I grew up singing, playing instruments, and absolutely obsessed with audio quality. In my experience of premium audio systems specific to cars (since the complete design of all cars has an affect on the audio quality experienced by the passengers due to exterior insulation, reverberation, and interior material absorption), I was blown away by the Mark Levinson premium audio system in my 2017 Lexus RC 350 F-Sport. There were times when I felt like I was listening to songs I’ve heard over and over again, for the very first time. There was so much crispness at all frequencies and the low end wasn’t muddy and overpowering. I now use the bass slide from the intro to Beyoncé‘s ‘Partition’ to test the low-end range of other systems to compare because there was a full 4 beats that I never heard before I played it in that car with that system.
Oh I know... I just got the HK system in my 2021 Crosstrek Limited. Nowhere near the quality of that ML system, but will do for the price point of the car.
I felt this way about the HK system that came in my '11 BMW 335i convertible. I also felt like I was listening to songs for the first time. The audio was so crystal clear throughout the volume range, even with the top down, that I felt like I could listen to songs at a much lower volume and still hear all the subtleties of the composition. And then when I turned it up, it just sounded like I had the best seat in a concert pavilion. I bought the car used and it came with a few of the previous owner's albums already stored on the hard drive, including a huge collection of Pearl Jam's live concert recordings. When I listened to them I appreciated PJ on a level I never experienced before. Now I am looking at a 2015 Outback Limited with the HK system, but during my test drive I didn't get the same sense of amazement. I'm guessing that HK engineered it on a smaller budget than they would in a BMW. Or maybe I just didn't find all the ways to tailor the audio system to my taste within its capabilities.
Also note, if you decide to go the aftermarket route, you better hope the installer at the shop isn't having a bad day. I used a reputable shop for three vehicles, and the last one they did was an absolute butcher job that could have voided my whole warranty. I had the owner of the shop and his head installer carefully remove it and bring it back to stock as soon as the issue began that week. Even after that, there were some issues and I ended up getting rid of the vehicle after a very short amount of time. It was bad enough, that I can't get myself to ever consider aftermarket audio again.
Very polished, succinct presentation. Viewed this video after I made a Subaru purchase and wanted more information on what the HK upgrade really consisted of. Again, very well done - thank you.
I have a 2017 Infiniti Q50 with the Bose audio. It sounds great, and no matter how hard you push it there is very little distortion. Bass is tight and deep, and the music is very well defined.. And it gets seriously loud. I recently purchased a 2019 outback for my wife with the Harman Kardon audio. It is, in every way, underwhelming. At conversational volumes it sounds OK with a good soundstage. But push it all and the bass gets muddy, the midrange gets screechy, and while I haven’t measured it I’m sure the distortion is north of 5%. Not what I expected from a high-end audio system, even from Subaru. My wife says it’s not fair to compare a Subaru with an Infiniti. As with all things, she’s right. But it’s too bad Subaru doesn’t offer a real high-end option.
I tried out the 2021 Limited XT with the Harman Kardon speakers and I was disappointed in them. After I took a test drive and listen to them, I came back and ask the guy if I could listen to a plain Subaru stock stereo system. They were pretty comparable with the Harman Kardon just being a tad better than the stock stereo system
I had a Volvo V60 Cross Country with the manufacturer’s Sensus sound system, it had 8 speakers and a 160W amplifier, it produced good sound, two years later I upgraded to the V60 R Design Platinum, that one came with Harman Kardon system, 12 speakers and a 650W amplifier, to my ears, the improvement was ten fold! Amazing!
The 792 Watts is basically the Sum of all speakers SO 792 divided by 14 = 56W per speaker. But due to coaxials being combined so then 10 you are getting 79.2 W and that is actually pretty good. They also could be pushing 100-150W direct to the sub and the leftover to all the other speakers.
You can adjust the tweeter frequencies by replacing the capacitors. Lower farard = playback at lower frequencies. Higher farad at playback will only occur at higher frequencies. If you can find the crossivers for the wooders a lower milihenry inductor will increase the frequency range and a higher milihenry inductor will decrese the frequency at which it cannot play sounds.
It is interesting my 2015 Outback has a 7-band equalizer with some presets, but they no longer have that. I upgraded my base system. I got about the same wattage as the HK system with a 5-channel amp a high-power subwoofer, four coaxial side speakers and 2 new tweeters in the front, a base knob that changes the power output to the subwoofer. The whole thing costs $2800 installed. If you do it yourself, it would be about 40% of that price around $1200-1300. The job takes a whole day for an experienced technician.
Have a 2019 Outback 3.6 R Limited. And the Harmen Kardon system is awesome. Great bass and a crystal clear sound. Had never distorted any music and it never skips a beat
good review. i have a 2015 subaru ForesterXT with the harman kardon audio upgade system. i replaced the OEM head unit only with a Pioneer 4400NEX head unit with all of the features that the OEM head unit did not have. the difference in sound is unbelievable. there is so much more control over the audio with the pioneer head unit. this unit is really driving the harman kardon system very well. iam very satisfied without changing the amp and speakers. thank you for listening
We are disappointed at the lack of bass and found the equalizer adjustment has minimal impact. We are on a quest to get more bass. This video was very informative.
I drive a 2018 Chevy Silverado LT trim truck. I hate the sound system. We are about to purchase the Subaru Outback Limited XT. I was impressed with the sound. Now I have two reasons to take the wife’s car: fuel savings and sound. Thanks for this review.
Great pack of knowledge and reflexion. Was testing out 2013's Outback with some Daft Punk and was pretty impressed and now decided to invest into Suburu & Harmon Kardon audio system. Althought im consider audiophile and like great high to low end bass and your video teach new way how to improve the overall system in general. Thanks for it :)
Good overview, I learned some new technical info about the sound system in my WRX. I agree with the criticisms: the lack of audio settings is absurd, especially considering Subaru used to give you way more settings, so it seems like a regrettable dumbing-down. And the subwoofer doesn't do a whole lot, especially compared to the factory Kicker option in the Impreza GT I drove for many years, which was, shall we say, not subtle. But the HK system is more than acceptable for my needs, and I actually wanted all the other features it was packaged with, so I'm happy with the decision. The only bummer is the Outback's HK system is noticeably superior to the WRX's, and I am frequently reminded of this because an immediate family member drives an Outback. But the Outback is a more high-end car in general, so it's not surprising.
