Cobber15 Posted May 9, 2021 Share Posted May 9, 2021 I’m really happy with the upgrade. Bass is certainly better, and there is def more volume now. I’m not looking to rattle windows, so this is perfect for a stock upgrade with no hacking of wires. If anyone is thinking of doing this, here are my tips. One, the head unit needs to be unbolted, but you do not need to disconnect every wire/harness like the directions say. It just isn’t necessary. Two, when you remove the center console, there are two small bolts near the seatbelts. Out the seat all the way forward, and these are super easy to get to. Three, the only real pain in the ass is routing the harness under part of the carpet to come out under the passenger seat where to amp will sit. I cut my carpet. It’s completely unnoticeable. It was so hard to get the two connectors under and through. I fished a piece of copper wire from a 14/2 electrical wire to tape the harness though to help guide it through. It’s actually quite funny how small the magnets are on the stock speakers. They could probably hold a post it note on the fridge. Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitaine Posted May 11, 2021 Share Posted May 11, 2021 I’m really happy with the upgrade. Bass is certainly better, and there is def more volume now. I’m not looking to rattle windows, so this is perfect for a stock upgrade with no hacking of wires. If anyone is thinking of doing this, here are my tips. One, the head unit needs to be unbolted, but you do not need to disconnect every wire/harness like the directions say. It just isn’t necessary. Two, when you remove the center console, there are two small bolts near the seatbelts. Out the seat all the way forward, and these are super easy to get to. Three, the only real pain in the ass is routing the harness under part of the carpet to come out under the passenger seat where to amp will sit. I cut my carpet. It’s completely unnoticeable. It was so hard to get the two connectors under and through. I fished a piece of copper wire from a 14/2 electrical wire to tape the harness though to help guide it through. It’s actually quite funny how small the magnets are on the stock speakers. They could probably hold a post it note on the fridge. Lol Not sure I would attempt this but does your radio has Speed Volume Control that is absent from my Harman Kardon stereo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobber15 Posted May 11, 2021 Author Share Posted May 11, 2021 Yes, I’m pretty sure it does have the speed volume control. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannygeorge17 Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 in your opinion, is it worth the 450 dollar price tag for the upgrade? also, what all comes in the kit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobber15 Posted May 13, 2021 Author Share Posted May 13, 2021 Imo it was well worth it. The bass is way better than I expected. The kit comes with everything you need. The main harness, amplifier, new front 6x9’s. You literally just need a 10mm wrench and a Phillips head. I would def do it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannygeorge17 Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 Imo it was well worth it. The bass is way better than I expected. The kit comes with everything you need. The main harness, amplifier, new front 6x9’s. You literally just need a 10mm wrench and a Phillips head. I would def do it again. Awesome! I’ve definitely been eyeballing it for about a year now. So it doesn’t replace the rear speakers? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobber15 Posted May 14, 2021 Author Share Posted May 14, 2021 No, the rear speakers stay. You could obv replace them. I did the fade to the rear and front to see if the rears sounded distorted when the stereo was turned up. They sounded better than I thought they would. I will likely not even bother replacing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wookies Posted August 30, 2021 Share Posted August 30, 2021 Do you think removing the passenger side seat would make this easier? I'm doing this Friday and am thinking of trying this route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobber15 Posted August 31, 2021 Author Share Posted August 31, 2021 I think the seat may be difficult to remove. I was going to do that too, but the bolts were mega tight, so I decided to leave it. The most difficult part was getting the harness under the carpet. I cut some of my carpet to make it easier. Nobody will ever be able to see where I cut it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wookies Posted September 2, 2021 Share Posted September 2, 2021 Did you remove the shift knob like the directions say to? If so…how? