Amplifier and new speakers or Subwoofer for 04/05 Outback

[106racecar]

Hi All

I have an 04/05 model 3.0R Outback with the standard 6 CD Stereo. The quality of the standard stereo is quite poor and after a week after purchase, I upgraded the front speakers to some Boston Acoustic Pro 6.4's that I had lying around.

The sound is better but, I am still disappointed with the sound and not surprisingly it is not as nice as the Bose equipped Audi A6 I used to have.

I am contemplating whether to replace the rear speakers and amplify the front and maybe the rear speakers or to leave what I have and put in a Subwoofer ...

What would be best to provide improve the sound with the least work and impact of boot space? What did you do to improve the sound in your car and what were the results like ?

Thanks, Greg

[sebberry]

First of all, do yo have an 04 or an 05? (Or perhaps you are not in North America and the 04 and 05s are the same...) They're different here.

USDM 2004 - it would be pretty asy to upgrade the headunit to power your speakers as the climate control is not integrated into the stereo. If you have an 05 model, then your climate controls are integrated into the stereo and you will need to take some more drastic measures.

But, let us know which you have and then we can help.

[106racecar]

First of all, do yo have an 04 or an 05? (Or perhaps you are not in North America and the 04 and 05s are the same...) They're different here.

USDM 2004 - it would be pretty asy to upgrade the headunit to power your speakers as the climate control is not integrated into the stereo. If you have an 05 model, then your climate controls are integrated into the stereo and you will need to take some more drastic measures.

But, let us know which you have and then we can help.

Hi, I have an 04 which is the latest model with the integrated stereo and Air con - That would be your 05 model. Interestingly enough, that model was released to our New Zealand market in 03.

[sebberry]

Well, unless you want to put an aftermarket head unit into where the cubby is above the radio, then your options are fairly limited and expensive. the JL Audio Cleansweep is probably your best bet with an amp, and the JL stealthbox with an amp is your best bet for a subwoofer that doesn't take up much space.

[106racecar]

Well, unless you want to put an aftermarket head unit into where the cubby is above the radio, then your options are fairly limited and expensive. the JL Audio Cleansweep is probably your best bet with an amp, and the JL stealthbox with an amp is your best bet for a subwoofer that doesn't take up much space.

I think that my next step is to replace the rear speakers and put in a 4 channel amp to power the front and rear speakers. JL Audio doesn't appear to have much of a presence in NZ so that is out.

[bluenote78]

i'm considering the rockford fosgate T-400 4-channel amp and 3sixty.1 signal processor for starters in my 2006 outback. i'll upgrade speakers too, but will probably pass on a subwoofer since i don't need BIG sound, just good sound!

thoughts on my choices and any speaker ideas are appreciated. :)

here are links to the rockford products:
amp -
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/product_details.asp?cat_id=2&series_id=104&family_id=107&item_id=107995&locale=en_US&p_status=

processor -http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/product_categories.asp?cat_id=1&locale=en_US&p_status=
thanks!

jeff