Really good in-depth review you sound like you really know your stuff. Thank you. I just bought the Ascent Touring 2020 that has this system automatically. And not being much of an audiophile I think this system sounds great for being right off the lot and I don’t plan on messing with it in the future. Far better than I’m used to. Haha. I am surprised you didn’t notice a difference with the surround feature on because I did notice a fairly substantial difference when having it on. Not sure the difference between the 2019 system you have and 2020 system I have in regards to why I notice a difference in the music. Thanks again for the review. 😁
I bought the upgrade in my 2023 WRX for the better interior and hoping the Harmon Kardon would be good enough to keep me from going after market right away.
words cannot explain how MUCH BETTER this HK is compared to the base sound system. its *literally* a night a day difference. if you enjoy music, PLEASSE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, get the HK update. I promise you it's worth it.
Audiophiles don’t want heavy bass, they want accurate deep and controlled bass. However I agree that a subwoofer is necessary. I bought a 2017 Impreza right after it came out. Not a lot of choice and knew that an OEM upgrade designed by Rockford was available. Sold as the equivalent of adding a subwoofer with more power. It including front door coaxials with oval long throw woofers. The new amp had a DSP section which tuned everything for the car. Big mistake, huge resonances around 60 -100 Hz which varied based on content. I had test driven a different model with a HK system with subwoofer and it sounds great. Looking across the models some have subwoofers and others don’t. This system sounds like crap compared to a $1000 Geek Squad system with JBLs and a Kicker subwoofer in my truck. It has a Pioneer head unit with remote. The HK systems with sub are good sounding. Before the Impreza I had a Jetta TDI with Fender system that truly was great. It also was tuned for the car. My system also has many issues with Car Play connectivity. Taking all into account, I would likely not buy this car again. The electronics in Subaru are a liability. Great mechanically, but they need a different supplier for all of the electronics.
I agree that an equalizer would be a well needed improvement. My 2017 and (2) 2020 Outbacks lacks the feel and sound of a "full" bass that I had in my Lincolns and Thunderbird. Our 2002 T-Bird also has reverb. Harman Kardon could do better for the money.
It's funny they list your's as having more speakers than it does. On my 2011 Outback 2.5i CVT Limited it claims 6 speaker even though it has most of the same drivers in the same locations as your's (woofers front doors, tweeters [in the dumbest possible place which reflects right off the glass and at you face/ears, drowning out the other sides tweeter)] in the dash at the base of the A pillars, 2 way speakers with microscopic woofers in the 2nd row doors, a subwoofer and a center channel). I've just experienced an overwhelmingly common problem with the Harmon Kardon unit: The amplifiers go screwy and for a time no sound plays no matter which input you're set to (navigation, Bluetooth phone, Bluetooth audio, AM/FM/Satellite radios, CD and auxiliary [phono/headphone] input plug) no sound will play. So you shut the system off and a few days later the amplifier turns on with the stereo and all other parts off and it destroys your eardrums with 92-95 decibel static. It f*cking hurts like CRAZY! It's almost equal to being in an indoor shooting range and your hearing protection falls off when someone fires a .454 casull - it hurts like nothing you've ever felt before and the pain goes on for days. Extreme caution is due if your 2010+ Outback/Legacy has the Harmon Kardon system!
Honestly, you would be better off just getting an entire new system. HK is weak. If you get a new sub, the speakers won't hold up. Honestly this is why I didn't get a subaru but a mazda cx30 with Bose. Audio is very important for me in a car.
I know this stuff. I couldn't get the HK system unless I got the package, which included a sunroof that I didn't want. The non-HK system sounds horrible. Then, to upgrade to aftermarket, Subaru said it would void any electrical repairs done under warranty. Also, Subaru calls it, "500 watt equivalent." Huh? It's either 500w or its not. This is for a 2022 WRX.
Just bought my 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited today. Could've gotten the Navigation + HK system package but just got the Moonroof package. I listened to the regular speaker system on the way home but kind of wonder if I should've gotten the HK system...However, just didn't think it was worth the extra $1395 in addition to the Moonroof package. The regular Subaru speaker system isn't too bad. Maybe I just need to change the EQ settings as I've noticed the sound only comes from the middle of the car.
Thanks for this video. I just bought the 2022 Ascent and I realized that the front door speakers only make muffled sounds. As if they only played very low frequency sound (like a woofer). Is this by design? Pls advise since I’m not sure if it’s defective or just they way it’s supposed to be. Great video BTW.
Im no audio guy but i really appreciate it in my 2011 legacy but according to professional audio people apparently the stock harmon kardon systems in subarus are on the lower end of the premium sound system. I found with some tweeking the base fequencies to higher db keeping mid at 0-1db and increasing the higher frequency to the max 16k and the db to about 3-5 depending on what you feel is comfortable. That gets you more range but i feel like mid range is fairly good in the middle but the highs and lows are a little lost at the default eq settings. I also keep the q setting fairly low to cover a wider spectrum.
@@akqjtn yeah my last car i put in my own speakers and headunit and kind of had multiple tuned presets for various music types. Nowadays with bluetooth controls and my unlimited satellite radio(came with the car) i kind of cant change it without loaing the free radio. Plus im colorblind so it took me forever to fivure out all of the wiring to get it to run properly. Struggle was real. Definitely just going to buy cars with a better stock sound system from now on. No complaints with my HK sound
Good review of the HK audio have in my 17 Forester touring. Supposed 440 watt amp is a joke when RMS is only real reveal that makes any sense. There is no sub woofer but the bass seems adequate. May upgrade by having one installed. I'm confused in what speakers are used? What is the Fosgate upgrade all about? Does the HK in the Forester use those speakers or HK speakers that came with the package? Like that there is a CD player wish it had a 6 disk changer like the Lincoln
I have a HARDON/KARMON in my 2013 Subaru Forester XT premium its super load no distortion factory i intend to put soundmat on the doors to cut down vibration only downfall is the satnav only covers upto 2013
I have a '11 legacy and a '17 outback and honestly the legacy sounds 10x better and they are both Harmon Kardon systems. The legacy is able to be more fine tuned were the outback just has general presets. Honestly if i was to buy a subaru again i would just get a base xt outback or legacy and just do it myself. I would go panasonic or bose and upgrade the sound deadening in the doors and trunks to keep the sound clear and keep rattles down. Its a win win, i get a custom set of speaker for less and the quality will be better because I could spend more on perfecting the quality.
I have the 20 Forester premium, stock radio, and looking to upgrade to Pioneer speakers 4 way for front doors and 2 way back doors, I tried to see if I could put in pioneer amp and sub and I guess it can't be done unless I have the harmon upgrade on it. not sure if I could upgrade radio to a NEX dvd so I can still have a cd player.
A great video. Have never owned a Harmon Kardon sound system but I have heard them and I was quite pleased with the sound. How do you like your Subaru Ascent? After I get the new STI I might also look into the Ascent.
