[dgs]

Hey all, new to the Subaru world. Planning on getting an STI at the end of the month when I get my fat bonus (thankfully our company had record profits last year). I've gotten a few quotes at invoice for an STI with the Nav and BBS wheels. Who says a recessionary economy is bad for everyone?

Anyway, I love listening to music when I drive so a decent sound system is important to me. The stock OEM system with the STI is anything but decent. It's a 100 watt disappointment. I'm not sure why Subaru completely ignored the sound system on such an expensive car. I understand most of the money went to performance upgrades over a regular WRX Imprezza but would it have been too much to ask for a sound system that didn't need a complete replacement? I'm wondering how difficult it will be to add a new head unit with the nav option.

Anyway, great car, just venting a little. Curious if any of you ripped out the stock system and replaced it immediately after purchase? Also mods if this should go in the ICE forum please feel free to move it.

[Szumita]

i just, just ordered a new set! after a year i cant stand it anymore.

crutchfield.com ftw.

[tom@kartboy]

why bother getting the nav if you are going to rip it all out? get a base car and install as you please...

T

[Szumita]

agreed.

[sujak]

you do know the 04's ever came with stereos....

sti wasn't ment to be a luxury car

[chmura]

Yeah get a base and then install a nice stereo system with aftermarket navi.

I think subaru did not pay much attention to the stereo.

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by dgs

Also mods if this should go in the ICE forum please feel free to move it.

Nope, you got the right section.

[Digitalfiend]

Originally Posted by sujak

you do know the 04's ever came with stereos....

sti wasn't ment to be a luxury car

You know, I listened to the stereo in my '05 exactly three times in the first two years of ownership, until I started traveling to a client site every month. The drive was about 4 hours one way and honestly, I found myself tuning into the radio rather frequently. My wife listens to the radio all the time.

So for me, an "OK" stereo is definitely better than nothing but I certainly won't be loading up my trunk with subs.

[pwn]

What are you putting in the 08 to spruce up the system? I would like to do something similar, but I don't know my way around as well in terms of the car audio stuff. What speakers and amp(s) are you getting? Head unit? Sub(s) etc?

[HRCboy]

Originally Posted by sujak

sti wasn't ment to be a luxury car

I completely agree... the 08 STI is better but nowhere near luxury. Agreed the stereo does suck but the performance driving experience makes up for it. Even if you where to get a bmw, audi or lexus you still need to pay for an upgraded stereo. Skip the Nav option drop a nice setup in there and you have the ultimate ride for the price.

I think the stock system if setup properly (play around with the settings... I like the "Jazz sound option") and add a sub is becomes livable.

[CFar]

My suggestion would be to not get the NAV option and get your own therefore saving about $1,000 (even after you go aftermarket). Yes the stock stereo isnt the greatest thing but it plays music.

[Madrider]

Agreed with all the above. Buy with base setup, rip it out and install what ever your hearth desires. However, you will find yourself turning it down just to hear your engine reving under acceleration
Useful mode for long distance though

[HPH]

I'm sure that the new STI is much more quiet than the previous generation. (In my 05, I couldn't even hear the stereo until I put on different tires and loaded the thing up with Dynamat.) Still, this isn't a car meant for the audiophile experience, at least not from the audio system. Engine noise, sure; but high-quality music? Nah.

Want good car stereo? Get a Lexus, and upgrade the OEM unit.

Now, one alternative, which I use in my S2000, is earbuds. The head unit has rear-speaker outputs, and I've just wired them onto a jack. That's about the only way to overcome the ambient car/road noise. HPH

[dgs]

Originally Posted by CFar

My suggestion would be to not get the NAV option and get your own therefore saving about $1,000 (even after you go aftermarket). Yes the stock stereo isnt the greatest thing but it plays music.

You know what, that's not a bad suggestion. The nav is actually pretty high quality in the STI so it's unfortunate there is not a separate head unit. But it doesn't make sense to replace the speakers, and add a sub if the headunit can't properly power them in the first place.

Yep, guess I'll have to start researching good aftermarket systems. Right now the Pioneer AVIC-N4 is looking pretty good. Probably Sony speakers and sub, with a separate external amp coming later when the money is there. Figure $1,800 for the AVIC-N4, $500 for the speakers, and $300 for the sub. Ouch! Well there goes half of my bonus, which means $3,000 less to put into the down payment. Oh well, the car will be cheaper.

Now all I have to start doing is looking for one with the BBS wheels only. I'm thinking black or gray with the silver BBS wheels. The black STI's I've seen are sick looking, and the gray is really classy. Heck I would even take silver with the silver wheels. Man I'm excited. Besides the gas mileage this is going to be a great DD. Thanks again for the reply's. I have a lot of learning to do here.

[djrossco]

I feel what you mean when you spend 40K on a car that doesnt have a "luxury" stereo... But I have NEVER been impressed with a factory sound system.

I did my 08 this way:
Base model with the only options added are armrest extention and all weather floor mats. Cost was something near $35,000, certainly short of 40k.

My AVIC D-3 was on sale for $549 and has significantly improved the sound quality. Generally speaking, any new head unit will make any factory speakers sound better - whatever the vehicle manufacturer.

Find yourself a quality used Alpine HU for $100 bucks and you should find yourself happy with the speakers subaru provided. I certainly am! (I have one for sale, BTW)

I like that I've been able to customize my choices rather than pay for a luxury head unit that I'd only want to tear out anyway.