I've been collecting various stereo bits over the last 6 months in anticipation of getting an STi with thank god, no factory system installed, obviously the STi didn't come about due to the sorry Subaru dealers in Maine, but as luck happened I ended up with a Rally Red EVO that I'm extremely happy with.

I haven't decided on a head unit, but I've been leaning towards the Pioneer Premier DEX-P9 (i wouldn't be able to afford the sound processor/eq DEQ-P9 at this time but would add later) or if installation comes out to be more than 2K, I would just go with the Alpine 7995 (just because it's cheap and I won't feel bad about replacing it when the time or rather money comes along). I'm up for suggestions, but I want pure SQ with no internal amplification and a single DIN configuration. Name brand is not important, but sound quality is. I don't want all the bells and gimmicks, but I would like XM satellite capability.

DEX-P9




Alpine 7995



I've already purchased this stuff:

Front speakers:

CDT EuroSports 643 3-ways



Not sure of the placement for these, I hear a dead spot by my ears with the stock speakers, so the 6 ½” woofers will go in the stock location, the tweeters if they image correctly will also go in the stock location, the 4” mids, I was thinking of putting at the far back of the front door, right above waist level, but I’ll have to see how they sound there first. I don’t really want to go with kickpanels because I don’t want to loose the dead pedal (I commute 70 miles one way to work and average about 1200 miles a week in the car).

Rear speakers:

a/d/s 345is components 5 ¼ midrange and 1” tweeter



and/or

a/d/s 346im integrated



Will probably just go with the 345is in the stock location and make a plate for them, unless I can get better sound out of the doors, which I doubt. I have the integrated speakers also, but think it would be overkill having 15 speakers in the car that will never enter into a competition.

Subwoofer:

CDT MS-100 minibox subwoofer



I’m not about loud bass that overpowers the rest of the music, I just want clean bass that enhances the music and does not take away from it. So one 10” will be fine to start out with and see if I need more. Will probably have a fiberglass enclosure made for the trunk, it won’t be big since this woofer is made for tight/small enclosures.

Amplifier:

a/d/s/ P850.2 8x50 watts amp at 4 ohms.



Will probably bridge 4 channels into two for the fronts, two separate channels for the rears and bridge 2 channels for the sub. This puppy is big, so the only place it can go is up against the back seat or having a false floor made for the trunk. I’d like to keep my spare tire (Maine roads play havoc with wheels and tires.)

I will probably go with Stinger Expert Series wiring, terminals, etc. Not sure which brand for sound dampening and will need to get an alarm system added too.




I have two friends that started Ritop School for Mobile Electronics who will probably end up doing the install work. I asked if my car could be used as the demo car for the school, but the instructors/owners didn’t feel right about letting an EVO be torn apart and put back together, oh well so much for free labor.

It would be great if someone could offer of suggestions on equipment I haven’t already purchased and placement, tips and techniques that you went through during your installs.

I'll be documenting the whole install and keep a diary to post later. I want a competition style install, (although I highly doubt it will ever be entered into competition).

 

first of all, let me just say that the system you're looking at is SICK. expensive, but should sound EXTREMELY good. your own personal concert hall.

how much are you getting everything for? because i know a lot of places online you can find some great prices, even on the DEQ-P9.

 

oh, and as far as sound dampening goes, i'd recommend cascade audio. as good if not better than dynamat, cheaper, and weighs less. check it out at www.mmxpress.com (also look at a/d/s and pioneer prices there).

 

You will be pleased with the CDT components, though I don't know if it's worth the time to run the a/d/s rear channel. Sometimes less is more.

Other than the rear channel issue (which is really a matter of personal preference) it looks like you've got a very nice system picked out. Tell me how it sounds when you're done.

 

Thanks, so far I've gotten everything relatively cheaply on ebay and through friends.

CDT ES-643s were 650 shipped
2 sets of a/d/s speakers (200 used)
a/d/s/ P850.2 was 500 shipped
CDT MS-100 was 80 shipped

The cheapest I'm able to get the DEX P9 at so far is 800 bucks and the Alpine at about 350 both shipped.

So if you add in wiring, accessories, etc. and sound proofing I can probably walk away with a semi-hi-end stereo system for 2.5 - 3K installed (by trained friends), much cheaper than any of my other past systems. Retail on all of this stuff without installation is around 4.5K.

I can't wait to get this installed.