Need help guys

[Seephil]

Hi guys, I just recently bought my first liberty(MY06 2.0) just over a month ago. Whilst getting to know my new baby, I created a "to-do" list for mods. On that list is audio upgrade as I believe at least 2 or 3 speakers have blown. I am not one that is massive on audio and subwoofer but the crackling noise during bassy songs(even though not loud) is doing my head in.
Since I have no experience what so ever in speakers install, I was hoping if I could put out an invite for those who have a bit of free time and willing to teach me while we install the new speakers. You'll be rewarded for your time beers and pizza?
I believe the speaker size are 6 inches?
Would love to hear back if anyone is interested.

Cheers!

Phil

[mihai]

Where abouts are you located? I'd be happy to help depending on where you are?

[Seephil]

Where abouts are you located? I'd be happy to help depending on where you are?

Hi Michael, thanks for the reply.

I'm based in Hughesdale. Directly opposite Chadstone shopping centre off Dandenong road.

[mihai]

I can give you a hand if you'd like. I'm in Keysborough and did a full install in my car. Headunit, 2 amps, front splits and sub so I know my way around the Liberty pretty well.

Let me know when you want to get stuff done and I'll let you know my availability.

[Seephil]

I can give you a hand if you'd like. I'm in Keysborough and did a full install in my car. Headunit, 2 amps, front splits and sub so I know my way around the Liberty pretty well.

Let me know when you want to get stuff done and I'll let you know my availability.

Thanks Michael.
I'm only looking at replacing the door speakers and possibly splits.
I don't know what tools are required, but I don't mind meeting you somewhere if chaddy is too far away.

[mihai]

Have you already bought the speakers? Or are you looking at getting some soon?

Chaddy isnt too far for me, I'm in Keysborough.

[Seephil]

Not yet. To be honest I havent started looking yet. Thought I'd ask some people on this forum for any suggestions.

[mihai]

Save your money on speakers.

Put it towards a fascia kit and new headunit. The sound difference will be way better.

[Seephil]

I don't mind getting a new head unit etc, I didn't know it will affect the sound BUT the finance minister would probably crack it especially so soon after I got the car. Hence I want to change and possibly upgrade my speakers first.

I might not have all the tools required though.

[nytrojen]

I don't mind getting a new head unit etc, I didn't know it will affect the sound BUT the finance minister would probably crack it especially so soon after I got the car. Hence I want to change and possibly upgrade my speakers first.

I might not have all the tools required though.

I have to agree with Mihai on this one. I had an 06 with the Kenwood headunit and even at moderate volumes the speakers were crackling and sounded terrible. I replaced the headunit first with an Alpine (plus fascia kit of course) and the difference was so astounding that I didn't even end up replacing the speakers at all for the life of my car.

Honestly, your best bang for buck is saving up the money and getting a fascia kit and head unit. The weakest link in the chain with all Subarus in general is the head units.

[mihai]

I'll put it all out there buddy.

If you replace just the speakers, the signal that the new speakers are getting will still be the crap one from the factory headunit.

On top of that, the factory headunit doesn't provide much power to the speakers as it is. So what you will find is that if you get new speakers, they will most likely require more power than what the factory headunit can provide and won't sound anywhere near what you'd expect.

I know that replacing the headunit can be costly ($400ish for fascia kit + $200-400 on headunit depending on quality and features you're after) but it definately is better than spending $200-300 on speakers, then realising that they don't sound as good as you wanted and then having to spend money on amps or other miscellaneous items and end up having to change the headunit anyway.

I tried the factory headunit path because I didn't want to fork out the money on the fascia kit, however after a period of time, I did end up changing the headunit and I realised that the components I did have in the car running from the factory headunit sounded a million times better with an aftermarket headunit.

Others who have the McIntosh (the 14 speaker premium sound with a factory sub) said that they changed their headunit and rewired the door speakers to the headunits and the overall quality is better. More bass (without the sub even being connected) and better highs. Overall a much better sounding system, from only changing the headunit.

[Seephil]

Alright. Noted boys... guess I might have to wait a little while more. Currently saving up for a trip overseas + a wedding

Do you guys mind posting your headunits/fascias. I want to know what to look out for as I might try and look for it whilst in Malaysia and Indonesia(upcoming trip).

But seriously guys. Thanks alot for helping me out!

[nytrojen]

Alright. Noted boys... guess I might have to wait a little while more. Currently saving up for a trip overseas + a wedding

Do you guys mind posting your headunits/fascias. I want to know what to look out for as I might try and look for it whilst in Malaysia and Indonesia(upcoming trip).

But seriously guys. Thanks alot for helping me out!

Well I'm an Alpine fan, so I always go with them. I find their sound quality/features/price point really balanced. Plus all the bluetooth models have excellent modules - auto syncing phonebooks to headunit means you can search for names through the headunit and dial without even touching your phone. Newer models also have bluetooth streaming. They generally all have really good iPod/iPhone interfaces too, so searching for and playing songs is easy while driving.

My first choice for single DIN would be a CDE-148EBT. I've got a CDE-126EBT, which is a few years older, but pretty much the equivalent. They've added more features though in the mean time



http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=317

If you want to get the bare minimum head unit in single DIN then try a CDE-147-EBT. Basically a step down but $100 cheaper (I prefer the 148 as it has a better dot matrix display):



http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=316

All the single DIN head units in this price range include the iPod cable as standard (except for the high end ones... no idea why not) whereas the double DIN units need you to buy an extra cable, which is about $49 from Alpine.

For double DIN I'd go with a IVE-W530ABTi. The more expensive models have more features, but even this entry level is really good. No navigation though (can be added, but about $1000 for the nav module!!!) and you need the iPod cable as mentioned above. On the plus side, you can add a reversing camera to it



http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=283

All of the models I've mentioned have bluetooth built in as standard, and IMHO, the Alpine bluetooth experience is the best around.

If it makes any difference, I'm going to be replacing the headunit in my Liberty with the double din head unit I posted above

[nytrojen]

Also, here's the fascia kit you need:

http://www.japanparts.com/db/parts_detail.php?submit.x=38&submit.y=2&NUMBER=00014777&VOLUME=107-209-006&DEALER=1&CAR=6&MIDDLE=2&SMALL=13&MAKER=5&VOLKEY=&SEARCH_DEALER=1&SEARCH_CAR=6&SEARCH_MIDDLE=2&SEARCH_SMALL=13&SEARCH_MAKER=5&SEARCH_VOLKEY=&SEARCH_page=2



If you've got an 06 with single zone climate control, and silver fascia (which I think you should based on the fact it's an 06 2.0) then you need the #02SC A-C in silver

$326 is soooo much cheaper than when i bought mine. Our dollar was so low I ended up paying nearly $500 for the exact fascia kit a few years back (5 years now!!!)

[mihai]

Are you sure Alpine doesn't provide the iPod cable with their higher end units?

What are you basing this information on?