Factory Car Audio Upgrade - Update

[Kanewpadle]

The factory sound system on my Subaru is terrible.

Looking to upgrade starting with speakers first. Then maybe the head unit and maybe add an amp.

I've gone to several stereo shops and looked online. Opinions are very diverse.

Not looking to break the bank or my windows. Just need better sound.

Opinions? Have you replaced yours?

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Alpine is a favorite of mine. Pioneer is also a good one as is Kenwood. You do have to be careful as sometimes a company gets sold and the quality gets cheapened but the same name is on the face. Look at the specs and compare them and the features. Some features may be offered you don't want or features you do want that cost more.

Speakers...make sure the impedance is compatible as is size. Boston Acoustics is a great choice.

 

[DWalt]

You might access the Crutchfield website, maybe even call them for recommendations. Crutchfield: Car Stereo and Audio, Speakers, Home Theater, Pro Audio, TVs

 

[lihpster]

I second Crutchfield. Bought a couple of install kits from them. Top notch products and service.

 

[Rustyt1953]

My audio expertise lies in sound reinforcement and backline gear. I am weak on car audio so all my inquiries as to such are directed at Crutchfield.

They know their stuff.

 

[Ματθιας]

Get a complete system for the best sound.

If you try and piece one together, it likely won't have the sound you want and you'll eventually spend more money to get it to sound the way you want than if you bough a complete system in the first place! BTDT.

 

[wood714]

Crutchfield is the only way to go. I upgraded my speakers, and head unit. My factory head unit put out 6 watts, I bought a JVC the puts out 20 watts per channel. Major improvement. I bought everything from them, and their wiring harness. All plug and play. Their customer service people are great. I told them what I wanted, and they told me what would best suit my needs. Never tried to sell me anything I didn't need.

My front door speakers next to the 6x9 Kickers I installed.

I'd watch a few different YouTube videos to see how to remove your door panels. I was paranoid of all the clips, but never had a problem. It's nice to know what your getting into by watching others do it first.

I added sound deadening stick on stuff to my door before I put the speakers in too.

After:

Crutchfields pre wired harness. It looks like a mess, but all the plugs are different, so there's no way to mess up. All my factory steering wheels controls, and back up camera works perfect too.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

What's the cigarette for???

 

[soFlaNative]

What's the cigarette for???

He didn't have a banana.

 

[DWalt]

I put a JVC radio in my Ford Ranger last year to replace the original which quit working. I used the factory original speakers. Everything came from Crutchfield, no problems installing it, much better sound quality. Note that few new car systems come with CD players today. Usually just a USB port which is fine with me as all of my music is on thumb drives.

 

[wood714]

What's the cigarette for???

To give ya an idea how massive the magnet was on the factory 6x9's. About the size of a half dollar.

 

[wood714]

I put a JVC radio in my Ford Ranger last year to replace the original which quit working. I used the factory original speakers. Everything came from Crutchfield, no problems installing it, much better sound quality. Note that few new car systems come with CD players today. Usually just a USB port which is fine with me as all of my music is on thumb drives.

My factory head unit had a CD player, but I never used it.

I remember the days of having CD holders over both sun visors, and a book of them in the back seat.

Flash drives are the only way to go. Around 20K songs on a 64GB drive. I'm waiting for a good flash drive reader to be made for my home stereo.

 

[venomballistics]

As I ponder my Soobs infotainment center, I'm curious as to how I might go about any part of it beyond a speaker swap

 

[DWalt]

My factory head unit had a CD player, but I never used it.

I remember the days of having CD holders over both sun visors, and a book of them in the back seat.

Flash drives are the only way to go. Around 20K songs on a 64GB drive. I'm waiting for a good flash drive reader to be made for my home stereo.

They do exist. I have one but don't use it much as I rarely use my inside system.

 

[wood714]

They do exist. I have one but don't use it much as I rarely use my inside system.

I use this outside and in the garage. I use an old cell phone that I have a couple hundred songs on. It's loud enough to share music a few houses down if I want. Sounds really good too. It's Bluetooth, and will play close to 12 hours on a charge.

 

[Ματθιας]

If you're going to remove the door panel yourself, get the proper clip tool(s). trust me.

If you break one/some of the clips, go to the local auto glass shop as they have spares or can get you clips or the kits. They weren't that expensive - I don't know about now.

 

[pawngal]

I use this outside and in the garage. I use an old cell phone that I have a couple hundred songs on. It's loud enough to share music a few houses down if I want. Sounds really good too. It's Bluetooth, and will play close to 12 hours on a charge.

Those JBL tube speakers are awesome. The sound system in my Mini Cooper is fried and very expensive to replace the amp so I play music from my phone thru a smaller JBL

 

[Rustyt1953]

JBL borrowed the idea for tube speakers from the Bose Acoustic Wave Cannon.

Of course they shrunk it down.

 

[Kanewpadle]

JBL borrowed the idea for tube speakers from the Bose Acoustic Wave Cannon.

Of course they shrunk it down.

There's a mistake there. Should be BoseZooka.

 

[TX-Dennis]

You can buy packs of assorted clips at auto parts stores or on amazon in case you break one (or a few). I do second the advice to buy a set of clip removal tools to avoid breakage as much as possible.

Again, Crutchfield will fix you up with a recommendation that will far exceed your factory system. They have everything for every vehicle imaginable.