Aftermarket vs. Subaru OEM head units

[shizznats]

I've got my eye on some WRX 6CD changer units, but i know i will be losing a clock so i was wondering if anyone here has bought or at least seen any decent clock pods that would fit a BD/BG. or maybe i should go aftermarket?

[Huffer]

Go with a single DIN aftermarket unit that has clock display. Unless you're getting a heck of a deal on the 6cd changer WRX units, they're not worth it.

[shizznats]

What would you consider a heck of a deal. Or could you tell me how much i'd have to pay for a decent aftermarket unit along with the things needed to install it in the subaru (just an estimate or some common examples)? Thank you.

[Huffer]

Heck of a deal on a WRX 6 changer: $20 or less.

Decent single DIN HU: $100 plus install, which only takes a half hour if you have an adapter harness.

Benefit - aftermarket HU's generally have better build quality and work well with upgraded speakers, they only take up one slot in the console, they have removable faceplates and you have more ability to use external peripherals.

[shizznats]

So if i had one of these, what else would i need to complete the install?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/08/4a77_1-1.jpg

[shizznats]

Can anyone with a Sony aftermarket head unit verify that the above pictured adapter will work for a Sony head unit? I've been looking into some aftermarket stuff and after seeing the prices and features, i've dropped the idea of getting an OEM wrx unit. Right now, i am looking at the Sony GT210. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dZr05e12Qa ... I=158GT210 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-dZr05e12Qal/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=158GT210)
What do you guys think, anyone have/had one of these?

[Huffer]

No idea on the Sony units... when I was heavily into audio a few years back my impression was that they were overpriced for their features. I prefer Alpine, Pioneer and Kenwood.

I have an Alpine HU, which I (re) installed using a Crutchfield adapter.

[deadlydave]

I have a pioneer in my bd, it was installed for free by Circut City. When I looked at how they did it, they actually used 2 adapters, an adapter into an adapter to get it wired nice n' clean. I really like the stereo, but my stock speakers were killed within a month because the output pwned them.

[shazapple]

I like the style and features of my kenwood, but the reliability sucks. I hope they've fixed that issue.

[subba]

I am using Pioneer deck now also but that will soon change when i get my fusion kit, and sony xploid decks are all the rave from what i heard my friends say.

Xploid Decks are good but the subs suck lol

[Huffer]

I am using Pioneer deck now also but that will soon change when i get my fusion kit, and sony xplode decks are all the rave from what i heard my friends say.

Xplode Decks are good but the subs suck lol

Sound is so relative... :lol:

[Bdubs]

I dished out $400 for a Clarion unit to put in my previous car, I pulled it out when I sold it and planned to put it in my 07 leg. Aftermarket decks usually sound much better than stock. And if you have decent stock speakers that can handle the load thats a bonus as well.
Too bad I couldn't get that deck into the 07, because of Subarus crappy audio abilities. Ended up putting it in a 97 Neon temporarily, what a shame!

[shizznats]

Is there any chance i'd be able to put an OEM subwoofer from a WRX into my BD? Where does/would it go? I know there was one version of the BD that came with a sub... any clarification would be great. thanks

[subba]

oem subs dont connect like regular subs, i read up on them but from what i read, its possible if you have the wireing harness and a aftermarket or a deck from a subie that originally has the sub factory installed (sound Quality).


Personally Aftermarket decks are the best, i have only heard 1 factory deck that is a very suitable and that was my aunts 04 eclipse gts *RIP*. It was a Infinity, the car also had a oem sub amp, the connections to the amp was almost identical to the harness behind the deck.
(man i loved that car :-( )

I hope you was talking about the Subwoofer amp and not the sub speakers lol

[shizznats]

Well, I will be getting a Sony CDX-GT310 which has sub-out. what else will i need to get a sub workin?

[subba]

I never seen one or connected one before but i doubt sub out makes a difference because it does not use RCA connections, all the wires behind your deck is gonna be extended to the amp.

This dude did a little Explanation on Scoobymods
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199

[Wiscon_Mark]

Sony car audio is junk. At least the stuff we get in the states. I have friends with the Xplod stuff, and it's crappy sounding, unreliable, and not well backed by Sony of America (no surprise there).

I would recommend JVC for a well built, non-premium deck. Specifically their model that goes for 140 bucks, it's an excellent deal.

Panasonic is also decent stuff, but some features of theirs (specifically the bass/treble settings) piss me off -- ie: when you change the bass setting, there's a break in the audio for about .5 seconds....there's really no need for that. Panasonic also make really bright displays and you still have to move up pretty high in the lines (220+ dollars) to get a good dimmer.

I have an old Eclipse 3414 unit, originally 200 bucks, and I love it. Hell, it made my stock speakers sound great. Eclipse quality is awesome, and the sound quality is amazing, they do a great job with the internal amplifiers and shielding them from interference.

