Sold the M3 and replaced it with a 2011 WRX. I haven't heard a factory audio system that sounds this bad in 20 years. Which is good, because I won't waste time before gutting it! Due to monetary constraints, though, the build will probably go in stages:
Obligatory Car Pic:
Stage 1:
Audison BitOne, integrated with OEM HU. I don't want the constraint of needing a Head Unit with the right crossover and time alignment I want, so I'm just going to dive into what will easily be the most expensive component in the system.
Sound Deadening: The Subaru needs a lot more attention in this department than the M3 did! Not going to waste any time getting to this step.
The rest will be some basic placeholders to get started. Maybe some Seas Neo tweets and a pair of Dayton RS150's I have sitting around, powered by, either a hodgepodge of 2CH amps I have, or a nice, compact 5 channel like the Alpine PDX-5 or Massive Audio NX5
If you listen to the radio at all, you will not want to keep the factory deck. I have an MS8 and the CD players sound good. Radio, there is no hope for. Bing also tested a factory HU and said their is some nasty built in EQing that changes with volume. I have since bought a cheap HU to replace the stock.
If you listen to the radio at all, you will not want to keep the factory deck. I have an MS8 and the CD players sound good. Radio, there is no hope for. Bing also tested a factory HU and said their is some nasty built in EQing that changes with volume. I have since bought a cheap HU to replace the stock.
Good thing I never listen to radio! And I do mean never. Mostly CD's, iPod or Bluetooth streamed MP3's from my phone. A HU is a sure thing, though. Just not the first thing.
I was in a similar boat with a head unit. You can get an older SQ head unit very cheaply, I found and went that way. An Alpine CDA 7995 can be had for $100 and is well worth it, even as a placeholder and can be resold later for what you paid.
I was in a similar boat with a head unit. You can get an older SQ head unit very cheaply, I found and went that way. An Alpine CDA 7995 can be had for $100 and is well worth it, even as a placeholder and can be resold later for what you paid.
I'm actually curious to hear what sort of sound quality the MS-8 can extract from the factory HU. My primary qualifiers for the head unit I'll chose are features. I want ergonomic, aesthetics and convenience. That's why I decided on an external processor. Didn't want to be constrained to a small number of overpriced essque HU's that still leave one wanting.
In short, I wish there were an Android HU already!
I'm actually curious to hear what sort of sound quality the MS-8 can extract from the factory HU. My primary qualifiers for the head unit I'll chose are features. I want ergonomic, aesthetics and convenience. That's why I decided on an external processor. Didn't want to be constrained to a small number of overpriced essque HU's that still leave one wanting.
In short, I wish there were an Android HU already!
My factory HU is soooo bad, that buying an interim was the right solution for me. My ultimate goal is go with a Car PC or Zune HD solution, managed through a touch screen, outputting sound through an outboard HiFi DAC into the AUX IN on my MS-8.
Since I don't want to boil the ocean while doing the build out, the Alpine was a good bridge until then.
Like Ryan, I'm going to post to get you on my subscriptions. It is a beautiful car - I saw it a couple days before Sam put the professional Guru detail on it. I am anxious to hear your impressions of the MS8.
Android head unit = Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Everyone is doing iPads...If I change my HU, it'll be for a Mac Mini w/ Carnetix power supply/Power button relocation and 7-8" touch screen....runing optical into my Bit One.1
Jay
(Oh, and I am also taking the lazy way to sub... )
You should check out Galaxy Tab installs on MP3car.com...works well. My route will be Windows 7, using Media Center with a Lilliput 7" touch screen that fits a double din opening. That is a great touch experience and I can tether it to my 3G for Last.FM, Pandora, etc. I'll pipe the Toslink into a KingRex DAC, then into the MS-8.
I need to check out those Galaxy Tab installs because that'd be the ultimate but I have no idea how to get a quality audio signal out of it and into the MS8. Aux in would have more distortion than an iPad through the iPod adapter.
I was watching videos of Soundmancaraudio's iPad install in their Tacoma. He did iPad to apple iPad camera/usb adapter to an Onkyo NDS-1 (IIRC) which gives optical out which he fed into his BitOne.
Kind of a round about way of doing it, but effective.
Progress today! Might even have something to listen at the meet on Saturday.
Got the 4ga run from the batt:
Ran into the fenderwell:
Had to pop off some panels to get access to this boot:
Inside view of the grommet in the driver's side kick panel for the 4ga to pass through:
Then got the PVC cups built up for the Tang Bands:
Really wish I had time to pull the carpet and lay down some MLV and CCF but I pulled the interior apart just to run all the wires to the NX5 and MS8. sound deadener can come later.
Just an FYI, my drivers side door handle is rattling. Like on the outside. Maybe if you add extra dampening around it, might help. Too late for me, door is already sealed up.
Thanks for the heads up! Going to tackle the door this afternoon.
It blows my mind that Subaru's solution to squeaking panels is a thin, fragile coat of felting on the snaps. This is going to be an ongoing project!
Starting Over: 2011 Subaru WRX 5-Door Install
Linear Mode
