differences between these and US models?

I just asked this question. See post number 244.

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[JSchell1309]

Originally Posted by MackDaddy

It's really a dramatic difference over standard broadcast FM. But, hey you got a GREAT deal on the Euro version of the "Type B" HU, even if it doesn't have HD radio!

Trust me, if I could find one of the US versions, I'd own one of the Euro's too.

Congrats!

Thats why I picked up a Euro one. I couldn't find any USDM radios for sale. I saw that FS thread that you picked your up. Nice find, especially since he didn't really say what he had.

I listen to FM radio about .1% of the time in my car. So HD is not a big deal to me. I stream BT or USB connect my phone and listen to my collection or pandora. I really wanted this unit so I can just dump a ton of my collection on a cheapo 32gb usb and leave it plugged in all the time. This screen is so much easier to search music by folder than the junk my STI was shipped with. It really is amazing this isn't standard on WRX/STI.

My Euro radio is set to deliver between 12th and 19th.

[tsigeoff]

Mine came two days before the earliest date in the range. I live in NJ. Any luck finding a manual? I couldn't find one

[JSchell1309]

Originally Posted by tsigeoff

Mine came two days before the earliest date in the range. I live in NJ. Any luck finding a manual? I couldn't find one

Nice! Yeah I was hoping it would be here by next week. Pretty excited.

[MackDaddy]

Originally Posted by JSchell1309

Thats why I picked up a Euro one. I couldn't find any USDM radios for sale. I saw that FS thread that you picked your up. Nice find, especially since he didn't really say what he had.

I listen to FM radio about .1% of the time in my car. So HD is not a big deal to me. I stream BT or USB connect my phone and listen to my collection or pandora. I really wanted this unit so I can just dump a ton of my collection on a cheapo 32gb usb and leave it plugged in all the time. This screen is so much easier to search music by folder than the junk my STI was shipped with. It really is amazing this isn't standard on WRX/STI.

My Euro radio is set to deliver between 12th and 19th.

Trust me, I lucked out. I gave big $$$ for it (relatively compared to others) but have no complaints at all. It was LN, and well cared for. Great guy to do business with! If it hadn't came through when it did, I'd have been ALL OVER a Euro unit for a lot less $$$!

But I'm happy as can be with the US spec HU for sure.

Be forewarned! The "Type B" units we've got, can't read as much data from a mass storage, USB drive as the "Type A" unit's that came stock. I was shocked, but it is what it is.

Maximum Folders:

"A" 512
"B" 255

Maximum Files:

"A" 130,560
"B" 2500!!!!

[flyers25]

Installed a CP635U1 from a Forester into a 2013 Impreza today. Car was originally equipped with a CM621UB.

Was ok with losing the speed-related functionality (speed sensitive volume is not worth having to live with lockouts),
but didn't want to give up the ability to disable the radio's dimmer functionality with the headlights on (night illumination dimness cancellation or NIDC).

My last car had this functionality and I used it all the time to see the navigation unit while driving on rainy day.

This functionality is implemented differently between the Forester and the Impreza (Forester uses CAN bus, the Impreza uses a standard negative trigger).

So the easy solution to this would be to use a relay to break the connection on the standard illumination wire (pin1) when NIDC is enabled.
This essentially makes the radio think the headlights are off when NIDC is on.

Didn't want to do the wiring in the car so I purchased a 20-pin combo harness from SVXdc.
This way I could just add the relay to the harness and the rest is plug and play.

Some pics:

Completed harness:


Harness in the dash. Tied to the factory harness with foam tape on the factory connector and relay (no rattles!):


Radio in dash:



Got the radio for $200 and it was definitely worth the upgrade.
Much easier to browse music on my ipod and view song info during playback.

Big thanks to SVXdc for the information on his website and for the harness. Made this project much easier than it would have been without.

[JSchell1309]

Originally Posted by MackDaddy

Be forewarned! The "Type B" units we've got, can't read as much data from a mass storage, USB drive as the "Type A" unit's that came stock. I was shocked, but it is what it is.

Maximum Folders:

"A" 512
"B" 255

Maximum Files:

"A" 130,560
"B" 2500!!!!

What's this **** haha. First I have heard of this. How do you know what type you have?

[MackDaddy]

Nice work Flyers25!

JSchell1309: The 4.3" HD's are the Type "B" audio units. All of this info is in the Impreza / Crosstrek Owners Manual Audio section P 5-24.

[Guzzi 1]

Originally Posted by MackDaddy

No they don't. That's why I passed when I saw them. I really enjoy the HD radio!

I ended up buying my unit from member "burnurass." Perfect HU, perfect transaction! I'm very happy with this, the OEM Kicker Accessory speakers & tweeters, and a Helix P-n-P PP50DSP Amp.

About the Helix amp:
1. Where did you locate it?
2. Does it need a power wire from the battery?
3. Did you have to source the plug for the HU, ie: SVXdc or were you able to get the plugs ready to go?
4. I see they have files you can download to match the acoustics of many cars. I only see the Forrester listed for Subaru on their web site. So, what did you end up doing there?

John

[MackDaddy]

John,

1. Crutchfield
2. No
3. Bought the $50 additional plug-n-play harness with it (from Crutchfield also.) $600 for all.
4. I'm not going that route. You can manually "tune" via unit dip switches. Works for me!

Here's the skinny:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_975PP50...x-PP50DSP.html
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_975PPAC...y-Harness.html

And the plug-n-play twin 7" sub:

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_975PP7E...mpact-Sub.html

I haven't added the sub (yet.) I've already got a nice 8" Alpine Type R 2 ohm DVC in a .3CF sealed box. I want to use that.