Very nice job on this video. Can you tell me what EQ settings you are using in your Ascent and if you left the fader as is or moved it front or back? I haven't been that impressed with my HK system in the Ascent and am looking for the best way to tune it with the limited options. Thanks!
Treble at its highest + level. I dropped the mid to -5 & increased the bass to a +7. I moved the sound fade up a bit to the front, since the rear door speakers are lacking.
you know you’re right but if you want to buy aftermarket speakers amplifier wires and your time to put them in if you know what you’re doing it’s fine but I like harman kardon that came with it to me if I could sounds great 👍
"Lack of controls"... Yeah, that's it. Even after the software update, my '20 Legacy Limited has none of the controls stated in the Subaru Starlink Manual on page 90 and 140 (Canadian Model). It doesn't even have the Speed Volume Control. What a bummer. I'm in discussion with my dealer as to what gives and would like to get in touch with a Subaru Canada/USA expert on this issue of lack of controls. It definitely needs another update. The EQ would return to flat settings everyday before the first update.
Worst thing about this system is the AMP won't kick over with aftermarket head unit. I'm going through dramas now trying to swap to new Android Kenwood wireless and the AMP won't turn in with the harnesses from Aero Pro.
So, I have owned my 2019 STI since new. I have had to replace the passenger front door speaker twice under warranty, and now the drivers door speaker is shot. I listen to a wide variety of music, from classical to country to EDM. Volume is usually at 20-22 , and never go above 30. Next week I'm having the entire speaker system replaced, as I am sick of the HK system. In my opinion, it is a total waste of money - other than you can't get the other features of the sport tech model without it! Previously, I had a 2018 WRX base model, and I put in the dealer offered KICKER speaker system. This system by far outperformed the HK system, and in the 18 months I had it I never had a single issue. I know the current owner and they haven't had an issue with it either. To sum it up, the HK system "upgrade" is garbage, and if it is the only reason you are going with the premium models, you are better off saving your money, getting the base model and either getting the Kicker system or a different aftermarket system. I am so disappointed with HK that I won't ever buy ANYTHING Harman Kardon ever
Nice contains, I absolutely pay extra money for that speakers, with my Forester I paid over 500$ for subwoofer and instalation it more bass but it not get along with the speakers, then I went online shopping for speakers upgrade the advisor told me this and that sound way too complicated and cost almost 700$ just the parts, I end up bought kicker upgrade plug and pay for subaru, 4 speakers 2 tweeter around 300$, after all I realized I should have upgraded for Harman/kardom at the first place.
mercedes c class 2016 burmester surround system only 800€ extra and believe it, it has 2 8inch subs in front of your feats , loud and pure sound, but i want to hear the volvo B&W soundsystem 1450watts !!!!!!
are the harman kardon speakers plug and play for the STI? found someone selling the hk speakers for a good price and wanted to know if id be able to just remove my old speakers and put in the hk speakers.
Great video. I have the Harmon Kardon system in my 2020 Forester but it doesn't have enough bass in my opinion. Is there a way to add an after market item to the system to increase bass? Recommendations? Thank you! Also, does soundproofing the car doors help?
Adding aftermarket amplifiers will often require a higher output alternator. They are available for our cars (I had a 240 Amp unit I bought and installed in my 2008 Outback XT Limited).
I have a Wilderness Outback. We weren't even given ANY choice for audio upgrade. SO we have just the stock headunit, the 11.6 one. And there are no amp pre-outs, and it is not recommended to put an aftermarket stereo in this car since the infotainment system controls so many car functions. So I am left with speaker level outs, but eventually I want a boxed woofer, Amps, and fully upgraded component speakers. Honestly I am looking at about 4K not including labor for the particular items, brands, and quality I am looking for. I'll likely have the best sounding Wilderness in the Country when I'm done. Databyter
@@traviscollins3249 Many amplifiers have a "line input" which accepts traditional speaker output voltages from the stock head unit (as opposed to the Pre-Amp outputs we would prefer). For this sort of input you would litereally wire the amplifier with the speaker wires from the original head unit, and take care to adjust the gain so that you would not overfeed the amplifier. In the old days there literally would be a post for each speaker set on the amplifier, positive and negative. But many of todays amps would require you to wire your speaker outs from the head unit into an adapter plug. Databyter
I have a 2020 Subaru Ascent with the Harman Kardon Quantum Logic Surround Sound System. When listening to XM stations with the sound level @ "5" the volume level is acceptable. When transitioning to AM or FM you have to manually increase the volume level to "12" to get the same level of volume! The problem is transitioning from Am/FM to XM Radio...it will blow your ears out? I contacted Harman Kardon, their Tech. dept. would not address my issue because the unit is OEM from Subaru. Subaru Customer Service stated " What is being described is a normal characteristic of the band width of both radio stations".....obviously Subaru was of no help.......Any solution....Thank You
Just adding an after market sub would do wonders for the system. I plan to go with a Kicker Key and a 8" or 10" down firing box that has a passive radiator.
I have a 2018 Subaru Forester premium model with the standard six speaker stereo system… The Harman Kardon is not an option on the premium level… Has anyone installed the Subaru “speaker upgrade” (Kicker) that you can get at the dealer and have installed? Does it make enough difference without changing the head unit with the higher quality speakers to make it worth it? I’m considering it but don’t know for sure if it will make that big of a difference…
I just wanna recommend install sound proofing on all 4 doors, it really make a huge difference. Don't believe me, try one side of the door and replay your music.
Does it really make a huge difference in the quality of sound? I have the Harmon Kardon system in my Subaru but I don't think it has enough bass. Maybe this would help? Thanks
Yes. Do this. I did it for all 4 doors in my current Crosstrek. Have the stock system and it made it sound so much better actually lol. Takes out the road noise too. Easy to watch an online video and take a day to do it yourself.
Hey man. Is there a site I can order 1 speaker or do I have to order from dealership? I drive a 2016 wrx/sti limited and I have order the kicker but didn't fit.
Are these type of factory sound systems tested and paired to work optimally? I ask because I’m wondering if they were designed to work at all settings and volumes available, or if they will blow out because volume was too high, etc. I wonder if the fuse would blow before damaged to the actual speakers occur
I have a 2020 Subaru Impreza sport I want to upgrade all the speakers even the tweeters. I know that kickers make special tweeters that mount on but when I look these up it shows it doesn’t fit my vehicle only WRX or STI do you have any idea or any clue what kind of tweezers I can actually fit or the ones that they recommend for the STI or WRX well it actually fit my sedan sport and with the 6 x 9‘s in 6 1/2 on the doors Do I even really need any brackets if they’re the same size speakers that are currently on them
Great Video. I just traded my 2019 Ascent Limited in for a 2021 Touring with Harman Kardon. In my Limited I added all new speakers and a 12 in sub. It was powered by an Alpine amp at first it didn't sound that great with the stock head unit. I added the LCI 7I and it worked great with a head unit. I hated having a big box in the back and am very happy with the 8in inserted one that came on my touring. I'm going to give it a few weeks to see how I like it. From what I've heard so fair I want more bass not a ton but a bit more would be good. Do you think just adding a LCI 7I to the current set up would help? I'm thinking if the LCI 71 doesn't help to change out the amp and sub. Please let me know your thoughts or if you have ever made any changes to your touring system.
