Our long-term STI sounds great when you put your foot in it. As I've said before, I love the STI's aural cocktail of turbo whine and boxer rumble -- this soundtrack alone is a good reason to forego the Evo and its Hoover-like engine note. But once you're done dusting off Tough Guy X in his hopped-up Civic, you might want to sit back and enjoy some tunes from the speakers instead of the engine bay.
Unfortunately, this Subie has possibly the worst "upgraded" audio system I've ever encountered.
Look at the subwoofer setting in the above photo. It's maxed out. Yet the STI's system still sounds like the stock setup in my '95 Integra (read: historically awful). There's no bass response here -- none. I seriously wonder if they forgot to put a subwoofer in our car.
But check out all the high-tech features. Panorama? Whoa. Adjustable "center width"? Noice! Dolby Pro Logic II? Dude -- put it on "Matrix"!
Or how about an '80s-fabulous user-definable graphic equalizer? Radical!
Except none of the above makes a lick of difference -- the sound quality is abysmal no matter how many settings you jigger with.
Hey, if this were the dearly departed previous-generation WRX TR, I could understand. TR buyers were going to mod the bejeezus out of their cars anyway, so it didn't matter how bad the stereo was. But we're talking about a near-$40k car here, and a target demographic that cares about car audio. It's hard to believe that this is the best factory stereo you can get.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor, Edmunds.com @ 10,708 miles
mikeolan says:
11:22 AM, 10/ 6/08
People trash on the domestics, but let's be honest- Subaru is really the bottom of the barrel. Other than cheap AWD, it's a wonder they even exist. My 2006 Impreza didn't even have consistent lighting for the dash and window switches- things we'd harp on the domestics for getting wrong. The "premium" stereo on that car was garbage, too. The interior plastics were horrible, and the fit and finish wasn't even that good.
It was great in the snow (why I got it) , but suffered a ton of electrical glitches (stereo headunit had to be replaced twice.) I dumped it after having to replace a wheel bearing at 50k.
cwalton1 says:
11:38 AM, 10/ 6/08
Josh, you forgot to mention a few other things that are infuriating about the STI's audio "upgrade." That a great majority of all those adjustments you pictured (and many more) are unavailable while the car is in motion, and that an operator practically need a stylus to accurately touch some of those virtual buttons is totally inexcusable. Just sayin'.
tantan73 says:
12:21 PM, 10/ 6/08
I can atest, first hand, on how horrible the stereos are in a Subaru. I drive a Legacy Spec. B, and while I love the way the car drives and corners, I can't even begin to tell you how bad the sound quality is, and I have the "upgraded" stereo with the Subwoofer.
Interestingly enough, I have a few friends who have replaced the headunit, speakers, and even cabling and it still sounds like crap.
One of my friends even went as far to lay dynamat down in his car to help with the sound quality and....nothing. It still sounds like garbage.
My Theory; Subies tend to have a LOT more road noise than other cars and there are a lot of reasons for this. Throw in some Frameless windows, flimsy rubber window and sunroof seals and a rumbly boxer motor and you have an environment that is anything but friendly for a car stereo.
It's like they are the black hole when it comes to audio quality..........
coletrickle says:
12:30 PM, 10/ 6/08
Man oh man!
Is there anything in this $40K car (aside from the engine) that's not totally low-rent?
This is $24K car in $40K clothing.
Wait, what am I talking abou? Even the clothes are ugly!
Basically it's a $24K car with $40k asking price.
m_thrizzle says:
01:23 PM, 10/ 6/08
tantan, what does the stereo sound like when parked and the engine is off? If it still sounds bad then, you can say that the cabin is acoustically challenged.
zoomzoom22 says:
01:55 PM, 10/ 6/08
Hmmm....does the STI have the same optional stereo as the new Forester? Cause I think the stereo in my XT sounds pretty damn good and I don't even have the upgraded stereo. The settings are basic, but tweak them right and the stereo bumps as if there is a sub in the car, all without any distortion.
Mikeolan, Subarus exist because they are overall very reliable, quick, quirky, "different", and have AWD standard. They are enormously popular here in Colorado. Domestics get bashed because of their history: they used to spend as much time in the shop as they do in the garage. They are much better now.
sbcooke says:
02:00 PM, 10/ 6/08
What are you listening to when you are making your comparisons?
