questions about stock stereo/source unit
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questions about stock stereo/source unit
hi all,
recently, i had to take my brand new wrx back to the dealer to get my check engine light checked out, and when i got it back, they had somehow messed up the stereo (got some kind of grease behind the glass) so i had to take it back to have the entire deck replaced. this time when i got it back, i noticed that it definitely sounds worse. i don't know what they replaced it with, but i didn't think the sound was that bad before, but now i think it's HORRIBLE.
so my questions are:
1. are all the stock source units exactly the same? it is possible that it was replaced with the wrong one. (i didn't get the premium sound, but i didn't know if it made the difference.)
2. one thing i noticed that i thought might have been different was that the bass and treble only go up and down 5. (i could have *sworn* that it went up to 6 or 8 or something, but maybe i was on drugs.) anyway, i don't know anyone else to compare with so i just thought i'd ask y'all. and it's starts sounding like **** at bass +2. (???)
3. it sounds like all the speakers are working, but there is a definite drop in sound quality. i turned the radio on and it seemed to sound staticky in places where it shouldn't be staticky. (i wasn't in the hills or valleys anything.) anyone what would cause this?
4. do i really need to shell out $2k for a decent sound system?
when i first bought the car, i thought i could live with the sound, but if it stays this way, then i can't. i have a budget of about $500-$600 for now. (if anyone has any suggestions on how to get the most bang for my buck, let me know.)
tammie
recently, i had to take my brand new wrx back to the dealer to get my check engine light checked out, and when i got it back, they had somehow messed up the stereo (got some kind of grease behind the glass) so i had to take it back to have the entire deck replaced. this time when i got it back, i noticed that it definitely sounds worse. i don't know what they replaced it with, but i didn't think the sound was that bad before, but now i think it's HORRIBLE.
so my questions are:
1. are all the stock source units exactly the same? it is possible that it was replaced with the wrong one. (i didn't get the premium sound, but i didn't know if it made the difference.)
2. one thing i noticed that i thought might have been different was that the bass and treble only go up and down 5. (i could have *sworn* that it went up to 6 or 8 or something, but maybe i was on drugs.) anyway, i don't know anyone else to compare with so i just thought i'd ask y'all. and it's starts sounding like **** at bass +2. (???)
3. it sounds like all the speakers are working, but there is a definite drop in sound quality. i turned the radio on and it seemed to sound staticky in places where it shouldn't be staticky. (i wasn't in the hills or valleys anything.) anyone what would cause this?
4. do i really need to shell out $2k for a decent sound system?
when i first bought the car, i thought i could live with the sound, but if it stays this way, then i can't. i have a budget of about $500-$600 for now. (if anyone has any suggestions on how to get the most bang for my buck, let me know.)tammie
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One word about the stock base... crap.
Over +2 on base and the vibration/distortion from the front speakers will annoy you to no end.
If all you want is base... add a sub. If you want more than that... new speakers my friend.
I just wired, added an amp and put a sub in mine last weekend... sounds a lot better. I have plans for more. I have done quite a bit of research... let me know if you have any questions.
Rich
Over +2 on base and the vibration/distortion from the front speakers will annoy you to no end.
If all you want is base... add a sub. If you want more than that... new speakers my friend.
I just wired, added an amp and put a sub in mine last weekend... sounds a lot better. I have plans for more. I have done quite a bit of research... let me know if you have any questions.
Rich
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I'll give it a shot:
1) I think all Subaru head units are the same. I have the premium sound system in my 02 WRX Wagon, and it looks identical to my wife's 03 Forester (except for the Weather Band)
2) My bass and treble only go to 5.
3) Take it back to the dealer to be checked out! Something sounds wrong.
4) Do you really need to shell out 2K for a decent sounds system? Maybe. However, you do not need to spend your money all at once. If you $500 now, get a decent head unit and a good pair of coax speakers. You'll get a huge increase in sound quality. Later you can add an amp/sub, or amp/component speakers.
1) I think all Subaru head units are the same. I have the premium sound system in my 02 WRX Wagon, and it looks identical to my wife's 03 Forester (except for the Weather Band)
2) My bass and treble only go to 5.
