So Conflicted

[Secondtyme]

I have this argument with myself with every car I buy. Replace the audio or leave it alone. I have a Pioneer AVH3200DVD double DIN reciever that was in my Subaru. I love this HU, had the parking brake bypass installed so I could watch movies while NOT driving, very easy to use, custom configurable about 100 different ways etc etc etc. Now, I have the 5, and i love the factory stereo for its nicely integrated design, 6 disc changer, display in the info center etc etc etc. I want more loud, plain and simple, the OE audio sounds nice enough, but it has no balls. If I put the windows down I have to turn the stereo off, and that has got to change, soon. Counsel me, my brethren, shall I amplify and signal process the OE stereo (along with some better speakers) or should I just ditch the OE and start building my better system with the Pioneer? I'm not going decibel drag racing and i will not be adding 1000w and 20" subs, just want to be able to crank it and enjoy my music.

 

[Silentnoise713]

I have this argument with myself with every car I buy. Replace the audio or leave it alone. I have a Pioneer AVH3200DVD double DIN reciever that was in my Subaru. I love this HU, had the parking brake bypass installed so I could watch movies while NOT driving, very easy to use, custom configurable about 100 different ways etc etc etc. Now, I have the 5, and i love the factory stereo for its nicely integrated design, 6 disc changer, display in the info center etc etc etc. I want more loud, plain and simple, the OE audio sounds nice enough, but it has no balls. If I put the windows down I have to turn the stereo off, and that has got to change, soon. Counsel me, my brethren, shall I amplify and signal process the OE stereo (along with some better speakers) or should I just ditch the OE and start building my better system with the Pioneer? I'm not going decibel drag racing and i will not be adding 1000w and 20" subs, just want to be able to crank it and enjoy my music.

new speakers + 4 channel amp or possibly a 4+1 amp + speaker and sub.

I'm going for budget and clarity but want to keep the OE radio. I'm planning the mini amp + equalizer + 4 speakers.

The problem with the OE unit is the SQ suck even if you simply amp it. But if you just want more loud then an amp is a good first start. Squeeze in the biggest A/B you can afford or a nice class D.

 

[Gorilla0178]

put the pioneer in!!!!!!!!

 

[Secondtyme]

Well after doing quite a bit of interweb research I pulled the trigger on a dash kit to install the Pioneer last night. I found a really good deal on a complete set-up on E-bay. I'lll be getting the dash kit, the Metra harness adaptor, the antenna adaptor, and I went ahead and ordered the SWC harness as well, because giving up my steering wheel buttons makes baby Jesus cry. I decided in the end that it doesn't make sense to spend money to "improve" the OE radio when the Pioneer kicks ass as it is. The Pioneer also won't require me to spend MORE money when I'm ready to add an amp later, just get the right amp and wire it up. The OE radio isn't equipped to do that, requiring a line level converter or some such. And while I will miss the nice integration of the OE radio the Pioneer has enough advantages in terms of SQ, and ease of upgradabilty later that I think I'll be happier in the long run. The Pioneer should drive the OE speakers a little bit harder than the factory HU until I can swing some better speakers and an amp. I will probably get an 8" amped Bazooka tube at some point, something to add some low end punch, but not soon I has no money LOL Silentnoise, take a look at SonicElectronix, they have the Clarion micro amp for $110 bucks, which i found to be pretty cheap. Their website is a nightmare to navigate though.... Thanks for the advice guys I really appreciate it.

 

[Secondtyme]

Dash kit and harness' arrived today, got the Pioneer and relay out of the Subie between raindrops yesterday. SWC harness should be here tomorrow. Looks like I'm doing an install this weekend! Woooot! pics to come, if I think of it I'll take some pictures of the work in progress....

 

[31N007]

Maybe the P5 is setup acoustically different but I have a head unit and the stock trunk mounted sub and its plenty clear. It bumps more than my dads 2012 Nissan Altima (stock) and around par with my moms 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Boston acoustics audio)

You made a good choice in your first step to lovely sounds. I think the aftermarket head unit alone helps a great deal. It has more power than stock too I should imagine. Wondering where this goes from here!

