So purchasing a new 2019 Forester premium. I’m big into listening to music. In the Forester I have now I replaced the head unit and speakers and put a sub woofer in. Does anyone know the maker of the head units for these cars. Trying to look at specs of radio to see the power of it. Want to know how much speaker it can drive without using an amplifier. I used hertz speakers in my older Forester and loved the sound. May replace the stock speakers with same brand again
Speaker and radio question - maker of the head units?
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Look at the model numbers on the face of the radio. If it starts with a C, then it's a Clarion. If it starts with an F, then it's a Fujitsu Ten. I can't answer your other questions, but my guess is that the wattage of factory HU's is low.
I do not believe the 2019 radios are labelled like the past head units.
@Drew1964 It sounds like you have the standard sound system. Do you have the 4 speaker or 6 speaker system? 7" or 8" LCD radio?
I am not sure of the model, but if I ever pull the unit I will let you know. I have the HK upgrade and it comes with an 8" subwoofer. Decent sound. The HK system has an amp rated at 500 watts, but when I installed some Hybrid Audio Technologies speakers they seemed to be extremely underpowered. The loudness was down by at least 6dB, propably more. I just can't imagine that the non HK amplified system will be able to power aftermarket speakers.
As for a subwooofer, I suggest you have a custom fiberglass enclosure made. My local shop built one for a 10" Alpine sub for $350. I felt this was an exceptional deal and worth every penty. They sprayed it with black truck bed liner so it matches the plastic trim pretty well.This sub has great shape and is about 5 layers glass. It sounds great is very stiff and does not resonate much at all. In fact there is no deadening material in the rear panel and there is very little rattle at all. I do plan to deaden the whole car in a couple weeks.
Anyways, here are a couple photos and you can see more about my build here: https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f115/my-2019-subaru-forester-sport-let-modz-begin-792005/
I am not sure of the model, but if I ever pull the unit I will let you know. I have the HK upgrade and it comes with an 8" subwoofer. Decent sound. The HK system has an amp rated at 500 watts, but when I installed some Hybrid Audio Technologies speakers they seemed to be extremely underpowered. The loudness was down by at least 6dB, propably more. I just can't imagine that the non HK amplified system will be able to power aftermarket speakers.
As for a subwooofer, I suggest you have a custom fiberglass enclosure made. My local shop built one for a 10" Alpine sub for $350. I felt this was an exceptional deal and worth every penty. They sprayed it with black truck bed liner so it matches the plastic trim pretty well.This sub has great shape and is about 5 layers glass. It sounds great is very stiff and does not resonate much at all. In fact there is no deadening material in the rear panel and there is very little rattle at all. I do plan to deaden the whole car in a couple weeks.
Anyways, here are a couple photos and you can see more about my build here: https://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f115/my-2019-subaru-forester-sport-let-modz-begin-792005/
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I forgot to mention that the Hertz speakers are great, but they do not have many 6x9 options. The ML 700.3 is a great drop in dash speaker with a pretty good frequency response.
HAT offers some great drop in speakers. I am very impressed with my set-up, which is only mid-level #3 in their line up.
HAT offers some great drop in speakers. I am very impressed with my set-up, which is only mid-level #3 in their line up.
Thanks for the info. The system in this one is the 6.5 inch screen but says has 6 speakers. Yes my hertz sound great in my old Forester. Would by again. May need an amp as well than. Will have to do start saving now for the replacement speakers and stuff. Car will be ordered Friday and take 6-8 weeks. Wish my old hertz would fit in the new car but changed dimensions too much. From the pictures online it looked like they had a sub in the back that fit perfectly flat in the panel. Will have to check it out when I go Friday to put deposit down.
Does anyone know the wattage of the door speakers or HU? I have been trying to get the service dept to give me the stats, but they are stalling. I may have to call SOA. Has anyone with Sirius XM noticed that even the base speakers sound pretty good with the SXM service, but with a CD or regular radio its underpowered and muddy? How can the same speakers sound so different just by using SXM?
