Best option to upgrade sound system in a MY04 Liberty?

[mattyo]

Just got my Liberty the other day and i have to admit, it ain't the best system they put factory in a car.

I have been reading about it and i have discovered that i only got the standard system in my car.

I have seen some people on the fourm put in a single DIN, and also a double DIN to replace the whole unit.

Just wondering from peoples experiences what is the best option to go for?

[seanmau5]

What's your budget? I went for double din because 1) I could afford it when doing the upgrade 2) that's the size of the fascia kit you get from Subaru Japan/avoJDM/Japanparts 3) I wanted sat nav and 4) I like how easy a double din HU is to use..

What do you want from it?

[mattyo]

What's your budget? I went for double din because 1) I could afford it when doing the upgrade 2) that's the size of the fascia kit you get from Subaru Japan/avoJDM/Japanparts 3) I wanted sat nav and 4) I like how easy a double din HU is to use..

What do you want from it?

Well my budget would be $1000 $1500, that would include putting in new speakers, amp and the head unit, but i tbe good to get a dvd player in the car because i think it be a nice touch to the car!

And honestly, i just want a nice upgrade from the factory system thats in the car already.

[seanmau5]

What's your budget? I went for double din because 1) I could afford it when doing the upgrade 2) that's the size of the fascia kit you get from Subaru Japan/avoJDM/Japanparts 3) I wanted sat nav and 4) I like how easy a double din HU is to use..

What do you want from it?

Well my budget would be $1000 $1500, that would include putting in new speakers, amp and the head unit, but i tbe good to get a dvd player in the car because i think it be a nice touch to the car!

And honestly, i just want a nice upgrade from the factory system thats in the car already.

You need to budget $400 for the fascia kit. How about sat nav?

[mattyo]

I do have a Navman already but it wouldn't hurt to have a all in one unit!

Do you reccommend any head units?

[seanmau5]

I do have a Navman already but it wouldn't hurt to have a all in one unit!

Do you reccommend any head units?

I used to have a JVC KW-AVX736NAV which I bought new for $699 and thought it was great until I upgraded haha I now have a Pioneer AVH-8450BT which is brilliant. It uses something called advanced app mode, plug my iPhone into it and I can use the nav software on it. Got it second hand for $550.

For a decent unit with nav built in $1800+?????

[Slate]

Hey Sean,

When you installed your pio head unit,

Were you able to integrate it with your steering wheel controls?

[fletch2]

I have a double din fascia for sale shortly and a axxess steering wheel control adapter as well. Pm me if your interested

[cooki_monsta]

What's your budget? I went for double din because 1) I could afford it when doing the upgrade 2) that's the size of the fascia kit you get from Subaru Japan/avoJDM/Japanparts 3) I wanted sat nav and 4) I like how easy a double din HU is to use..

What do you want from it?

Well my budget would be $1000 $1500, that would include putting in new speakers, amp and the head unit, but i tbe good to get a dvd player in the car because i think it be a nice touch to the car!

And honestly, i just want a nice upgrade from the factory system thats in the car already.

Sound deaden the front doors and get Pioneer/Alpine 6.5" component speakers. Many would say, leave the rear speakers alone, but I'd upgrade them too with another pair of 6" coaxial speakers to kill the annoyingly wooly bass that would ruin the overall experience. Don't bother with sound deadening there unless you have left over cash. You will need spacers as well for both front and rear and they are the same. Avoid buying sub-$100 RRP speakers ...for $1500 I don't think you should bother with an amp and sub-woofer setup.

[garbo41610]

What's your budget? I went for double din because 1) I could afford it when doing the upgrade 2) that's the size of the fascia kit you get from Subaru Japan/avoJDM/Japanparts 3) I wanted sat nav and 4) I like how easy a double din HU is to use..

What do you want from it?

Well my budget would be $1000 $1500, that would include putting in new speakers, amp and the head unit, but i tbe good to get a dvd player in the car because i think it be a nice touch to the car!

And honestly, i just want a nice upgrade from the factory system thats in the car already.

