Subwoofer now available

[crash.1340]

Originally Posted by Admiral Ballsy

There is no gain knob on the amp. Or in the amp.

I know there isn't on either of these systems, I'm simply saying that as a general rule, once gain has been set properly the adjustment knob shouldn't ever be touched again. Bass level is another story, and that's only applicable to amps that have that feature. I can control it from the Pioneer I have in my Honda.

[Prog]

So for those of is that want to keep the stock HU, OEM Audio Plus is still the best option, I take it?

[go2brz]

Originally Posted by soundman98

quoted together because they ought to be together. by stating you're an audiophile, you're implying that you will go to significant lengths to get the best sound possible in the environment you're in. for instance, the audiophiles i've known, without thinking, will spend $2,500 on rca cables because they appear to change something in the sound, or add $500 rare wood blocks to keep the rca cables elevated to reportedly get rid of noise from surrounding sources.. by keeping/maintaining the stock sound system, i feel that statement reinforces the idea that the sound system is 'audiophile grade'.

but in the next post, you clearly state that is not the case at all, and you are simply making a run for 'acceptable' audio in your car, because as you said, it's not a worthwhile investment to try to improve it.

imo, those two things are a serious contradiction of terms. obviously you are settling for a lower audio experience in the car, and under those terms, the upgraded subwoofer is meets the relative standard you've set, which the first review implies that it is still an audiophile's dream of a sound system, but under the new terms of, it no longer implies that the sound system is audiophile grade, as had been implied by your original review.

i also don't like that the original review lacks any specific detail on the test tracks used, or how the additional equipment improved those specific test tracks.. again, i feel making the statement that you're an audiophile, the differences would have been easy to note, to further enforce the positive aspect of the review, and also lending an easy repeatability test for any of those interested in hearing the differences you mentioned.

I am an audiophile....I use the best equipment in my home that I can afford (actually more). Just my Adcom GTP0870HD Surround Processor (which upconverts all video signals up to 1080P, A Rotel 5 Channel Amp and KEF speaker system retails for around 7500.00. (Not excessive compared to the budgets that some people have, but certainly not cutting any corners) I use it to run Blu-Ray of course, but it also upconverts my entire LaserDisc collection (which most are superior transfer quality and true original aspect compared to most DVD's of older classic movies from the 50's to the 80's) or even old VHS tapes not available on DVD that I can upconvert as well. I can stream music, video's or DVD's from my home network server to my system from my PC.

That does not count the Denon stereo receiver that I use for dedicated older stereo inputs (especially vinyl records) running through two Boston Acoustic 970 Towers which each have a side firing 10" subwoofer. This allows me the choice to run the audio through the system that best fits it.

I tried to explain that making my BRZ system equal to my home system was not worth the money. (Simply a personal opinion at this time). My point was simply that sometimes the money is worth what you gain, and sometimes it is not. (Anyone who can spend $2500.00 on RCA cables to improve their system has lot's more money than I do, and they simply do not relate expenditure to the "true gain" one can obtain. But my response to that is more power to ya...... I would be the last one to "criticize" someone for buying what they want, regardless of the cost. We are all different and there is no need to deem what one person finds sufficient versus another as a definition of being an audiophile, when it comes to a car. I do not spend enough time in my car to consider spending at the level I do for home sound and having it be (once again) "cost effective". But I am very happy with my BRZ sound now with the factory subwoofer.

Through experimentation I have found the means to adjust the factory subwoofer using the built in EQ and the excellent fader controls and obtain sound that inside a car is more than sufficient to hear your music in a manner that is still quite satisfying. The first key is the Fader. The factory subwoofer hooks into the front end speaker output. The front end dominates the car from stock. By using the Fader control graphic that allows you to place the center of the sound wherever you like on the matrix, simply place the front/rear axis towards the rear by about one quarter of the distance from the center line downwards. Then about 3 different preset EQ's I have set up to deal with different sources and the higher bass levels of the newest recordings completes the process. Even my wife who loves good sound but has no idea about how to create it, immediately noticed that the car had deep bass, great midrange and the treble which dominates from the factory was now still clean and bright, but not shrill or overpowering.

My point is that it is not always necessary to spend the most money to get sound in an auto that is quite satisfactory even for those with high listening standards at home.

I am sure that some people will find a system or combination of additions that could sound even better. My point was simply how much will they have to spend and is it worth it? If someone spends more time listening to music in thier car then they ever do at home, then maybe spending the money is well worth it. For me that was not the case.

[go2brz]

(This is a response to some comments made earlier in this thread).

For all those who bought the factory subwoofer, the first thing to do is shift the fader towards the rear speakers about 20 percent. Until you do that the EQ's are not enough to keep the bass levels from being too strong. Once the fader is set towards the back then the balance comes into it's own and then the EQ's can make a difference when dealing with sources that have stronger levels of bass from others that do not. (like most new recordings). I may not listen to hip-hop or rap with super strong bass, but I can say that the way to get the excess bass out of the system is to move the fader towards the back.

