Sound Advice

[Atticus Peck]

Hi All.

I just bought my first Liberty. It's an MY03 2.5i with the Luxury pack and although I'm impressed with the car already I'm not so impressed with the sound system, (something most of you have already experienced judging by a lot of the posts I've read).

So, first things first I want to switch out the speakers and throw an amp in. Unfortunately I'm being told by a few people that I won't be able to run an amp straight from the stock head unit, (which I believe is a Kenwood unit?), so any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if I can get some info on the best way to remove the door trim it would be great. I want to get in and see exactly what the stock speakers are so I know what to buy for a replacement, (size, power etc...), or maybe some of you guys already know what the stock speakers are?

All advice is welcome and appreciated.
Cheers

[seanmau5]

Gen 3 or 4?

[Atticus Peck]

Gen 3 or 4?

Gen 4

[zch91]

It'll be a 2003 MY04 then

[seanmau5]

Do a bit of reading on line out converters and processors.

In saying that, the stock Kenwood head units are shithouse & really limit you - you could try a processor but I don't know enough about them to offer sound advice.

If you would like to remove the door trim panel follow this walkthrough - http://www.subaruaudio.net/installations/05-09-legacy/ however I know you'll fit 6.5" speakers in the front and need to buy these adapters to fit - http://car-speaker-adapters.com/items.php?id=SAK065 (make sure you select the 6.5" spacer from the drop down menu.

[Atticus Peck]

It'll be a 2003 MY04 then

Oops. Like I said; first Liberty

[Atticus Peck]

Thanks for the advice and the links Sean. That's awesome.
I'll check them out now.

[cooki_monsta]

Thanks for the advice and the links Sean. That's awesome.
I'll check them out now.

What have you got now? You won't need an amp unless you install some sound insulation in the doors. Just get the spacers, iso adapters $150-$250 speakers and a source unit that has integrated Bluetooth.

I've got Pioneer TS-C components up front an cheaper TS-D co-axials in the rear. I cut up the foam in the front doors and wedged the crossovers there. My source unit is the ICS-X7 by Alpine. I find that a lot of the bass is drowned out by road noise so I recommend insulating the doors to get the most out of your speakers and for a quieter ride. FYI, the X7 is a bit laggy but it's much simpler and less gimmicky in comparison to a Pioneer source unit. If you want speakers better than Pioneer but don't want to pay more, get Focal speakers.

[garbo41610]

Thanks for the advice and the links Sean. That's awesome.
I'll check them out now.

What have you got now? You won't need an amp unless you install some sound insulation in the doors. Just get the spacers, iso adapters $150-$250 speakers and a source unit that has integrated Bluetooth.

I've got Pioneer TS-C components up front an cheaper TS-D co-axials in the rear. I cut up the foam in the front doors and wedged the crossovers there. My source unit is the ICS-X7 by Alpine. I find that a lot of the bass is drowned out by road noise so I recommend insulating the doors to get the most out of your speakers and for a quieter ride. FYI, the X7 is a bit laggy but it's much simpler and less gimmicky in comparison to a Pioneer source unit. If you want speakers better than Pioneer but don't want to pay more, get Focal speakers.

Or, instead of focals and want something with some midbass and not just piercing highs, go with morel or crescendo.

Regardless of whether you run the drivers off an amp, you will want to invest in some sound deadener. Not sure who's telling you that you can't run an amp off the factory head unit. They clearly have no idea. All you need is an amp with high level inputs, most if not all do nowadays. Or you can use a line out converter but they induce a shit load of noise. Not sure if that has been covered before but there so many threads in the audio section that cover all this before so haven't really read all the responses.

[cooki_monsta]

Thanks for the advice and the links Sean. That's awesome.
I'll check them out now.

What have you got now? You won't need an amp unless you install some sound insulation in the doors. Just get the spacers, iso adapters $150-$250 speakers and a source unit that has integrated Bluetooth.

