We're introducing a new section to Car Audio in which we take a popular vehicle and ask a shop to design a good, better and best system for it. The "Good" system will typically build off the factory setup, the "Better" system will add to that initial upgrade, while the "Best" system will represent an all-out rebuild.
For this issue we turned to Isaac Goren, owner of Sounds Good Stereo, Security and Marine in Woodland Hills, CA. Goren selected a '06 Subaru Impreza WRX sedan as the vehicle to create his three sample systems. "It's a very popular car," Goren comments. "We see kids and adults buying them and suping them up. I picked it because it's very versatile," he adds, "and it's reasonably priced so people can afford to do upgrades on it."
GoodAlpine CDA-9885Rockford Fosgate Punch 450.4JL Audio PowerWedge CS110RG-w1v2Scosche accessories
BetterAlpine CDA-9885Genesis Profile FiveJL Audio 10W1v2-4Morel Tempo componentsMorel Tempo coaxialsScosche accessories
BestAlpine IVA-W200PMD-B100 BlackbirdJL Audio 1000/1JL Audio 300/2Morel Hybrid OvationJL Audio 10W6v2-D4Morel Integra Ovation XOOptima YellowTopScosche accessories
GoodGoren's basic upgrade starts with an Alpine CDA-9885 CD/MP3/WMA/AAC receiver. "It has the capability of controlling an iPod and a satellite-radio tuner," Goren notes. "And its high-level output creates an efficient system and allows the amplifier to produce better output to the speakers."
Goren would also install a Rockford Fosgate Punch 450.4 four-channel amplifier (60 x 4 into 4 ohms), with two channels driving the car's front and rear factory speakers at a 2-ohm load. "The amplifier's built-in crossover would be set at highpass so the front and rear stock speakers aren't receiving low frequencies," Goren says. The amp's other two channels would be bridged to create a single mono channel to power a subwoofer, with the crossover sending the sub a lowpass signal. "And with the head unit's separate subwoofer control, the driver can adjust the amount of bass directly from the radio," Goren adds.
Low bass would come from a JL Audio PowerWedge CS110RG-w1v2 sealed enclosure that contains a JL 10W1v2-4 10" subwoofer. The enclosure would be secured in the trunk, with the sub firing into the rear-seat armrest. "We would open up the area behind the armrest so the sub plays directly into the car," explains Goren, "and a 6" grille can be placed in the armrest opening." For cosmetic purposes, an amprack would be built on the back of the sub enclosure, with the amplifier facing the rear of the car. "This provides easy access to the amplifier and good ventilation," Goren says.
Installation materials include Scosche EFX RCA cables, 8-gauge power and ground cables, 16- and 12-gauge speaker wire, a Scosche fuse holder, radio kit and Accumat dampening material in trunk.
"This system will play all types of music very cleanly and accurately at moderate levels," Goren notes. "Except for the radio, it would look stock and very little space would be lost in trunk. It's also easy to upgrade in the future with aftermarket speakers, iPod integration, satellite radio and more."
Good SystemEquipment$880
Materials$150
Labor (5-7 hrs)$500-$600
Total$1,530 - $1,630