How To Upgrade Sound System of Subaru Forester

By Nick Marchenko, PhD

Updated: October 26, 2023

Any Subaru Forester aficionado knows that there's nothing quite like the rev of its engine and the whistle of the wind when you're flooring it. Yet, sometimes, you just fancy some light, uplifting music while on the road.

This sentiment becomes all the more pronounced when setting off on extensive drives - covering hundreds or even thousands of miles. For such treks, a curated playlist is indispensable. If you're traveling with family, especially kids, having a multimedia system to entertain them, like playing cartoons, can be a lifesaver.

Yet, the stock audio system of the Forester may sometimes leave something to be desired. Whether it's not adequately loud, being drowned out by exterior noise, or simply not delivering the crisp sound you desire. If your Forester's audio system isn't up to scratch, then settling shouldn't be an option. This guide is here to steer you towards auditory nirvana.

Understand the Risks - Maybe Leave It to the Pros?

Enhancing the Subaru Forester's audio experience isn't just about swapping out parts. It requires an understanding of the vehicle's electricals. It's not just about making the right connections but understanding the Forester's wiring scheme.

Botched wiring can cause a myriad of problems - from glitches in the system to more dire electrical mishaps. If you're having second thoughts about doing it yourself, maybe it's best to hand over the reins to professionals. This ensures top-notch results and saves you the time and potential headaches.

First Things First - Disconnect That Battery!

Before fiddling with any part of your Subaru Forester, remember to disconnect the battery's negative terminal. This step is paramount, not just for your safety, but to guard against any unwanted electrical mishaps.

Tool Time: What You'll Need for a Forester Audio Overhaul

Your toolkit's contents will hinge on the upgrades you're eyeing. Here's a baseline of essentials you'll likely require.

Shop From Amazon

Essentials include:

• Wrench set;
• Insulating tape;
• Screwdrivers (Phillips and flathead);
• Pliers;
• Soldering iron;
• Wire set tailored for your system;
• Wiring diagram for the Forester / Subaru Forester Owner's Manual;
• Multimeter.

Tuning Those Speakers

Let's be clear: 70% of your audio game comes down to the speakers. Go cheap, and you might end up with scratchy sounds or even a reduction in volume over time.

Upgrading? Seek out reputable brands and always look through reviews. A decent speaker set usually ranges between $100 to $200. Want to splurge for crystalline sound? Prepare to invest upwards of $200.

Finding the Perfect Speakers for Your Subaru Forester

Quality aside, ensuring the speakers fit your Forester is paramount. Each vehicle model has its standard dimensions for speaker fittings. Choose too big, and they won't fit. Opt for too small, and they might jostle around.

To ensure a snug fit for your speakers in the Subaru Forester, you can refer to specific dimensions and speaker guides, such as here.

How to Install Speakers in Your Subaru Forester?

Getting the right sound in your Forester is like picking the perfect set of tyres: crucial. Here's a roadmap for the journey:

1. First, locate the speakers. In the Forester, they might be tucked away, so do a quick recon.

2. Take off the protective paneling that shields the speakers, just like you would remove a wheel before getting to the brake discs.

3. Unseat the speakers. They’re usually anchored with screws or bolts – straightforward stuff.

4. Mind the wiring – keep track of the positive and negative connections. It's like ensuring you don't cross-thread a bolt.

5. Swap out the old for the new. If everything's matched up, it's a cinch. If not, a bit of trim might be in order, but nothing a good toolkit can't tackle.

6. Reconnect the wires. Double-check your connections – nobody likes a misfire, audio or otherwise.

7. Refit the speakers, ensuring they sit flush – no rattling allowed!

8. Replace the trim, making sure everything's snug.

9. Repeat for any other speakers getting the upgrade.

The Forester might be practical, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get creative with speaker placements. Within reason, of course. Too many speakers could add weight, and you don’t want a door panel to come loose mid-corner because of bass vibrations.

Subwoofer Setup for the Subaru Forester

A subwoofer in a Forester? Now we’re talking. It’s like adding a turbocharger for your tunes – giving that depth and rumble.

Subwoofers fill in those low frequencies that smaller speakers struggle with, much like how a turbo fills in torque at low revs. And it's not just about making things louder; it's about adding richness and depth.

The average price of a decent subwoofer can range, but expect to invest for quality. After all, why skimp on the audio when you wouldn’t on performance parts?

Picking the Perfect Subwoofer for the Subaru Forester

The quest for the right subwoofer is a bit like choosing the right exhaust system – it needs to fit and resonate perfectly with the character of your Forester.

Perks of an Active Subwoofer

Built-in Amplifier. It's an all-in-one solution, much like a factory-fitted turbo. No need to hunt for a separate amp; it’s all integrated. Plus, it'll sit snugly within the Forester's confines.

Compact Design. Most active subwoofers are built to fit seamlessly, ensuring your boot space remains practical for those weekend drives.

Easy Installation. Plug, play, and get on with the drive. With the amplifier already built-in, it's a straightforward fit.

Control & Adjustability. Much like tweaking your Forester's settings, you can fine-tune the bass response to ensure it syncs with the natural acoustics of your vehicle.