I've got Pioneer TS-C components up front an cheaper TS-D co-axials in the rear. I cut up the foam in the front doors and wedged the crossovers there. My source unit is the ICS-X7 by Alpine. I find that a lot of the bass is drowned out by road noise so I recommend insulating the doors to get the most out of your speakers and for a quieter ride. FYI, the X7 is a bit laggy but it's much simpler and less gimmicky in comparison to a Pioneer source unit. If you want speakers better than Pioneer but don't want to pay more, get Focal speakers.

Or, instead of focals and want something with some midbass and not just piercing highs, go with morel or crescendo.

Regardless of whether you run the drivers off an amp, you will want to invest in some sound deadener. Not sure who's telling you that you can't run an amp off the factory head unit. They clearly have no idea. All you need is an amp with high level inputs, most if not all do nowadays. Or you can use a line out converter but they induce a shit load of noise. Not sure if that has been covered before but there so many threads in the audio section that cover all this before so haven't really read all the responses.

+1 ...but I'd only keep the original source unit if you're happy with CDs and don't want to fork out another $350 for the fascia kit like I did. My install without an amp and sound deadening was about $1500 all up. Most would think I'm stupid for spending 2/3 of it on the source unit but I love the touchscreen and Bluetooth capability.

[andy85]

What have you got now? You won't need an amp unless you install some sound insulation in the doors. Just get the spacers, iso adapters $150-$250 speakers and a source unit that has integrated Bluetooth.

I've got Pioneer TS-C components up front an cheaper TS-D co-axials in the rear. I cut up the foam in the front doors and wedged the crossovers there. My source unit is the ICS-X7 by Alpine. I find that a lot of the bass is drowned out by road noise so I recommend insulating the doors to get the most out of your speakers and for a quieter ride. FYI, the X7 is a bit laggy but it's much simpler and less gimmicky in comparison to a Pioneer source unit. If you want speakers better than Pioneer but don't want to pay more, get Focal speakers.[/quote]

Or, instead of focals and want something with some midbass and not just piercing highs, go with morel or crescendo.

Regardless of whether you run the drivers off an amp, you will want to invest in some sound deadener. Not sure who's telling you that you can't run an amp off the factory head unit. They clearly have no idea. All you need is an amp with high level inputs, most if not all do nowadays. Or you can use a line out converter but they induce a shit load of noise. Not sure if that has been covered before but there so many threads in the audio section that cover all this before so haven't really read all the responses.[/quote]

+1 ...but I'd only keep the original source unit if you're happy with CDs and don't want to fork out another $350 for the fascia kit like I did. My install without an amp and sound deadening was about $1500 all up. Most would think I'm stupid for spending 2/3 of it on the source unit but I love the touchscreen and Bluetooth capability.[/quote]

Nope... Never thought it was stupid to spend 2/3 of 1.5k on source
Its only now stupid if u dont go ALL THE WAY n upgrade the rest hehehhehep

[cooki_monsta]

Its only now stupid if u dont go ALL THE WAY n upgrade the rest hehehhehep

Yeah, I'm thinkin of insulating the inside skin of the doors this Summer. I doubt I'd follow up with an amp install though. I still need to get coil-overs and upgrade the brake pads

[andy85]

Its only now stupid if u dont go ALL THE WAY n upgrade the rest hehehhehep

Yeah, I'm thinkin of insulating the inside skin of the doors this Summer. I doubt I'd follow up with an amp install though. I still need to get coil-overs and upgrade the brake pads

When u deaden the doors, do BOTH inner and outter skin for a more solid sound AND install a sound absorbant mat directly behide the drivers.

[cooki_monsta]

When u deaden the doors, do BOTH inner and outter skin for a more solid sound AND install a sound absorbant mat directly behide the drivers.

Would love to, but I'd need to clean the outer skin as it's so sticky with grease and dirt. Instead of doing four inner skins, I would consider doing just the front doors. What did you use to clean the filth?

[seanmau5]

Grease and dirt? At most you should have a black tarry adhesive! I used wax and grease remover available from SCA to clean mine off.