| Subject: the Next Hurdle... |
Author:
MRNot
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Date Posted: 17:10:12 03/12/05 Sat
Author Host/IP: pcp03566064pcs.bowie01.md.comcast.net/68.48.46.126
Well, I certainly did an effective job making sure I didn't allow car audio to be of any concern in selecting my next vehicle. Subaru for whatever reason decided to sell this car with a stock in-dash 6-disc CD changer (no MP3 capability and no aux input), include a basic six speaker setup (components in the front and Lame-O(tm) 4.5" cones in the back doors), and make it impossible to upgrade without modification (or of course going back to
the dealer). The system as is sounds OK at low volumes, and since the car rides very quiet for a small car, it's not a huge deal for anyone not interested much in higher-than-average fidelity. However, if you're like me and
feel a need to sing along once in a while, you are stuck 'cause you can't get enough volume to compete with the voice.
The Subaru upgrades include a powered subwoofer installed under the passenger seat ($420 installed) and a speaker upgrade for front & back ($340 installed), which may be all fine and good, however, nowhere online or from the dealer is there any information on the specifications of the existing system or any of the upgrades. Because of that, I don't think it's possible to know whether it's worth it, and that means I ain't gonna.
I checked out Crutchfield, and their people were helpful in diagnosing the situation, but couldn't offer a whole lot for front speaker help. Problem is, the maximum mount depth for front (5.25" components) is 1.73" before the window can't roll down. The shallowest speaker they have in that size is 1.75". They recommend a speaker with 1.88" mount depth and then finding the assistance of a local installer to do it. There are lots of options for upgrading the head unit, so that's not a problem, and there are plenty of options for other 4.5" back speakers, but they won't make much difference in the overall sound of the system anyway. Of course, there are also a plethora
of choices for adding a subwoofer, though it's going to be something that will compromise cargo space (I can always get something removable, and take it out if I need the space).
I stopped by the newly opened Myer-Emco here in Bowie, and thankfully found a car-geek installer who just bought a 2004 WRX in August. He has not installed his system yet, but he's been thinking about what he's going to do since he got the car. He offerred many steps to slowly build the system if I don't want to jump in with both feet, or I can jump in with both feet in two ways. He plans for himself to install 6.5" component Boston Acoustic speakers in the front doors for which he is actually having fiberglass
pieces made to replace the front door covers. With less customization, the 5.25" Boston Acoustics will do nicely, though something still must be done since their mount depth is something like 2.25." He's also recommending some
Dynamat for the doors, since they are a bit thin & hollow. He recommends the updated version of the Alpine head unit we've both already had (why, oh why didn't I buy a $30 head unit to put in the Honda before I let it go?), and
an amplifier to power the front speakers (he says it's OK to leave the back speakers alone and run them off the Alpine head unit). A subwoofer can be added at any time. I figure if I get the right amp, it can take care of the
front speakers, and later the subwoofer too, if I indeed decide to go that route.
He mentioned that I'd probably get a huge improvement by simply acquiring the Alpine headunit to drive the factory speakers, so I could start with that and hold off on other things.
I'm still undecided at this time, 'cause the upgrade he recommends, without a subwoofer and without the fiberglass door covers, will cost around $1100. ARGH!
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