Pioneer makes a decent deck for the money, I'm not so sure about reliability, but their displays suck, especially for the mounting position you get on our cars - you'll have to bend down and take your eyes completely off the road to see anything.

Alpine also makes good stuff for the money, and they're a well respected name in car audio. They seem to have a slightly quirky design that some people don't like - it's all about you though.

I'd suggest you check out all of the units I mentioned (except the Sony). They all have their strengths and weaknesses, and it really depends on what you like to play (CDs, MP3 CDs, maybe an MP3 player?) and how much you want to expand your sound system (5Volt vs. 2Volt pre-amp outputs, or does it even have any?) and how much of a sound freak you are.

As for your subwoofer question:

You will need to have an amplifier wiring kit (preferably 8 guage or lower [thicker] wire from the battery to the amp, a good ground, and a wire that goes from the deck to the amp to turn it on with the deck (all aftermarket decks used to accomodate amplifiers have them) which doesn't have to be thick or anything. You'll also need an RCA cable to go to the amplifier.

Oh, and just so you know (since you didn't make it obvious that you do know) you NEED to have an amplifier that can drive a subwoofer. You CANNOT drive the subwoofer with any output from the deck. The amps are typically the most expensive part of the subwoofer system, don't cheap out.

(oh and please reconsider getting that Sony)

Please.

[peugoby]

To add another opinion I have an Alpine 9856 (single dot matrix display) unit w/ the iPod hook up through my glove box. I have had three Alpine decks and have always been very happy with them.

They are well made, and sound great. I wouldn't go w/ Sony, my friends have had Xplod speakers in their rides and I honestly think they sound worse than OEM stuff. That is just my opinion.

My top two choices are Alpine & Eclipse. I really like Eclipse stuff but it seems they get spendy fast.

[Wiscon_Mark]

That's true about the Eclipse, but they do have one inexpensive deck on the market right now. I believe it's 130 dollars. After that, it's a big gap to 250 bucks :shock:

When I bought my deck, the base model was 180 bucks, and I stepped up to the 200 dollar 3414 so I could play MP3 encoded CDs...best 20 bucks I've spent :smile: I don't listen to the radio much anymore.

[shizznats]

Well the things most important to me are the front aux input, a good eq, and the ability to hook up a subwoofer, which i am going to buy from someone's 04 WRX. Now here is my main question: how do i go about wiring a sub like this? It comes with a harness as pictured, and i think that is what the other input on the back of subaru OEM units is for... the sub connector. now, if i were to get an aftermarket HU, how would i be able to wire this subwoofer? would the HU have to have 'sub out' ? thanks.

Im looking at a few units now, including the Sony cdx-gt200 (2005 model) and the Pioneer 1900mp. i really want something relatively simple, just reliable and maybe with the option of hooking up that subwoofer.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/08/OEM_Subaru_Subwoofer_C-1.jpg

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/08/OEM_Subaru_Subwoofer_A-1.jpg

[Wiscon_Mark]

ooooh, you're talking about the Subaru sub.

I doubt any aftermarket units have a direct hookup that would work with that. RCA preouts are pretty much the only thing they come with.

So if you really want to use the Subaru OEM sub, you'll need a Subaru OEM headunit.

If you want to look at aftermarket subwoofers (they make underseat units that are much better than the Subaru one) to go with an aftermarket headunit, this is the one I'd suggest for you:

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RBnwjXg0AY ... 105KDAR480 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RBnwjXg0AYj/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=105KDAR480)

Here's some underseat subwoofers:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RBnwjXg0AY ... I=105CSBB2 (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RBnwjXg0AYj/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=51000&I=105CSBB2)
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RBnwjXg0AY ... 023THB200A (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-RBnwjXg0AYj/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=51000&I=023THB200A)

[shizznats]

awesome thx a lot, those are some good links. i think this sub is a little different though... if im not mistaken this is how it hooks up, in which case it would work with an aftermarket unit w/o sub out. but i could be completely wrong, this is just my guess.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/08/subconnections-1.jpg

[Wiscon_Mark]

I was under the impression that the subwoofer output was a completely different connector on the back of the OEM headunit, however, I never had one, and can't verify that.

But since the regular radio harness has remained the same for many years, I would have to say that my hypothesis is probably right by process of elimination.

To answer your question in the photo posted above, I really don't know...

[shizznats]

well im gonna call subaru tomorrow and find that info out and ill let you all know. another thing... i have a double din head unit from a 99 lgt but one of the bulbs is out. any idea what kind of bulbs those are so i can order a new one? thanks.

[shizznats]

Ok i called Subaru and finally found out everything. The other connector on the back of some of the OEM headunits is for a cd changer. The OEM subwoofer is hooked up exactly as i drew it out above. the sub sort of branches off the main harness and so is not connected as a separate piece to the head unit. This also means that the in the case of an aftermarket headunit (even one without a 'sub out'), this sub will still work. Interesting stuff, not really how an aftermarket sub works, but good enough for me

[Huffer]

I wouldn't bother with the Subaru subwoofer. There's not enough sound deadening in the car to justify buying one.

