Audio sound..options.

[dgcam55]

I have an 2013 BRZ Ltd, and I've been reading these forums ALOT.
I know all about the OEM audio+ options, even spoke to them. But, being winter time & no garage, I have time to explore other options before I buy.
I know the end result will be good, but the thought of $1400 is more than I really wanted to spend.

I was at the dealer this morning with my crosstrek for a major service, and they had a BRZ with the kicker sub in the trunk. I got the opportunity to check it out. I sat in the car for nearly 30 minutes - adjusting the stereo settings and left with a "mehh" / luke warm kind of response to the stock kicker sub from Subaru. I'm not looking to move the earth with the base response in my car - just clean up the muddiness of it & the door vibrations/rattles.

I've been messing with the EQ, Balance, & different settings & have been able to dial in a reasonably good sound I am satisfied with except for the muddy bass & vibration in the doors.

So next up, I found a guy locally who is quite well known & works on luxury/exotic/sports cars. He quoted me a price of $150 - $175 installed to sound deaden my doors. I'm going to go this route first - and, may ask about upgrading the stock door speakers too while I'm at it. Since I wont pay labor to install new speakers since he will be removing the speakers to do the sound deadening anyway.

Excited to see how much this solution improves the sound.

[lbroskee]

Originally Posted by dgcam55

I have an 2013 BRZ Ltd, and I've been reading these forums ALOT.
I know all about the OEM audio+ options, even spoke to them. But, being winter time & no garage, I have time to explore other options before I buy.
I know the end result will be good, but the thought of $1400 is more than I really wanted to spend.

I was at the dealer this morning with my crosstrek for a major service, and they had a BRZ with the kicker sub in the trunk. I got the opportunity to check it out. I sat in the car for nearly 30 minutes - adjusting the stereo settings and left with a "mehh" / luke warm kind of response to the stock kicker sub from Subaru. I'm not looking to move the earth with the base response in my car - just clean up the muddiness of it & the door vibrations/rattles.

I've been messing with the EQ, Balance, & different settings & have been able to dial in a reasonably good sound I am satisfied with except for the muddy bass & vibration in the doors.

So next up, I found a guy locally who is quite well known & works on luxury/exotic/sports cars. He quoted me a price of $150 - $175 installed to sound deaden my doors. I'm going to go this route first - and, may ask about upgrading the stock door speakers too while I'm at it. Since I wont pay labor to install new speakers since he will be removing the speakers to do the sound deadening anyway.

Excited to see how much this solution improves the sound.

An amp will do more. When I had OEM audio it made the doors sound way better

[dgcam55]

Well, I got the doors deadened, I did not replace the stock speakers in the door.
The doors are heavier, close with a nice thud, and there is quite a difference in audio sound too. No more vibrations/rattles. The base is cleaner, more punch, less hollow & muddy. For $150, it was money WELL spent.

I went to Unexpected Creations in Edison, NJ.
The owner Don is amazing - he is an honest business guy - and told me to not upgrade the stock speakers right now - but, to drive around see how it sounds after the deadening for a couple of weeks first. He definitely knows his stuff and also suggested (if anything) an amp upgrade. HE also admits he suffers from OCD - so he is very particular about the work he does. It shows. I would highly recommend him.

I'm having second thoughts about the OEM audio plus now. With the settings I've dialed in, and now the deadening, I am much more pleased - this, I can live & be happy with.

[lbroskee]

Originally Posted by dgcam55

Well, I got the doors deadened, I did not replace the stock speakers in the door.
The doors are heavier, close with a nice thud, and there is quite a difference in audio sound too. No more vibrations/rattles. The base is cleaner, more punch, less hollow & muddy. For $150, it was money WELL spent.

I went to Unexpected Creations in Edison, NJ.
The owner Don is amazing - he is an honest business guy - and told me to not upgrade the stock speakers right now - but, to drive around see how it sounds after the deadening for a couple of weeks first. He definitely knows his stuff and also suggested (if anything) an amp upgrade. HE also admits he suffers from OCD - so he is very particular about the work he does. It shows. I would highly recommend him.

I'm having second thoughts about the OEM audio plus now. With the settings I've dialed in, and now the deadening, I am much more pleased - this, I can live & be happy with.

Mind sharing ur settings and what was used for deadening?

[TOOSTUBBORN2FAIL]

Deadening is one of the most important things for audio. In fact, I'll flat out insist that without deadening, it is impossible to build a sound quality based car.

But, not all deadeners are created equal. I know, I have 40 different products on hand at my house, and have tested them all objectively with a calibrated microphone.

I'd be curious what deadener they use as well.

[dgcam55]

He had various options for deadening depending on the application, the car, and what the owner was seeking to get from it.
I dont recall the brand, I know there are many, but it was a dynamat competitor. The CLD that went on the doors was a self stick black material, that was thin and the non sticky side had a basket weave look to it. He explained he liked this brand for the basket weave because on the flat surfaces of the door, the weave pattern in the material is better for deadening especially around the speaker area.
The MLD of course was black & also a little thicker.
I'll have to contact him to get the brand name he used.

[dgcam55]

He used StP

[TOOSTUBBORN2FAIL]

What is MLD referring to?


Ok, STP ie actually pretty good, tests better than dynamat actually for all of their products except for their vizomat line, which from your description is not what they used. There are a couple of better performing products, but the majority of products perform worse, Stp is near the top of the performance range.

[ryoma]

what material would you guys recommend to use? I have no knowledge in this area so I have no idea where to start lol.

[TOOSTUBBORN2FAIL]

It really depends what your goal is. Let us know that and I can steer you where you need to go. Keep in mind I have 40 different cld type materials on hand, 3 kinds of closed cell foam, 11 kinds of open cell foam, mass loaded vinyl, and closed cell foam encased lead sheet.

[ryoma]

Originally Posted by TOOSTUBBORN2FAIL

It really depends what your goal is. Let us know that and I can steer you where you need to go. Keep in mind I have 40 different cld type materials on hand, 3 kinds of closed cell foam, 11 kinds of open cell foam, mass loaded vinyl, and closed cell foam encased lead sheet.

I'm just looking for bang for my buck. I don't want to spend over $700 upgrading everything since it's not like I absolutely hate the stock sound system; to me, the stock sound systems sounds alright but definitely not the best. If I can improve the sound for a minimal amount, like $200, then that's all I'm looking for. I usually drive with my windows cracked or down so there's already road and wind noise there lol.