2008 2.5i sound system help

[Jamesh2233]

Hello I've just bought a 2008 my09 2.5i and i love it. But Ive noticed the standard stock system is a bit poor and would love to upgrade it. But I've also noticed it can be a bit of a headache doing so. I've read a few threads but can't find what I'm after. Firstly I'm dying to put in an aux but everywhere I look there About $100 is there any cheap ones out there? Also want to change the speakers on the front, rear doors, sub and amp. can anyone recommend any? Is it possible to go bigger as well without a noticeable difference? I would also like to install the sat nav system and looking on eBay you can pick one up for around $500-700 just wondering has anyone does this and how is it to install. Links and prices would be great cheers

[mihai]

1. Where are you located?
2. There is no cheap AUX input for our cars as its not a standard 3.5mm jack at the rear. Its a special Subaru plug. If you can get it for $100, then it can be installed relatively easily.
3. Are you planning on changing the headunit at any point?
4. If you plan on changing the front speakers, you can go up to a 6" easily (with a spacer obviously).
5. Forget about rear speakers, you, as the driver, will not get any noticeable gain from changing the rear speakers.
6. The issue with the SatNavs is that some units on eBay are from cars that were factory fitted and others that were fitted after leaving the factory. If you by any chance get unlucky and buy one that came out of a factory fitted car, then it will not just plug and play as the wiring loom is different behind the dash (from what I have read).
7. Sub and amp can be achieved easily, however if you do not plan on changing the headunit, I'd recommend an amp for the front speakers. This way you can cut out the low freqs to the front speakers via the amps HPF and you will get a much clearer sound.

When I first got my car, I went down this exact route and wrote up a how to install amp guide. It can be found in the reference material section. Link here: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=8395

There is also an install on here in the Audio Section with LOTS of pictures of exactly what you would like to do. Here it is: viewtopic.php?f=22&t=13828

If you are in Melbourne, you are welcome to come have a chat with me and listen to my current system (although after the 14th of June, after my exams).

What would you ultimately like to achieve from the upgrade? Louder music? Clearer music? Better frequency response? More functionality?

[Jamesh2233]

Thanks mate couldn't of asked for a better reply. I want to keep the stock head unit and might skip on the sat nav. Those links are perfect to. I'm just after louder, clearer sound not sure if the speakers have just had a had time but there crackly on a high volume. I'll have to brush up on my auto electrical cheers

[mihai]

In that case, what I can recommend is getting a 4channel amp. (Preferably one with high level inputs, however there are ways around this).

If the amp has high level inputs then you want to do the following:
From the headunit connect the front speaker outputs to the amp.
The amp outputs to the front speakers.
And the rear channels bridge them for a low power subwoofer.

If the amp does not have high level inputs (ie only RCA inputs), then you want to do the following:
From the headunit connect the front speaker outputs to a Line Out Converter (LOC).
From the LOC, run RCA's to the amp.
Connect the amp outputs to the front speakers
Bridge the rear channels on the amp for a low power subwoofer.

If you want a subwoofer with power requirements above 300W RMS, then I'd recommend getting a second amp.
Either go a mono block with a 4 channel and run the front and rear speakers off the 4 channel with the sub off the mono block.
OR
Go a mono block with a 2 channel and run only the front off the 2 channel. The rears can remain powered by the headunit.

If you decide to go for all 4 speakers amped, you will need 2 LOC's. 1 for the rear speakers and 1 for the front speakers.
For the sub, you can just take the front speaker inputs.

Where about are you located anyway?

[solongaudi]

Agree with everything Mihai said, personally I changed the rear speakers but it's true, I don't have em up loud enough to hear them anyway. I 'made' my Aux input from scratch useing parts from jaycar, scroll down the album in this link to see how, providing you have the same headunit.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... ff830bc954

Welcome the the game

[zch91]

Agree with everything Mihai said, personally I changed the rear speakers but it's true, I don't have em up loud enough to hear them anyway. I 'made' my Aux input from scratch useing parts from jaycar, scroll down the album in this link to see how, providing you have the same headunit.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... ff830bc954

Welcome the the game

Holy sh!t, I just looked at every photo in that album. Nice attention to detail!

[solongaudi]

Thought that might inspire you