Up until recently I had a stock exhaust with an Xforce cannon which was damn loud and I had to be carful how I drove through town. I now have an Xforce 3" tbe with a Varex cannon which yes is still loud when fully open but great closed when sneeking out the drive early morning or when quiet running is required.
I'm not yet sold on the looks as the thing is big on my Bugeyes bum, but, and maybe It's just me but my wrx now seems to run and change more smoothly and there is a definite swoosh/wistle coming from my turbo now and power gain is noticeable, so whatever muffler you choose going to a 3" tbe is worth the expense.
Cheers.