I ripped the rear panels out of the car last night. Wow did that feel great. I bought a bulk pack of Dynamat. 32 sqft. 9 sheets of 32x18. I thought for sure I would have a bunch of left over. Nope, it is all gone and I did not even get to the floors, roof or rear tail gate. Crap! I bought another bulk pack and some dynaliner for the hood.
I'm going to throw some photos up tonight, so you can check them out in the am. You can see the ins and outs behind the HK 8" sub panel and the cool little box that it is in. If I were to keep it, I would wrap it in dynamat. It sounds very plasticy and light when tapping on it, but it is a pretty decent sounding stock subwoofer. And yes, it is flat. My 10" sub was built outward from the panel. After ripping it out, I wishe I just ripped out the stock subwoofer and tried to build the new new enclosure in that space. There is plenty of room and it would look way better.
I'm going to throw some photos up tonight, so you can check them out in the am. You can see the ins and outs behind the HK 8" sub panel and the cool little box that it is in. If I were to keep it, I would wrap it in dynamat. It sounds very plasticy and light when tapping on it, but it is a pretty decent sounding stock subwoofer. And yes, it is flat. My 10" sub was built outward from the panel. After ripping it out, I wishe I just ripped out the stock subwoofer and tried to build the new new enclosure in that space. There is plenty of room and it would look way better.
@Sdcerreta, If I could trouble you to take note (or a pic or two) of the 2-3 passenger side trim pieces at the D post transitioning to the quarter panel. They are the ones the seat belt can slide between when tilting the rear seat. Any removal help would be appreciated.
I am one of those that when looking over my shoulder the top face of those pieces reflect the light and look like a car in the blind spot at a quick glance. I'm looking to replace those pieces with black if they exist or wrap them with a flat black vinyl. Thanks
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I am one of those that when looking over my shoulder the top face of those pieces reflect the light and look like a car in the blind spot at a quick glance. I'm looking to replace those pieces with black if they exist or wrap them with a flat black vinyl. Thanks
Funny, I just ripped into these today. I posted some photos of these panels coming off on my modz page.
There are no screws or bolts. Only about 5 pop fasteners. In order to get this panel off the right way, you should pull the lower panel first. The lower and upper panels fit together with some overlapping trim pieces. So, tugging the wrong way can break those tabs. Here are some steps:
1. Romove cargo tray and all foam pieces.
2. Now remove two bolts (10mm socket) that hold in the tie down anchors.
3. Then the lower black panel is held into place with pop fastners and the tabs conncting to the upper white panel. Just pull from underneath to release the pop fasteners, about 6.
4. Now remove the upper panel, just pop fasteners.
This is plastic, so paint is the best thing to use. Fabrics will likely not adhere well. Just tray to match the black color and this shoudl look pretty nice. Good luck!
There are no screws or bolts. Only about 5 pop fasteners. In order to get this panel off the right way, you should pull the lower panel first. The lower and upper panels fit together with some overlapping trim pieces. So, tugging the wrong way can break those tabs. Here are some steps:
1. Romove cargo tray and all foam pieces.
2. Now remove two bolts (10mm socket) that hold in the tie down anchors.
3. Then the lower black panel is held into place with pop fastners and the tabs conncting to the upper white panel. Just pull from underneath to release the pop fasteners, about 6.
4. Now remove the upper panel, just pop fasteners.
This is plastic, so paint is the best thing to use. Fabrics will likely not adhere well. Just tray to match the black color and this shoudl look pretty nice. Good luck!
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I know you’ve lined Dynomat in all the doors and recently the rear section. Have you by any chance weighed the material to figure the total extra weight that has been added? Just out of curiosity lol.
