[JJ]

Interview with SCCA, Solo Technical Manager, Doug Gill

So what are you all thinking of for a Stereo system in your STi? Subaru WRX stock system, Subaru McIntosh System, or an aftermarket system? What components are going to go into your system?

Here's mine:

Alpine/Kenwood/Panasonic Single-Din, Double-Din, or LCD Headunit (possibly the Alpine CDA-7878 I already have)
MUST HAVE SAT. RADIO AND MP3
Phoenix Gold XS4300 Amp (3 years old, I will use for front and rear speakers)
Phoenix Gold 2-Ch Amp for Sub(s)
Infinity, MB Quart, Boston Acoustics or Alpine Seperates in front
"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""" Seperates or Coax in rear
JL 10W or 12W Sub (possibly two) in a CUSTOM box

Think I have good taste as far as brands go??

 

[alfredob1]

The stuff in my current car will migrate to the STi after a week or two:

Panasonic CQ-DVR909U (DVD capable HU)
Emerson in-dash motorized 7" LCD screen w/ TV tuner (got it from uBid probably get a Panasonic screen later.)
Bazooka P450 or Kenwood KAC-959 amp
Orion 5s w/ crossovers and tweeters front and back
MTX Thunder 250 amp and MTX 12" sub

Most of my stuff is kinda old but it still pleases my ears so I'll keep it for now.

P.S. I have a 5GB iPod and my HU has an AUX in so there are my MP3's.

 

[yxan2]

Here's what the booth bimbo said...

My current car will be migrated over

MB Quart - components x4

Virtual Technologies 10" dual coil sub

2 x 50 Precision Power amp

4 x 50 Precision Power amp

Sony MEX-5DI (HD)

XM - sony XM tuner

 

[91TB78]

You know I have thought about what I'm going to put in and I think something real simple like nice speakers and a decent 4-channel..and call it quits. I don't really want to add tons of weight into the car.

I was thinking of doing an Alpine 7995..in the silver color..that way it matches the interior trim of the STi.

BTW, anyone know anything about US acoustic amps? I've seen/read good reviews on them and they have good stats, not too mention very inexpensive.

 

[jbhebert]

I'm thinking if the McIntosh system isn't available, or is too much $$, I might go with the Alpine CDA-7897. I like the oversized, flip out face, and have always liked Alpine units. Also, it's one of the few untis that doesn't look really tacky. I don't want 17 different screen savers; I want good sound.

 

[CloNeGTS]

Good call on the bling bling, jb.

I'm looking at the Clarion ProAudio DXZ935 source unit, with maybe Kappa Perfect components front, straight 4s in the rear, and a single Solobaric L7 in the trunk. Not too sure on the amps yet.....I love the Alpine V12 amps, but I can't stand the look of their head units. They just look and feel too cheap to me. Just my opinion....I've never heard of anyone that didn't like their Alpine unit, so I'm sure they are great.

 

[4MLA1FN]

...I think something real simple...an Alpine 7995..in the silver color..that way it matches the interior trim of the STi.

dood. we're on the *same* wavelength. my goals: less than $1000 for the whole system *installed*, and keeping weight to a minimum. i've been looking at the same headunit. the blue and silver would look very nice, i think. but i just wish it had an aux-in so i could hook up an ipod like alfredob1 described. i really like that idea.

i was planning to team with with the alpine MRP-F320, a 5-channel amp with 40x4 and 120wx1 for a sub. i haven't decided on a sub as yet. i have an 8" bazooka in my current car. i'll probably get something like it for the sti.

 

[91TB78]

The 7995 does have aux input..as far as I know. I have the 7994 installed in our truck and it has an aux input in the rear of it. Very nice HU BTW. Actually, the 7994 is the same HU as the 7995, except that the 7995 has a cleaner pre-stage and doesn't come with a built-in amp.

I think I am going to get some pretty efficient speakers and a nice 4 channel to push them hard..and that's it. No sub or extra large amp for me..just a nice 4 channel..pushing around 85 RWS into 4ohms..

I don't want to add too much weight, plus I like it simple..and I don't want to take away any of the trunk space on an already smaller trunk.

 

[Soopafly]

I want a really good componet system, two awesome subs which I will mix and match between size and ohms to try and get a good range of high and low base, and one of those fancy decks with the flip out face and touch screen. I've been out of the audio game for a while so when I get back to the states I will have some major research to do on what brands to get. Oh, and I can't forget about the amps, it's my firm belief that the amp makes the system, too bad ppi got bought out, I heard that their amps went to hell after they got bought out, thats a shame because they we're my fav.

 

[JJ]

As far as Amps here's what I have had in the past:

MTX
Alpine
Phoenix Gold

And can say without a doubt that the Phoenix Gold is the best amp I have ever owned.

FWIW

 

[yxan2]

As far as Amps here's what I have had in the past:

MTX
Alpine
Phoenix Gold

And can say without a doubt that the Phoenix Gold is the best amp I have ever owned.

FWIW

ive owned 2 sets of MTX both broke, not too happy with em, had one Phoenix Gold ZX475 (too power inefficient, made the power thru the whole car dim when base was kickin, and even after a 1ohm cap it still dimmed, so i got PP and they were as powerful as phoenix but alot more power efficient

 

[alfredob1]

This one might make your lights dim also.

It's a JBL/Crown A6000Gti. 10,000 watts of peak power and 6,000 watts RMS. A paltry 6k.

 

[SnowbordrWRX]

I think I'll just get the Subaru one, or something low-key. Don't want someone breaking in and tearing it out of the dash. If I want really awesome sound, I'll get a premium theater sound system for my home.

 

[91TB78]

I'm with you Snowboardr..I am much more into HT and Home audio...so a decent system I can listen to on trips..no subs for me..just 4 speakers and the HU..and a 4channel to power them all.

 

[chawklit]

if you want good home audio, invest in a good pair of headphones, they'll beat speakers anyday.

 

[SnowbordrWRX]

Besides, since it's a performance car, I'd rather spend money to improve performance (though I'm not sure what I'd do!) definitely would need more power from the extra weight I'll be carrying:

Rubber floor mats
Rubber trunk mat
Yakima Roof Rack
trunk pass through modification
OEM or low-key stereo

All I can think of is to hack in some Homer Simpson/Fat Tony speed holes to lighten the car and reduce drag :lol:

 

[JJ]

STi Audio:

I am sure that a stock WRX stereo prob runs $1000 plus install, which you know is going to be high at the dealer. So, I really don't know why anybody would pay that much for that- most will go aftermarket I think.

I personally would be happy with a 6 Channel amp, some good speakers and a really nice HU. Maybe 40 pounds of wieight at the most- which I will deal with: more power upgrades.


Headphones:
I agree that the best home audio is through headphones.

I have a set of Beyerdynamics 250's and that is the best $175 I have spent in a long time. They are that good. www.headphone.com is where I got them.

 

[MKIVSupra]

I would be happy with the McIntosh setup. That will probably not be an option so I will be going aftermarket. I was wondering though, you guys that are going aftermarket, are you going to use the factory wiring? I would think a nice system would need or would benefit from better quality wires than what Subaru put in there.

 

[SnowbordrWRX]

What's a good low-key, low-cost aftermarket system?

 

[ldivinag]

old school for me:

sony:
xr-c900
cdx-91
xdp-210
xt-xm1

soundstream ref 300 amps

mbquart 218

subwoofer is still a toss up. i want that new blaupunkt saucer sub.