best way to upgrade 2011 audio

[Ksound]

I've read pretty much every audio thread on this forum, but I didn't get the sense of a definitive answer

I want to upgrade my wife's 2011 wrx audio system, I knew it sucked when we bought it, but I've been driving it a lot lately and realized how bad it actually is

She's not an audiophile and isn't into massive kicking bass
The most important thing would be maintaining the usb connection to the ipod and the steering wheel controls
I was looking to drop about $500 or less

so what is the best and cheapest way to upgrade the stock stereo?

replacing the stock speakers?
adding a power amp to the stock head unit?
Replacing the stock head unit?

And if I replace the head unit, what unit should I get that will allow me to keep the stock usb and steering wheel controls?

[Heide264]

Replace the stock head unit.

Take your pick of brands. I'm partial to Alpine & Pioneer. Pioneer packs the better feature set with still pretty good audio quality perks.

The new head unit (and steering wheel controls) will govern your usb connections/steering wheel control integration/hands free calling. I would just run a new usb cable to wherever you want.

Speakers are pretty nice stock actually. I'd just use the head units internal amps unless you want some more power after you install the head unit.

Check out Subaru radio and radio wiring harness information for all the wiring and steering wheel control details. I would use one of his harnesses. Would make the install mostly plug and play minus running accessory wires.

[dolson1120]

dynamat!!! 500$ is not much to spend for speakers,amps,subs etc. If she likes the blue tooth and ipod then just use the dynamt in the doors and maybe trunk and go from there. Just saying by the time you bought speakers and a amp or a head unit your going to be way over $$$.

[jimbo058]

Front doors - Infinity REF-6502ix 6-1/2" reference coaxial speakers. Rear - Infinity REF-5002ix 5-1/4" speakers. Total cost for all four speakers: under $200. Difference in sound - very noticable !!

[Heide264]

dynamat!!! 500$ is not much to spend for speakers,amps,subs etc. If she likes the blue tooth and ipod then just use the dynamt in the doors and maybe trunk and go from there. Just saying by the time you bought speakers and a amp or a head unit your going to be way over $$$.

I'd agree. Some resonance dampener in the doors would probably make a noticeable difference as well. I plan on adding some when I do the sub install down the road a bit. Remember - you don't need to cover the entire panel.

[Calvinball]

Front doors - Infinity REF-6502ix 6-1/2" reference coaxial speakers. Rear - Infinity REF-5002ix 5-1/4" speakers. Total cost for all four speakers: under $200. Difference in sound - very noticable !!

With the stock head unit?

[EJ257]

For $500:
Pioneer AVH-P4400DVD (EOL unit, ~$350 shipped on Amazon)
Wiring harness
AWSC for the steering wheel controls

[Mikie13]

Definitely start with the head unit. If you get crappy audio signal and weak power to the speakers, they are obviously going to sound crappy. Quality head unit will fix those things...then establish if you'd like to take improvements further.

[Ksound]

For $500:
Pioneer AVH-P4400DVD (EOL unit, ~$350 shipped on Amazon)
Wiring harness
AWSC for the steering wheel controls

Did you do the install yourself?

Just wondering

Is the existing usb plug compatible with the harness, our did you need to do some splicing or get one of the aftermarket usb kits

Was your harness pre-wired for the aswc

What harness and aswc unit did you get, does it matter?

Did you need a mounting kit or a external trim plate (to close any gaps)


Sorry to be a pain, but I don't want to get the dash apart and realize I didn't order something that I needed

haven't installed a car stereo in almost a decade and the tech has changed a lot over the past few yrs

Will stop by at a BB and a car audio place to check stuff out in person and talk to a tech, but I'll probably just get everything off of amazon and do it myself

[Heide264]

Replace the stock head unit.

Take your pick of brands. I'm partial to Alpine & Pioneer. Pioneer packs the better feature set with still pretty good audio quality perks.

The new head unit (and steering wheel controls) will govern your usb connections/steering wheel control integration/hands free calling. I would just run a new usb cable to wherever you want.

Speakers are pretty nice stock actually. I'd just use the head units internal amps unless you want some more power after you install the head unit.

Check out Subaru radio and radio wiring harness information for all the wiring and steering wheel control details. I would use one of his harnesses. Would make the install mostly plug and play minus running accessory wires.

Did you do the install yourself?

Just wondering

Is the existing usb plug compatible with the harness, our did you need to do some splicing or get one of the aftermarket usb kits

Was your harness pre-wired for the aswc

What harness and aswc unit did you get, does it matter?

Did you need a mounting kit or a external trim plate (to close any gaps)


Sorry to be a pain, but I don't want to get the dash apart and realize I didn't order something that I needed

haven't installed a car stereo in almost a decade and the tech has changed a lot over the past few yrs

Will stop by at a BB and a car audio place to check stuff out in person and talk to a tech, but I'll probably just get everything off of amazon and do it myself

As I said above - you'll want to run a new USB cable. They use a non-standard connector. Unless you want to cut it apart, just run a new cable.

You'll need either a JDM style dash bezel or a metra mounting kit with some filler. The standard double DIN unit is about 1/2" narrower than the stock unit. I ordered part number 66065SC130 for about $75 after shipping. I also have a metra harness sitting around I didn't use. If you'd rather go that route, you could save yourself some cash (I'd let it go for $10 shipped - think it ran me about $15) over getting the bezel to fill the gap.

again, see my post above for the wiring harness. If you get the harness from that site with the correct options, you won't have any splicing to do outside of a parking brake bypass if you go that route.

[Ksound]

got a quick question
The JDM part#66065SC130

local dealer said they could have it in a day for $79
Is it the same part or do I need to order from an online imported Japanese parts place?

thanks for all the help

[Heide264]

That part number is actually a USDM part number. I believe that is the exact one I got. Fits nicely and matches pretty well =)

I think I paid about $10 under that including shipping. If you want it quickly, I'd got that route. Otherwise, google the part number and look around.

[Ksound]

Yeah I wasn't able to find the part anywhere online, found one site that had a lot of oem subaru parts at discount prices, I called em up to see if they could special order it
guy on the phone said it comes up as a "dealer only" part
but he told me wholesale price is $63, so I just sent out an email to a guy I know who works at a dealer to see if he can get it for me on the cheap

I don't still need the mounting kit if I get that part do I?




Also I ordered the CD-IU50V usb cable for $15 as opposed to the CD-IU201V cable for $50, from what I can tell both cables have the same functionality, minus the extension; but I'm probably just gonna drop it in the glove box

[Heide264]

No mounting kit needed with the bezel (at least for mine).

You'll just take off the side brackets of the stock head unit and move them over to the new head unit. The bolts are pretty well torqued in there, so make sure you have a decent quality screw driver that fits pretty well.

[Ksound]

The weather warmed up, so I'm gonna install this for my wife this week
Made up this chart, just wondering if it looks right to you people
(seems to be a lot of unused wires for the ASWC)

The things I questioned I put in a red (?)
also I'm not sure what to do with the diode that came with the ASWC






thanks