@Sdcerreta, Thanks much for the info. I was hoping it was a top down removal but pretty simple the other way. At least I don't have to mess with the air bag trim. Don't like messing with that at all. I was hoping maybe the Base model might have black on those pieces. Have to do something as the glare is getting more annoying and it's winter. We get a lot of sun most of the year.
Off topic but is that the stock sub in the pic? If yes I wonder if a RHD would have the sub enclosure on the left side?? Enclosure and trim panel would probably be cost prohibitive but would be a really clean install.
I was tempted to weight it, but I did not think anyone woudl care. I will weigh the next box and let you know. I woudl estimate the box of 9 sheets is 15 pounds. I already had some in the doors, so I would estimate about 25 pounds right now, maybe a bit more but must of this weight is in places that don't really matter. The place that matters is the rear gate. My 09 had about 6 pounds added and the gas stuts really suffer in the winter. I do not the the power struts will suffere as much, but they might.
Peja, yes, that is the stock HK sub. I think it would be $350 or so to buy that panel, but if you can get it at all I would totally try.
OMG, I have been obsessing ever since I popped off that panel. I am kicking myself for not exploring this area before doing a custom build on the other side. I totally think I can drop a high end 8" sub into that plastic enclosure, wrap it with a double layer of dynamat and it would sound like magic. The other option is what you suggest. I could build a wood enclosure to fit that space and seal it to the factory panel. I think if I go this route I could use a 10 or 12" sub and still seal it to that smaller grill. I'm not sure it is necessary. The right 8" sub may do the trick. I'm busy exploring options right now. Will post more on my modz page.
Hi been reading thread as waiting for delivery. So that panel in back you could put a sub that would pretty much be flush to panel and not protrude. In Forester have now had a infinity powered sub that attached to back seat which took up some space for storage. Also what are you guys replaced g the stack speakers with. I know speaker sound is personal. I had hertz in old car was looking to do them again but would only replace 4 speakers. Also liked Memphis audio when I listed to them
Drew,
I have the HK upgrade system. This came with 8" subwoofer and the panel is specific to this application. So, behind my panel there is room to add in a sub and flush mount it. If you do not get eh HK upgrade, then your panel will be different. The drivers side panel has a cubby in the panel and if the passenger side is like this then it is not an easy work around. If your panel is flat, then you can do a cutout but it wont look perfect or be flush. You guys need to remember that the cars with different sound systems have different specs and no one is sharing that info or posting your pics so it is difficult to answer these questions.
The bottom line is that to get the look you are looking for, you need to buy the HK panel, but I am sure it is expensive and may not be available at all.
All those speaker brands you mentioned are fine. Size and type is the most important. Even still, these will require some modifications as the stock speaker have baskets that extend forward towards the door panels. So, you need to build templates to move the new speaker into the correct position.
I have the HK upgrade system. This came with 8" subwoofer and the panel is specific to this application. So, behind my panel there is room to add in a sub and flush mount it. If you do not get eh HK upgrade, then your panel will be different. The drivers side panel has a cubby in the panel and if the passenger side is like this then it is not an easy work around. If your panel is flat, then you can do a cutout but it wont look perfect or be flush. You guys need to remember that the cars with different sound systems have different specs and no one is sharing that info or posting your pics so it is difficult to answer these questions.
The bottom line is that to get the look you are looking for, you need to buy the HK panel, but I am sure it is expensive and may not be available at all.
All those speaker brands you mentioned are fine. Size and type is the most important. Even still, these will require some modifications as the stock speaker have baskets that extend forward towards the door panels. So, you need to build templates to move the new speaker into the correct position.
That’s good to know. The guy I go to is excellent with installs so that shouldn’t be a problem. I didn’t want to be locked into the Hk system as have not heard it. In the Forester now I have an alpine stereo with 4 hertz speakers and sub and love the sound on it. Wish could take the speakers and install them on new car. They audio upgrade won’t be done right away anyway need to save up. Do you know if would need an amp or is the head unit strong enough to power everything.
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