Audio setup
 

I'm sure a few of you plan on throwing subs in the trunk and having custom audio setups. Curious as to what your plans are and how youre going about everything. ill most likely upgrade the system eventually, but i don't have a lot of experience with audio systems so ill be looking here for advice!

Depends on budget, needs, how you want the install done, etc.

For speakers, only buy AFTER listening to them. Even though they'll sound different in the car vs a shop audio wall it's still better than buying blind (or deaf I guess?) based on online reviews, etc.

Amps, really depends on what you want here.

HU.. same thing.

There really won't be a "goto" setup IMO.

For me I plan on leaving it stock for as long as possible but might have to replace that head unit if it's really as annoying as that video makes it look. I never considered a double din setup for my other cars so I'd have to decide if I want to deal with that for the BRZ or just run a single din non-navi unit.

I highly doubt I'll do what I have in my other car (good SQ head unit, mcintosh and audison amps, hybrid audio front stage, sq sub setup, custom wiring (as in hand terminated to length in my garage, wrapped, etc).

To start with I'm just going to take the amp and sub out of my WRX and put it in the trunk. I'm hoping the wiring for the factory sub will be preinstalled so I can use that. From what I've heard so far I think the stock speakers will be good enough for me.

the hu in the brz looks terrible (judging from that video). i was expecting a bit better. any preferences brand wise?

For Nav I've heard Alpine was the best. I'm not a NAV guy (for head units, I have multiple cars so I use a portable nav for road trips).

For SQ decks, better Pioneer and Alpine are generally safe bets but it varies every year as new products are released.

Currently the top SQ decks in single DIN are Pioneer IMO. The super expensive P99RS and the much cheaper (1/3rd the cost) and almost as good, if less capable/less outputs 80PRS.

For double DIN I have absolutely no idea. DIYMA is a great resource for car audio stuff (you do have to sort through the crap though). I'll be reading up on double DIN stuff soon enough probably.

Unless you care about sound quality (a car is a HORRIBLE environment for audio so I won't use the term "audiophile" with regards to car audio) I'd pick a HU based on the features you want, the UI and finally sound. Very few HUs sound that great using their built in amps and if you are running other amps then SQ can be gained in other ways. The source still should be as clean as possible of course but AFAIK there are no great SQ double din units :(

Here's what we use to fix up the signal quality of most head units.

http://www.ralphs.ca/product_images/...60010_zoom.gif

Since most customers dont want to spend upwards of 1k for a single din like the p99rs (which i had in my a4 and LOVED). Theyd rather keep the factory radio or go with a double din with nav and we compliment it with a processor like the bit one. Up to 8 channels of output and the capability of time alignment and processing via a computer. Even optical in! Im sure there will be guys will want to keep their bespoke or nav so this would be an option.

^^ :thumbup: yep, bit.1, 10, 10d, cleansweep, ms-8, etc. IMO all of those options are likely beyond what the OP wants :)

options? those are alphanumerics fool :bonk: ;)

Yep :) It really just depends on your goals and budget. I'd say get the car first, then see what you want to improve upon. If you are happy with the sound just hate the HU go play with head units at car audio stores until you find one you like, buy it and install it and be happy :thumbup:

If there are other things you want to improve upon then there are many more cans of worms to open :)

If you dont care about nav but want an awesome unit regardless for ipod/bluetooth/video this radio has shocked me in how great it responds and features.


http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...rs/AVH-P8400BH

If its too much you can always work down to the 4400 and 3400.

Get a 5 channel amp and a small sub in the truck. Maybe switch out the stock speakers.

Ill most likely keep stock headunit unless its really really bad

FYI, here's the 10" BRZ sub (coming out in a few months):

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-0...+subwoofer.png

My plan is to replace the 3-ways up front and not run rear speakers. I already have everything sitting in my garage. Also, for now I plan on keeping the stock HU, & running an MS-8 for imaging & equalization.

If I went down to a single din, are there DECENT defi type gauges that will fit in the leftover space? I'm brainstorming....