Does anybody have any reviews on the upgraded Rockford Fosgate stereo system speakers in the onyx XT? Is it comparable to the Harman Kardon in the Limited XT?
First thing I did on our WRX was rip out the system, it's terribly cheap (dash 2" paper tweeters as you show are embarrassing) but Subaru almost expects an owner to go aftermarket and makes component/head unit exchange simple. I actually kept the stock 'tweeters' as is and passband as midranges instead then adding silk dome tweeters in doors. After changing out drivers, head unit and adding single sealed 10" with bass management (similar to what you did) the difference was Clock Radio to Head Bobbing Bliss. Great work on your STI, will watch after this. Next purchase is the Ascent which is why I am here.. but again looks mediocre.. did you mention coaxial in the doors instead of housing tweeters in pillars? If so, credit loss to Harmon Kardon and opportunity lost; coaxials with tweeters shooting at ankles is not ideal losing all the imaging and high frequency advantage. Very much appreciate this review but lost my purchase excitement, may have to take your suggested route of base to custom. The 792 watt statement was very well indulged, great explanation, probably half that power in RMS.
On these Subaru HK systems where the tweeters remain up on the dash, the separation between the tweeter and the door-mounted mid is so great that I can hear them separately. On my 13 Impreza, the sound system was total junk, so I disconnected the dash-mounted tweeters and placed JBL coax units in the doors where the tweeter could be pointed up towards my ears. It works very well when no front passenger is riding with me. I went with my Eclipse AVN4430 head unit and a small powered sub. JBLs in front, Polks in the back doors. All speakers insulated so the doors no longer buzz. Trouble with the new Subarus with the embedded tablet is that you have no control over the quality of the head unit.
outback limiteds sound pretty good... and i say slightly better than the rockford systems i've heard... harmans are slightly better and sound better and clear at a high volume than rockford.. that being said ... i have heard better systems than harmans as well
Bose car audio systems are a joke, I have one in my Grand Sport Corvette. I have less than $350 in an ALPINE system (head unit, 5 1/4" & 4" speakers) in my 31 year old Volvo wagon and it kills the Bose system.
I have to disagree with the point of advertising the coax speakers as 2 being disingenuous. They are 2 separate drivers, for 2 separate bandwidths, and can be separated and mounted as components. It truly is 2 speakers. However their "700 watt equivalent" ratings they claim on their amps is COMPLETELY disingenuous. Thats not how things are rated in the real world, and makes it a hassle to figure our what RMS per channel we can get from the factory amp if we want to upgrade the speakers. Its purely marketing, has no basis in reality, and doesn't benefit the customer in anyway. I have a 2019 Impreza Sport that I bought used with 6k miles for $18k back in 2019. I wanted a WRX, but I couldn't pass up that deal. Thankfully, this car has the Eyesight, moonroof, H/K package. After 5 years on this system, (holy shit 5 years I've had this car already??) I added a 10 inch Focal woofer shortly after purchasing the car, and that really makes a difference in filling out the sound. However, there are definitely some shortcomings that I think come down to the factory DSP settings. The mids in the dash distort quite badly on higher volumes, and it sounds like they're being fed frequencies that are too low for those drivers, or just too much power. With the midrange being something so crucial to the listening experience, and being the only speaker in the dash REALLY setting up your sound stage up, it can completely ruin the enjoyment of listening to music. Im not sure what kind of DSP settings are on the factory amp, or if it's passive, semi-active, or fully active, but I think the factory tuning is pretty shit. Good midrange drivers should be good down to 150-200 Hz, so im not sure what the actual culprit is. The midbass in the doors is a little cluttered and muddy... I mean, they're door speakers in the cheapest model Subaru, so no surprise there. The highs from the door coax's aren't really detailed or crisp either because they're in the door and playing at your thigh. (if your lower legs had ears, this would be a great system.) The car itself is quite loud on the highway, so it takes volume to combat that. This makes the inherent frequency cancelations in the system all the more obvious. TLDR: its... okay I guess lol. I would say 70-80% of people will be completely satisfied.
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There is no fat in this video, just meat. No wasted words, no wasted time, just a firehose of good information and a good voice delivering it.
I grew up singing, playing instruments, and absolutely obsessed with audio quality. In my experience of premium audio systems specific to cars (since the complete design of all cars has an affect on the audio quality experienced by the passengers due to exterior insulation, reverberation, and interior material absorption), I was blown away by the Mark Levinson premium audio system in my 2017 Lexus RC 350 F-Sport.
There were times when I felt like I was listening to songs I’ve heard over and over again, for the very first time. There was so much crispness at all frequencies and the low end wasn’t muddy and overpowering. I now use the bass slide from the intro to Beyoncé‘s ‘Partition’ to test the low-end range of other systems to compare because there was a full 4 beats that I never heard before I played it in that car with that system.
Oh I know... I just got the HK system in my 2021 Crosstrek Limited. Nowhere near the quality of that ML system, but will do for the price point of the car.
I felt this way about the HK system that came in my '11 BMW 335i convertible. I also felt like I was listening to songs for the first time. The audio was so crystal clear throughout the volume range, even with the top down, that I felt like I could listen to songs at a much lower volume and still hear all the subtleties of the composition. And then when I turned it up, it just sounded like I had the best seat in a concert pavilion. I bought the car used and it came with a few of the previous owner's albums already stored on the hard drive, including a huge collection of Pearl Jam's live concert recordings. When I listened to them I appreciated PJ on a level I never experienced before.
Now I am looking at a 2015 Outback Limited with the HK system, but during my test drive I didn't get the same sense of amazement. I'm guessing that HK engineered it on a smaller budget than they would in a BMW. Or maybe I just didn't find all the ways to tailor the audio system to my taste within its capabilities.
Also note, if you decide to go the aftermarket route, you better hope the installer at the shop isn't having a bad day. I used a reputable shop for three vehicles, and the last one they did was an absolute butcher job that could have voided my whole warranty. I had the owner of the shop and his head installer carefully remove it and bring it back to stock as soon as the issue began that week. Even after that, there were some issues and I ended up getting rid of the vehicle after a very short amount of time. It was bad enough, that I can't get myself to ever consider aftermarket audio again.
