Hi all, simple question I hope. Will a decent sound system cover up the general Scooby noise. My classic is loud inside. Engine sounds nice but the road noise itself is loud. I sometimes like this but at times would like to listen to something else.

Would a good sound system take the other noises away. Normally drive modern cars which are super quiet so new to me.

All and any thoughts welcome.

its a cheap jap sh1tbox
learn to live with it or ged rid.
putting a decent sound system in it involves bigger speakers and some dynamat etc.
thats unlikely to mask the rattles

As above, the build quality of Scoobs is second to most. If you want quiet, get rid.

I would not rid of the car, that's not what I am trying to say. I have 2 other cars if I want quiet but on a long drive it would be nice to have the option of music over road noise. As I say I like the engine noise and the trim is not that bad for rattles. Just road noise really. No big one but like to ask. No point in me spending money on a decent sound system if the quality is going to be hindered by the noise of the road.

If you want quiet then drive one of your other
two cars.

As already stated scoobs are generally noisy, if I
am on a long journey I just stick the radio on, no point
pi55ing away money trying to make it quieter especially
when you already have two other cars.

If it's road noise and not the exhaust you're bothered about it might have rubbish tyres on?

Yeah, it has some Avon mid range tyres on it. Could be them. I don't think its exhaust. Engine is a nice sound. The exhaust is a standard one. It is not a huge deal but does make a difference on a by ice options. I knew they were noisy ish before I got one but always helpful to hear other views. Thanks all.

Take the seats out, carpet out, door cards of and buy a 10mm underlay the solid foam one not rubber, put as much down as poss, this makes a massive difference

AVON tyres are notoriously loud. Change them , circa £150 per corner for proper tyres. Then you got £600 or so.

But seriously, is this a real question?

Can you drown the noise of your car out with music?

Yes of course you can, fill the car with weight for a good audio set up (youll need a 6 channel amp, 2 sets of components, a sub woofer (size depending on the music you listen to), a good head unit, possibly a processor, a tonne load of good quality oxygen free insulated cable and a load of work. So once all that it in, your Scooby will be slower because of the weight, therefore wont be as noisy as you wont be going a s fast and the volume from your stereo will gently break your ear drums and they wont work as well....so you get exactly what you want. That little lot will cost you minimum a grand for a decent set up...

£1600....probably worth more than your car?

Has it had the suspension modded? Solid drop links, stiffer setup, coilovers etc etc all make for a noisy ride.

This must be a classic thing because my newage feels rather refined and quiet

Yup my classic is properly noisy,wouldn't have it any other way
Don't even switch the stereo on,,the car is music to my ears.

Wait until you have an 044 in the boot, and 044 in the tank, a 3" system, coilovers, arbs, slicks, roll cage, no sound deadening, no seats, no carpet etc.

Then you will know what it is like to drive a noisy car.... Not only will it make your ears bleed, the ride is so harsh it turns your brains to paste within 5 miles....

don't buy a spec c mate

I thought my semi stripped car was loud inside, until I was in the Lateral Performance car.

A little overkill to just drown out some noise wouldn't you say...it's not a home cinema system.


In answer to your question, yes, good music can take your mind off the noise. The default speakers in a classic are truly terrible.
You can easily spend a few hundred per set of front and rear speakers (front speakers should be the better quality) and the music will sound amazing.

A decent stereo is around the £100 mark with all the bells and whistles. Alas in the classic you cannot fit a double din stereo

I'd say £300-£400 would get you something that sounded amazing compared to the default setup.
Obviously you can spend a lot, lot, LOT more if you want.

Why not?

uk centre console has the additional button console in the middle.



vs jdm





that one has a gauge set and stereo.

im assuming you can relocated the buttons but would be a ball ache

Ahh I see Tidgy,I was thinking JDM. I've had a UK as well but forgot about them extra buttons.

and alot of use the bright button is,,,,,,,,

I could never work out what that did?!? I just used to switch it when I felt intelligent and tbh it was Mostly in the off position

when the lights are on it makes the clock brighter. Not the dash, just the clock hahaha

^^^

It's a Subaru FFS!

Tyres make a huge difference!

I put a set of dunlop sport maxx on, and couldnt believe how much of the road noise disappeared!

Also had 18s on, with lower profile tyres, they were very noise. But when i went to std wheels, with the Dunlops, the noise was much reduced.

Thanks for the responses, I know its a Subaru and I know they can be noisy however have been in a few more noisy and many more quiet. Appreciate the options and opinions from enthusiasts. Will change tyres and put a semi decent sound system with new speakers. As suggested by WokaImp.

lol, possibly

but when someone says sound system, i look towards a sound system. A head unit with a poor internal amp and some speakers is just to project noise, its not 'sound' or 'music', its just slightly amplified noise

I like music, I want it to be heard properly. It takes a lot of work designing a lightweight system though for a Subaru, had lots of trial and error in that department...and cost!

Dont listen to some of the idiots on here with their nonconstructive remarks.

Its your car to mod and upgrade as you please to any desired affect, more speed, better handling, less noise in the cabin, etc.
When they want to know what to upgrade to get more power, no one tells them to sell their scoobies and buy a faster car!

i spent some time sound proofing my old car, but the biggest difference was made by the tyres.

If you wanted to sound proof your car, from my experience, the best part to sound proof is under the rear bench/seat and boot. The doors didnt seem to make much difference. A decent head unit also makes all the difference with sound quality, if you do want to go down that route.

Here are some pics of my sound proofing

Now if we're talking a home music system then I would agree with you.
It's a fine art putting together a top notch system...and also fun.
There's also so much background noise in my classic that spending £1000's on a top end system is, imo, pointless.
Likewise, but I disagree with what you say.
Lightweight. Front and Rear speakers, stereo...can't weigh more than 4-6Kg. My gym/snowboard/dog/Girlfriend weighs more than that.
Unless you are seriously tracking your car I doubt you'd notice.


I am very happy with the results after replacing speakers and stereo in my classic. Everything from Beethoven to Gatecrasher to George Formby sounds crisp and defined.

Cheers guys.

Really good job there Reshard. I was only looking for a simple ish job like wondered if an amp and sub would make much difference etc. Love the car but it is a classic so got to take it in context etc.