3) Take it back to the dealer to be checked out! Something sounds wrong.
4) Do you really need to shell out 2K for a decent sounds system? Maybe. However, you do not need to spend your money all at once. If you $500 now, get a decent head unit and a good pair of coax speakers. You'll get a huge increase in sound quality. Later you can add an amp/sub, or amp/component speakers.
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Sorry to get off topic... but the stock base does suck.
If it sounds worse that you remember... at least have the dealer check it... or check it yourself.
It's possible a speaker is blown... that would sound very crackly with distortion.
BTW, mine only goes to 5 for bass, treble, etc.
I disagree with the deck upgrade opinion though. If you are looking for sound improvement... speakers first. There are plenty that don't require the power of an amp... and you can replace the front and rear with decent speakers for less than a good deck. Remember, you are listening to the speakers... not the deck. All the deck does is provide higher voltage... which improves the signal to an amp (crisper sound) and provide higher stock power ratings. Oh yeah... and some have really cool features.
If you like the 6 disk changer... like I do... go for speakers first.
Just my personal opinion. Hope this helps.
Rich
If it sounds worse that you remember... at least have the dealer check it... or check it yourself.
It's possible a speaker is blown... that would sound very crackly with distortion.
BTW, mine only goes to 5 for bass, treble, etc.
I disagree with the deck upgrade opinion though. If you are looking for sound improvement... speakers first. There are plenty that don't require the power of an amp... and you can replace the front and rear with decent speakers for less than a good deck. Remember, you are listening to the speakers... not the deck. All the deck does is provide higher voltage... which improves the signal to an amp (crisper sound) and provide higher stock power ratings. Oh yeah... and some have really cool features.
If you like the 6 disk changer... like I do... go for speakers first.
Just my personal opinion. Hope this helps.
Rich
Last edited by Styley1; May 16, 2003 at 02:56 PM.
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I'm replacing my head unit... the initial plan was to keep the thing (who doesn't like 6 disk in dash?) and upgrade speakers, with an amp. Well, what I originally considered a modest upgrade came in at almost a grand... that's with labor. For $300, I'm getting a very nice head unit with decent power that will run my stock speakers and allow me to upgrade to aftermarket speakers without an amp. Then the amp... then the sub. I've got to do these things in stages.
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Hope I'm not getting off-topic but I'm in a similar situation. I ordered my 04 WRX and the dealer threw in the speaker/amp upgrade because of a delay in the delivery date. I've heard criticisms about the sound system and there's advice here to go for decent speakers. If I already have the upgrade should I focus on replacing the HU (keeping the 6-CD changer though) or are the upgraded speakers/amp considered crap too?
Personally, I'd really like to go for one of the removable hard drive systems that are starting to emerge (I'm big into mp3). Rockford is releasing their Omnifi next month and Kenwood's Keg is there as well. Has anyone looked into these?
Personally, I'd really like to go for one of the removable hard drive systems that are starting to emerge (I'm big into mp3). Rockford is releasing their Omnifi next month and Kenwood's Keg is there as well. Has anyone looked into these?
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Ibizan
does anyoneknow if the factory deck has pre-amp outputs? I dont want to buy a new deck and already have all the speakers and amps. I just want to plug-and-play. Yes, lazy again!!! really it is not time.
Thanks
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From: NOVA
Car Info: 2002 Black RS
Ruacop- No the factory head unit doesn't have pre outs. And for those of you who have gotten the "upgraded" speakers...don't. There a waste the upgrade is b/s and does very little if anything. Just take the $250 you woulda spent on it and buy some nice speakers. And like figowitz was saying take it one step at a time. I tried to do everything at once with some crappy subs and even worse amp for my first system and it sounded horrible. I ended up ditchin everything and starting over. It took me a while but one step at a time i built up to having Fosgate components everywhere and two Polk GNX 12's with a Pioneer 800w amp. These with a blankput head unit make one kick a** system.
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My .02
I like to think of myself as one knowledgeable about car stereos, so here's my input...
