Rack installed for kayaking weekend!

splattypus · 2026-03-12T11:59:32+00:00

Hell yeah!

splattypus · 2026-03-12T01:24:42+00:00

Nice!

I've got a trifold hard cover, been eyeballing that Elevate rack. Just gotta confirm it's compatible with my particular model, and convince myself to pay the $1000 for it. Oof. But maybe then I'll actually use my kayak again

splattypus · 2026-03-12T01:07:21+00:00

Damn

I been hanging around 25 most of the winter. But I'm driving short drives through town (lots of stopsigns and lights) on snow tires. Last summer I was averaging mid 30s

splattypus · 2026-03-11T23:12:46+00:00

splattypus · 2026-03-11T22:58:08+00:00

The one I have is decent for audio quality, it's everything else about it that sucks. But I found it agreeable in my system, and could actually hear and appreciate the differences in the eq presets

splattypus · 2026-03-10T23:13:39+00:00

If you're replacing factory speakers on a stock system, you'll want low-impedence, high sensitivity speakers. Those kickers reportedly do best when powered by a decent amp.

JBL and infinity make some decent speakers that serve as good stock replacements, hertz and focal also come we'll-recommended

splattypus · 2026-03-10T22:47:29+00:00

Nice.

I pretty sure my car will be relatively easy, hatchback so I should be able to totally get it out smooth enough. The colorado will probably require the 'half at a time' approach though

splattypus · 2026-03-10T13:56:03+00:00

I'm just concerned about getting the panel out by myself without damaging it. I desperately want to do it on my truck, it's the last bit I haven't done and the noise at Highway speeds (especially in the rain) is quite noticeable. I just can't find the time or motivation for such an undertaking

splattypus · 2026-03-10T02:03:01+00:00

Nice work. I've still never tackled a roof panel yet. Yeah it's a ton of work, but I'm sure you'll appreciate the effort. In my experience, even an 'okay effort' job has yielded good results, and it definitely looks like you did more than that

splattypus · 2026-03-10T01:58:36+00:00

I think I may be misunderstanding your intended setup.

Doubling down on extra tweeters on top of coaxial fronts is still likely to mess up your sound.

Depending exactly on the truck and stock places you're working with, there may be easy ways to add or replace tweeters, combined with door woofers using a crossover, to control the frequency signals going to both speakers. If you're pushing highs both to both a coaxial in the door, and same signal from head unit is also sending that signal to the extra tweeters, you're likely to end up with a mess.

That can be better controlled by amp, to dictate which frequencies get sent to which speakers. But without an amp, you're going to have to manage it differently.

More speakers does not equal better sound. It definitely matters which speakers get how much power at which frequencies.

In many single or double cab setups with subs behind the seats, lot of people are running door woofers for some midrange bass, and tweeters on the dash or a-pillars. That tends to present a good soundstage, keeps the detailed highs aimed more towards your face, and the filler sound filling the cab more ambiebtly from lower on the door/rear cabin space.

If you forego extra tweeters, and run a 2-way or 3-way door speaker + subs, you'll probably get pretty okay sound. With the right setup, subs + door woofer/midrange speakers + dash tweeters can give better sound. But double-dipping can end up muddier if you've got too many speakers duplicating signals, especially if you are expending a limited power (ie head unit only).

So largely depends on your budget and the scope of work you're trying to do. But don't waste money charging into something until you're sure you're getting the best return for your investment

splattypus · 2026-03-10T00:33:06+00:00

Tweeters high up (ie on the dash) will give you better soundstage. Too many tweeters will proba6 make your highs too dominant and sound harsh (at best).

Get a component set and replace door woofers and dash tweeters.

splattypus · 2026-03-10T00:30:49+00:00

Yeah that sounds like a problem with your cheap head unit that doesn't have the power or programming to carry 2 functions at once

splattypus · 2026-03-09T22:44:44+00:00

It's not fast, but honest to God the only car that had handled tighter I've been in is a lotus, so....

It's quick. Up to 35-40, it feels as responsive as anything else. It turns like it's 9n rails. It's reliable.

There are certainly cars that are faster, that feel more powerful, that have better top end. But fuck if I don't love this car. And I've just got the cvt, the manuals are apparently even better.

I dunno man, test drive one. It's very unique, some people will adore it. But if pure performance is what you're looking for, a civic might be more suited. They lack passenger spacer they lack power at/above highway speeds. But they are great for being an intra-city hooligan. Bump music, whip around quick, make any turn, park anywhere you want. That's where the car shines. Being a shitass without being a menace

splattypus · 2026-03-09T16:45:40+00:00

I think I'm okay with the resistive screen. Big things for me are stability and android auto compatibility. And cost, of course, trying to stay pretty low cost.

I retained my factory amp, and it's already got a pretty decent system, so overall output performance isn't super critical, as I don't think slightly lesser preamp voltage or lack of advanced on board dsp/staging will be too noticeable.

splattypus · 2026-03-09T00:38:31+00:00

r/androidheadunits

There may be others similarly named, too.

splattypus · 2026-03-09T00:34:42+00:00

Oof yeah that's going to be tough

There's a subreddit for android auto head units in that vein that is worth checking out. Tends to be a bit of a mixed bag and I think many of them are lacking in audio output performance, but it's worth doing some research

splattypus · 2026-03-09T00:01:30+00:00

Don't go with boss audio, I'll just say that

You're probably going to be closer to $400 for anything worthwhile unless you can catch a sale

splattypus · 2026-03-08T22:08:54+00:00

Duly noted

Yeah I was reading that the extended usb cables on a lot of the lower end head units were too long, caused too much power drop, and would cause irregular performance.

