What is the limiting factor of the WRX stereo?
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Technical Know-It-All
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,123
From: Sterling, VA
Car Info: '02 WRX + '15 WRX
What is the limiting factor of the WRX stereo?
I just want a little better sound quality out of my car. I don't want a a system, I just want something so I can cruise around and listen to my music. What is the limiting factor of the stock stereo? Is the door speakers or the head unit?
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,646
From: NYC
Car Info: 02 WRX WRB
Both. The stock speakers are not very good, if you have the optional upgrade speakers they are somewhat better but still not anywhere near as good as aftermarket (even the upgrade speakers are full-range/single element, any decent aftermarket ones will be at least coaxial).
The HU is the main limit though, the power output is pretty low (about 8W/ch) and you just can't turn it up that far without distortion regardless of what speakers you have. In fact you're more likely to blow a speaker (even aftermarket) by cranking up the stock HU than with a higher-powered aftermarket HU, because of the distortion- that's what usually kills speakers rather than power.
With the windows open at speed you can't get sufficient sound from the stock unit, that's one of the reasons I replaced mine.
The HU is the main limit though, the power output is pretty low (about 8W/ch) and you just can't turn it up that far without distortion regardless of what speakers you have. In fact you're more likely to blow a speaker (even aftermarket) by cranking up the stock HU than with a higher-powered aftermarket HU, because of the distortion- that's what usually kills speakers rather than power.
With the windows open at speed you can't get sufficient sound from the stock unit, that's one of the reasons I replaced mine.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 75
From: Carson, CA
Car Info: '04 WRX Wagon
If you wait till saturday evening I will let you know how mine turns out . I'm getting pioneer 6.5" 3-ways put in all the way around(I know but bestbuy said they can and have put 6.5" in the rear doors. So I will pay $32 to see that) at 10am. I'm just like you I just want it to sound better, not be a block party. I also have the factory sub(it sounds better after you adjust the crossover and sub volume). If I still dont like the sound I might add a small 4 x 25w rms amp, because I want to keep my disc changer. hope that helps
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 75
From: Carson, CA
Car Info: '04 WRX Wagon
I just got my car back. It sound alot clear. I got Pioneer 6.5" (3-way)installed all the way round for $80 and it was done in less then 2 hr. The mids and highs are alot better I can really hear the cymbals and the voice now. The bass is not muddy. But it does'nt lower bass that well. But that's not a problem because I have the factory sub. I know it's not strong enough to shake the car and have the people on the bus dancing. But it feels in where the door speakers dont. Plus you can adjust the volume and the crossover on the factory sub. I listsen to everything from classic rock to hip hop. I would say get the speakers first. If you want it really loud you will need an amp. As for me I'm fine know
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 101
Its the amp inside the stock head unit that is the weak link. Go with a new head unit first, then if you do blow the stock speakers (stock sub will blow fast if it hasnt already) replace them. I went with an alpine 50x4 head unit and my stock speakers sounded really good. But then I put in aftermarket speakers and amps about 2 weeks later so I dont know how long the speakers will last.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 101
yeah, you could add an amplifier but keep in mind that your amplifying whatever signal the unit is putting out. So you have to keep the volume low or it will amplify the distortion that the amp is recieving from the HU.
They make pretty cheap devices that take line lvl down to what an amp will accept. There probably around 20 each and you would need 2 of them.
They make pretty cheap devices that take line lvl down to what an amp will accept. There probably around 20 each and you would need 2 of them.
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From: Longing for my ol' white '02 WRX :(
Car Info: 2016 Acura RDX ... meh. Um, nice subwoofer?
Originally Posted by pimpUall
I just got my car back. It sound alot clear. I got Pioneer 6.5" (3-way)installed all the way round for $80 and it was done in less then 2 hr. The mids and highs are alot better I can really hear the cymbals and the voice now. The bass is not muddy. But it does'nt lower bass that well. But that's not a problem because I have the factory sub. I know it's not strong enough to shake the car and have the people on the bus dancing. But it feels in where the door speakers dont. Plus you can adjust the volume and the crossover on the factory sub. I listsen to everything from classic rock to hip hop. I would say get the speakers first. If you want it really loud you will need an amp. As for me I'm fine know
jason
Originally Posted by BostonWRX
Those of you with new stereo head units, can you post pictures? What size did you use? DIN? double-DIN?
Thanks!
Thanks!
most people go with aftermarket single din units. Here's a picture of the first deck i got to replace my oem deck.
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I'm the manager at Sound Waves, a high end stereo shop in Van Nuys, and using a hi-lo converter to supply a signal for amps is a very viable and often with surprising results. I've built vehicles that have sounded amazing utilizing a factory HU, but the key was the use of a line driver such as an active EQ, LC7, or active X-over to pick up the low volt output of the HU. Voltage in is THE most important factor in systems, not THD, or signal to noise ratios. Though important, a strong high volt RCA signal is much more beneficial than a lower volt, yet cleaner one.
If you're only going to do one thing for your Subaru sound system, change the radio, and buy a good one. Kenwood KDC-X979, DEH-p860mp, or my favorite the Kenwood DDX 7015 would be some very good investments that can be had, with the exception of the 7015, for south of $500.
If you plan on upgrading your speakers, I NEVER recommend Co-axials, as they are not a true upgrade. Yes, they're better than stock, but only marginally, which is something to be considered when comparing them even to entry level components that sound much better for only a fraction more.
A sub is very crucial. At least a small 8" or 10" to fill in the low frequencies, is a must. Most customers I deal with, working on limited budget get a HU, Sub and amp. The stock speakers are not that bad and, contrary to what so many may think, can sound very good with a better HU. The lack of bass is then addressed with the sub, and one can have a very balanced and enjoyable system on a very limited budget.
If you're only going to do one thing for your Subaru sound system, change the radio, and buy a good one. Kenwood KDC-X979, DEH-p860mp, or my favorite the Kenwood DDX 7015 would be some very good investments that can be had, with the exception of the 7015, for south of $500.
If you plan on upgrading your speakers, I NEVER recommend Co-axials, as they are not a true upgrade. Yes, they're better than stock, but only marginally, which is something to be considered when comparing them even to entry level components that sound much better for only a fraction more.
A sub is very crucial. At least a small 8" or 10" to fill in the low frequencies, is a must. Most customers I deal with, working on limited budget get a HU, Sub and amp. The stock speakers are not that bad and, contrary to what so many may think, can sound very good with a better HU. The lack of bass is then addressed with the sub, and one can have a very balanced and enjoyable system on a very limited budget.
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From: Santa Rosa California
Car Info: 2002 WRX
The main limitation i found was the speaker door clearance in my 02 wrx. I started out with Boston Z series speakers in the front and i had to use 1in spacers in order to make them fit because of there depth. Then i upgraded to some focal utopias and they just plain wont fit at all. Even with the spacer in im still a good 1 in from making them fit. The 6.5 in on a good front speaker is to much for the front. I would just rember speaker depth if you are using 6.5 in in the front. As far as amplifiers go i went zapco and can make those sounds great with your stick headunit. One of the downside of using your stick head unit is the fact that is does not have a high quality digital to analog converter.
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