I have the stock 80 watt stereo. The radio sounds terrible, miserable...you can get it to OK if you engage the surround sound, but that then ruins the other sources. However...when I listen to CD's, MP3 CD's or have my IPOD plugged into the external jack, the sound is actually pretty good.
There aren't a lot of speaker upgrade choices available searching at crutchfield, not enough to warrant a change. I will be upgrading the head unit before too long, but new rims and a set of all season tires for the winter are coming first.
It is cheesy they consider it a 10 speaker system...a single 2 cone speaker is stretch counting it twice...if it has 1 red and 1 black wire...it is one speaker to me.
SadButTrue says:
02:23 PM, 10/ 6/08
I was listening to the standard burned CD that I use in every test car I drive. I can't think of another stereo that sounded as bad as the STI's. Engine off at a stop or 75-mph cruise, didn't really matter since there's no bass in the first place.
-Sadlier
felonious says:
02:35 PM, 10/ 6/08
After reading this post and the replies, it seems to me one of the smartest moves ol' Subaru made was to *not* include a stereo in their 04 STis.
sbcooke says:
02:40 PM, 10/ 6/08
That is too bad. I had a great JVC mp3 player with POLK speakers in my old Trooper...it was awesome...but even with that setup the radio tuner wasn't that good. The stock is no where near as good as that system, but I find not too bad as long as I am not trying to listen to FM...Glad I didn't go for the upgraded package...it doesn't sound too good. I figured I would be upgrading the stereo soon enough. Hence another reason I opted for the base version with really not much else (short throw shifter from the factory, seems worth it)...I was happy at $32K in this car. If I had to shell out $40K I would have gone over to infiniti or lexus.
What you guys don't cover (at least yet) in these blogs is how to get the car sideways in a corner and pull it out. All the reading I have done says that once you can drift into a turn and rip out of it...all the understeer woes go away. I guess I need to go to a track to try that safely. That is what I want to see in blog entries :-)
jimmcc says:
03:05 PM, 10/ 6/08
I wonder if Subaru will address any of these issues for 2009? I am interested in buying an STI, but after reading some of the replies here I may be better off waiting a few months.
tantan73 says:
04:42 PM, 10/ 6/08
Thrizzle;
Let me put it this way; The Monsoon Stereo in my old '02 GTI sounded better at freeway speeds than my Subie does when it's parked.
Same story in my buddies' 05 STi and his Brothers '08 Legacy. Both of which have had major aftermarket work with thier stereos.
Also, I should point out, I listen to lots of different types of music and NONE of it sounds great on that system.
I suppose this would be a major problem if I spent more than 2 hours a day in the car, but I don't.
The only cool redeming feature it has is the weatherband channel :)
sbcooke says:
05:05 PM, 10/ 6/08
I drove home tonight with Blues Traveler off a MP3 CD (no sliding into corners). I cranked it just to compare to this blog. Things aren't as bad in my world as posted here. The harmonica was deep, it held tone pretty good. It isn't the same sound I get from B&W speakers in my living room, but no where near what is listed here. Perhaps the stock stereo is better than the upgraded? Since I agree the radio sounds like listening in a tin can...maybe decoding mp3's it has a different algorithm producing sound? I wouldn't rule the car out if you are shopping just based on stereo. Bring your ipod and a male/male cable and try it out if it is a concern.
I do agree and think Subaru should offer a premium sound system. The old LLBean used to come with a Macintosh system...I enjoy really good sound and the systems and the STI's is no where near what I want ultimately, but my system is not just good...it is good enough.
subafly says:
06:36 PM, 10/ 6/08
tantan,
The 09's don't have frameless windows. That being said, my 02 does feel like you're in an acoustic black hole and I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't been able to kill the road/aero anti-noise that drowns out anything audible to the human ear. Subaru should patent their best-in-class "music-canceling" cabin.
subytrojan says:
01:48 AM, 10/ 7/08
Not to worry, Scooby fans! :o)
A Harman/Kardon stereo is available on MY2009 Subaru Legacy and Outback models. I have a gut feeling the MY2010 Impreza will receive it (if Subaru knows what's good for them!).
http://www.subaru.com/sub/misc/harmankardon/index.html
Josh, I have the "upgraded" stereo and optional subwoofer on my MY2004 Impreza. How do you think mine compares to the LT STI's?
