Thinking about replacing the radio in the Subaru

"Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)" (rduncan5678)
08/27/2018 at 09:00 • Filed to: None

I’ve always enjoyed car audio for the pure joy of just cruising down the road and listening to some tunes. In my past, I’ve decked out a Honda with 1000 watts RMS of audio POWER. That was a bit of overkill and a surefire waste of money as a college student, but I do kind of miss it now. I’m not planning to do that again but I would like to have something other than Cds and FM radio as my inputs! Right now I’m using an FM transmitter that hooks up my phone over bluetooth. It works great for the daily commute since driving through the mountains blocks out most radio stations, leaving me with a clear signal locally. But on road trips, it’s a pain to swap through stations until I find something that works and then adjust it again as I enter a new area. It’s kind of just always shit unless I’m really avoiding developed areas. At best it’s inconvenient but at least it works.

Honestly I have no idea what the difference is amongst the different Alpine units out there. Up for considering other brands but definitely nothing touch screen or super flashy.

Anyways, I’ve got a potential drive coming up from LA to SLC which is about an 11 hour trek in which I definitely want simple music playback. So I’m thinking about ordering an Alpine head unit from Crutchfield and being done. Having the option for preamp output down the road might be nice once the car and student loans are paid off. But for now, simply using bluetooth, usb, and Aux natively in the car would be great. Anybody have other car stereo head unit suggestions? I’d be spending around $100 on the A lpine but I’d stretch the budget if it was worth it.

And yeah ordering a nice catback from Perrin or something would be a MUCH better way to improve the “sound system” in my car. That boxer burble would definitely help me feel good . But I quite like having this as my “quiet” highway friendly car. That costs even more money though so I’ll wait on that one (impatiently).

DISCUSSION (27)

random001 > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 09:06

Oh snap, you just made me realize that the Montero is a large car, and large cars, unlike the Abarth, have room. So I can install my Butler Audio TDB 575

Well hello glorious tunes...

Aremmes > random001
08/27/2018 at 09:24

What a Montero full of audio gear might look like:

Kinja'd!!!

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 09:24

That gen has a double DIN hole, right? You should probably look for something that has a screen, can do CarPlay, and have an input for the reverse camera. Pioneer has a couple of good offerings for under $300.

EDT: I realize that you don’t want a touch screen, but really CarPlay is life changing.

hedbutter > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 09:29

I actually just upgraded the stock stereo in my comanche so i could some newer speakers (the covers in the ones i pulled out literally fell apart when removed). I now have XM (with 6 months), bluetooth, handsfree calling and 4 new speakers for 240, and i’m getting a 70 rebate card for the XM Receiver, so 170 total for everything being new. I love the system and it sounds so much better, plus having hands free calling/XM is a huge upgrade. Also, getting all of the adapters from crutchfield made install a breeze. The unit i installed is below, and it looks like the XM/speaker deal is still going on.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_105KDR990B/JVC-KD-R990BTS.html?tp=5684

random001 > Aremmes
08/27/2018 at 09:57

Yeah.....not in my Monty! Jesus...

functionoverfashion > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 09:57

For the $100 range, I’m sure the alpine unit will do the trick. I have a Pioneer unit like that in my boat, and it works fine. My phone automatically connects to it after about 20 seconds, and since the unit is in a closed glove box across the boat from the driver’s seat, that’s key. It has a ton of settings for adjusting the various outputs (preamps, subwoofer, etc) - but it would also happily power a basic 4-speaker car setup, too I’m sure.

This is the unit I think - although this is slightly updated of course -

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-MVH-X390BT-Receiver-compatibility-Bluetooth/dp/B01KKHTP7Q

You can even change the display color to match your vehicle’s lighting.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 10:21

Putting an aftermarket stereo in my 2002 impreza was one of the best upgrades I did. The stock stereo was terrible. I ended up with an alpine head unit with an aux input, this is pre blue tooth. Now days I’d go double din and get a nice big LCD with nav, back up camera etc...

Dogsatemypants > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 10:30

They arent the best, but there are some nice touchscreen head units with mirrorcast for about the same price range. Then you can have maps all bigly if you need it. https://cciimart.com/products/boss-7-cd-dvd-built-in-bluetooth-in-dash-receiver-with-detachable-faceplate-and-remote-black?variant=12876533956719&gclid=CjwKCAjwwo7cBRBwEiwAMEoXPCe_8YNUNcHVX-7aBaJeNXKe6czmQ5RRld9hmSN7R2XEzxGCcpef5RoCiacQAvD_BwE

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
08/27/2018 at 10:33

Well the issue is I don't have apple, so I'd be going Android auto if that was going to be the case. But yeah I have a double din hole so I'd be able to consider it. My issue is that the cheaper ones might be terrible. So I'd have to go higher end to get something worth using. And at that point, Im spending way more than its worth to me really.

Aremmes > random001
08/27/2018 at 10:44

To be fair, that’s a rather tame installation.