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobber15 Posted September 3, 2021 Author Share Posted September 3, 2021 I did remove the cluster and shift knob. I can’t remember the directions for the shift knob removal. I believe you need to remove the clip holding the leather boot to the knob. Then there is a clip or something you disengage to remove the knob. I found it online somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wookies Posted September 4, 2021 Share Posted September 4, 2021 Ok finished this up in about 2 hours. And holy cow I’m so glad I did this upgrade! It sounds fuller, tighter bass and well worth the small hassles that go into the upgrade. First up the shift knob, very easy to remove. Gently pull down at the base and it will show you a metal clip. Remove that clip and pull straight up. Untitled by John Wilkinson, on Flickr This picture looks intimidating, but if you take your time and follow the directions its so incredibly easy. Everything for me came off easily with trim tools and being careful. Untitled by John Wilkinson, on Flickr In my option removing the seat was also very easy, 4 12mm bolts with a 1/2’” ratchet and they came right out. Then it was a breeze to push the harness under the carpet to meet the amplifier. Untitled by John Wilkinson, on Flickr Speaker comparison Untitled by John Wilkinson, on Flickr Untitled by John Wilkinson, on Flickr I would do this upgrade again without hesitation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobber15 Posted September 5, 2021 Author Share Posted September 5, 2021 I’m glad you think it was worth it too. I really is a huge improvement. Enjoy the new sound! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wookies Posted September 10, 2021 Share Posted September 10, 2021 From the factory instructions https://drive.google.com/file/d/14eTK1b4iSAmSkti5-f0-nHO8Yf0SBU6E/view?usp=sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubwars Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 New to both Subaru and this forum. Probably a dumb question, but is this upgrade specific to vehicles without the upgraded audio? My car came with the Harman Kardon Premium Audio System upgrade, so I assuming this is something that would not benefit my car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caddygti16v Posted September 14, 2021 Share Posted September 14, 2021 New to both Subaru and this forum. Probably a dumb question, but is this upgrade specific to vehicles without the upgraded audio? My car came with the Harman Kardon Premium Audio System upgrade, so I assuming this is something that would not benefit my car.That would be correct. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzysoul Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 New to both Subaru and this forum. Probably a dumb question, but is this upgrade specific to vehicles without the upgraded audio? My car came with the Harman Kardon Premium Audio System upgrade, so I assuming this is something that would not benefit my car. Not a dumb question. The HK system leaves a LOT to be desired. Might just need a tweeter upgrade, though. I found the dash tweeter swap in my 2017 Premium Crosstrek to be the most effective at improving the sound (without adding a sub). I swapped the door speakers as well and was surprised to find that they weren't paper cone trash and had a built in baffle. I noticed the same muffled high frequency issue in the Legacy, despite that center dash speaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dubwars Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Not a dumb question. The HK system leaves a LOT to be desired. Might just need a tweeter upgrade, though. I found the dash tweeter swap in my 2017 Premium Crosstrek to be the most effective at improving the sound (without adding a sub). I swapped the door speakers as well and was surprised to find that they weren't paper cone trash and had a built in baffle. I noticed the same muffled high frequency issue in the Legacy, despite that center dash speaker. Just to be clear, you just swapped out your door speakers and tweeters, and did not add any additional amps, have to route additional power, etc.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobber15 Posted November 26, 2021 Author Share Posted November 26, 2021 I swapped the front door speakers only. The kit comes with an amplifier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2wookies Posted November 27, 2021 Share Posted November 27, 2021 ^what he said, kit is 2 speakers and an amplifier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abap3r Posted February 25, 2022 Share Posted February 25, 2022 As I did this upgrade I noticed the amp has a subwoofer port. Has anyone added a subwoofer? Is this even possible? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ngc604 Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 Ascent forums are saying the subwoofer Chanel on the rf flex 41amp is disabled. Maybe it’s left over from the past or already set for the future. Source: https://www.ascentforums.com/threads/rf-audio-upgrade-installed.3619/ Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blusubado Posted May 5, 2022 Share Posted May 5, 2022 what is it about this upgrade that adds in the speed volume setting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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