blankfocus says:
05:51 AM, 10/ 7/08
our 99 forester's aftermarket stereo definitely sounds crap too...but i'd still buy this sti in a hearbeat.
edubya says:
05:57 AM, 10/ 7/08
Subytrojan,
Gosh, you're an upbeat [dude]. ;)
Points for the movie reference.
pat1usmc says:
07:15 AM, 10/ 7/08
My '06 WRX TR's stereo was pretty bad, but my '07 Legacy GT's stereo is not bad at all. It has the "SRS WOW" function (I think that's what its called), that improves the quality tremendously. Maybe that function has been turned off on your test car?
1487 says:
08:08 AM, 10/ 7/08
stereos seem to be an afterthought with a lot of import cars with the exception of luxury models. I havent been in an American car that doesnt have bass, even if the stereo is the standard unit. I know the pre-Bose Mazda 3 had pretty lame speakers and lackluster basss response. Suburu and Honda have been reluctant to use namebrand uplevel stereos in many of their vehicles. I do think Suburu was using Rockford Fosgate on some models but I dont know if that's still the case. Honda finally put a real stereo in the Accord (EX-L only) for 2008 after years of medicore underpowered stereos although it's still not a name brand system.
sbcooke says:
08:29 AM, 10/ 7/08
Has anyone upgraded their '08 system? Wondering what speakers and head units people chose?
subytrojan says:
03:58 PM, 10/ 7/08
Rockford Fosgate systems are optional on Mitsubishi (some?) models.
Josh and I discussed this today and are thinking the nav/audio system may have an adjustment setting for this even though a subwoofer may not be installed in the vehicle. Someone may have to check the long-term STIs spec sheet to see if it is in fact equipped with one.
sbcooke says:
06:57 PM, 10/ 7/08
Out running errands tonight...I hit the end of the Blues Traveler folder and hit the Eagles Greatest Hits...Seven Bridges Road on via MP3 CD...the stock stereo actually sounded pretty decent. I am not sure about the upgraded stereo...but MP3 sound is actually fairly good via my stock system. This was sitting at the ATM and while ripping down the road at 4500 rpm. The FM radio flat out stinks...but the stereo in my opinion is pretty good with MP3 input (CD or IPOD). Also, the folder or disk random feature is nice. The 6 disk in dash player allows for a ton of MP3's via CD being loaded at one time...I mostly use my ipod, but anytime I forget it...I have more music loaded than I can listen to. The MP3 features are nice.
rsholland says:
07:21 AM, 10/ 8/08
I posted this blog entry over at NASIOC. An STI owner replied with the following:
___________
"I have to agree its not great, but it is better than any of the other STIs Ive had. The subwoofer adjustment on the head unit dosent do anything. There are knobs on the sub itself that do. Tell your guy to try that."
SadButTrue says:
12:18 PM, 10/ 8/08
Can anyone tell me where the sub might be located? I just went down and looked for it, and it doesn't seem to be in the cargo area anywhere (i.e, under/beside the spare tire), even though that's where the "speaker" screen on the display says the subwoofer would be.
-Sadlier
atticus22 says:
09:43 AM, 10/23/08
Did you order the Subaru Subwoofer/Amplifier as an option? If you did, it will be located under the driver's seat. I have one in my 08 STI and the bass is pretty good(although not great) I am pretty sure that if your bass response is horrible, then you do not have this option.
boomgarden says:
04:34 AM, 11/ 3/08
Rough crowd here! But, I'll agree that the stock (non-nav) system is fairly poor, at least when listening to FM. CDs and other digital sources sound okay, if not outstanding.
Personally, I found the upgraded stereo/nav system to be an unattractive option, given its relatively low quality and the fact that the required package in which it's included runs almost $4,000. The included wheels are nice, but overall it's overpriced.
Having said all that, the other general criticisms of the STi in these comments are unwarranted. I've owned everything from Porsches to Mercedes to, most recently, a Lexus and the quality of construction is at least on par with these "premium" brands. The car's performance is incredible--especially for a car that stickers in the mid-thirties--and Subaru's quality, as evidenced by, the many high-mileage Subies still on the road is legendary.
But, yes, the stereo sucks.