Kinja'd!!!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/27/2018 at 11:18

I most certainly do not need nav nor a backup camera in this car haha.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 11:21

The alpine head unit I bought previously was really good. I don’t know what head units are good these days. I think replacing your sterio went out in the mid 2000's when cars went to proprietary stereo’s and not DIN sized.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/27/2018 at 11:35

Well yeah it would be nuts trying to replace the stereo in a newer car, I could not imagine what kind of a nightmare the wiring could become as well as removing trim panels and such. At least this car will be super simple and everything is plug and play. If I had Aux in (or at least an easy way to add it) I would just keep the oem unit and move on with my life. Adding integrated bluetooth is just simplifying things. My biggest concern is having an aftermarket unit look ricey/cheesey since I do prefer the stock look. But Alpine should be classy enough to not look stupid.

horizonsofkhaos > functionoverfashion
08/27/2018 at 12:12

I’ve ordered two of these within the last twelve months for older vehicles that only had single din options. I’ve found it to be a great head unit. I think the only thing it’s missing is HD Radio which has no interest to me as I never use the radio . My daily driver currently has one of these and the USB playback has been my favorite part. I’ve got a thumbnail sized 64gb thumbdrive loaded up with FLAC albums as my go to for music. It’s also got plenty of preouts to be able to add amps and subs down the road if you choose to go that route. If you get super nerdy you can use the app to easily adjust the equalizer to your liking as well. When I ordered from Crutchfield I got the option to have the wiring harness predone for me as well which was sweet. I had my new head unit installed in maybe 30 minutes versus the couple hours it took me the first time when I didn’t choose that option .

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_130S6010BS/Pioneer-DEH-S6010BS.html?tp=5684

random001 > Aremmes
08/27/2018 at 12:18

I don’t understand...

functionoverfashion > horizonsofkhaos
08/27/2018 at 12:18

The biggest difference between that one and mine is the CD slot I think.

I actually DO use the app to make adjustments, for two reasons. One, I find the menus on the head unit itself nearly unfathomable, and I’m in IT. Two, the unit is in the glove box where it’s hard to reach so I use the app to adjust volume, too. I can’t imagine why that function exists, because in a car I would never, ever use it. But it’s great for the boat!

The app is really quite good. I haven’t done a ton with it, but I spent a good bit of time tuning the system after installation - there were already two amps and all the existing speakers and sub, I just replaced the head unit.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 12:19

I had one of those horrid FM transmitter thing. I sent my radio out to a guy who added an aux input (guy only does GTO radios). And my god is it wonderful. The way it works is that if I am plugged in then it takes over the audio input . At some point I will rig up a BT set up with it, but for now I love it.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > CaptDale - is secretly British
08/27/2018 at 12:32

Well yeah there are some options like that for both my Miata and the Subaru where you plug in a custom circuit board to the back of the stereo and then Aux in works. But it’s more expensive than an aftermarket header unit since only one guy makes them, making it kind of silly to me.

But yeah FM transmitters generally suck. New ones are better, I’ve not had any real issues with mine when staying local. But yeah if I drive into LA proper it’s completely useless and I have to just play Cds instead.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 12:40

This was the best thing I did to my Miata. I did a simple double DIN Pioneer with BT. Alpine typically makes quality products. For $100, I can’t think of a better mod to make your car more enjoyable. Even if you only use it once a month.

I have a tape adapter for the 348 into the 90's Alpine HU. It works, but I really want to add something modern. I’ve only used the radio about 5 times but it was really nice to have something this weekend.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
08/27/2018 at 12:54

But straight pipes would be a more fun sound system in a Ferrari lol.

I’ve got a 200w 4 channel amp (bridged to two channels) behind the passenger seat in the Miata. Then I have 75w speakers in the doors with component tweeters and the little crossover boxes to go along with them. It just hooks up directly to a little bluetooth adapter and then to my phone. No head unit at all and it sounds decent. But I had that laying around already otherwise I'd have just put a head unit in there a long time ago. I have to play the stereo loud as hell to hear it on the highway at all haha.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 13:01

Ah mine was $60 plus shipping

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 13:14

Nice! I love setups that utilize stuff you have laying around. I am very tempted to do straight pipes. It would be so easy to come right off the cat into two elbows and out the back. Driving back yesterday after a very late night out in SLO would have been miserable though hahaha

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
08/27/2018 at 13:22

Nah, it would be a safety feature. It would keep you awake on a long drive and that's important for safety! So you actually took the car on a long drive, that's awesome though. Now we know it will work for the PCH trip whenever that happens.

horizonsofkhaos > functionoverfashion
08/27/2018 at 14:06

I totally meant to reply to the original poster and not your comment. I should probably pay more attention haha. Glad we both have found good use from our single din Pioneer’s.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 14:17

I’m going to post about it at lunch! But yeah, everything was fine. IM had two extra tickets to Laguna Seca on Saturday so I had to go lol

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor
08/27/2018 at 14:19

Damn, that had to have been quite awesome!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
08/27/2018 at 15:02

It was amazing. And I’m def down to do it again. Spending the night in SLO both nights really made it easy