Sound deaden the front doors and get Pioneer/Alpine 6.5" component speakers. Many would say, leave the rear speakers alone, but I'd upgrade them too with another pair of 6" coaxial speakers to kill the annoyingly wooly bass that would ruin the overall experience. Don't bother with sound deadening there unless you have left over cash. You will need spacers as well for both front and rear and they are the same. Avoid buying sub-$100 RRP speakers ...for $1500 I don't you should bother with an amp and sub-woofer setup.

Why limit to Pioneer/Alpine speakers? With his budget, any speaker he gets from Alpine or Pioneer are going to be terrible.

From FHRX Studios Website:
$1000 System
Source Unit: Clarion CZ202A / Crystal EDB410BT / Eclipse CD5030 / Pioneer DEH-2450UB / Sony CDXGT290
Front Speakers: Crescendo Opus 1 / DLS B6A / Eclipse SE6500 / Focal IS165 / Hertz ESK165 / Morel Maximo 6 / Orion CO625 / Polk DB6501 / Rainbow Sound Line SAC 265 25
Amplifier: ARC XDi804 / Audison SR2 / DLS CA22 / Eclipse XA4200 / Focal FPP2100 / Hertz HE2 / Orion CO300.2
Cable: Stinger
Deadening: Dynamat SuperLite / FhrxPaint / Stinger

It's a bit old and models numbers may have changed here and there but my suggestions would be (from the list above)

Source Unit: Eclipse CD5030
Front Speakers: Crescendo Opus 1
Amplifier: ARC XDi804 - Leaves room to expand and add a sub when funds allow.
Cable: Crock, go to jaycar
Deadening: Any

$2000 System
Source Unit: Clarion CZ302A / Eclipse CD5030 / JVC KD-R826BT / Pioneer DEH-6450BT
Front Speaker: Boston SR60 / Crescendo Opus 3 / DLS MS6A / Eclise SC6500 / Focal PS165 / Hertz HSK165 / Morel Tempo 6 / Orion C2.62 / Polk DB6501 / Rainbow Sound Line SAC 265 25 / RE Audio RE6.5C
Amplifier: ARC XDi803 / Audison SR4 / DLS CA31 / Eclipse XA4200 / Focal FFP4100 / Hertz EP4 / Orion CO600.4
Subwoofer: Crescendo Etude1.10 / DLS RW12 / Eclipse SW6012 / Focal P30 / Hertx ES300 / Image Dynamics ID12 / Orion CO1248 / RE Audio REX12
Cable: Audison Connection / Stinger
Deadening: Dynamat SuperLite / FhrxPaint / Stinger Roadkill

It's a bit old and models numbers may have changed here and there but my suggestions would be (from the list above)
Source Unit: Eclipse CD5030
Front Speakers: Crescendo Opus 3
Amplifier: DLS CA31
Subwoofer: Crescendo Etude1.10
Cable: it's a bit of a crock, go to Jaycar
Deadening: Any really.

Don't worry about rear speakers. Your speakers should be faded all the way to the front. The amplifier will take care of the midbass going to your front speakers, and there should be no sound coming out of the rears until you are carrying passengers. The sub will be bridged on the two rear channels.

This doesn't include the cost of the fascia kit etc, it's just to give you an idea of the quality of gear over and above the mainstream brands, in particular Alipine, Pioneer, Sony, Kenwood etc etc etc for around the same price.

[cooki_monsta]

Yeah, don't limit yourself to just Alpine/Pioneer as Focal speakers are a great alternative. Boston Acoustics and Polk Audio are worthy of consideration as well. However, I don't think Pioneer TS-Ds are terrible, nor are Alpine DDLs.

If you want to maintain symmetry about the centre console, I'd get a 2-DIN unit that has no buttons or knobs on either side, but that will cost you around $1000 for the unit, ISO harness, speaker cabling and fascia kit. With $500 or so left over, I'm not sure if you will find a decent amp under $200 if you end up spending $100 on sound deadening and at least another $200 on the front speakers with spacers...