2012 WRX Speaker Upgrade - tech help required
 

Hi, finally getting around to updating the speakers in the wrx.

Adding a new set of splits to the front, 4ch amp, sub and new components to the rear. I'm keeping the factory HU for now.

I plan to run the front splits and the sub off the amp and keep the rears running off the HU.

Question is, I'm not really sure how or what I need to get the sound from the HU to the amp. I know I need a LOC. But I'm not sure if I need something like the PAC SOEM-4 or the PAC LP7-4. And how does this fit in with my proposed setup?

I'm guessing I take the front speaker wires from the HU and split them making 2 sets of left and right. These then connect to the 4 LOC inputs. Then using 2 sets of RCAs from the LOC outputs, connect to the amp inputs.

Amp then connects 2ch's out to the front splits and bridge the remaining 2ch's to the sub. Obviously amp has a power kit, remote turn on from LOC etc too.

The rear components are a simple speaker swap, so nothing needed to be rewired/reconnected. Is it even worth swapping these given the relatively low power output from the factory HU. I was looking at getting Pioneer TS-A1675S 3-way 300W peak/50W RMS.

Does this all sound right?
Are those 2 LOC's suitable for the job and should I prefer one over the other?

Is there anything else I'm missing?

Thanks for your help!

- update -
 

A bit more info.. the amp I am using is my Clarion APX 400.4 from my last car.

It has 'speaker level inputs' for use where the RCAs on the HU are unavailable (or in the case of the wrx HU - nonexistant).

Does this mean I dont even need the LOC as i can just split the front speaker cables and connect direct to the amp?

install manual of amp for reference:
[url]http://www.clarion.com/us/en/MungoBlobs/903/531/APX200.2_APX400.4.pdf[/url]

Why are you keeping the factory head unit, navigation? They have TERRIBLE sound quality and using speaker level inputs will significantly increase the risk of introducing noise into your audio system. Personally I would avoid. You would be far better off purchasing an Alpine or Pioneer head unit that will do bluetooth hands free and buy a GPS to stick in the right hand corner of your windscreen. Better spot for viewing your navigation, and you will gain far more sound quality with a new deck.

Thanks for the reply TROLLEY.

Its a matter of cost at the moment. The HU is just the standard (non nav) version. I want to get a Pioneer HU (like the AVH-X8500BHS) but need to save up some $'s for a future upgrade.

So for now its just trying to get a bit more oomph in the current setup. I'm not looking for huge SPL or an audiophile system. Just something better than factory.

And it looks like I'll need to get the LOC as I can't find the speaker level input cable for the amp anyway. Seems the installer never gave it back to me after they installed the amp in my old car using the RCAs.

Honestly, just put up with it until you can afford a new head unit. You will just be spending good money after bad with high level inputs.

The factory head unit is really the weak link. The factory Clarion speakers are actually half decent.

Separate GPS as suggested is a good way to go (I'm personally using a data enabled android phone as mine, which shows live traffic updates and such, and only cost $49.00).

Sent from my LG-D802T

You could consider a JBL MS8 ... Acts as a LOC, time / frequency alignment, active crossovers, 31 band EQ and includes 8 independent channels RCA out or 8 channel amps albeit low wattage. Accepts high level or RCA in and will do 5.1 from stereo in.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

OK, so I'm going to take the plunge and get a new HU. :)

Other than the obvious sound improvements, my additional feature requirement is bluetooth for phone (integrating with the factory steering wheel controls). I don't care about nav as I use my phone for the occasional map checking anyway but if the HU comes with it then that's fine.

Looking at either a Pioneer or Clarion unit.

Tossing up between:

Clarion VX404AU
Clarion VX603AU
Pioneer AVH-275BT
Pioneer AVH-X3500BTDAB
Pioneer AVH-X3600BTDAB
Pioneer AVH-X5550BT
Pioneer AVH-X5650BT

Willing to spend up to around $600.

Most of these units are listed on supercheapeverything.com for VERY low prices compared to the quotes I got from some stores today. Has anyone had any experience with buying from there? I'm not seeing a lot of info on reputation by doing a google search.

What you doing in terms of Amp?

Just noticed Alpine have their PDX-V9 on special for $549 down from $899.
[url=http://www.alpine.com.au/showItem.php?item_id=273]Alpine Electronics of Australia[/url]

Very decent amp, had mine for a while now, love it. Powerful and compact.

I have a PDX ... Excellent amp, great output, compact chassis.