[Silvertoy]

Like the title says, wondering if anyone has completely replaced the Head Unit on US spec? I'm thinking I'll never be happy with this head unit's sound, and that maybe what I'm hearing as static and distortion is just how bad this system actually sounds. I've got the factory Alpine system in my 2 jeeps and they're light years better, and thats in a noisy Jeep.

So some questions before I begin my trip down the rabbit hole...

• Anyone have a pinout of the existing unit?
• Without some sort of adapter I will lose
  • Steering wheel controls
  • Rear view camera
  • Telematics
  • Sirius roof antenna
  • what else? Are there any show stoppers?
• Was thinking I would use factory wiring to the rear speakers using a new head unit's internal amp rear speaker output and an adapter, but run new amps from the front RCA outputs to a 4 channel amp for the dash and door speakers. Is there something in-line with that rear speaker output that could make those speakers sound worse than they already do.
• Anyone know if this is a standard double-din housing?
• Is the depth of the existing HU limited such that I would need some kind of shallow depth unit and is a CD player completely out of the question.

 

[TNcaveman]

I'm interested too. It also controls the turn signal settings.

One the flip, I am finishing up with JL component speakers in the front, a surface mounted 5-1/4 rear, and the JBL sub in the spare tire's home. Sounds awesome, but you have to tweak the levels for each recording / CD. Also, it gets plenty loud with this set up, but you might want more. I'm working out how to keep the sub from coming on when the lights light up (open the door, ...).

And - the rear speakers, Rockford Fosgate 5-1/4, are way more efficient. I actually am faded plus 1 to the front to be even. Zero mid-bass though. I'd say that with the right set up, a sub would net be necessary.

Steve

 

[Noobtber]

I mean, there's a LOT of control integration in this head unit. Go through the settings menu and count how many things are controlled there.

Off the top of my head:
Door unlock functionality
Lighting sensitivity
Turn signals
Backup camera (w/ lines)
Radar sensors
Steering reactive headlights

I think replacing the head unit is a very dangerous thing to do.

 

[DylanJZA]

yeah, that's why there's the optional approved aftermarket Japanese H/Us that their dealers offer. Def not just a plug and play affair if you want the stock functionality lol

 

[Silvertoy]

I mean, there's a LOT of control integration in this head unit. Go through the settings menu and count how many things are controlled there. Off the top of my head: Door unlock functionality Lighting sensitivity Turn signals Backup camera (w/ lines) Radar sensors Steering reactive headlights I think replacing the head unit is a very dangerous thing to do.

I'm not concerned about any of the settings because I'm happy with where they are and can't imagine wanting to change again. Plus I have a manual so no radar. Was hoping to get the pinout to see if I can get the factory camera signal, but I'll be perfectly happy with a plate frame mount aftermarket. I guess my bigger concern is that any of those functions begin to malfunction without the HU, like the adaptive headlights just stop working..... I guess I could always go the nuclear option.... Leave the HU in place, Put a 4G tablet mount directly over the HU and run the audio output to amps. Run all new wiring to new speakers, Guaranteed better sound than what's there. Like this...

 

[Silvertoy]

I mean, there's a LOT of control integration in this head unit. Go through the settings menu and count how many things are controlled there.

Off the top of my head:
Door unlock functionality
Lighting sensitivity
Turn signals
Backup camera (w/ lines)
Radar sensors
Steering reactive headlights

I think replacing the head unit is a very dangerous thing to do.

I'm not concerned about any of the settings because I'm happy with where they are and can't imagine wanting to change again. Plus I have a manual so no radar. Was hoping to get the pinout to see if I can get the factory camera signal, but I'll be perfectly happy with a plate frame mount aftermarket. I guess my bigger concern is that any of those functions begin to malfunction without the HU, like the adaptive headlights just stop working..... I guess I could always go the nuclear option....
Leave the HU in place, Put a 4G tablet mount directly over the HU and run the audio output to amps. Run all new wiring to new speakers, Guaranteed better sound than what's there.

Like this...

