03 WRX- mp3 signal options- ?

[1x2]

Hi,
I have a stock HU which features FM radio,cd, and cassette tape- I don't use the last two . I'm currently feeding the signal from my mp3 player to the FM radio using a small plug-in FM transmitter (there's no brand on it, but IIRC it's from Monster). However, the radio picks up intermittent static regardless of which of the 8 transmit frequencies I choose and the sound is degraded somewhat (even more than using the compressed mp3 format). For instance, radio reception cuts off somewhere around 15.5-16.5kHz, if I remember right.

Is there some way short of buying a new head unit to clean up, improve or otherwise hard-wire a signal source into the stock head unit? I considered the "cassette" option, but understand that aligning the cassette with the tape head is iffy.

On another note, I have one of the underseat subwoofers. Does this feed more power to the 4 door speakers than the HU alone, or does the amp inside the subwoofer only power the subwoofer speaker?

Thanks for any ideas,
1x2

[Sunkist]

Either go the cassette route or get a new head unit, a new head unit will sound better anyway.

[1x2]

Cassette route is out- I guess I look for a new HU.
Thanks for the thought, Sunkist.
1x2

[02radioflyer]

Clarion CX 609. Looks stock, does all the stuff.

[1x2]

Clarion CX 609. Looks stock, does all the stuff.

Excellent- I'll check it out.
Like your username

[1x2]

Clarion CX 609. Looks stock, does all the stuff.

Seriously- it does. 22 wattts RMS, most I know of out of a HU, usb 2.0, bluetooth, adjustable aux in, fits the factory slot- Crutchfield has it...

[Bebop]

I have the Pioneer DEH-2100IB. I use it with both my ipod and iphone. Works great and it's green lighting matches the cars which is cool.

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-1vQYlnt...tml?tab=review

[1x2]

Bebop,
Do you use an external amp with that?
1x2

[Bebop]

Bebop,
Do you use an external amp with that?
1x2

I decided to go easy on the sound system so no amp. Sorry

[1x2]

"2003 WRX Midnight Black Pearl"

That's my car

[Bebop]

"2003 WRX Midnight Black Pearl"

That's my car

Nice! Hope your paint is in better shape than mine.

[MainFrame]

I went with an Alpine ida-x305 with a dedicated 120gb HDD hooked to the USB. Amped by a PDX-4.100. 131watts RMS per channel goodness.


(and I only paid $32 for the hard drive, brand new, on ebay)


ohh yea, and only paid $101 for the amp due to a shipping mistake in my favor, lol

[1x2]

I went with an Alpine ida-x305 with a dedicated 120gb HDD hooked to the USB. Amped by a PDX-4.100. 131watts RMS per channel goodness.


(and I only paid $32 for the hard drive, brand new, on ebay)


ohh yea, and only paid $101 for the amp due to a shipping mistake in my favor, lol

That's sweet- over $700 worth just for power- can't touch your pricing

What're you doing for speakers? If using stock, how do you keep from blowing them out, just listen for the distortion?

[SD_GR]

If you have a bugeye car with an antenna that is on the left side top pillar, so that you can reach it when driving, all you need to do to maximize FM reception from a MP3 FM transmitter attached to your player is to place the player in the centre console below the ash tray, and retract the antenna fully so that it does not protrude at all from the car. This will minimize the signal from any FM source except the one in your car -- your MP3 player. Should get rid of all hiss etc. Try it.

[MainFrame]

What're you doing for speakers? If using stock, how do you keep from blowing them out, just listen for the distortion?

In the front I am running 6.5" Infinity Kappa Reference coaxials off the amp. I think I payed $40 for them. The rear doors have Sony Xplod 5.25" coaxials running off the rear channel of the HU. Then I have 5"x7" Cerwin Vega coaxials in the rear deck running off the amp.

I also have some Kenwood tweeters installed in the front doors, but I unhooked them because they're just too harsh with that much power running to them.


And the good ol Boss Audio BASS600 installed under the driver's seat. It was great when I was running everything off of HU power, but with the amp hooked up to the other speakers it just can't keep up.



I'm planning on putting a set of Hybrid Audio Imagine series components in the front doors and building custom mounts to put the Infinity's in the rear deck when I've got the time/money. Of course that'll be after I dyno mat the entire car.. so who knows when I'll actually get around to it.