1998 Forester Audio Upgrade Info Please...

[Paul Whitbread]

Hey All.....

This is my first post to this group.... and I am a new owner of a 98
Forester.... I am very happy with the car and am certainly a new fan of
Subarus....

Anyway, my only caveat with the car is that the audio system sounds tinny
and weak. I am a fan of refined and acurate audio systems, so the current
setup is unnacceptable for me.

What setups are tried and true for the Forester? I am considering an Alpine
deck with Infinity speakers.... But I want to know what others have done
first.... I don't want to modify the interior of the car or anything.... I
just want to use stock components that fit the existing mounts.

Thanks...

Paul.

 

[oothlagre]

Start with a head unit first, you might find that the system sounds better
with a new unit. I have an Impreza and to change my front speakers I have to
remove door panels. I am not sure what is involved with the Forester. Check
out www.scoobymods.com they have a lot of info on mods and upgrades. Some
really good photos of stereo upgrades too.

Henry

 

[LT]

I replaced the OEM in my 98 Forester with an Alpine for about 2 bills.
While the sound is better, I still intend to do the speakers. Let me know
how your new speakers sound.
LT

 

[Tony Hwang]

I replaced the OEM in my 98 Forester with an Alpine for about 2 bills.
While the sound is better, I still intend to do the speakers. Let me know
how your new speakers sound.
LT

Hi,
Speakers is first to upgrade.
Tony

 

[thestick]

Hi,
Speakers is first to upgrade.
Tony

Agreed.
I put Kenwoods in myself. It took less than an hour for 4 speakers. No
mods necessary. I couldn't believe how much better it sounded.

Gerry

 

[HJ]

Are the doors in the 98 Forester similart to the 04 Forester ? If so, was it
easy to remove the speaker grills/doors ? Will I need shallow-mount speakers
?

Please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[thestick]

I have a 2001 S. Fronts are 6.5" rears are 4".
The grills in the doors just pop off. Get them from the bottom (I think
there may be a small finger groove) and give it a pull.

The Kenwoods are shallow speakers so I just had to screw them in. The sooby
connectors to the speakers don't fit on the Kenwoods so I just cut them off
and attached the wires to the speakers.

Go to Crutchfield.com and do the "What fits my car" section.

good luck

gerry

 

[thestick]

I have a 2001 S. Fronts are 6.5" rears are 4".

The front door grills just pop off. Get them from the bottom (there might
be a finger groove there) and give a pull. You might need a screw driver
for the rears. The sooby connectors to the speakers didn't fit the
Kenwoods, so I just cut them off and connected the speaker wire directly to
the speakers. Otherwise no problems.
There are water guards attached to the speakers within the doors covering
the top of the speakers. Make sure they are covering the tops when you
reinstall them. No use collecting water in the door. It's really very
easy.

Go to Crutchfield.com and do the "What fits my car" section. Its a big help
for model numbers.
good lick
gerry