I'm not sure what you are asking about, but I'll give you some general pointers. For a given price range all radios will function nearly the same way. The difference is usually based on ergonomics. The button size and layout is something you can't change so a little hands on time is well worth it before you make the purchase. I would go by a local specialty shop and let them help you make an informed decision on your needs. This is something you have to manipulate every day so how it works may be important. Most everything you look at these days will have iPod control (maybe you need it) but as you spend more you may get things like a better display, satellite radio connectivity, HD radio, multiple preouts for additional amps. Some radios also have quirks that are brand wide (like having to turn the radio off just to set the clock) that crutchfield can't tell you.

Tell me what is important to you and I'll help you out.

 

Thanks for your help. Lots of posts with similar questions. We just want a better sound with a cd player of course. The OEM is not the best. If we can accomplish this with a just a radio that would be great. My last car, a Honda Accord I put in a aftermarket radio that sounded better but not the easiest to operate. Our Outback's radio really is easy to operate but sounds poor.

 

subwoofer

Someone in the classifieds section has this:
"Last but not least, I have the Subaru Powered Subwoofer that mounts under the driver side seat with wiring harness, plug and play, brand new, was replaced under warranty, but I upgraded to 10in JL Powered Subwoofer in my cargo area, $70"
Would this help improve my sound without upgrading speakers? Or would it just give me more bass? Sorry I'm no sound person. Not sure if this is a good deal just saw it this morning. Will do more research when I have time. Thanks

 

Here is a before and after shot after I installed the Clarion CX501 last week. After my cd player died... (I had the aux in kit installed.. but needed the CD functionality). This one has everything - bluetooth phone, bluetooth streaming (awesome with pandora), aux in, usb in, and of course CD... a picture is worth a thousand words, so here you go

 

Wow, exactly what I've been trying to figure out on this board.

I'll be swapping my '04 OBW with my dad's '06 Legacy Sp. Ed wagon (whose stereo & HVAC is just like yours). So ..... to install an aftermarket stereo (I'm thinking of Clarion CX201 with BT, USB and aux), how would the audio installer obtain a new fascia plate like yours ? From Subie dealer ?

 

Thanks for the info. I have been checking the CX501 out on Crutchfield and comparing their price with Amazon. It's got great reviews on both sites. Crutchfield has the best prices right now. I'm pretty sold on it. Just got to justify it in our minds, but man from what I've seen so far that fit's the bill.

 

The plastic dash piece comes for free when you order from crutchfield.com. I think it costs $25-50 otherwise. They send you good instructions as well on how to install it/remove the old one, it took me 2 hours total and I was going very slowly, pretty sure you can do it too

 

From what I read the plastic dash receiver, wire harness and ant adapter are included right now with the purchase. Have you used the bluetooth yet and if so how does it sound? Thanks

 

My word of advice is to remove the 4 screws (2 on each side) of the HVAC controls instead of getting up in the dash and removing the blend door cable and pulling everything out together. Much much easier to remove the screws. There was a youtube video that showed how to do it. I will try and see if I can find it.

 

Yes I did the exact same thing as that video shows - but didn't know about it in advance I struggled with the cable so found another way via those 4 screws directly.

> Have you used the bluetooth yet and if so how does it sound?

It sounds awesome! Both phone and A2DP (audio streaming) which I use with pandora a lot.

 

I wish I would have seen this post a couple weeks ago. I stuggled with the cable connector under the steering wheel, and inadvertently disconnected the linkage attached to the arm that controls the hot/cold, so when I had everything back together, the control knob only when half way between hot and cold. This problem took me over an hour to resolve (it was snowing out and I was laying on my back with a flashlight trying to figure out what was going on).

The unit I installed is a Pioneer (P3400BH) touch screen with HD, Aux in, Pandora, DVD, Xm, Bluetooth, remote, ect. Just love it; after having a rental with the bluetooth phone, I just had to have that option when I upgraded. If you haven't purchased yet and are still looking for the best deal, don't forget to consider that crutchfield not only provides the faceplate, directions, antenna adapter, quick plug adapter but also offers lifetime support (just in case you connect the blue wire from the adapter harness to the remote amp and only the HD radio works, they will have you tuning in all radio freqencies in only a couple of minutes).

Replacement of the head unit has increased the speaker sound quality quite a bit, the unit has an 8 band graphic equalizer, so you can tweak it to match your music and car. After using it for a couple of weeks, I am thinking of putting in some different spreakers in the front. The head unit also has a sub output with crossover controls right on the head unit, that will probably be a project for when it gets a bit warmer.

 

Is this plug n play? I was watching a video looks like the Antenna is fixed to the factory radio? how did you get it to work with the antenna?

 

It looks great, lots of features. Maybe more then my wife will use or know how to run. She's thinking now the stock radio is fine. But I'm thinking birthday/aniv. gift this summer.

 

Nice for annyone with manual climate controls.For automatic climate controls are not similar front pannel to change. And there is diference betwin USDM and EDM (Europa).

 

I just got connector out of plastic plug ( DO NOT CUT the plug, there is an small pin into wich make you able to pull it out without anny damage)and "old way"antena cable plug into "naked" connector.That all i have protected with tape.So if i ever will go back to original radio i have just to put back all together without cutting into cable.
Butt i do not have pic of it.

 

I'm being lazy and not doing the searching for myself, but have you come across anyone that makes the fascia for the auto climate control version? Crutchfield doesn't seem to have it.

 

Never mind, gave myself another 30 minutes and discovered the unfortunate truth...


Ooh, hang on a minute.
http://www.avojdm.com/product_info.php?products_id=104

 

Never mind, gave myself another 30 minutes and discovered the unfortunate truth...


Ooh, hang on a minute.
avoJDM Parts Online

this LGT thread was a very helpful guide when I installed the JDM kit in mine.

Starting with an RHD car you won't have to do all of the mods they show, but the pictures and wiring diagrams will help you.

 

That is nice one. But!Don't forget it's one maded for Japan domestic market.Steering wheel is on right side!It does not fit exactly in USDM car.Beside fact that radio and climatcontrol buttons otherwise are mounted is an difference in form of this piece. So you wil have hold an smalle space below on the right side of the front and you have to make wiering to hazard warning lights button a bit longer.

 

All good, I'm in Australia. RHD!

 

That kit isn't cheap (Google says $337.46 with current exchange rates)! I'm looking for an 07-09 H6 now, so I'd have that dual-zone automatic climate control in it. Might live with the factory stereo and just buy a Bluetooth to aux adapter and some sort of mount for my phone so I can use that for music.

 

Finally got around to getting the double din face plate from AVO.

Now I need the new stereo. Any thoughts/suggestions/advice/warnings?

Keen for CD player and bluetooth streaming. CX501?