Kuth678

I've read a lot on here about speakers for 2002+ WRX cars. Not much about regular imprezas.

I have a 2004 2.5TS wagon. After I took the door panels off and measured the depth of the speakers I thought for sure I'd have to buy the Subaru upgrades.

I called Crutchfield. Since the 2003 WRX has the same door panels as my car they were able to find speakers that will fit.

I got a set of Sony Xplod WS-W1320 (not the 1321) 5 1/4" for the front. Crutchfield is supplying me with a bracket to fit the odd bolt pattern in the door. The one catch with the front speakers is that I'll have to use 3/8" washers to raise the speaker enough to clear the window.

For the rear I got a set of 4" Polk Audio GXR4. Those will drop right in.

One big point I'd like to mention. When I removed my front speakers after just washing the car, I found water on the speaker wire. That tells me you need something to protect the aftermarket speakers from water. I ordered a set of foam baffles for front and back.

I'll post again when I get the speakers and I'll tell you how they work.

surfertech

you do know most 5 1/4 speakers do fit the subie. just need spacers for them to sit on. you couldve stayed away from sony. that company is my worst enemy. but u made a great decision on the rears! hope it works out fine for you!

Kuth678

The polks 5 1/4 speakers have a 2" depth. How much of a spacer would I need for those?

And if I do put those in with spacers am I going to hit the plastic door panel?

Kuth678

I went back to cruthfield and ordered an additional set of Polk Audio GXR5A for the front. I figured I'd try both the Sony and the Polk.

If the Polks fit then I'll send the Sonys back.

Crutchfield is pretty cool about taking stuff back.

surfertech

dude the sony will sound like crap!
polks will fit in the front no problem. try to keep it under 2.5 inches mounting depth. the rears can fit 6 1/2 in the back. either way spacers must be made. im not sure what size of spacer cuz im not sure how big the magnet is and how deep it is. talk to your local installer.. spacers should be around 10-25 bucks

Kuth678

I keep looking at the back doors and I can't believe 6 1/2 speakers can go back there. I believe you, but it doesn't look like it would fit.

Not a big deal though. Only my kids sit back there. They can listen to the 4" ones

I'm the type of person who is more impressed with good sound than volume. So I'll most likely send the Sony speakers back. From what I've heard the Polks are a lot better.

surfertech

trust me man they will fit! all my firneds have put them in. and you can also squeeze 6 /12 in the front! but its really really tight! yes polks are alot better. so im guessin you like sound quailty over sound pressure levels right? then if i might suggest some decent speakers. infinity kappa's are very clear and warm and wont hurt the wallet either but they sound best if amplified with a seperate amp. i have the same car as you and i fit 6 1/2 in the back and 5 1/4 in the front.. sounds real nice.

Kuth678

I finally got all my Polk speakers installed. What a friggin nightmare. For the back I got 4" speakers (in hind sight I should have gotten 6 1/2, oh well). Well those didn't fit the bolt patter on the door. So I remove the stock speakers. Tore the speakers from the plastic, subaru glued the damn thing to em. I broke and filed down the plastic to make mounts for the new ones. It actually worked out nice.

Now for the front ones. I got 5 1/4 for the front. I know. I should got 6 1/2 for those too. Anyway. I had to use nylon spacers to raise them enough. Then the Adapters to fit the 5 1/4 in the 6 1/2 holes weren't exact. I had to drill the things.

Took me over 4 hours to install 4 speakers.


Buuuuutt!!!! In the end. I did it myself. And they sound great. I am very satisfied. Believe it or not, they match pretty good to the stock subaru subwoofer.


BTW the problem with water getting in the doors still exists. I bough some foam baffles to protect the speakers.

surfertech

yea the water will get in but you dont have to worry about.. the new speakers are made out of rubber and what not so it wont be too harsh on the speaker! hah shouldve just got the 6 1/2 in the back since you had to make spacers for them.. o well hope u like ur new sound system.