2004 STi aftermarket stereos?

[Matt F]

Hi,

New to the group, I just bought my 2004 WRX STi, but without the $1400
stereo.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about finding a suitable stereo
for this car. Crutchfield.com hasn't measured the car yet for their
database, so no help there. I'm not looking to spend a crazy amount on
this, probably around $600-$700 or so for the 4 speakers and stereo. Also,
would I need to buy an antenna the radio reception as well?

Does anyone here have any feedback about what they have bought for
aftermarket stereos for this beast? Thanks in advance.

Matt

 

[GMan]

Congrats on your new STI! What color did you get? I currently have a blue
2003 WRX, but really thinking about upgrading to the STI - like the silver.
My roommate likes the EVO, but I think the STI is more of an everyday
driving car? A friend of my roommate's brother has a white STI - he
installed Pioneer headunit with XM radio features. The antenna was
installed outside on the roof in the middle near to rear window. Not sure
how much he paid for the radio and install. How much did you pay for the
STI? A dealer near me in Columbus, Ohio has 4. White, Blue and 2 Silvers.
I need to stop by and see how much they would offer me for a trade in, but
first I would need to remove some mods or sell by owner.

 

[GMan]

Congrats on your new STI! What color did you get? I currently have a blue
2003 WRX, but really thinking about upgrading to the STI - like the silver.
My roommate likes the EVO, but I think the STI is more of an everyday
driving car? A friend of my roommate's brother has a white STI - he
installed Pioneer headunit with XM radio features. The antenna was
installed outside on the roof in the middle near to rear window. Not sure
how much he paid for the radio and install. How much did you pay for the
STI? A dealer near me in Columbus, Ohio has 4. White, Blue and 2 Silvers.
I need to stop by and see how much they would offer me for a trade in, but
first
I would need to remove some mods or sell by owner.

 

[TomTom]

Can't speak of other head units, but I have always been satisfied with
Alpine. The 9815 is awesome (unless you want one of those flashy animated
teeny-bopper headunits that just look good). I run the 9815 in my truck with
two external amps. I assume the WRX has a standard 1-DIN size head unit like
most vehicles? I don't own a subaru yet.

You can't go wrong with Alpine. Get it from etronics.com, cheapest I have
seen. Has a 60W V-Drive amp in it (I am assuming you don't want to install
separate amps). For speakers I would reccommend Boston Acoustics for the
front, and something cheaper for the rear, Pioneer or Sony should do fine
for rear fill.

-Tom

 

[Matt F]

Congrats on your new STI! What color did you get? I currently have a blue
2003 WRX, but really thinking about upgrading to the STI - like the silver.
My roommate likes the EVO, but I think the STI is more of an everyday
driving car? A friend of my roommate's brother has a white STI - he
installed Pioneer headunit with XM radio features. The antenna was
installed outside on the roof in the middle near to rear window. Not sure
how much he paid for the radio and install. How much did you pay for the
STI? A dealer near me in Columbus, Ohio has 4. White, Blue and 2 Silvers.
I need to stop by and see how much they would offer me for a trade in, but
first I would need to remove some mods or sell by owner.

Thanks for the info. I got the silver one. Pretty sweet deal for it at
this dealership in CT, lists at $29435 then $30652 with all the options
except stereo and boost gauge. I couldn't get anyone around her (WI) to
list less than $30500. So I'm flying out there next weekend and driving it
back.

Matt

 

[Matt F]

Can't speak of other head units, but I have always been satisfied with
Alpine. The 9815 is awesome (unless you want one of those flashy animated
teeny-bopper headunits that just look good). I run the 9815 in my truck with
two external amps. I assume the WRX has a standard 1-DIN size head unit like
most vehicles? I don't own a subaru yet.

You can't go wrong with Alpine. Get it from etronics.com, cheapest I have
seen. Has a 60W V-Drive amp in it (I am assuming you don't want to install
separate amps). For speakers I would reccommend Boston Acoustics for the
front, and something cheaper for the rear, Pioneer or Sony should do fine
for rear fill.

-Tom

Hey thanks a lot for the info! I'm checking out etronics right now. Never
heard of Boston Acoustics, will check them out too though.

