Inexpensive suggestion for better sound??

[wheelhaus]

Originally Posted by Suffa

Damn 2 speakers and 2 tweaters on the dash and 2 speakers in the door? Whats the best way on that, splits on dash and speakers in the door or a 3 way system?

I'm planning on using 6.5's in the doors and putting the matched tweeters in the dash. The dash panel appears to pop off easily; I may even modify it to make a partially recessed tweeter pod. I'm going to use an active setup with an independent amp channel for each tweeter and door woofer, and another for a sub.

Some are doing 3-ways, but the mid driver is kind of a funky 3.5 size, really shallow clearance.

[whataboutbob]

Make sure it's in the right mode for the car. As a number of people have found (including me) the dealer doesn't always program the head unit correctly before letting the customer take the car home.

Mine didn't sound that great until I changed the mode to the correct one for the car. After that it sounded MUCH better.

Also, I'd say getting some subs in there with a dedicated amp will help a bunch.

[Calum]

Originally Posted by ngabdala

How much weight do you think sound deadening will add to the car?

Most stick on stuff is around a pound per square foot. If you read this they say you only need to cover about 25% of the panel. So, I'd second the 20lbs.

[GregV]

Originally Posted by whataboutbob

Make sure it's in the right mode for the car. As a number of people have found (including me) the dealer doesn't always program the head unit correctly before letting the customer take the car home.

Mine didn't sound that great until I changed the mode to the correct one for the car. After that it sounded MUCH better.

Also, I'd say getting some subs in there with a dedicated amp will help a bunch.

What setting/mode are you referring to?

[Calum]

you are kidding right. try looking at the only sticky on this subforum.

[computertech01]

I think the main problem with the stock setup is those rear speakers. What I did was adjust it to just rear speakers and you can tell how shitty they are. I feel like all the sound is in the front of the vehicle and coming from all surround sound audio setups this really erks me. I feel those rear speakers need to go. Problem is it looks like we have to wait till someone fabs up a set of brackets.

[industrial]

I think the cheapest and most effective way to make the stereo sound better is to buy some sound deadening material and hit the doors and dash area by the speakers. Get something like raammat. It shouldn't take alot, just around the speakers and directly behind them. Then liberally apply some ensolite foam to the door, door panel and dash. Do something to stop the power window switches from rattling. You can epoxy them in place or just wrap them in electrical tape.

For around $100, your stereo will sound much better and your doors will also be luxury car solid. You don't need to go crazy with the raammat. Maybe 10 pounds total will be fine. Ensolite weighs nothing.

[S2kphile]

How bout something like this? JL Audio Clean Sweep

[wbradley]

What about the Bongiovi DSP. Its a $450 option for Canada and the website says that it greatly improves sound.

I'd like to hear from people that have first hand experience.

[Calum]

Originally Posted by S2kphile

How bout something like this? JL Audio Clean Sweep

The problem with that is the Stock HU's output equalization changes as the volume changes. But the clean sweep, much like the bit one, bit ten, etc. aren't able to compensate for this. To avoid this, you can use a supplied volume knob with some of them but they look like ass, in my opinion.

Thats why I just run an aftermarket deck with active crossovers and time alignment.

[ngabdala]

That's what my local Car audio store suggested. The guy has a Legacy. He also suggested a 300rms watt amp and 300rms watt sub.

I'm not sure if he suggested that because I told him I like the NAV on the stock head unit and didn't want to give it up.

Originally Posted by S2kphile

How bout something like this? JL Audio Clean Sweep

[Calum]

300 watt sub and amp is a fine idea but sounds like an off the shelf answer. It really depends on your goals and tastes, not to mention your budget.

Personally, I try to run an amp that can double the subs input wattage recommendation, but that's because I typically run my subs sealed and in small enclosures. I find this helps a lot with the phase variances seen with other box types,(if you don't know what I'm talking about, download a copy of winisd beta and play with it. take a look at the phase plots for various box designs) but it takes more power to get the sub moving hence the extra amp power. BTW, I've never blown a sub like this. A drivers power handling ability has as much to do with it's heat dissipation capabilities as it does the drivers suspension not bottoming out. With the music I listen to, I don't get many constant bass notes so the heat dissipation isn't that much of a concern for me. So that just leaves the suspension and the small sealed box helps that a bunch.

As for the clean sweep, head over to diyma.com and check some of the reviews. I don't have any first hand experience with it.

[CHOPPER]

Originally Posted by wbradley

What about the Bongiovi DSP. Its a $450 option for Canada and the website says that it greatly improves sound.

I'd like to hear from people that have first hand experience.

I had the original replaced with the upgrade - more boom and tizz only louder with more distortion and rattling.

It plays much louder than the stock radio but the harshness is much louder.It is fine with lower volume.

The main problem I think is the quality of the factory speakers - junk. Very harsh especially in the high frequencies.

Niether stock or upgrade qualifies as a hi-fi sound system , but they ARE GREAT car radios.

If I had it to do over again I would replace the stock radio with aftermarket and add a proper amp and replace ALL the speakers.

[GregV]

Originally Posted by Calum

you are kidding right. try looking at the only sticky on this subforum.

Both the OP and myself have a BRZ so the sticky bears no relevance. I thought he was maybe referring to some setting on the Subaru NAV unit.