I would spend the money instead on Dynamat Xtreme and placing that on the doors around the speakers.

Anyone who knows a damn thing about music/sound knows that a reinforced speaker in an insulated cabinet gives better sound that a cone that is just "rattling aroud".

[Wiscon_Mark]

I sort of agree, Huffer, noise cancellation and the speaker box you get have a lot to do with it, but you'd have to buy a good set of speakers to really get good bass response from 6.5" or smaller woofers while a subwoofer is an easy solution to round out the lows.

However, most cheap subwoofers have poor range, and don't put out accurate midbass (100-200hz range) which really leaves a big gap in the music.

[Huffer]

Point is, I don't think the Subaru OEM subwoofer is all that good for the comparative money. It's not that big - it sits under a seat!

[shizznats]

im not looking for my car to be heard 3 blocks down. all i need is a nice bass fill which i feel is missing. i think the oem sub will do the trick, and for $95 with harness it seems like a fair deal.

[Huffer]

$95? Most OEM subwoofers are going for much more than that.
Good deal!

[TRUBLU]

So if i had one of these, what else would i need to complete the install?

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/08/4a77_1-1.jpg

One of these....and thats it.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/08/no_1_phillips_small-1.jpg

[shizznats]

haha alright i got one of those. i actually got a Pioneer DEH-1900MP off ebay and the guy happened to have a subaru harness lyin around so he said he'd throw it in there. thanks for all the info.

[Wiscon_Mark]

Keep in mind you may have to do some wire splicing. I've never seen a direct Subaru --> Pioneer harness like the one you pictured. But if it is, great!

[shizznats]

Yeah the guy is just givin me the subaru harness and the pioneer harness as two seperate pieces. i got myself a crimping tool and some male/female connectors so im gonna have to do some splicin for sure. goin on vacation for 2 weeks on saturday so ill have to wait till i get back

[rougeben83]

I have an older pioneer CD HU. Blows the subaru HU out of the water; I highly doubt the newer stock WRX units will have significantly better sound quality over the older HU's (which were just garbage IMO...even my Taurus' stock HU was better). The thing I like about the Alpine and Pioneer HU's is you can buy the adapter for their proprietary CD changer plugs so you can have aux. in; about $20 in cables and I got a place to jack my MP3 player into.

The harness that plugs into the subaru plug should have labels on the wires. All you need is match up everything and merge the HU harness with it. Very easy.


Paired mine up with a set of Pioneer speakers all around and added the OEM tweets (helps with the 2ways in the fronts, 3 ways in the back), and dynamat'ed the enclosures.

Very good sound now, and I bought everything used, so I spent less than $140 on everything, including the roll of dynamat I still have left over.

[JourdanWithaU]

umm..... I have $0.02 to contribute...

The Subaru sub sucks... granted that's my opinion... I figured out that there is one in my 1998 legacy outback... for a while I was running completely stock with the Subaru sub under the driver's seat...

Then Christmas rolled around... I upgraded to a Pioneer 6800 HU with the OEL display and iPod interface... It wasn't what I originally planned to get, the guy at circuit city talked me into it... But it is great! it took some time to figure out but once I got it all down I love the thing...

As for the bass... about a month after I got the HU I got some real subs... circuit city has a deal on a pair of 12" subs that come with a box and 1000 watt amp... The Subs really kick and I love em'... this setup won't make you be heard three blocks down the road but it really helps out with the quality... I highly recommend getting real subs.

And if you go to circuit city... and you have them to the install... be prepared to be without your car for the whole day... they like to take their sweet time... ALSO make sure you get a protection plan... recently for some reason my subs blew and I got a whole new set for free because I paid the extra 20 bucks for the protection plan.

[rougeben83]

Some of the techs at CC aren't the most careful either; give your interior and any other place they touched a good once over before you leave just to make sure...

[llaprad1]

awesome thx a lot, those are some good links. i think this sub is a little different though... if im not mistaken this is how it hooks up, in which case it would work with an aftermarket unit w/o sub out. but i could be completely wrong, this is just my guess.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2007/08/subconnections-1.jpg

In case this hasn't been answered yet, the other "connection" is not a connection at all. It's 2 adjustment knobs; one for Gain and the other is for the Low Pass crossover point.

I installed one over the weekend, and it adds some low mid-bass. It sounds pretty decent for rock (probably not rap) if you have the tweeters, and you set the Low Pass fairly low.

If you don't have tweeters (I disconnected mine to see), it sounds kind of muddy no matter where you set it.

I got my sub for less than $50 a while back. The trick is to search eBay for less popular models like the Baja, so there is less demand. They're all the same harness anyway.