Thank you for this review - very clear - liked the analysis of after-market and safety options trade-offs.
Very polished, succinct presentation. Viewed this video after I made a Subaru purchase and wanted more information on what the HK upgrade really consisted of. Again, very well done - thank you.
I have a 2017 Infiniti Q50 with the Bose audio. It sounds great, and no matter how hard you push it there is very little distortion. Bass is tight and deep, and the music is very well defined.. And it gets seriously loud. I recently purchased a 2019 outback for my wife with the Harman Kardon audio. It is, in every way, underwhelming. At conversational volumes it sounds OK with a good soundstage. But push it all and the bass gets muddy, the midrange gets screechy, and while I haven’t measured it I’m sure the distortion is north of 5%. Not what I expected from a high-end audio system, even from Subaru. My wife says it’s not fair to compare a Subaru with an Infiniti. As with all things, she’s right. But it’s too bad Subaru doesn’t offer a real high-end option.
I tried out the 2021 Limited XT with the Harman Kardon speakers and I was disappointed in them. After I took a test drive and listen to them, I came back and ask the guy if I could listen to a plain Subaru stock stereo system. They were pretty comparable with the Harman Kardon just being a tad better than the stock stereo system
I had a Volvo V60 Cross Country with the manufacturer’s Sensus sound system, it had 8 speakers and a 160W amplifier, it produced good sound, two years later I upgraded to the V60 R Design Platinum, that one came with Harman Kardon system, 12 speakers and a 650W amplifier, to my ears, the improvement was ten fold! Amazing!
The 792 Watts is basically the Sum of all speakers SO 792 divided by 14 = 56W per speaker. But due to coaxials being combined so then 10 you are getting 79.2 W and that is actually pretty good. They also could be pushing 100-150W direct to the sub and the leftover to all the other speakers.
You can adjust the tweeter frequencies by replacing the capacitors. Lower farard = playback at lower frequencies. Higher farad at playback will only occur at higher frequencies. If you can find the crossivers for the wooders a lower milihenry inductor will increase the frequency range and a higher milihenry inductor will decrese the frequency at which it cannot play sounds.
i like the balanced sound of it in my impreza. never needed to change the settings. amount of bass is just right imo.
I have the outback one and crank the bass all the way up lol
@@Fret6 eh, i mostly listen to edm but bass isn't everything for me. To each their own.
It is interesting my 2015 Outback has a 7-band equalizer with some presets, but they no longer have that. I upgraded my base system. I got about the same wattage as the HK system with a 5-channel amp a high-power subwoofer, four coaxial side speakers and 2 new tweeters in the front, a base knob that changes the power output to the subwoofer. The whole thing costs $2800 installed. If you do it yourself, it would be about 40% of that price around $1200-1300. The job takes a whole day for an experienced technician.
Have a 2019 Outback 3.6 R Limited. And the Harmen Kardon system is awesome. Great bass and a crystal clear sound. Had never distorted any music and it never skips a beat
I have a 2019 legacy limited. What settings do you use as far at bass mid and treble?
You've never been in a properly installed custom system vehicle then.
good review. i have a 2015 subaru ForesterXT with the harman kardon audio upgade system. i replaced the OEM head unit only with a Pioneer 4400NEX head unit with all of the features that the OEM head unit did not have. the difference in sound is unbelievable. there is so much more control over the audio with the pioneer head unit. this unit is really driving the harman kardon system very well. iam very satisfied without changing the amp and speakers. thank you for listening
@@akqjtn i had somebody do it for me.
Keep making videos. They have helped me tremendously!!!!! Thanks especially with my Sti audio upgrade (aftermarket)
We are disappointed at the lack of bass and found the equalizer adjustment has minimal impact. We are on a quest to get more bass. This video was very informative.
I drive a 2018 Chevy Silverado LT trim truck. I hate the sound system. We are about to purchase the Subaru Outback Limited XT. I was impressed with the sound. Now I have two reasons to take the wife’s car: fuel savings and sound. Thanks for this review.
Great pack of knowledge and reflexion. Was testing out 2013's Outback with some Daft Punk and was pretty impressed and now decided to invest into Suburu & Harmon Kardon audio system. Althought im consider audiophile and like great high to low end bass and your video teach new way how to improve the overall system in general. Thanks for it :)
Thanks for the comprehensive evaluation. Very well done video.
Good overview, I learned some new technical info about the sound system in my WRX. I agree with the criticisms: the lack of audio settings is absurd, especially considering Subaru used to give you way more settings, so it seems like a regrettable dumbing-down. And the subwoofer doesn't do a whole lot, especially compared to the factory Kicker option in the Impreza GT I drove for many years, which was, shall we say, not subtle. But the HK system is more than acceptable for my needs, and I actually wanted all the other features it was packaged with, so I'm happy with the decision. The only bummer is the Outback's HK system is noticeably superior to the WRX's, and I am frequently reminded of this because an immediate family member drives an Outback. But the Outback is a more high-end car in general, so it's not surprising.
Really good in-depth review you sound like you really know your stuff. Thank you. I just bought the Ascent Touring 2020 that has this system automatically. And not being much of an audiophile I think this system sounds great for being right off the lot and I don’t plan on messing with it in the future. Far better than I’m used to. Haha. I am surprised you didn’t notice a difference with the surround feature on because I did notice a fairly substantial difference when having it on. Not sure the difference between the 2019 system you have and 2020 system I have in regards to why I notice a difference in the music. Thanks again for the review. 😁
I bought the upgrade in my 2023 WRX for the better interior and hoping the Harmon Kardon would be good enough to keep me from going after market right away.
words cannot explain how MUCH BETTER this HK is compared to the base sound system. its *literally* a night a day difference. if you enjoy music, PLEASSE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, get the HK update. I promise you it's worth it.
Thanks so much for this. I'm planning on getting a new car and was wondering if the upgrade was worth it. This was very helpful.
Audiophiles don’t want heavy bass, they want accurate deep and controlled bass. However I agree that a subwoofer is necessary. I bought a 2017 Impreza right after it came out. Not a lot of choice and knew that an OEM upgrade designed by Rockford was available. Sold as the equivalent of adding a subwoofer with more power. It including front door coaxials with oval long throw woofers. The new amp had a DSP section which tuned everything for the car. Big mistake, huge resonances around 60 -100 Hz which varied based on content. I had test driven a different model with a HK system with subwoofer and it sounds great. Looking across the models some have subwoofers and others don’t. This system sounds like crap compared to a $1000 Geek Squad system with JBLs and a Kicker subwoofer in my truck. It has a Pioneer head unit with remote. The HK systems with sub are good sounding. Before the Impreza I had a Jetta TDI with Fender system that truly was great. It also was tuned for the car. My system also has many issues with Car Play connectivity. Taking all into account, I would likely not buy this car again. The electronics in Subaru are a liability. Great mechanically, but they need a different supplier for all of the electronics.
