About to get a new scooby and was wondering about options for upgrading the ICE - have heard how bad the standard install is meant to be and hoping to keep the car a good few years. As I've spent all the dosh on the car, I'll have to upgrade bit by bit.

I was actually thinking about maybe keeping the standard head unit, at least for a bit. I haven't yet heard *how* bad it is, but my thinking was no theft hassles (double DIN, Subaru specific etc - so no messing with detachable facias etc). To compensate, use a good amp driving some good speakers.

What do you good folks think of this plan? Is there any merit in it, or is the head unit *that* bad. I would like to replace it eventually (DAB sounds interesting but pricey still at the moment).

Upgrade order:
1. Front speakers (as per Chiark's advice)
2. Amp
3. Rear speakers
4. Headunit

What I would like is a good clear sound, with the ability to go loud, but I'm not after kick a$$ bass.

[Edited by NickB2 - 4/22/2003 12:43:20 PM]

 

Nick

Having upgraded my head unit first and the speakers 2nd I was amazed how much difference just the head unit upgrade made with the standard speakers. It shows how awful the Subaru unit is.

I would go.
Head Unit
Front Speakers.
Amp
Rear Speakers.

The rear speakers dont seem to make that much difference overall the head unit and fonts seem to make the biggest difference

 

Thanks for the info.
What level of money did you have to spend to see such an improvement - are we talking £100, £300 or more to get the improvement you saw?

 

I too went down the head unit route first...

Pioneer 7400MP replaced std stereo in my MY99 ....

Big improvements

Head unit cost me £280 a year ago

 

Head unit. really.

Re the 7400, it won't fit in the new shape. Most other things do though.

 

Why won't it fit in the MY03? If it's a standard DIN size surely it will fit in the top half of the double DIN, with subaru DIN sized shelf below?

I'm planning to fit my Sony head unit from the old car in this way, please advise if this is not possible.

Dan

 

I think the problem with the 7400 is the edges wont sit in properly

Chiark -correct me if im wrong

 

As above - there's a frame on it that can't be removed, hence it won't fit.

This "frame" fits on the outside of single DIN holes. Because of the different config of double DIN, which sits inside the facia rather than "on" it, this frame must be removed.

it ain't removable on the Pioneer 7400, but is on most things. Check first.

 

I went for a blaupunkt mp72 mp3 / cd head unit cost £220 absolute bargain as it is a quality piece of kit, the silver head unit matches the silver dash fascia as well so it looks original too.

Just make sure the head unit you buy the frame that sticks around the head unit is removable.

I can mail you a pic if you want.