Does Subaru offer a different stereo?

N

Nicolaas

Does Subaru offer a better stereo system? Or do they just have the one
system that comes standard with all Subies?
 
I have no idea about what Subaru offers in their sound systems -- the
systems cars come with are often pretty awful so I end up replacing
them with an aftermarket system
http://www.crutchfield.com/ is a good source, because they will give
you wiring harnesses with your purchase that will fit your car.

Remco
 
This comes all the time:
http://groups-beta.google.com/group..._doneTitle=Back+to+Search&&d#e6bb53a8fbcb8cae

LB Aug 31 2004, 2:55 pm hide options

Newsgroups: alt.autos.subaru
From: "LB" <(e-mail address removed)> - Find messages by this author
Date: Tue, 31 Aug 2004 14:55:49 -0700
Local: Tues, Aug 31 2004 2:55 pm
Subject: Re: Subarau Outback 2005 & XM Satellite radio?...can't get it
withou
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I wanted to install MP3 to my new Outback 2.5i Limited (car rocks!). While 6
CDs are good, MP3 is far better. I went to high end shop (Magnolia High Fi)
and here is the story:


as of today no after market radios can be installed due the integrated
climate controls, etc. They can manufacture custom face plate to match the
original one, for extra $600. However they said, in about 6 mo some 3rd
party will come up with the custom face plate and it will be cheap. At least
this how it happened with the Ford Focus and it's stupid oval radio.


so I am holding on to my old MP3
 
No, filling the DIN slot it not enough. An entire new custom faceplate with
space for integrated climate control must be manufactured.
 
Is that because in previous MY designs the original shape is not square? I
don't see why a din pocket can't go in the bottom spot and a single din
radio in the upper.... at least on the MY05 the radio is square, 2-din, and
in a spate "window" from the climate controls.
 
Unfortunately, your options are limited since you have an integrated
stereo system. If you are seriously not happy with the system you do
have a few options.

1. If your not happy with the sound quality you could just try replacing
the speakers with good after market ones. My suggestion is the Polk
Audio db6500 component system. This kit comes with the proper
crossovers so you don't have to worry about sending the wrong frequency
to the wrong speaker.

2. If your not happy with the "umph" the speakers are putting out, you
can replace them and add an amplifier to the mix. Just make sure you
get an amplifier that has line level inputs.

3. You can go to a fabricator and see if they can cobble together a new
faceplate and DIN opening(s) for your car, so that you can more easily
swap in a new headunit.

Its all personal preference, but I've never been entirely satisfied with
any vehicle's sound system. However, I have learned to deal with their
shortcomings since a realize that getting a correct sound-stage in a
vehicle is nearly impossible.

Best of luck!
-Kurt
 
3. You can go to a fabricator and see if they can cobble together a new
faceplate and DIN opening(s) for your car, so that you can more easily
swap in a new headunit.

A friend of mine just had to do that for his car. Basically the entire dash
panel had to be replaced. Custom made, so it wasn't cheap, but he knew he'd
have to do this and still bought the car, so it was a planned expense.

This wouldn't be so much of a problem if the OEM stereos were available with
more features, but typically they aren't. Offering an OEM stereo with mp3
playback or at least line inputs would satisfy a large amount of people.

-Matt
 
I agree on all points. Frankly, I was surprised that with all of the
technology that went into the new Outback that it was lacking such
features. This includes the lack of the navigation system that made it
into their Japanese promo pics. What is more surprising, is that even
with their GM influence that XM radio didn't even make it in there.

-Kurt
 
Subaru did offer Macintosh stereos for some Outbacks - there is one in
mine. It works great for me. Mine holds 1 CD, and I believe the one in
the 2003 or 2004 would hold 6 CDs.

I don't see any mention of Macintosh as an option on the current Subaru
web site. Not sure what happened.


kl
2002 Outback VDC Sedan
 
kl said:
Subaru did offer Macintosh stereos for some Outbacks - there
is one in
mine. It works great for me. Mine holds 1 CD, and I believe
the one in
the 2003 or 2004 would hold 6 CDs.

I don't see any mention of Macintosh as an option on the
current Subaru
web site. Not sure what happened.


kl
2002 Outback VDC Sedan

I was talking to a Subaru representative at the Portland Auto Show and
he said that Subaru dealerships do have replacement panels for the
radio/climate control. Either he knew what he was talking about, or
he was F.O.S. Anyway, it wouldn’t hurt to call around to a some
Subaru dealerships and find out what they have.

As far as why no XM, GM let their contract with XM expire and
therefore they stopped putting in satellite radios. Hence, that’s a
big reason why Subarus don’t have one.

The 2005 Outback VDC Sedan comes with a radio not offered in any other
2005 Legacy or Outback. The VDC comes with a MP3/6-CD radio. If you
can get your hands on one of these, then there’s no need to replace
the instrument panel. That is, if you not looking for satellite
radio.

Green_Monster
2005 LL Bean Outback (Green)
 
Green_Monster said:
The 2005 Outback VDC Sedan comes with a radio not offered in any other
2005 Legacy or Outback. The VDC comes with a MP3/6-CD radio. If you
can get your hands on one of these, then there's no need to replace
the instrument panel. That is, if you not looking for satellite
radio.

Interesting. Not offered, they say, but I doubt the parts department would
turn someone down if they ordered one. On the other hand, given the
outlandish prices of most dealership parts, I can only imagine what an OEM
stereo would go for. In that case, you might be better off getting a custom
faceplate and an aftermarket stereo instead.

I am curious about the level of mp3 functionality in it though. The
earliest aftermarket mp3 decks were somewhat limited in features and
functions, for instance some of them didn't read filename and/or id3 tag
information. I'm wondering if the Outback one has the same limitations, or
if it has features comparable to most of the current aftermarket
alternatives.

-Matt
 
As far as why no XM, GM let their contract with XM expire and
therefore they stopped putting in satellite radios. Hence, that's a
big reason why Subarus don't have one

LOL. Someone's feeding you a line of shit.
 
@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
(e-mail address removed) says...
As far as why no XM, GM let their contract with XM expire and
therefore they stopped putting in satellite radios. Hence, that's a
big reason why Subarus don't have one

LOL. Someone's feeding you a line of shit.

Agreed...maybe it was the same regional rep that
said he could pick up alternate blanks for
aftermarket radios.

What does GM have in FHI, ten or fifteen percent
interest?
 
20%
@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
(e-mail address removed) says...



Agreed...maybe it was the same regional rep that
said he could pick up alternate blanks for
aftermarket radios.

What does GM have in FHI, ten or fifteen percent
interest?
 

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