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Old 05-02-2019, 11:29 PM   #1
BigWrecKs
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Default 2019 STI OEM Kicker Speaker Upgrade (Non HK)

I think everyone agrees the stock door speakers are awful in the base STI. Glad we got that out of the way.

Has anyone installed these?

H631SFJ001
https://www.bamwholesaleparts.com/oe...xoCXjoQAvD_BwE

Id like to be very clear: I'm not interested in tearing apart the dashboard or replacing the head unit. My thought is to systematically improve the sound quality in the car, first by installing higher quality speakers like the ones linked above. Then, upgrade the tweeters to the H631SFJ101 (perhaps do both at the same time).

At the most, if somehow the sound is still terrible, I would look into the Alpine power pack and stop there.

Anyone running this setup? Feedback? I'm just looking for a better sound over the paper-like cones on the stock speakers.
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Old 05-03-2019, 12:19 AM   #2
mxbowler95
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I have this setup in my STI. I originally had it in my Impreza and then when I got my STI, I transferred them over to that one and now have them both to drive back to back. The Kicker speakers and tweeters do make the sound quality better and a bit louder. I feel like you can tell the sound is clearer and more crisp. Is it amazing? No, but it is better. I'd say it is comparable to the HK in my mother's XT, if not a little better.

It is an easy install and for the price it's hard to beat. You could go get the nicer Kicker's when they are on sale for around the same price and it isn't that hard to make it into a plug and play system on your own. No matter what you do, when you take the door cards off, put electrical tape over the holes in the door and poke a small hole in them. This will keep the door card from rattling down the road.

If you have any other questions or some other setups I looked at, just ask! Look at Amazon too, I know mine were cheaper on there than anywhere else at the time.
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Old 05-03-2019, 06:32 AM   #3
greygonzalez
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I would highly recommend going with an alpine power pack as well to pump up the power output to help with sound and clarity with these speakers if you want to retain the OEM look. I went with the power pack first and a plug n play kit so i didn’t have to cut any wires. Without the speakers they already made a huge difference
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Old 05-03-2019, 08:52 AM   #4
BigWrecKs
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greygonzalez View Post
I would highly recommend going with an alpine power pack as well to pump up the power output to help with sound and clarity with these speakers if you want to retain the OEM look. I went with the power pack first and a plug n play kit so i didn’t have to cut any wires. Without the speakers they already made a huge difference
Thanks. I can't imagine sending more power to these stock speakers when I can't seem to turn the volume knob more than half way.
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Old 05-03-2019, 09:39 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWrecKs View Post
Thanks. I can't imagine sending more power to these stock speakers when I can't seem to turn the volume knob more than half way.
It actually will help you do that. The power pack is more capable, and thus you will be sending cleaner power at those higher levels, instead of running into the edges of the stock amp's capability to send undistorted power.
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Old 05-08-2019, 12:26 PM   #6
ragman
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The alpine power pack makes the stock speakers sound 100% better
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Old 06-15-2019, 09:25 AM   #7
08redWRX
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Just started reading on these power packs and will have to pick one up. So sick of the stock speakers cutting themselves out at half power when the bass is all the way turned down in the EQ. Don't need a competition system just one that works when turned up.
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Old 06-17-2019, 01:37 PM   #8
bobdlux
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I bought one of these and an Alpine under the seat powered sub but have not put them in yet. I am looking forward to getting better sound!
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Old 06-28-2019, 05:13 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bobdlux View Post
I bought one of these and an Alpine under the seat powered sub but have not put them in yet. I am looking forward to getting better sound!
Can confirm. Finally put in both that I mentioned and it's way better. The compact sub isn't the greatest but I couldn't sacrifice trunk space and I don't want a system that rattles the trunk anyways.

The powerpack works wonders though!
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Old 08-03-2019, 01:03 PM   #10
zerointerrupt
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Quote:
Originally Posted by greygonzalez View Post
I would highly recommend going with an alpine power pack as well to pump up the power output to help with sound and clarity with these speakers if you want to retain the OEM look. I went with the power pack first and a plug n play kit so i didn’t have to cut any wires. Without the speakers they already made a huge difference
Do you have a link to the plug and play kit. Id rather not chop up factory wiring.
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Old 11-12-2019, 08:25 PM   #11
anthonyss89
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Default any links

any links for that alpine kit cause i just got a 2019 sti and dont wanna replace the speakers. if this will help it without me ripping panels. I will be happy
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Old 11-12-2019, 10:15 PM   #12
WRXnick16
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Alpine KTP-445U Power Pack Amplifier ~$110-140
https://www.amazon.com/Alpine-KTP-44.../dp/B003VVYL46

SVXDC's harness pnp harness ~$30 + shipping
http://ae64.com/10-6-pincombinedharness.htm

The amp fluctuates in price on Amazon. I was able to get it for ~$110 shipped.