If someone can figure out how to wire the harness to the rear speakers then that could be an even more superior fix possibly. I would love to hear about it if someone has managed that. From what I have read so far, that seems to be difficult based on the design of the system.

[jknakes]

I'm thinking about buying a 2014 brz. does anyone know if the new head unit would have the same issues?

[Prog]

Originally Posted by jknakes

I'm thinking about buying a 2014 brz. does anyone know if the new head unit would have the same issues?

The head unit is the same. It just has Aha radio.

[go2brz]

I got a personal message that the Subaru head unit will play "flac" files from a USB stick. That is great news and gives another way to upgrade your sound right from the source.

[Sgtfluffy16]

I'm sitting here currently reading this thread as my sub is being installed here at Subaru dealer. I will set the fader to the rear first thing

[Schmidts454]

This is my first post, so any advice in regard to etiquette would be greatlyappreciated. Reason for me writing this post is that I had done some searchingabout the factory sub, and wasn't able to get all of my questions answeredbefore install. I figure that I would write my semi-review for anyone searchingout there.



I had ordered the sub when I bought my BRZ. I over paid, but was okay withthat since I needed to finance it. I also financed the dealers quoted laborcharge.



The dealer got the part in about one week after I ordered it.



Long story short, I ended up needing to get the sub shipped to me andinstalled locally (dealer refunded labor charges). After researching localshops, I got a quote of $85. I made sure to email the shop with the dealerinstructions to give them an idea of the work involved. Install took around 3hours.



I did have the factory trunk tray, which has been removed, and I think Iwill not be reinstalling it. It looks like it won't fit due to the tray raisingthe enclosure to a point past where the hand screw & nut engage.



Removal of the sub is very easy. One must simply remove two hand fastenersand un-plug a wiring harness, which is easy to get to. Removal would take anestimated 3-5 minutes.



In regard to the sub's "user experience", I find it plenty loud toget noticed. The volume can be a little over powering depending on the type ofmusic and EQ settings, but removing it is not a big deal if you were going on aroad trip or something. I'm not sure that I would recommend it to someone whowants to add sound quality or enhance the outer ranges of sound as the amp isnot adjustable. I believe it is designed to be for those of us who enjoy a goodbuzz from heavy bass.



I haven't encountered any overly obnoxious rattling from inside the car, butI don't know how badly rattles are from outside the car.



What I really like about the sub is:



Factory appearance & wiring. It gives me comfort that I don't have toworry about my amp being set correctly or my connections being secure.



It's fun! While the sub isn't adjustable, it gives me the bass that I waslooking for.

[isolato]

Just discovered that Subaru sells a "Subwoofer Bass Limiter" for the Kicker System that will hopefully reduce the possibility of the rear window leaping off the back of the car from the crazy amount of bass output. Plug and Play with current connectors. $8 bucks. Thinking about ordering it ... anyone tried this?
http://subaruonlineparts.com/subaru-...er-p-3936.html

[teamturbo]

Originally Posted by hellyvin

Anyone getting the OEM 400+ or already have it know how much it is to get it installed?

Cost me about $80 to have audio tech install the Audio 400 +

[isolato]

Originally Posted by isolato

Just discovered that Subaru sells a "Subwoofer Bass Limiter" for the Kicker System that will hopefully reduce the possibility of the rear window leaping off the back of the car from the crazy amount of bass output. Plug and Play with current connectors. $8 bucks. Thinking about ordering it ... anyone tried this?
http://subaruonlineparts.com/subaru-...er-p-3936.html

UPDATE: Ordered this official Subaru part and installed it today (using the link in the quote above). Huge improvement in balance while still keeping a strong bass response. Highly recommended. Took 2 minutes to install.

[isolato]

Originally Posted by isolato

UPDATE: Ordered this official Subaru part and installed it today (using the link in the quote above). Huge improvement in balance while still keeping a strong bass response. Highly recommended. Took 2 minutes to install.

After three weeks I'm very happy with this mod. Essentially it's a "high pass filter" for the kicker subwoofer. Very balanced bass response across a variety of musical styles. Attached is an image of the $8 part.

[Sundawg]

Originally Posted by isolato

UPDATE: Ordered this official Subaru part and installed it today (using the link in the quote above). Huge improvement in balance while still keeping a strong bass response. Highly recommended. Took 2 minutes to install.

I picked one up as well because I was curious. All it does is prevent one of the speaker channels from reaching the sub, essentially cutting the signal in half. You can do the same thing by cutting one pair of wires from the supplied harness. This is still good, though if you don't want to make it permanent.

I paid a lot more to get the two plugs and build my own. Instead of leaving out one channel, I added a 10K dual channel potentiometer (Audio or Log taper) to mine and have it taped above the sub.