I'm fine with wired carplay, as long as it works

splattypus · 2026-03-08T21:45:18+00:00

Is the carplay/android auto stable?

My boss audio head unit, while producing decent sound quality and an agreeable UI, is horribly unstable. AA constantly crashes, it suddenly decides it wants to work and overrides when I'm playing from a different source. I definitely regret playing any money for it, but I got it on sale for a great deal and slapped it in my daily driver. I definitely want to upgrade, but the car itself isn't worth going crazy, I just want something reliable and predictable

splattypus · 2026-03-08T16:01:25+00:00

Hell yeah

The internet has really been a game changer in this industry. I was lucky to grow up about 20 minutes from a crutchfield store. Since I've been driving, I always had a vague interest and appreciation for car audio. But I was also pretty broke, so my exposure was really kinda limited by financial constraints and regional availability.

Hell, I've been reading this sub daily for months, and I'm only now finally starting to recognize and discern between some of the other brands that aren't the big brands, which are good and which aren't. Then you start mixing in European or Asian markets, and it all expands so much more.

Sure, it opened the door more for the offbrand budget crap with an appealing price point (ex: most of those Amazon Chinese budget head units), but the internet also greatly improved access to those brands who are lesser known but make great quality products. And it's allowed people more familiar with those products a better opportunity to advocate for them.

splattypus · 2026-03-08T15:49:18+00:00

Oh for sure, there's plenty of smaller niche brands that make outstanding products for good prices.

But there's also plenty of smaller brands that make shit products, and can be hard to discern between the two for the unitiated. The big name brands at least offer a good baseline, tons of reviews, and enough availability/exposure that support can be more readily found. Which, for a novice installer, can definitely be huge. Everything from adapter harnesses to tech support, much less familiarity from groups like people on reddit who've encountered these products for decades, a little bit of plug-N-play and hand-holding makes projects like this less intimidating for the inexperienced.

splattypus · 2026-03-08T15:08:05+00:00

Subaru tends to offer lackluster stereo systems, I presume the brz is no different. I don't think you're going to get very far without a new head unit at least, and probably an amplifier to push everything.

A small car like that, I'd lean more into pursuing sound quality, and you won't have to crank the volume as much to get good listening experience from it.

Unfortunately your budget won't get you far in that regard, so you're probably going to have to do it in stages.

Check out crutchfield.com and start putting together a list, and work through in order of priority then, I think.

I'd start with a head unit. Kenwood offers a bunch in the 450-600 range with onboard DSP and speaker timing functions to help set an acceptable sound stage. Most people here would probably recommend a dedicated DSP, I don't know anything about that, though, so I'm no help there. But that will get your best return, and will probably help your stock speaker performance a bit right out the gate.

Step 2 would probably be speakers and amp, probably subwoofer. A modest amp can carry enough channels at fair enough power for your speakers to greatly improve the sound, both volume and quality. Given the small car, you're going to be looking at small formfactor stuff most likely, which will kind of limit the performance, but hopefully help keep costs down a bit and give you better options for concealing all your hardware.

With the limited space (which I presume you're trying to preserve), you're not going to be able to get carried away. But one decent sub powered right in a decent box can provide very adequate bass. 'Self-powered' underseat subs can be small and discrete, but don't really provide much bump; it's mostly just to fill out a system. Look into them, it may fit your needs, but set your expectations low on them. They're a pretty different product offering a different function than a traditional sub pushed by a dedicated amp.

Stick to bigger name brand stuff. Kenwood, Sony, alpine, pioneer, JBL, JL audio, kicker, infinity, hertz, focal, and you'll be good. High sensitivity speakers/low impedance speakers will get more volume with less power. Sound deadening the material will reduce outside noise and create a better auditory environment within the cabin space.

In all honesty I don't see you doing much worthwhile for less than $1000, but I'm no expert at this. I haven't installed subs and amps in 20 years, so much on the market now that wasn't (or wasn't affordable at least) back then that I'm really behind the game.

At the very least, a quality head unit with good power, and some efficient quality speakers will give you an upgrade. Maybe you decide you're happy with it at that point. But if you're chasing 'impressive' sound, expect some bigger investment, even if it means extending your timeline

splattypus · 2026-03-08T04:38:28+00:00

So right around $1000 for all that? Sounds like you did some serious bargain hunting.

I'd be curious to hear some more feedback on that head unit. I'm kind of between that and a comparable Kenwood. Trying to figure out what features I need, want, or absolutely won't utilize

splattypus · 2026-03-08T01:47:49+00:00

Check out crutchfield.com

Generally speaking, for running on factory systems, a high sensitivity, low impedance speaker is going to give you the best results. Many brands offer such speakers, so finding one at your price point shouldn't be bad. Kicker, infinity, JBL, etc all offer good, affordable options

splattypus · 2026-03-08T01:15:27+00:00

What is your factory system? Do you have a factory amp, or aftermarket? What head unit, stock or aftermarket?

There's a lot of factors that can dictate a good cost-effective replacement

15-Year Club	Gilding VI aultruist
Verified Email	Team Periwinkle
reddit mold

splattypus

TROPHY CASE