I have a Boston Acoustics 5 channel that's waiting to be installed. I got it before an online retailer sold out for $250 and haven't run it yet. I have 3x pre amp outputs so I can hook it up but I need to get off my arse and get a wiring kit and 10" sub.

(Sorry to have mildly and shamefully threadjacked- I go off on rants you see...)

 

[Secondtyme]

The 5 mainly needs more muscle. The sound it puts out is actually quite good as stock systems go. The style of music I have been into the most lately is taxing for stock audio, too much bass and mid muddying the waters and drowning out the highs unless you increase the treble response too high to stand. I have had the Pioneer in my last two cars (don't ask) and it should be more than capable of filling my needs. Now I just need a fat bag of cash LOL

 

[31N007]

Now I just need a fat bag of cash LOL

Don't we all!

There's nothing wrong with moving the heatunit between cars. If you like it, there's no reason to change. I want to pick up a pioneer sub at some point so I can use my amp. I would rather put the money into bodywork though first and foremost. No point in having a banging system if the body looks bad (as most high school kids I knew had)

Now I'm off to college, I would rather have a dependable car. Mommy and daddy don't fund me. I'm kinda complaining but I'll be better off when I do move out.

I use the High pass filter on my stereo. My sub isn't on its own channel though so if I turn it on, only the front speakers really show a difference. The rears and spare tire sub are affected by the filtering...

I need to pick up components for the front- I have the tweeters in the sail panels hooked up and may as well use em!

 

[phunky.buddha]

Replace it. The OE stereo is pretty abysmal. I already had aftermarket speakers in my 5 from the previous owner that were halfway decent, but the stock head unit. Even the cheapo $200 range Sony with Bluetooth integration is way cleaner and more powerful than the stock head. The range and amplification on the factory radio is really pretty crappy.

 

[Secondtyme]

I have been more impressed with the fact that in spite of the limitations they had to deal with the factory stuff does do a decent job. The interior is almost entirely hard plastic which can introduce all sorts of NVH issues. And you do not have a set of speakers in the rear doors, leaving the rear speakers to do the job filling all that cargo space without overwhelming the front pair. I have actually starting to consider adding a set of 6x9 speakers in little boxes behind the second row of seats to better fill the sound stage. But first I will add my Pioneer and see how it does at driving the OE speakers, if my experience with the Subaru is any guide I will quickly realize the limitations of the factory speakers and upgrade from there.

 

[phunky.buddha]

You'll hear the limitations- you're just used to the sound in the factory speakers now, so you probably don't notice it as much. Honestly, every manufacturer does a halfway "decent" job of putting a stereo into cars these days- they have to. The minimum is still the minimum.

As far as the rear speakers, I barely notice any difference with them on or off, especially with any cargo in the back. I'm a firm believer that the best sound stage in a car is built with only quality speakers in the FRONT (none in the back), and when I add the amp to the car it'll only power the fronts and a sub. I don't even think I'll plug the rear speakers in- they don't do anything for me.

 

[Silentnoise713]

As far as the rear speakers, I barely notice any difference with them on or off, especially with any cargo in the back. I'm a firm believer that the best sound stage in a car is built with only quality speakers in the FRONT (none in the back), and when I add the amp to the car it'll only power the fronts and a sub. I don't even think I'll plug the rear speakers in- they don't do anything for me.

3rd row passengers disapprove
2nd row will ask to turn it up
1st row will be a tad too loud (if there are passenger in the 2nd/3rd row)
Then again, you are the driver so defacto boss.

I agree with this setup in a two seater!


What I'd like to do is move the rear speakers into the sliding doors and mount (I think it might actually fit) a pair or 8" free air subs into where the OE rear speakers are.

The ultimate (fantasy, since I'd never dump that much cash into mobile audio) setup would be 6.5 components up front, 6.5 coaxials in the doors, two 6.5 mid bass drivers where the rear speakers, and a 12" sub replacing the spare. Can even add a center channel on the dash center, was told there's an empty pocket and Japanese owners have done that. Complete incognito 10 speaker setup that takes up no extra space. Where to mount amps (without taking up space) is still a mystery I have yet to solve to satisfaction.