I'd love to see a video showing us the new system in your STI! :)
@@akqjtn Great to know! I totally get it takes time to put together quality videos. Thanks for your hard work! Looking forward to the next post!
I agree that an equalizer would be a well needed improvement. My 2017 and (2) 2020 Outbacks lacks the feel and sound of a "full" bass that I had in my Lincolns and Thunderbird. Our 2002 T-Bird also has reverb. Harman Kardon could do better for the money.
Very impressed with the quality of this video! thanks heaps.
It's funny they list your's as having more speakers than it does. On my 2011 Outback 2.5i CVT Limited it claims 6 speaker even though it has most of the same drivers in the same locations as your's (woofers front doors, tweeters [in the dumbest possible place which reflects right off the glass and at you face/ears, drowning out the other sides tweeter)] in the dash at the base of the A pillars, 2 way speakers with microscopic woofers in the 2nd row doors, a subwoofer and a center channel). I've just experienced an overwhelmingly common problem with the Harmon Kardon unit: The amplifiers go screwy and for a time no sound plays no matter which input you're set to (navigation, Bluetooth phone, Bluetooth audio, AM/FM/Satellite radios, CD and auxiliary [phono/headphone] input plug) no sound will play. So you shut the system off and a few days later the amplifier turns on with the stereo and all other parts off and it destroys your eardrums with 92-95 decibel static. It f*cking hurts like CRAZY! It's almost equal to being in an indoor shooting range and your hearing protection falls off when someone fires a .454 casull - it hurts like nothing you've ever felt before and the pain goes on for days.
Extreme caution is due if your 2010+ Outback/Legacy has the Harmon Kardon system!
I hope that the 2021trim models have more options to purchase the Harman Kardon System in their packages
I have the HK in a 2020 Outback. The bass lacks and I"m dissapointed. Can you just swap out the sub and amp for better bass? Great vid, thanks.
Honestly, you would be better off just getting an entire new system. HK is weak. If you get a new sub, the speakers won't hold up. Honestly this is why I didn't get a subaru but a mazda cx30 with Bose. Audio is very important for me in a car.
Great review. Very detailed and honest. Well done.
Excellent video. This will help me decide which model of Legacy to buy. Thanks !
Indeed nice content and great video! Tons of useful information and explained perfectly, I appreciate it man!
I know this stuff. I couldn't get the HK system unless I got the package, which included a sunroof that I didn't want. The non-HK system sounds horrible. Then, to upgrade to aftermarket, Subaru said it would void any electrical repairs done under warranty. Also, Subaru calls it, "500 watt equivalent." Huh? It's either 500w or its not. This is for a 2022 WRX.
Just bought my 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Limited today. Could've gotten the Navigation + HK system package but just got the Moonroof package. I listened to the regular speaker system on the way home but kind of wonder if I should've gotten the HK system...However, just didn't think it was worth the extra $1395 in addition to the Moonroof package. The regular Subaru speaker system isn't too bad. Maybe I just need to change the EQ settings as I've noticed the sound only comes from the middle of the car.
Thank you for not including useless “sound samples”.
Thanks for this video. I just bought the 2022 Ascent and I realized that the front door speakers only make muffled sounds. As if they only played very low frequency sound (like a woofer). Is this by design? Pls advise since I’m not sure if it’s defective or just they way it’s supposed to be. Great video BTW.
Im no audio guy but i really appreciate it in my 2011 legacy but according to professional audio people apparently the stock harmon kardon systems in subarus are on the lower end of the premium sound system.
I found with some tweeking the base fequencies to higher db keeping mid at 0-1db and increasing the higher frequency to the max 16k and the db to about 3-5 depending on what you feel is comfortable. That gets you more range but i feel like mid range is fairly good in the middle but the highs and lows are a little lost at the default eq settings. I also keep the q setting fairly low to cover a wider spectrum.
@@akqjtn yeah my last car i put in my own speakers and headunit and kind of had multiple tuned presets for various music types. Nowadays with bluetooth controls and my unlimited satellite radio(came with the car) i kind of cant change it without loaing the free radio. Plus im colorblind so it took me forever to fivure out all of the wiring to get it to run properly. Struggle was real. Definitely just going to buy cars with a better stock sound system from now on. No complaints with my HK sound
Amazing video, so in depth and lots of real life visuals.
Good review of the HK audio have in my 17 Forester touring. Supposed 440 watt amp is a joke when RMS is only real reveal that makes any sense. There is no sub woofer but the bass seems adequate. May upgrade by having one installed. I'm confused in what speakers are used? What is the Fosgate upgrade all about? Does the HK in the Forester use those speakers or HK speakers that came with the package? Like that there is a CD player wish it had a 6 disk changer like the Lincoln
I have a HARDON/KARMON in my 2013 Subaru Forester XT premium its super load no distortion factory i intend to put soundmat on the doors to cut down vibration only downfall is the satnav only covers upto 2013
I have a '11 legacy and a '17 outback and honestly the legacy sounds 10x better and they are both Harmon Kardon systems. The legacy is able to be more fine tuned were the outback just has general presets. Honestly if i was to buy a subaru again i would just get a base xt outback or legacy and just do it myself. I would go panasonic or bose and upgrade the sound deadening in the doors and trunks to keep the sound clear and keep rattles down. Its a win win, i get a custom set of speaker for less and the quality will be better because I could spend more on perfecting the quality.
Your review is spot on- a breath of fresh air.
Love the balanced bass.
I have the 20 Forester premium, stock radio, and looking to upgrade to Pioneer speakers 4 way for front doors and 2 way back doors, I tried to see if I could put in pioneer amp and sub and I guess it can't be done unless I have the harmon upgrade on it. not sure if I could upgrade radio to a NEX dvd so I can still have a cd player.
The stock ascent speakers are actually fucking great
Boost & Shutter like seriously
A great video. Have never owned a Harmon Kardon sound system but I have heard them and I was quite pleased with the sound. How do you like your Subaru Ascent? After I get the new STI I might also look into the Ascent.
Very nice job on this video. Can you tell me what EQ settings you are using in your Ascent and if you left the fader as is or moved it front or back? I haven't been that impressed with my HK system in the Ascent and am looking for the best way to tune it with the limited options. Thanks!
Treble at its highest + level. I dropped the mid to -5 & increased the bass to a +7.
