Stock HU Subwoofer Options

Hello,
I recently purchased a 2013 Legacy 2.5i and wanted to install a subwoofer. I'm not looking for anything super high end but rather just something to fill out the lows. My understanding is that the OEM subwoofer no longer connects to the 2013 HU?

If so, what decent underseat aftermarket subwoofers are out there and how easy are they to hook up?

Thank you for your help.

the infinity basslink is a nice "powered" sub, easy to hookup. its not an under seat unit but takes up little room in the trunk. it works with both factory and aftermarket head units.

How easy is it to run everything wire wise? I apologize for asking but I have never done anything more than put in door speakers and am tentative about potentially breaking something on my car due to my own incompetence. Thanks again for your suggestion and help!

The Sound Ordnance B-8pt from Crutchfield seems to be a solid aftermarket choice for what you are looking to do. I am not sure what thread it is, but a user here, svxdc, posted that he makes a harness that will make this work with the oem head unit. This was for the 2010-2012 models, and I am not sure if anything has changed.

Originally Posted by mark5032

This was for the 2010-2012 models, and I am not sure if anything has changed.

The radio subwoofer connector as changed for the 13's and the premium '12 with blue tooth (non HK). I suspect (hope) that Subaru release a subwoofer that fits the new connector.

Another +1 for the Infinity Basslink. High quality unit that installs easily with an amp kit.

Just to clarify, is there definitely no factory subwoofer for the 2012 and 2013? I ask because Subaru's website still lists it as an option and my local parts dealer has it listed as in stock for 2012 and 2013.

The 2012 base radio fits the under seat subwoofer for 2010 and 2011. The premium radio for 2012 does not fit that subwoofer and neither does the 2013.

Subaru may have released a subwoofer to fit the 2013 but I haven't seen it yet. It's not listed under the accessories for 2013 Legacies yet.

PM Coppertone.

Originally Posted by dfoley4

How easy is it to run everything wire wise? I apologize for asking but I have never done anything more than put in door speakers and am tentative about potentially breaking something on my car due to my own incompetence. Thanks again for your suggestion and help!

with the basslink you have 2 options on how you want to wire it. no mater what you will need to run a power wire and a ground, and possibly a remote turn on lead.

you can tap into the factory speakers with a provided harness, with this method you dont need a remote turn on according to crutchfield.

the other is to run it off a set of rca cables, this is the best option for sound quality. if you have a factory unit you can get a converter that will tap into the speaker wires best connected behind the factory unit. if you go with the rca option you will need a remote turn on lead.

it is much easier than it sounds, since you have aftermarket speakers i would say to go with option 1, just tap into the speaker wires of the aftermarket speakers.

most of the powered subs are the same way, some have only a set of rca connections.

Some of the 2010-2011 OEM HUs have a "secret" line-level subwoofer output (on the 24-pin aux harness). The OEM accessory sub includes a T-harness that grabs that audio signal to feed the sub's built-in amp.

PE645U1 is one such HU model (Panasonic CQ-JF1860VD).

Some 2012 models continued using the same OEM HU. I don't think any 2013s still do. I'm fairly sure the CE617U1 doesn't have it.

For cars with the PE645U1 (and any other HUs with the sub line out), I can make a cable with an RCA jack and the proper pins to add to the empty slots on te factory aux harness. See this thread on NASIOC (same situation exists on the Impreza/Forester Navi HU).

For cars that use the 20-pin harness for the radio power/speakers, I also make a harness you can use to tap the speaker outputs more easily.

What is your HU's model number? [ADDED: Look below the "6" station preset button]

My HU model number is CE617U1. The one that you mentioned in the above post. Would the best option in this case be to get a sub that has high level inputs and hook it up through the back (or front?) speakers using wire taps?

Subscribed