 

[Secondtyme]

Take a look at the fairly new Clarion 1410 micro amp, that thing is the size of a 1 lb box of spaghetti. I'm sure there are lots of places that a couple of those could be hidden. I like your idea for an ideal system, may have to do something like that, after a fat bag of cash lands in my lap that is LOL

 

[Secondtyme]

The saga continues, I wired up the harness adaptor that came with my dash kit, its a Metra and has 14 pins. When it came time to add the PAC SWC controller I realized that there are no wires in the Metra harness for a Mute function, nor a SWC wire. Sooooo I looked at Crutchfields website and thought they offered a 24 pin Mazda harness. I ordered it, it came in, it has, you guessed it, 15 BLANKETY BLANKIN PINS! I'm a little frustrated to say the least. Incidentally I'll be installed the radio and SWC harness this weekend and seeing what works and what doesn't.

 

[phunky.buddha]

3rd row passengers disapprove
2nd row will ask to turn it up
1st row will be a tad too loud (if there are passenger in the 2nd/3rd row)
Then again, you are the driver so defacto boss.

I agree with this setup in a two seater!


What I'd like to do is move the rear speakers into the sliding doors and mount (I think it might actually fit) a pair or 8" free air subs into where the OE rear speakers are.

The ultimate (fantasy, since I'd never dump that much cash into mobile audio) setup would be 6.5 components up front, 6.5 coaxials in the doors, two 6.5 mid bass drivers where the rear speakers, and a 12" sub replacing the spare. Can even add a center channel on the dash center, was told there's an empty pocket and Japanese owners have done that. Complete incognito 10 speaker setup that takes up no extra space. Where to mount amps (without taking up space) is still a mystery I have yet to solve to satisfaction.

Front only stage doesn't matter when you have it up loud enough for the rear passengers.

My ideal setup would be to run the 6.5 components up front and an 8" sub under the seat or a 10" sub in a custom fiberglass enclosure under the false floor. I've done the math, and with losing the tool tray but still keeping the spare tire, you can squeeze out 1.1 to 1.2 cubic feet of space- plenty of room for a vented box for a decent 10 or a sealed box for a 12.

 

[Secondtyme]

The Pioneer is in! It works perfectly, just no SWC for now, until I figure out which wire to tap into. Man, let me tell you I had forgotten just how very good this deck is. Was able to put my Nile, Annihilation of the Wicked CD in and actually hear George and Dallas singing (if that is what they call it LOL) I'm very happy, now to blow out the OE speakers so i can begin "upgrading"

 

[Gorilla0178]

I posted this a little while ago, i have made a custom box that fits in the spare tire. Its perfect for a 12" shallow sub from pioneer, it required a little modification to the plastic tray and the hatch had to be taken out. The amps and capicitor are under the rear seats, which keep them from folding all the way down but i have child seats there anyway. It hits way harder than i would have expected, especially with the pioneer head unit.

 

[rodslinger]

The Pioneer is in! It works perfectly...

Sorta went the same route and glad I'm not the only one with good results. I usually change speakers on a car first as they always seemed to be the better path. Went the opposite on the 5 and put in a Pioneer AppRadio2 using the stock speakers. I wasn't expecting much thinking the stock speakers would suck but was impressed at how much more range the setup had with just the Pioneer unit. I may only add a small 6.5" or 8" low frequency driver and a 4+1 amp. Crossover the interior speakers to keep the bass out of them and leave it alone.

 

[Secondtyme]

The stockers have more mid range capabilty than I was expecting, so much so that I had the same thoughts as ^^ keep the stockers and add a sub. I was thinking a powered tube though, not a box and amps. Although the Sound Ordinance powered box is supposed to be epic and is relatively cheap to boot....

 

[phunky.buddha]

I posted this a little while ago, i have made a custom box that fits in the spare tire. Its perfect for a 12" shallow sub from pioneer, it required a little modification to the plastic tray and the hatch had to be taken out. The amps and capicitor are under the rear seats, which keep them from folding all the way down but i have child seats there anyway. It hits way harder than i would have expected, especially with the pioneer head unit.

Did you measure the volume of the enclosure? Fiberglass? How much power? Which series shallow- that's 2nd gen right?

I was more thinking of using the entire space around the spare tire- glass the whole volume in, then flip the spare upside down and slide it as far rear as possible so it can sit in a recess at the back of the box. That would get maximum volume for the box and still keep the spare in place.