 

[Dano]

Its the speakers as it always is. Try replacing the fronts and if you need more power, add an amp.

 

[pandafabrications]

Everything that is controllable through the head unit is also available through techstream, if that helps anyone.

 

[trw]

It's worth a try OP. Wiring is likely still the same for the most part. It's also entirely possible that the 2nd gen utilizes a standard DIN mount this time, but no US owner so far online at least has tried to check and see. The downside is you could waste that time just to find out it still uses a non-standard DIN.

I'm interested too. It also controls the turn signal settings.

I mean, there's a LOT of control integration in this head unit. Go through the settings menu and count how many things are controlled there.

Off the top of my head:
Door unlock functionality
Lighting sensitivity
Turn signals
Backup camera (w/ lines)
Radar sensors
Steering reactive headlights

I think replacing the head unit is a very dangerous thing to do.

yeah, that's why there's the optional approved aftermarket Japanese H/Us that their dealers offer. Def not just a plug and play affair if you want the stock functionality lol

I don't know why people continue to repeat these things. I can't speak on the AT/Eyesight stuff, but for the 6MT every single non-audio setting that's available in the head unit can be changed in the gauge cluster. Even the steering reactive headlights.

The Japanese head unit is nothing special and doesn't control any sort of vehicle settings at all. I've already talked with Japanese owners about this. They even have steering wheel integration working although I'm not 100% sure how and there was a slight language barrier coupled with the fact that they didn't necessarily install it themselves.

I'm not concerned about any of the settings because I'm happy with where they are and can't imagine wanting to change again. Plus I have a manual so no radar. Was hoping to get the pinout to see if I can get the factory camera signal, but I'll be perfectly happy with a plate frame mount aftermarket. I guess my bigger concern is that any of those functions begin to malfunction without the HU, like the adaptive headlights just stop working.....

No. Every setting that's in the head unit can be changed in the gauge cluster. The adaptive headlights nor the setting to turn them on/off aren't going to disappear when you remove the head unit.

The only definite thing you lose is the MySubaru app and the maintenance reminders as those are custom to the head unit, and honestly useless anyways.

Starlink features still work with an aftermarket head unit as it's contained inside it's own module (I'm 99% sure it's the same as the 1st gen).

You won't be able to control any vehicle settings though the head unit until iDatalink updates their Maestro RR/RR2 for the car. But again, it doesn't matter.

Everything that is controllable through the head unit is also available through techstream, if that helps anyone.

Less convenient than the gauge cluster for sure, but this is also an option.

 

[Silvertoy]

Its the speakers as it always is. Try replacing the fronts and if you need more power, add an amp.

I'm starting with that, hoping you're right. Waiting for OEM audio plus to confirm that their door speakers can handle a 60W RMS amplifier.

 

[turburklo]

I'm starting with that, hoping you're right. Waiting for OEM audio plus to confirm that their door speakers can handle a 60W RMS amplifier.

IMO, changing out the head unit isn't super worth it, bypassing it using amps is likely going to be the most time effective thing you can do at least until an actual aftermarket solution exists for these. just bumming the signals off head unit and doing what you want thereafter will likely work better

 

[trw]

IMO, changing out the head unit isn't super worth it, bypassing it using amps is likely going to be the most time effective thing you can do at least until an actual aftermarket solution exists for these. just bumming the signals off head unit and doing what you want thereafter will likely work better

Idk, head unit seems worth it for wireless car play. A head unit with that built in will completely circumvent the constant disconnects the wired carplay has with the stock head unit (and presumably the disconnects the usb connected wireless adapters would face, though I'm just guessing about these). Plus more aesthetic and better screen quality if you go with a higher end unit.

 

[turburklo]

Idk, head unit seems worth it for wireless car play. A head unit with that built in will completely circumvent the constant disconnects the wired carplay has with the stock head unit (and presumably the disconnects the usb connected wireless adapters would face, though I'm just guessing about these). Plus more aesthetic and better screen quality if you go with a higher end unit.

