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2018 WRX Speakers Upgrade and 12" Subwoofer Install

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26K views 15 replies 6 participants last post by  zploen  
#1 ·
I got around to getting rid of the stock speakers and installing a 12" Subwoofer enclosure. Never really carry anything in the trunk, so size of enclosure works for me.

 
#4 ·
It's a 12" JL w3v3. The cubic ft is a little over 1ft so I stuffed the box with batting to simulate more space. I've had it running 300watts RMS with no issues to sound or integrity of the box for almost 2 years. I used 5-7 layers of fiberglass. It was my first one and it wasn't all that difficult if you take your time.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
#6 ·
ahrapattoni said:
It's a 12" JL w3v3. The cubic ft is a little over 1ft so I stuffed the box with batting to simulate more space. I've had it running 300watts RMS with no issues to sound or integrity of the box for almost 2 years. I used 5-7 layers of fiberglass. It was my first one and it wasn't all that difficult if you take your time.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
300W RMS is perfect for the JL W3. The enclosure looks great, too. Only "change" I would make, if you use the trunk often, would be to install their grille to protect the sub from damage.
 
#15 ·
I couldn't have been more disappointed with the stock speakers and HU in my 2016 WRX. First I upgraded all the speakers and added a 4 channel amp under the passengers seat. The stock HU only pushes about 20 RMS per channel, so the upgraded alpine speakers I installed still didn't sound very good. Then I added the 4 channel amp, pushing 50w RMS of clean power to each channel. While this made a significant difference in sound and available volume, it still didn't have the bass I wanted.
I ended up installing an additional 2 channel amp that I used bridged pushing, 750w RMS, to a 12" Polk Marine Grade sub in the trunk. This thing hits HARD! I couldn't be more pleased with the sound now. I am still using the stock HU which would be my next upgrade, but doubt it will be necessary at this point.

If I had to do it again I would have just purchased a single 5 channel amp and powered the speakers and sub. However, I got the sub and 1000w amp for around $100 so I couldn't pass up the deal.

Upgrade your system, Love your ride!
 
#13 ·
The simple answer is yes. The upgrade speakers that Subaru sells, are Kicker branded and actually sound pretty good and not super expensive. They have the Kicker door speakers and dash tweeters and sound good together. Even without an amp and sub, it will still sound better. I always tend to add amp and sub to hear real bass.