Active Subwoofer Drawbacks

Bit of a Pricier Game. Those built-in amplifiers? Brilliant idea. But that convenience does mean a heftier price tag when compared to their passive cousins.

Placement Quirks. Active subwoofers have a liking to be close to power sources (think car battery). In the world of a Subaru Forester, this can limit your creative positioning ideas.

Passive Subwoofer – this one's sans amplifier. It's like buying a car without the option of heated seats. You'll need to grab an amplifier separately.

Why You Might Fancy a Passive Subwoofer

Freedom of Amplification. With your Forester's passive subwoofer, you're handed the keys to choose the external amplifier that tickles your fancy – and fits your wallet. Could be the golden ticket to truly high-end sound.

Friendlier on the Wallet. Given they’re lacking that internal amp, these chaps are generally lighter on the bank account.

Choose Your Setup. A passive subwoofer is a bit of a blank canvas in a Subaru Forester. With no internal amp tying it down, it can sit pretty much anywhere, offering a smidge more flexibility.

The Not-so-Great Bits About Passive Subwoofers

Extra Bits and Bobs. A passive Forester subwoofer demands an external amplifier. This can mean a bit of a faff with extra equipment and perhaps a bit more to pay for installation.

Less Knob-Twiddling. Passives give you fewer controls than actives. Might need a tinker with the external amplifier to get that bass purring just right.

Space, the Final Frontier. Given you'll need an external amp, the back of your Forester might feel a bit cramped compared to sleeker active setups.

Now, don’t forget power when scoping out a subwoofer. Key power stats to remember:

• RMS power (that's 'Rated Maximum Sinusoidal' for the tech heads) – it's all about long playtimes and quality sound without any unpleasantness;
• Maximum juice – think of a subwoofer's sprint, lasting just a couple of seconds, without any auditory distortions or mechanical mischief.

Sensitivity. Not its emotional state, but rather how loud it'll belt out tunes given a certain power input. Imagine comparing it to the throttle response in a good rally car.

And size? Bigger subwoofers might seem like the mutt's nuts, boasting power and quality. But, in the confines of a Forester, remember you've got to fit the thing in without it becoming a cumbersome boot-filler.

Lastly, consider impedance – or resistance. Lower resistance might promise more power, but with the trade-off of sound distortion. For most Subaru Foresters, a comfy 4 ohms hits the sweet spot.

Before diving in, visualize where this beast is going to reside. Choose a spot, take some measurements, and then embark on your subwoofer quest.

The Art of Installing a Subwoofer in Subaru Forester

Having eyed up the perfect spot for your subwoofer in the Forester, it’s time to get hands-on with the fitting.

Now, while this method holds true for most Foresters, always remember that the world of cars is full of quirks and anomalies. If you hit a hiccup, reach out; we're here for a chinwag.

Start with the heart - the amplifier. A boot or beneath the seat are top spots. But keep it close to the battery's reach, steering clear of heat and moisture.

Lock the amplifier down with fasteners, then connect the power wire from the battery to the amp. Safety first, so ensure a nearby fuse protects that wire.

For those rocking an active subwoofer, you're in luck. Bypass the above and link straight to your speakers. They come with a built-in amp.

Grounding is vital. Connect a wire from the amp to a shiny, metal part of your Forester's chassis. Keep it short and sweet.

Lay the RCA cables from the stereo to the amp, but keep them away from the power wire to dodge interference.

Then, it's speaker wire time. Connect one end to the amp and the other to the subwoofer, respecting the positive and negative terminals.

Slot the subwoofer into its designated box. Your sound's soul depends on this box, so choose wisely.

With the sub in place, secure it within your Forester. The boot's usually top-notch, but it’s all about how your car feels to you.

Connect up the Forester battery, fire up the stereo, and adjust the amp settings to harmonize with your Forester’s speakers. Maybe give your stereo's equalizer a tweak for good measure.

Last, but not least, do a thorough check on connections. Loose wires aren’t just a buzzkill, they're a safety hazard.

Finding the Right Amplifier for Your Subaru Forester

When you're in the market for an amp, the Forester demands a careful match.

An amp's specs should be in harmony with the speaker's. Mismatched power and resistance? Well, you're looking at a short-lived amp and sub-par sounds.

Remember: the speaker's input impedance should never undervalue what the amp can handle.

Amplifiers have classes: A, B, C, D, AB. AB’s your classic – solid output but a touch greedy on power. D-class amps, on the other hand, are efficient little wonders, punching above their weight.

Monoblocks are the go-to for adding a subwoofer to a pre-set audio system. They ditch the high-pass filter, focusing solely on the lows.

Two-channel amps are the Swiss Army knives of the audio world, handling two speakers or one subwoofer with ease. Three and four-channel amps expand on this versatility, perfect for more intricate setups.

For the Forester owners craving power, it’s crucial to understand the relationship between speaker resistance and power output.

Frequency ranges are also key. Single-channel amps cap at 250-300 Hz, which, frankly, is all you need for those deep beats.

If audio purity’s your game, keep an ear out for distortion rates and the signal-to-noise ratio.