Note that you still have to pull out the headunit to install the amp.

I highly recommend the Kicker tweeters. I installed them on my '19 STI and it made a huge difference in sound quality. They were super easy to install.
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Old 11-13-2019, 05:55 PM   #13
BigWrecKs
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I ended up installing the OEM Kicker Tweeters. Ridiculously easy installation process--you'll need a short phillips screwdriver and about 10 total minutes of time.

Long story short--a friend gave me a bunch of audio equipment that I decided to re-home in the STI: Focal coaxials (front and rear), Alpine PDX-5 amp, LC7 converter, and 10" JL W3 in a fantastic box. Luckily, the Youtuber "Boost and Shutter" has documented this process along with SoundSkinz installation.

At this point I have completed the tweeter installation and front speaker & soundskinz installation. This weekend I will complete the rear door speakers +soundskinz. Next weekend will be the amp/sub installation.

The OEM Kicker tweeters seem to be OK. There's a noticeable difference in clarity, especially at higher volumes. I expect even more performance once the PDX-5 gets installed.

Last edited by BigWrecKs; 11-13-2019 at 06:01 PM.
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Old 11-19-2019, 01:11 AM   #14
nostake1
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upgrading the speakers made a small difference mostly in the highs, adding in an LC71 a kicker keysmart amp and a kicker mono amp to my 12 inch sub, aaaannnnddd im still dissapointed.....
as Boost and shudder pointed out the biggest and best difference maker for your sound is a new head unit.
i am having a pioneer 2550NEX put in on the 6th.
the issue is even with the line out converters ability to increase bass when the stock head unit pulls it back is BASS is the only frequency it prevents from being rolled off.
So you get sub standard sound quality, after about 24 on the volume meter the head unit begins to pull back the frequency, once you pass about 29 the sound does not really increase at all, the sound just gets flatter and flatter. basically the Lc7i is unable to do its job with this head unit.
My advice is start with speakers and sound deaden while doing that, then replace that awefull head unit and go from there if you want even better sound.
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Old 01-04-2020, 11:32 AM   #15
CartersauceSTI
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Default Powerpack plug and play harness

Quote:
Originally Posted by greygonzalez View Post
I would highly recommend going with an alpine power pack as well to pump up the power output to help with sound and clarity with these speakers if you want to retain the OEM look. I went with the power pack first and a plug n play kit so i didn’t have to cut any wires. Without the speakers they already made a huge difference
First time here so go easy on what is probably a dead horse. Where did you find the plug and play harness for the powerpack? I have a 2019 sti and am looking into the kicker upgrade with suggested power pack.
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Old 01-06-2020, 01:21 PM   #16
BigWrecKs
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nostake1 View Post
upgrading the speakers made a small difference mostly in the highs, adding in an LC71 a kicker keysmart amp and a kicker mono amp to my 12 inch sub, aaaannnnddd im still dissapointed.....
as Boost and shudder pointed out the biggest and best difference maker for your sound is a new head unit.
i am having a pioneer 2550NEX put in on the 6th.
the issue is even with the line out converters ability to increase bass when the stock head unit pulls it back is BASS is the only frequency it prevents from being rolled off.
So you get sub standard sound quality, after about 24 on the volume meter the head unit begins to pull back the frequency, once you pass about 29 the sound does not really increase at all, the sound just gets flatter and flatter. basically the Lc7i is unable to do its job with this head unit.
My advice is start with speakers and sound deaden while doing that, then replace that awefull head unit and go from there if you want even better sound.
Hmm, this is pretty discouraging. After reading about the LC7i and watching Boost & Shutter videos, I was convinced the LC7i (with AccuBass) did this job well.

At this point i've only replaced my door speakers and installed SoundSkinz. My next phase was running wires and installing the LC7 and Amp for doorspeakers and sub. Damn.

