In general, stock stereo systems have gotten better across the board, even in entry-level vehicles. And sometimes it doesn't have anything to do with offering a premium audio brand. That's why these days it's somewhat surprising to hear a factory audio system that sounds really bad, like in the 2010 Impreza Outback Sport I recently tested.
And the Circle Surround Auto processing doesn't help much either.
Subaru isn't exactly known as being on the cutting edge in-car tech-wise. The company only recently introduced features such as navigation, iPod integration and Bluetooth, and it now offers a premium Harman/Kardon sound system as an option.
I use a check list and test tracks to evaluate every audio system in every car I test, and the Subaru Outback was one of the worst I've heard in a long time. And I've heard similar sub-par sound in other Subarus over the past few years.
On my evaluation form, I scribbled notes such as "dull, lifeless acoustic guitar," "low soundstage and side-biased imaging" and "distorted midbass, made the door panels resonate." And on the non-music tracks I use to test soundstaging and imaging I marked "fail."
I'm not a big fan of sound processing, and CS Auto does deepen bass notes (but makes them even more boomy) and spreads out the soundstage and raises it a bit. But the system still failed the staging and imaging tests with CS Auto engaged.
The Outback is a prime candidate for an upgrade with the optional H/K system or, better yet, of the aftermarket variety.
By subytrojan
on May 18, 2010
12:36 PM
Would you be up for evaluating my car's system on P3, Doug?
By 06scooby
on May 18, 2010
12:54 PM
Yeah my factory setup in my legacy was crap and only lasted a week after I bought the car. It has a lot to do with their head units. I replaced the factory head unit with an Alpine, added a 10" sub and it made a world of difference. The factory speakers actually sound really good when you hold the bass from them and send it all to a seperate sub. Did the work myself and it cost me about $500. Way better than that little under seat 4" subwoofer they sell to go under the seat I think for $200-4300 + install.
By dougnewcomb
on May 18, 2010
01:56 PM
@subytrojan: Sure!
By moparbad
on May 18, 2010
02:32 PM
What is your impression of VW's recent audio?
I rate VW's base system and several of it's optional systems as very poor quality.
By dougnewcomb
on May 18, 2010
02:41 PM
@moparbad: I haven't been in a VW in awhile, but I did give a casual listen to the system in a Tiguan at a press event and wasn't terribly impressed. Maybe I'll have to spend some time in out LT GTI.
By dougnewcomb
on May 18, 2010
02:45 PM
"our"
By billt9
on May 18, 2010
08:08 PM
Most stock stereos still sound like crap.
Edmunds just tests too many cars with upgraded stereos to even notice.
By legacygt
on May 20, 2010
11:40 AM
The Bose stereo in my '09 Mazda CX-9 is not appreciably better than the stereo in my '05 Subaru Legacy GT Limited.