Setting Up an Amplifier in Your Subaru Forester

So, you've chosen the heart of your Forester's sound system, the amplifier. Where to start? Find a prime spot in your Subaru Forester that's well-ventilated and shielded from the pesky elements.

Got the location? Fix that amplifier down, using screws or brackets if needed.

Next, the lifeblood – connect the power wire from the battery to the amplifier. Guide this wire cautiously through the Forester's firewall, ensuring it's both tidy and safe. Don't forget that crucial fuse near the battery.

Now, for the grounding. Spot a nearby metal grounding point. With precision, strip the wire's end and make sure it's snug against the metal. You’re looking for a solid connection here.

For the remote start wire, you’ll typically find it behind the car radio or lurking in the fuse box. Connect it right up, ensuring it gets the amplifier going when your Forester's tunes are pumping.

RCA cables? If your Forester's stereo's got the outputs, hook one end to the stereo and the other to your amplifier. If not, no worries, a line-out converter will bridge the gap between the stereo speaker wires and the amplifier's RCA inputs. Follow the converter’s guide for a seamless connection.

For the speakers, lead the acoustic wires from the amp to each of your musical heralds. Double-check those positive and negative connections for perfection.

Once connected, review everything. Ensure all is tight, with exposed wires carefully shielded, preventing any unwanted sparks.

Head Unit Dynamics

Most Subaru Forester models come equipped with a pretty standard audio system. Often, this might be just enough. But if you're aching for more, switching out the head unit can transform the experience.

Selecting a Head Unit for Your Subaru Forester

When diving into a new head unit, consider the following:

Identify your current unit's size: single din, 1.5 din, or double din. If you're all about simplicity, snag a unit that fits the existing size in your Forester. But, if you're feeling adventurous and aim for a change in size, be ready for some tweaks and re-wiring fun.

Installing a Fresh Head Unit in Your Subaru Forester

Replacing with the same size? Smooth sailing ahead. But for those venturing into a different dimension, ensure your new piece fits snugly and looks the part.

Consult the manual. Understand the wiring layout, ensuring a safe and accurate connection. As you extract the original head unit, be gentle. Patience is key. Document each wire, ensuring you’re set for the reconnection phase.

Wire up your Forester to the new head unit, ensuring each connection is precise. Some units might need an adapter for a seamless linkup. If so, get those connected.

Once it's sitting pretty, power up and bask in the glory of your fresh sound system. Enjoy the ride!

Craving Some Extra Juice?

The Subaru Forester, like most cars, has an electrical system finely tuned for its default setup—powering everything from the engine to the headlights and those comforting heaters on frosty mornings.

Now, while there's a bit of wiggle room for your electrical endeavours, the system has its boundaries.

Add too many gadgets or an overwhelmingly powerful audio system, and you risk the Forester's electrical system crying out for help. Believe me, you don't want to be jamming to your favourite tunes, only to realize you're sapping too much power and compromising the car's functionality.

Before going gung-ho with upgrades, understanding the Forester's electrical limits is crucial.

Here are some tell-tale signs that your Subaru might be gasping for more power:

• A total blackout—always a classic warning;
• Engine behaving like it's had a tad too much coffee;
• Headlights that seem to have forgotten their brightness;
• That dreaded flickering dashboard;
• The audio system making its own remix—especially with bass;
• Other random system glitches that just feel... off.

If you've recently upgraded the audio and notice these red flags:

• Fire up that Forester;
• Switch on the power guzzlers: headlights, heaters, and your booming music;
• Track down the battery—it's usually under the hood;
• Time for some old-school multimeter action. Positive to positive, negative to negative, and set that dial to voltage;
• A reading between 14.2–15V is what you're after;
• Fall below 13.5V, and it's a clarion call for more power.

Facing this power conundrum? You've got options:

Consider a beefier alternator. If your Forester's alternator is struggling, a more powerful one might be in order. Ensure it's Forester-friendly and churns out the necessary voltage. Say, if you're rocking an 80 A alternator, aim for something around 120 A.

Think about a second battery. If swapping the alternator isn't your jam, a backup battery might do the trick. Connect them in parallel for the best results, and boom—more power at your fingertips.

Shop From Amazon

Extra Bells and Whistles

Thinking of enhancing the sound? Why not go the whole nine yards with multimedia additions for your Forester?

Touchscreen Extravaganza

If you're upping the audio ante, consider adding screens for backseat passengers. It's not just about movies and music, but ensuring those long drives feel a tad shorter—especially with kids. Queue up some animated delights, and those "Are we there yet?" questions might just diminish.

Guiding Star: Navigation System

Ever been lost in the wilderness or just an unfamiliar part of town? A navigation system ensures your Forester adventure remains on track, always steering you right.

Shop From Amazon

The Final Lap

Enhancing your Subaru Forester's audio game can be a game-changer for those long drives or quick jaunts around town.

Remember, it's not just about the booming bass or crystal-clear tunes, but ensuring the car's heart—its electrical system—remains in top form. If you're feeling out of depth with the technical bits, there's no harm in tapping the pros. Drive safe and rock on!