I moved the sound fade up a bit to the front, since the rear door speakers are lacking.
Thanks for the video ... So if the finance interest rate is only 0.5%.. should I upgrade it?
you know you’re right but if you want to buy aftermarket speakers amplifier wires and your time to put them in if you know what you’re doing it’s fine but I like harman kardon that came with it to me if I could sounds great 👍
Direct and to the point . Just the way I like it .
Thanks. This was very helpful.
"Lack of controls"... Yeah, that's it. Even after the software update, my '20 Legacy Limited has none of the controls stated in the Subaru Starlink Manual on page 90 and 140 (Canadian Model). It doesn't even have the Speed Volume Control. What a bummer. I'm in discussion with my dealer as to what gives and would like to get in touch with a Subaru Canada/USA expert on this issue of lack of controls. It definitely needs another update. The EQ would return to flat settings everyday before the first update.
Can't hear the subwoofer in my wife's 2020 Touring Ascent. I have to go back there and get near it to hear it.
Yeah that system you put in the 2020 STI is nice.
Worst thing about this system is the AMP won't kick over with aftermarket head unit.
I'm going through dramas now trying to swap to new Android Kenwood wireless and the AMP won't turn in with the harnesses from Aero Pro.
So, I have owned my 2019 STI since new. I have had to replace the passenger front door speaker twice under warranty, and now the drivers door speaker is shot. I listen to a wide variety of music, from classical to country to EDM. Volume is usually at 20-22 , and never go above 30. Next week I'm having the entire speaker system replaced, as I am sick of the HK system. In my opinion, it is a total waste of money - other than you can't get the other features of the sport tech model without it! Previously, I had a 2018 WRX base model, and I put in the dealer offered KICKER speaker system. This system by far outperformed the HK system, and in the 18 months I had it I never had a single issue. I know the current owner and they haven't had an issue with it either. To sum it up, the HK system "upgrade" is garbage, and if it is the only reason you are going with the premium models, you are better off saving your money, getting the base model and either getting the Kicker system or a different aftermarket system. I am so disappointed with HK that I won't ever buy ANYTHING Harman Kardon ever
Do you heard about OEM Audio plus??? they have system PnP as rockford and Harman K.
Excellent review
Great video. Thanks for this.
Solid review
Nice contains, I absolutely pay extra money for that speakers, with my Forester I paid over 500$ for subwoofer and instalation it more bass but it not get along with the speakers, then I went online shopping for speakers upgrade the advisor told me this and that sound way too complicated and cost almost 700$ just the parts, I end up bought kicker upgrade plug and pay for subaru, 4 speakers 2 tweeter around 300$, after all I realized I should have upgraded for Harman/kardom at the first place.
I have a 2018 wrx cvt limites and this sound system is absolutely amazing very much worth the extra money
Same car, but I can't appreciate it when on the road with all the noise in the cabin.
You’ve NEVER heard a quality sound system If you consider the Harmon Kardon good and anyone who buys a cvt WRX is a loser. 6 speed manual or nothing
@@gustavopaulette3496 People do what they want, don't be toxic in the subaru community.
outstanding review!
mercedes c class 2016 burmester surround system only 800€ extra and believe it, it has 2 8inch subs in front of your feats , loud and pure sound, but i want to hear the volvo B&W soundsystem 1450watts !!!!!!
are the harman kardon speakers plug and play for the STI? found someone selling the hk speakers for a good price and wanted to know if id be able to just remove my old speakers and put in the hk speakers.
Nice video!! Very thorough 👍
Great video. I have the Harmon Kardon system in my 2020 Forester but it doesn't have enough bass in my opinion. Is there a way to add an after market item to the system to increase bass? Recommendations? Thank you! Also, does soundproofing the car doors help?
Sure you can add as many subs as you want.
Great review 👍
Adding aftermarket amplifiers will often require a higher output alternator. They are available for our cars (I had a 240 Amp unit I bought and installed in my 2008 Outback XT Limited).
I have a Wilderness Outback. We weren't even given ANY choice for audio upgrade. SO we have just the stock headunit, the 11.6 one. And there are no amp pre-outs, and it is not recommended to put an aftermarket stereo in this car since the infotainment system controls so many car functions. So I am left with speaker level outs, but eventually I want a boxed woofer, Amps, and fully upgraded component speakers. Honestly I am looking at about 4K not including labor for the particular items, brands, and quality I am looking for. I'll likely have the best sounding Wilderness in the Country when I'm done. Databyter
How would you run amp outputs from the 11.6? Does it have them?
@@traviscollins3249 Many amplifiers have a "line input" which accepts traditional speaker output voltages from the stock head unit (as opposed to the Pre-Amp outputs we would prefer). For this sort of input you would litereally wire the amplifier with the speaker wires from the original head unit, and take care to adjust the gain so that you would not overfeed the amplifier. In the old days there literally would be a post for each speaker set on the amplifier, positive and negative. But many of todays amps would require you to wire your speaker outs from the head unit into an adapter plug. Databyter
Thank you for the video!!
Awesome video! Sweet intro!
I have a 2020 Subaru Ascent with the Harman Kardon Quantum Logic Surround Sound System. When listening to XM stations with the sound level @ "5" the volume level is acceptable. When transitioning to AM or FM you have to manually increase the volume level to "12" to get the same level of volume! The problem is transitioning from Am/FM to XM Radio...it will blow your ears out? I contacted Harman Kardon, their Tech. dept. would not address my issue because the unit is OEM from Subaru. Subaru Customer Service stated " What is being described is a normal characteristic of the band width of both radio stations".....obviously Subaru was of no help.......Any solution....Thank You
@@akqjtn Thank You....
awesome video
Have you had issue with the speakers crackling or cutting out? It happened to me and the dealership said it was bc I had the eq turned all the way up
Just adding an after market sub would do wonders for the system. I plan to go with a Kicker Key and a 8" or 10" down firing box that has a passive radiator.
Idk if i should get a Harmon for a wrx or just buy and install an after market one. Idc about the time it takes to upgrade btw.
The cross treks hk system doesn’t come with the subwoofer. Is that true and can I add one myself while keeping the hk system?
Thank you for this
I have a 2018 Subaru Forester premium model with the standard six speaker stereo system… The Harman Kardon is not an option on the premium level… Has anyone installed the Subaru “speaker upgrade” (Kicker) that you can get at the dealer and have installed? Does it make enough difference without changing the head unit with the higher quality speakers to make it worth it? I’m considering it but don’t know for sure if it will make that big of a difference…
What system did you ended installing on the sti? Could you give out the details? Or is there a video?
I have a whole Playlist on that
@@akqjtn will look at it. Appreciated 🙏🏼
So the kit can’t be sold afterwards and installed by Subaru?