Is there a different converter that would work better? I won't be changing out the headunit in this car because it's simply too integrated with the car and not interested in sinking more resources into a new headunit.
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Old 01-07-2020, 04:30 PM   #17
ragman
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CartersauceSTI View Post
First time here so go easy on what is probably a dead horse. Where did you find the plug and play harness for the powerpack? I have a 2019 sti and am looking into the kicker upgrade with suggested power pack.
You buy this harness linked below. Then, you have to cut it in half, lengthen the wires depending where you plan to put the power pack amp, then it becomes a plug and play

Save your money, the factory speakers sound fine with the powerpack. IMO, the Kicker Tweeters sound worse than the OEM stockers.

SVXDC's harness pnp harness ~$30 + shipping
http://ae64.com/10-6-pincombinedharness.htm
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Old 11-18-2020, 11:53 AM   #18
BigWrecKs
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Finally revisiting my car audio project this fall.

Question about equipment. I'm going to purchase the LC7i and 5Channel amp. Both of them have "knob" inputs, which I assume are 'bass knobs'.

Do I need two knobs, or will one do the trick? I'm thinking once the LC7i is set, it won't need to be changed leaving me with adjusting gain on the AMP instead. Does this sound right?
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Old 11-19-2020, 11:43 AM   #19
Ron_Burgundy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigWrecKs View Post
Finally revisiting my car audio project this fall.

Question about equipment. I'm going to purchase the LC7i and 5Channel amp. Both of them have "knob" inputs, which I assume are 'bass knobs'.

Do I need two knobs, or will one do the trick? I'm thinking once the LC7i is set, it won't need to be changed leaving me with adjusting gain on the AMP instead. Does this sound right?
I’m getting ready to do the same setup. I’m using an Alpine 5 channel and knob I had in another WRX. I agree, once the LC7I is set, you should only need a knob for the amp. Please update when you have it installed.
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Old 11-28-2020, 12:01 AM   #20
Doubleajaybrock
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ragman View Post
You buy this harness linked below. Then, you have to cut it in half, lengthen the wires depending where you plan to put the power pack amp, then it becomes a plug and play

Save your money, the factory speakers sound fine with the powerpack. IMO, the Kicker Tweeters sound worse than the OEM stockers.

SVXDC's harness pnp harness ~$30 + shipping
http://ae64.com/10-6-pincombinedharness.htm
Where is everyone mounting these Alpine amps at?
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Old 11-28-2020, 12:04 AM   #21
Doubleajaybrock
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How much power can the factory speakers handle?
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Old 12-20-2020, 09:11 PM   #22
BigWrecKs
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Update--Stuck.

Finally got the motivation to attempt the audio system installation. Just to bring everyone up to speed:

2019 STI, No NAV or HK Premium audio
AMP: Polk Audio 5CH
Line Converter: LC7i
Standard Amp Wiring kit with Boost & Shutter recommended breakout harness setup. I did not cut/splice into ANY factory wire.

Fast forwarding through the wiring portion and--at this point--I have the LC7i and AMP successfully powered up and connected to the factory head unit via the B&S breakout harness and speed cable.

I made a good choice to TEST amplified audio to a door speaker before putting the car back together aaaaand---NOTHING.

I get a loose, spare speaker from my garage and attach the same leads from the amp...speaker works. (and sounds good)



So, I'm perplexed. The B&S videos, as well as several other forum discussions, target the same 10 + 6 pin plugs(identified in the oval below) on the headunit.

After more troubleshooting, I removed the breakout harness and systematically plugged in each factory plug back into the headunit. Audio was delivered to the door speakers by the dark-gray plug (identified with a hexagon)



I'm back to the drawing board on this after about 9 hours today. Car is back, although the amp wiring kit cables are on standby for my next attempt.

Here's another shot of my headunit. The label mentions "Harmon".



Edit: Evidently those plugs are for the telematics unit, and for whatever reason, the speaker outputs are using those plugs.

questions)

1) Has anyone come across this in their 2019 STI?
2) Is it possible to complete the installation without splicing into the factory wires?
3) What's the point of using the 10 + 6 pinouts at this point? Is it even relevant now?

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Last edited by BigWrecKs; 12-20-2020 at 09:26 PM.
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Old 01-11-2021, 03:37 PM   #23
Ron_Burgundy
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Thank you for the update. Just so I understand, you're getting a signal from the breakout harness to the LC7I but no signal from amp back to the breakout harness?
I was planning to start my install next week. I've already installed the Alpine R Type tweeters. I hope someone can find a solution.
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Old 01-15-2021, 11:48 PM   #24
cyralax
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Doubleajaybrock View Post
Where is everyone mounting these Alpine amps at?
Mine's in the passenger footwell. I think some people were putting them behind the head unit?
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