You will always have connectivity issues, it’s the nature of car play

 

[trw]

You will always have connectivity issues, it’s the nature of car play

Not to the extent of what happens in these cars though. In my Supra the wireless carplay was almost flawless outside of the once in a blue moon drop. With wired in my brz it was at least 2x a day.

 

[DylanJZA]

I don't know why people continue to repeat these things. I can't speak on the AT/Eyesight stuff, but for the 6MT every single non-audio setting that's available in the head unit can be changed in the gauge cluster. Even the steering reactive headlights.

The Japanese head unit is nothing special and doesn't control any sort of vehicle settings at all. I've already talked with Japanese owners about this. They even have steering wheel integration working although I'm not 100% sure how and there was a slight language barrier coupled with the fact that they didn't necessarily install it themselves.

Well, I'm pretty familiar with the gauge cluster settings (I've had my car about a year) and there are a few things I do not believe are available to change as Noobter said, that's why we are repeating that. But if I am wrong I am fine with that, but until I see verification of that I'll continue on.

Two off the top of my head:

-Door unlock functionality
-Backup camera

SRH, EAB, ACC, LDW, and RCA are available in the cluster afaik. Not sure on turn signals, but I think lighting sensitivity is available in the cluster...

 

[turburklo]

Not to the extent of what happens in these cars though. In my Supra the wireless carplay was almost flawless outside of the once in a blue moon drop. With wired in my brz it was at least 2x a day.

I guess working at a ford dealer makes me biased

 

[Silvertoy]

That's part of the benefit of going aftermarket. I'm not 100% sure how good the low level signal coming out of the HU is? But I know IF I go clean install and just start over all new HU signals, Amps, Speakers, wires, etc, I'll do better. Buuut. Soo much work. This next weekend hopefully I'm going to add a 4 channel amp, replace the door speakers and use a 4 channel so I can hook up a second set of 6x9s in boxes sitting in the unused back seats. See how that suits me.

 

[Silvertoy]

That's part of the benefit of going aftermarket. I'm not 100% sure how good the low level signal coming out of the HU is? But I know IF I go clean install and just start over all new HU signals, Amps, Speakers, wires, etc, I'll do better. Buuut. Soo much work. This next weekend hopefully I'm going to add a 4 channel amp, replace the door speakers and use a 4 channel so I can hook up a second set of 6x9s in boxes sitting in the unused back seats. See how that suits

I replaced the door speakers and added an Amp last night, took it for a spin this morning.

First off, I was surprised that the door speakers weren't some crappy paper cones, they actually were composite and the magnets weighed more than the ones I replaced them with.
Second, they were more like midrange speakers, when I put in full range polk DB speakers, they were much brighter. Since the new speakers were much brighter, I was able to dial back the treble and mid substantially, hoping this helps with the horrible scratchy static sound.
Third, I don't think the inputs to the rear amp are actually low level (how can they be if they're split and feed the front dash speakers as well). I had to put the gain all the way down on my amp.

Finally, what a huge difference, for like $200 in parts. I woukd still like to upgrade the dash speakers. I tried to get OEM audio plus to sell me just the dash speakers, but after speaking with them on the phone to get a quote, they do not answer my emails back.

 

[TNcaveman]

I'm actually still wanting an in-dash unit with regular hookups so I can control the sound better. My JBL sub is too much on some albums. With a new stereo, I could have bass coming from the rear speakers too. I hate to put more money in the sound system though.

Steve

 

[removedonut]

Well, I'm pretty familiar with the gauge cluster settings (I've had my car about a year) and there are a few things I do not believe are available to change as Noobter said, that's why we are repeating that. But if I am wrong I am fine with that, but until I see verification of that I'll continue on.

Two off the top of my head:

-Door unlock functionality
-Backup camera

SRH, EAB, ACC, LDW, and RCA are available in the cluster afaik. Not sure on turn signals, but I think lighting sensitivity is available in the cluster...

Disconnecting the factory radio actually causes additional options to appear in the instrument cluster. I noted that the ability to change the clock was limited to the head unit, but after starting the vehicle with the head unit disconnected it then appeared in the cluster settings menu.