I just wanna recommend install sound proofing on all 4 doors, it really make a huge difference. Don't believe me, try one side of the door and replay your music.
Does it really make a huge difference in the quality of sound? I have the Harmon Kardon system in my Subaru but I don't think it has enough bass. Maybe this would help? Thanks
@@rosswagner5303 absolutely, it does improve a lot. Less sound leak to out side more bass inside, really recommended.
@@danek893 Thank you Dan!
Yes. Do this. I did it for all 4 doors in my current Crosstrek. Have the stock system and it made it sound so much better actually lol. Takes out the road noise too.
Easy to watch an online video and take a day to do it yourself.
Hey man. Is there a site I can order 1 speaker or do I have to order from dealership? I drive a 2016 wrx/sti limited and I have order the kicker but didn't fit.
Thanks mate. That was interesting.
Are these type of factory sound systems tested and paired to work optimally? I ask because I’m wondering if they were designed to work at all settings and volumes available, or if they will blow out because volume was too high, etc. I wonder if the fuse would blow before damaged to the actual speakers occur
No the fuse won't blow, only in case of a shortcut.
I have a 2020 Subaru Impreza sport I want to upgrade all the speakers even the tweeters. I know that kickers make special tweeters that mount on but when I look these up it shows it doesn’t fit my vehicle only WRX or STI do you have any idea or any clue what kind of tweezers I can actually fit or the ones that they recommend for the STI or WRX well it actually fit my sedan sport and with the 6 x 9‘s in 6 1/2 on the doors Do I even really need any brackets if they’re the same size speakers that are currently on them
What is the bottom frequency of the Harmen Kardon sub for the 2021 Outback Limited?
The Harman Kardon in my XV (crosstek) sucks.
Great Video. I just traded my 2019 Ascent Limited in for a 2021 Touring with Harman Kardon. In my Limited I added all new speakers and a 12 in sub. It was powered by an Alpine amp at first it didn't sound that great with the stock head unit. I added the LCI 7I and it worked great with a head unit. I hated having a big box in the back and am very happy with the 8in inserted one that came on my touring. I'm going to give it a few weeks to see how I like it. From what I've heard so fair I want more bass not a ton but a bit more would be good. Do you think just adding a LCI 7I to the current set up would help? I'm thinking if the LCI 71 doesn't help to change out the amp and sub. Please let me know your thoughts or if you have ever made any changes to your touring system.
Does anybody have any reviews on the upgraded Rockford Fosgate stereo system speakers in the onyx XT? Is it comparable to the Harman Kardon in the Limited XT?
First thing I did on our WRX was rip out the system, it's terribly cheap (dash 2" paper tweeters as you show are embarrassing) but Subaru almost expects an owner to go aftermarket and makes component/head unit exchange simple. I actually kept the stock 'tweeters' as is and passband as midranges instead then adding silk dome tweeters in doors. After changing out drivers, head unit and adding single sealed 10" with bass management (similar to what you did) the difference was Clock Radio to Head Bobbing Bliss. Great work on your STI, will watch after this.
Next purchase is the Ascent which is why I am here.. but again looks mediocre.. did you mention coaxial in the doors instead of housing tweeters in pillars? If so, credit loss to Harmon Kardon and opportunity lost; coaxials with tweeters shooting at ankles is not ideal losing all the imaging and high frequency advantage. Very much appreciate this review but lost my purchase excitement, may have to take your suggested route of base to custom. The 792 watt statement was very well indulged, great explanation, probably half that power in RMS.
On these Subaru HK systems where the tweeters remain up on the dash, the separation between the tweeter and the door-mounted mid is so great that I can hear them separately. On my 13 Impreza, the sound system was total junk, so I disconnected the dash-mounted tweeters and placed JBL coax units in the doors where the tweeter could be pointed up towards my ears. It works very well when no front passenger is riding with me. I went with my Eclipse AVN4430 head unit and a small powered sub. JBLs in front, Polks in the back doors. All speakers insulated so the doors no longer buzz. Trouble with the new Subarus with the embedded tablet is that you have no control over the quality of the head unit.
great vid dog
outback limiteds sound pretty good... and i say slightly better than the rockford systems i've heard... harmans are slightly better and sound better and clear at a high volume than rockford.. that being said ... i have heard better systems than harmans as well
nice video
I have HK system in my subaru. Nothing beats BOSE. Subaru should offer Bose.
Ever been inside a BMW 5 with an HK? Try that.
Bose car audio systems are a joke, I have one in my Grand Sport Corvette. I have less than $350 in an ALPINE system (head unit, 5 1/4" & 4" speakers) in my 31 year old Volvo wagon and it kills the Bose system.
The other day I heard Bose in a 60K Infiniti QX50. Still sound like crap.
I have to disagree with the point of advertising the coax speakers as 2 being disingenuous. They are 2 separate drivers, for 2 separate bandwidths, and can be separated and mounted as components. It truly is 2 speakers. However their "700 watt equivalent" ratings they claim on their amps is COMPLETELY disingenuous. Thats not how things are rated in the real world, and makes it a hassle to figure our what RMS per channel we can get from the factory amp if we want to upgrade the speakers. Its purely marketing, has no basis in reality, and doesn't benefit the customer in anyway. I have a 2019 Impreza Sport that I bought used with 6k miles for $18k back in 2019. I wanted a WRX, but I couldn't pass up that deal. Thankfully, this car has the Eyesight, moonroof, H/K package. After 5 years on this system, (holy shit 5 years I've had this car already??) I added a 10 inch Focal woofer shortly after purchasing the car, and that really makes a difference in filling out the sound. However, there are definitely some shortcomings that I think come down to the factory DSP settings. The mids in the dash distort quite badly on higher volumes, and it sounds like they're being fed frequencies that are too low for those drivers, or just too much power. With the midrange being something so crucial to the listening experience, and being the only speaker in the dash REALLY setting up your sound stage up, it can completely ruin the enjoyment of listening to music. Im not sure what kind of DSP settings are on the factory amp, or if it's passive, semi-active, or fully active, but I think the factory tuning is pretty shit. Good midrange drivers should be good down to 150-200 Hz, so im not sure what the actual culprit is. The midbass in the doors is a little cluttered and muddy... I mean, they're door speakers in the cheapest model Subaru, so no surprise there. The highs from the door coax's aren't really detailed or crisp either because they're in the door and playing at your thigh. (if your lower legs had ears, this would be a great system.) The car itself is quite loud on the highway, so it takes volume to combat that. This makes the inherent frequency cancelations in the system all the more obvious.
TLDR: its... okay I guess lol. I would say 70-80% of people will be completely satisfied.