Tasteful sound system upgrade

[DaveWRX]

Hi folks,

I'm looking at upgrading the factory fitted sound system in my 07 wrx impreza. I'm looking for something relatively entry level, nothing fancy just reliable. Don't need a sub or anything like that.

Being a novice as far as electrics is concerned, I thought I'd put my thoughts to the floor.

Would I need to upgrade the speakers or would a headunit upgrade suffice?

I've been eyeing out Halfords for options and installation, anyone used them?

Any advice welcome! D

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[stants]

Oem Head units pants,speakers are even worse,

Do you have the tweeters in the top of the door ? If so you'll need a component system,

Do you have a budget in mind? You can get pretty decent head units for under a ton just depends on what you wnat from it ?

I'd go head and speaker upgrade for around 200 you should get a decent mix of bits

[martyc]

Component speakers are the best option but co-axs are ok and easiest to fit. Spend the money on the front end as that's where you sit.

Plenty of Bluetooth head units around now at really reasonable prices as stants said.

It's amazing the difference a small sub can make, not for the boy racer boom effect but giving a fuller sound. Although I must admit I used to be a bit of a bass fiend back in my younger years.

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[stants]

I ripped out the door components put Co ax in the doors and I have a small active sub under the passenger's seat, compliments everything nicely just enough to feel it but not loud enough so that people can see/hear

[DaveWRX]

Stants, I reckon about 200 is within my budget. I reckon co ax is the way to go. Will check where tweeters are though...I won't be ripping anything out, id mess it up.

Anyone know if Halfords installers any good, they've got some good variety of speakers, headsets?

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[stants]

If you get Co ax you'll loose some of the bass as the door speakers In mine were just mid/sub frequency the tweeters in top of door obviously for top end.

I'd have a look at somewhere like caraudiodirect. Co.uk as they do good stuff at good prices

[Jimmymac101]

I wouldn't get Halfords to do an installation for you! non of them are trained professional they read out of the manuals or have limited knowledge. 

 

if you wanted someone to fit for you id recommended researching car audio fitters in your area :D

 

As above caraudiodirect is good and I have had a few bargains from bass junkies 

 

James 

[martyc]

Halfords have also set fire to cars in the past installing head units.... Try a local audio specialist, it's amazing what they can do on their prices and they often have a wealth of knowledge

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[DaveWRX]

Was looking at Halfords as just convenient. Will research local audio specialists tonight, definitely sage advice.

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[stants]

I ended up buying some speakers from Halfords due to the impreza ones being daft sizes didn't want to spend loads as had other things that needed doing, think I got some edge for the front and some vibes for tge back came to about 60 quid they don't sound too bad at all, & 100 for the under seat sub, just need to find some tweeters for the boot as they sound rubbish

[DaveWRX]

Stants, I'm going to take my car to an audio specialist locally and see what they quote me and can do. Still open to options but will see what my options are. Are the impreza dimensions notoriously difficult for audio installations?

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[stants]

Not really, may need a spacer on the front doors to clear the window when down

[DaveWRX]

Can anyone recommend audio specialists in Kent area ?

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[bitman]

the ONLY thing i did was replacement of the head unit (Pioneer AVIC) and a 350 Watt amp (Kenwood) in bridge mode for the existing subwoofer.

[stants]

Just seen this from an ex subaru dealership

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=201400745374&alt=web

[Fastboy67]

I'm upgrading my 04 impreza with a alpine ive 530 bt head unit (200 quid ebay) with a sub and kenwood amp I've had for ages. spoke to my local audio shop and they do a front door upgrade for the speaker for about £147 including sound proofing/deadening for the front doors and fitting. sound deadening worth looking at mate as its quite cheap and the door panels are thin metal so wll improve the sound quality for little money while the door card is off. 

[jonnyboy82]

Im about to fit my hertz 165s in the door of my blob just waiting on the delivery of my soundproofing. Apparently a 12mm spacer is required for 6.5" speakers. Will update with some photos once I get started.

[Fastboy67]

Look forward to seeing how they look mate once you've installed them, could be a another option for the front doors not sure whether to do anything with the rear doors ????

[jonnyboy82]

Look forward to seeing how they look mate once you've installed them, could be a another option for the front doors not sure whether to do anything with the rear doors ????

personally I wouldn't bother just disconnect them.

[Fastboy67]

One option i suppose or just turn the fader to the fronts. Let us know how your new speakers sound with the soundproofing in place as well might look at getting as set if they sound and fit good.

[jonnyboy82]

Will do mate.

[Haarrrllll]

How did the install go Dave? I'm looking into doing a very similar upgrade, I'm thinking about moving the front speakers to the back and getting some 6.5" speakers in the front. I like the sound of putting a sub under the passengers seat too. 

[jonnyboy82]

Ive made a start but not quite finished yet:

 

Almost finished sound deadening passenger door on both inner and outer skin of the door. This should really eliminate so much sound loss!

 

 

I also got my speaker rings made. Just need to bond them together and then apply a waterproof membrane.

[Fastboy67]

Looking good mate will the sound deadening affect the fitment of the door card? If not it should be a big improvement. 

[jonnyboy82]

Thx, no not at all. If you look closely you will see I have spent alot of time not covering any original holes or grooves to not affect the fitment.