Go to this website www.thezeb.com -best prices around (for the stuff I like)- unless you search Ebay for wholesale vendors-- here (thezeb) you can get everything from one place
As for the head unit, I'd go with clarion or alpine, (MP3 capability is quite useful- high power is also nice when you're powering your front/rear speakers with your head unit)
For speakers, I swear by Infinity... I've got kappa's all around, but the cheaper reference series also sounds crisp and responsive. If you're loaded with cash- splurge on the MB Quarts, they are top of the line
If you want bass, Infinity also makes a powered sub unit called the "Basslink"- also sounds awesome. But if you want to blow people away, Fosgate all the way for power (the website I mentioned has older model amps at crazy prices) And get yourself a good sealed box (bandpass sounds like a loose butthole) and load it with a/some quality sub(s) (like fosgate, infinity, JL, etc.)
And remember, your stereo sounds as good as it's weakest link---so dont go out and get a 300 head unit and ****ty speakers- also get good speaker wire, power wire, and RCA's- it wil make all the difference.
Keep in mind these are my opinions, so do whatever you like...
*PM me w/ your stereo queries
Go to this website www.thezeb.com -best prices around (for the stuff I like)- unless you search Ebay for wholesale vendors-- here (thezeb) you can get everything from one place
As for the head unit, I'd go with clarion or alpine, (MP3 capability is quite useful- high power is also nice when you're powering your front/rear speakers with your head unit)
For speakers, I swear by Infinity... I've got kappa's all around, but the cheaper reference series also sounds crisp and responsive. If you're loaded with cash- splurge on the MB Quarts, they are top of the line
If you want bass, Infinity also makes a powered sub unit called the "Basslink"- also sounds awesome. But if you want to blow people away, Fosgate all the way for power (the website I mentioned has older model amps at crazy prices) And get yourself a good sealed box (bandpass sounds like a loose butthole) and load it with a/some quality sub(s) (like fosgate, infinity, JL, etc.)
And remember, your stereo sounds as good as it's weakest link---so dont go out and get a 300 head unit and ****ty speakers- also get good speaker wire, power wire, and RCA's- it wil make all the difference.
Keep in mind these are my opinions, so do whatever you like...
*PM me w/ your stereo queries
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 213
From: NOVA
Car Info: 2002 Black RS
Fosgate subs suck. Unless you go huge like the Punch H2 15's but then it's just their so the neighbors can hear you...not to deliever a good clean sound. Rest of the advice is good tho..
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Originally posted by PimpRS420
Fosgate subs suck. Unless you go huge like the Punch H2 15's but then it's just their so the neighbors can hear you...not to deliever a good clean sound. Rest of the advice is good tho..
Fosgate subs suck. Unless you go huge like the Punch H2 15's but then it's just their so the neighbors can hear you...not to deliever a good clean sound. Rest of the advice is good tho..
Last edited by scoobsport98; May 19, 2003 at 07:44 PM.
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Going off experiance. Had two 10in H2's (before the HE2) and HATED them. They sounded awfull. And i kno someone with two 10in HE2's and they suck too. They just don't sound good. Just cause Best Buy caries them doesn't mean there worth the money. Get NICE Polk's or JL's. They'll sound a lot better then any fosgate sub.
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still talkin out his ***...
sorry man, but I won't let you diss fosgate subs like that. JL and Polk?- both good, but it depends on the model as well. The fosgate sub I posted in the pic would blow away (and sound better than) polk DX subs or JL W2's or W4's. Almost every company that makes subs makes a model that sounds decent, but some still sound better than others. Personal taste and loyalty to specific brands also plays a large part in selecting components. As I see it, it's difficult to harp on such a reputable car stereo manufacturer as RF... Think what you like, but don't pollute other's minds with your opinionative, flimsy advice.
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Posts: 213
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no need to go there....
For those who didn't understand this.....these are MY OPINIONS. I do not like fosgate subs. I have heard quite a few and think they...yes suck. DO i thik fosgate is a good company? Yes. I have components up front and they sound great. But there subs are another story. My POLK GNX 12's will blow any fosgate away...