That's the exact info I need, too...whether or not this car has a 1-DIN size
head unit box. Anyone else know for sure?

Matt

 

[BlueSTi]

Hey thanks a lot for the info! I'm checking out etronics right now. Never
heard of Boston Acoustics, will check them out too though.

That's the exact info I need, too...whether or not this car has a 1-DIN size
head unit box. Anyone else know for sure?

The factory stereo is a double DIN but you can put anything you want
in it. Pretty much anything will fit.
See the link below:
http://www.imprezawrxsti.com/postnuke/

This subject has been widely discussed.

BlueSTi
"Scary-Fast"

 

[Greg]

I have a JVC 777 (CD Cass AM/FM) unit in mine. Bought an adapter harness so
it was a plug in job. Sound is good but still need to upgrade speakers.

 

[Matt F]

The factory stereo is a double DIN but you can put anything you want
in it. Pretty much anything will fit.
See the link below:
http://www.imprezawrxsti.com/postnuke/

This subject has been widely discussed.

You rule....thanks a lot man. Yes yes, I'm sure I could have found that on
my own, but time is short!

Matt

 

[Tony Hwang]

Hi,
The order of upgrade is always from speaker first.
Install best speaker you can afford and if still not satisfied,
upgrade head unit or add amps.
Tony

 

[BlueSTi]

Hi,
The order of upgrade is always from speaker first.
Install best speaker you can afford and if still not satisfied,
upgrade head unit or add amps.
Tony

I couldn't agree more. The right speakers will make or break the
system. Definitely go with the best speakers you can afford. IMO,
most of the head units out there today a pretty similar as far sound
quality goes. The more expensive systems just allow you more options.
Like, built in cross-overs, MP3 play back, sub output and total power
output. I haven't ordered my HU or speakers yet.

But, with the STi there are very few speakers that will work in the
front doors with out some sort of spacers. Plus, the stock mounts for
the speaker is a 3-point snap-in system. So, you need to plan on
using speaker mounting adaptors or drill your own holes to match the
speakers. You want to make sure you look at speakers with flush mount
tweeters. There just isn't much room behind the factory covers.
Here is a link to a site that makes outstanding adaptor kits for the
STi
http://www.iaperformance.com/catalog_subaru.asp

Their stuff is spendy, but if you want to do it right, this is the way
to go.

BlueSTi
"Scary-Fast"

 

[BlueSTi]

Hi,

New to the group, I just bought my 2004 WRX STi, but without the $1400
stereo.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to go about finding a suitable stereo
for this car. Crutchfield.com hasn't measured the car yet for their
database, so no help there. I'm not looking to spend a crazy amount on
this, probably around $600-$700 or so for the 4 speakers and stereo. Also,
would I need to buy an antenna the radio reception as well?

Does anyone here have any feedback about what they have bought for
aftermarket stereos for this beast? Thanks in advance.

Matt

I finally bit the bullet and put in a Eclipse H.U. and Alpine Type R
speakers.

BlueSTi
"Scary-Fast"

 

[John Emdall]

I finally bit the bullet and put in a Eclipse H.U. and Alpine Type R
speakers.

BlueSTi
"Scary-Fast"

nice. could you please post info regarding how/why
you chose these items, how you determined the fit for
the speakers, how it is wired, mounted, etc. ?
TIA

white '04 STi

 

[BlueSTi]

nice. could you please post info regarding how/why
you chose these items, how you determined the fit for
the speakers, how it is wired, mounted, etc. ?
TIA

white '04 STi

Well, I could not get the Alpine Type R speakers to fit so I went with
the MB Quart RCE 215 Componet Speakers. They fit perfect. I went
with the Eclipse 3413 Head Unit. Sound quality is exceptional. But
the whole package was expensive $700 total installed.
I will be adding rear passenger door speakers when I put away a little
more money.


BlueSTi
"Scary-Fast"

 

[BlueSTi]

Well, I could not get the Alpine Type R speakers to fit so I went with
the MB Quart RCE 215 Componet Speakers.

Oops, I mean the RCE 216 component speakers.


BlueSTi
"Scary-Fast"

 

[John Emdall]

thanks

Oops, I mean the RCE 216 component speakers.


BlueSTi
"Scary-Fast"