I've sourced the correct "pig-tail" plug to connect to the Amps sub output: http://www.ebay.com/itm/271156038102...84.m1497.l2648

It fits perfect. I'm just starting my testing today... stay tuned!

Thanks,
Jim

[Guzzi 1]

Yeah, I figured Crutchfield. I meant where in the car. Under the seat, etc.

John

[08BlackWRXCT]

Can i plug any backup camera to the CP635U1? Or does it have to be a specific model?

[MackDaddy]

Originally Posted by Guzzi 1

Yeah, I figured Crutchfield. I meant where in the car. Under the seat, etc.

John

I've got it under the passenger seat. It's small, and really doesn't even need secured. It's nice and easy to get at it to tweak when you want.

[xkadajx]

Originally Posted by flyers25

Installed a CP635U1 from a Forester into a 2013 Impreza today. Car was originally equipped with a CM631UD.

Was ok with losing the speed-related functionality (speed sensitive volume is not worth having to live with lockouts),
but didn't want to give up the ability to disable the radio's dimmer functionality with the headlights on (night illumination dimness cancellation or NIDC).

My last car had this functionality and I used it all the time to see the navigation unit while driving on rainy day.

This functionality is implemented differently between the Forester and the Impreza (Forester uses CAN bus, the Impreza uses a standard negative trigger).

So the easy solution to this would be to use a relay to break the connection on the standard illumination wire (pin1) when NIDC is enabled.
This essentially makes the radio think the headlights are off when NIDC is on.

Didn't want to do the wiring in the car so I purchased a 20-pin combo harness from SVXdc.
This way I could just add the relay to the harness and the rest is plug and play.

Some pics:

Completed harness:


Harness in the dash. Tied to the factory harness with foam tape on the factory connector and relay (no rattles!):


Radio in dash:



Got the radio for $200 and it was definitely worth the upgrade.
Much easier to browse music on my ipod and view song info during playback.

Big thanks to SVXdc for the information on his website and for the harness. Made this project much easier than it would have been without.

Isnt the CP635U1 and the CM631UD similar? What were the differences?

[flyers25]

Originally Posted by xkadajx

Isnt the CP635U1 and the CM631UD similar? What were the differences?

Oops. That was actually a typo. Car originally had a CM621UB installed (standard radio without the color screen).

There are some differences between the CP635U1 and CM631UD though. Primary one is satellite radio capability.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...&postcount=100

[MackDaddy]

CM631UD with Black 20 pin connector will work with OEM Satellite radio. I just bought the SAT radio tuner unit from the same person I got the HU from. He had both installed in his 2013 STi.

It does not have the dedicated SAT button, but will still work (access via the SW "mode" switch.)

[flyboy1100]

Originally Posted by MackDaddy

CM631UD with Black 20 pin connector will work with OEM Satellite radio. I just bought the SAT radio tuner unit from the same person I got the HU from. He had both installed in his 2013 STi.

It does not have the dedicated SAT button, but will still work (access via the SW "mode" switch.)

But you only get 6 presets that way (granted I only have 10 total now and really only cycle through 6)

[MackDaddy]

Did not know that flyboy... learn something new everyday. Thanks!

[Guzzi 1]

Originally Posted by MackDaddy

I've got it under the passenger seat. It's small, and really doesn't even need secured. It's nice and easy to get at it to tweak when you want.

Thanks. I plan on doing something similar soon.

I did get around to putting in the Kicker speaker upgrade yesterday since I had some decent (warmer) weather to do it. (Bought them a while back.) I had already put a 631Ud in the dash and that sounded better than the original HU.

I have to say, it is hard to believe the original speakers sounded as good as they did. Chincy does not even begin to describe the stockers. I think one kicker weighed as much or more as all four originals combined. The sound is yet again improved. It seems a little bright at the moment, but may settle down with some use. Nothing a little adjustment couldn't take care of. I actually lowered the treble and upped the bass. (It is considered generally that about 100 hours use on a home speaker "breaks" it in for optimum sound. Probably true for many speakers although construction materials may vary that.) In any case, yet again improved sound although it does take a bit more to drive them. You can now use higher volume levels without distortion, but an amp will bring it to meet my expectations. House = good stuff, car = needs to be decent.

John

[MackDaddy]

Yes sir, the Kicker's went in on day of two of ownership. The OEM stock speakers are really not bad for what they are, actually sounded quite good with just the HU @ low volume. But, you're right, there's just no comparison to the upgrade. The new speakers will break-in a bit with time, just like they all do.

The Kicker's need an Amp though, that's for sure. Not a lot (for my 50 year old ears anyway,) but do need some additional power to come alive.

I finally got an eBay notice on a 4.3" HU. It's brand new in the box from a dealer! Lol!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...E:B:SS:US:1123

Actually, it's from the same dealer I got my Aero Bars from. They're a good eBay vendor, but still. $1500!!!!

[spagez]

How does the kicker upgrade sound with your helix amp?

[MackDaddy]

Very nice. It'll be even better once I add a sub. But right now it sounds really good as is.

[Doobis]

I just bought one off ebay..there is another one for sale
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Subaru-Fores...c23862&vxp=mtr

[xkadajx]

So I got mine today from a crashed impreza. Everything works except the CD player doesnt seem to want to take the CD in. It just says checking disc or ejecting disc but the mechanism for the CD isnt working.

Is it possible to take the cd player from the original HU and replace it into the 4.3 screen one?

[SubieLuvin]

Originally Posted by Doobis

I just bought one off ebay..there is another one for sale
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Subaru-Fores...c23862&vxp=mtr

That looks like a good deal for around 200 after shipping. Looks like there are 3 more left ....


Oh so tempting