Puget Sound Radio Recommendations

[SUPER]

Has anyone in the Seattle/Everett area had a stereo unit replaced plus amp with good results? looking for a recommendation.

[SVXObsessed]

In most cases any decent (Usually $100+) aftermarket stereo is going to give you better results than the stock stereo. I usually buy all my stereo equipment on crutchfield.com and install everything myself. Crutchfield has great service and informational reviews on items. But if you are looking for a local place to buy and install I suggest VTR Performance in Everett, WA or cartoys/best buy I'm sure can get the job done as well.

[SUPER]

Thanks for the lead on the equipment. Might replace speakers 1st and see how it sounds. I can probably do that. Radio no longer lights up so hard to use at night. Not sure if I am going to use amp or subwoofer.

[KVRXS]

Super,
Hi, Here's just a couple of things that I discovered with my installation.
You can and should install it yourself. It takes time, but this in the only guarantee that it will be installed carefully without damaging anything. There are plenty of install tips, wiring diagrams etc.
A wiring harness is available that simplifies installation and you will need an extension for the antenna cable (about 12" should do, you might want to measure first)
You will lose use of one of your antennas, I left the power antenna in use. Radio reception isn't quite as good without both antennas.
I had a hard time finding a replacement as I wanted the new stereo to match the look of a 90's interior. But if you don't mind the newer designs there are numerous choices.
I tried the Subwoofer, high powered setup, but sold it and went with a lower power amp and a slight upgrade on the speakers. Unless you like heavy bass this arrangement is more sound than you can use.
How does it sound? Stellar! The SVX interior works perfectly for outstanding fidelilty
Good luck, it's All about the Music

Mark

[SUPER]

Mark. Thanks for the advise and encouragement. Once I recover from the Christmas bills. I will be taking on this project. Start with speakers. I also need an antenna. Probably aftermarket.

So you added an amp in between the head unit and speakers? Where did you mount it?

Thanks again.

[Andrew P.]

DO NOT take it to car toys or any other place that tells you that they will
need to take apart half of the dash.
It only takes a few screws and a little tweaking to remove the stock radio cage.
There are plenty of faq posts on this site for help. That's how I found out how easy it is.
Also, if any installer tells you that they have the adapter harness, they are wrong.
As I found out, it fits almost every Subaru except the SVX.

[SUPER]

Originally Posted by KVRXS

Super,
..... You will lose use of one of your antennas, I left the power antenna in use. Radio reception isn't quite as good without both antennas...
Mark

So, this may be a stupid question, but could you configure the single antenna to the new head unit so it is hooked up to both existing antennas? You could put a "T" in the wire.

[kinz]

Originally Posted by SUPER

So, this may be a stupid question, but could you configure the single antenna to the new head unit so it is hooked up to both existing antennas? You could put a "T" in the wire.

No don't hook both up with a splitter like that. I don't recall why exactly but it wont work right if you hook both up.
From what I do remember the factory radio will switch between the two antennas using the one that is getting better signal, so it only uses one at a time.
Eh I looked it up.

Originally Posted by David Carter

http://ae64.com/AudioInstall-2.htm
2.5.5 Antenna Connection

As mentioned back in section 2.3.2, the SVX and factory radio have two antenna cables.* One cable goes to the telescoping power antenna.* The second cable connects to the rear window defogger (which doubles as an antenna).The factory radio uses a feature called "Diversity" for better FM reception — it picks whichever antenna is getting the stronger reception at any moment.* How can the rear window defogger make that much difference?* You might have experienced this in a car with a single antenna: While slowly rolling up to a traffic light, the reception on a particular FM station drops suddenly or gets lots of static.* Just moving the car forward by a foot or two makes the signal return.* With Diversity, in many such situations the two antennas are far enough apart for one of them to "see around the obstruction."Unfortunately, receiver manufacturers have stopped including Diversity.* According to the folks at Crutchfield, the last model they sold that had it was in 2001.* What this means to you?* Unless you've bought an older receiver that has Diversity (i.e., has two antenna cables), you'll only need to connect one antenna to your receiver.**Don't use a Y-adapter*to connect both antennas to a non-Diversity receiver.* That will give you worse reception than just using the SVX's power antenna alone (it's an "impedance-mismatch" thing).

[kinz]

If you plan it out you can do everything in steps without tearing into the head unit cage a bunch of times. I tried to run the cables I would need for a future subwoofer setup, but I over looked a few components. I went with a cheap unit, but it had a lot of options (left, right, and sub rca plugs, sd card, aux, usb). I ran the 3 rca's when I installed so I didn't have to open it back up to run them later when I bought the amp and sub. Also gave me the option for a speaker amp (dunno if I ever will). I did however forget to pre run the remote power wire, so I ended up having to go in later unfortunately.
I also went with a small amp that was a class D for the sub. I threw it under the driver seat with a small bass tube in the floor area there behind the seat. It worked out very nicely for me and was pretty cheap too.

[SUPER]

Thanks for suggestions.. will create install thread when i get going.

[Andrew P.]

Mark. I used the adaptor that I found on this forum. Works great.
http://ae64.com/AudioInstall-2.htm#2...adioConnPinout