How To Upgrade the Sound System in 2019 Subaru Forester Sport

[@garretbedard5571]

Totally can't wait to do the same to my new forester!!! I really appreciate the time and effort put in to show us everything from start to finish. Very informative.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! Glad I could help. Enjoy!✌🏾

[@ayx3-w3x]

not sure if anyone will need this info but you can also tap into the factory woofer w the harmon kardon system from the amp. meter your wires first but the woofer1 + is red. and - is pink. tried using the rear speakers for my lc2i and it didn’t work well. tapped into the woofer wires and it sounded great.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@ayx3-w3x definitely good to know. Thanks!

[@TheStBlaine]

awesome video! I'm in the process of installing in my 2016 Forester Touring. I'll be using the PAC SNI-35 to tap into my factory amp. Great job!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

TheStBlaine thanks! How did it go?

[@Speedbird447]

Very short and informative video! I have a 2021 Subaru Outback and it sucks not to have a single video on stock amplifier wiring details. Guess they use same or similar amps, so this is helpful! Cheers

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! Glad I could help. It was definitely a struggle finding the right info.😩. I learned an easier option is to use Kicker amps. It allows you to skip using the processor.

[@borger99]

Love ya, Terry. Only guy that goes deep down on this car. Helps me more than you could ever know

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! I try to be hands on as much as possible and pass on the experience. The biggest challenge is having the patience to film it.😂 Thanks again!❤️✌🏾

[@Detman101]

Oh wow...there's a lot of space under the seats! I may have to give this a shot! Thank you so much for posting this tutorial!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! Let me know how it goes.👍🏾

[@gregoneal6681]

Thank you! Your video showed me what wires I needed to tap into to add my amp and sub to my 2019 Forrester premium. My only criticism would be to recommend disconnecting the negative 12 volt before you begin to not pop the fuse.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the watch and advice!👍🏾

[@thebikingfriedmann]

Installing a powered sub from PowerBass tomorrow in my 2020 Sport, thanks for the guidance on this install as its been nearly 15 years since I installed a car stereo.

[@ryancook6965]

Dig the install, I am pulling my hair at if I want to do an install in my 18xt and found yours. the way you ran the power wire compared to another video I found saved my mind some strands.. I had an nvx vcw112 in my last car though don't intend to lose the space in the trunk so I am going to install a 12 jl power box in the trunks storage below the mat. Glad I found this video.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Glad I could help.👍🏾. Let me know how it goes. Thanks!✌🏾

[@jasonluu3242]

Thank you for covering the line out converter! That helped out a ton!!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching.👍🏾

[@daviddanh1772]

Awesome instructional video.. love the detail and descriptions.. I wish i wouldve thought about running the wire under the seats through the middle.. i just spent a hour fighting to snake the power wire through the door jams.... Now im about to just rip it out and run it like you did.. just soo much easier.. thanks for the video..

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! Well glad I could help. Let me know how it goes.👍🏾

[@denislynch4678]

I hope you added an in line fuse at or near the battery on your 8age power wire. I did not see it, and you did not mention it. It would be ashame to burn your car up if the power wire shorted and there was no fuse.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@denislynch4678 yes I have an inline fuse at the battery. I didn’t show any of that because the purpose of the video was really about how to integrate a sub with the factory system.👍🏾

[@mikemiller7117]

Another nice install video. Ive had a trailer hitch sitting in my Forester for about a month, Im too lazy to install it.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Mike M thanks! Lol I hear you on that one. You’ll get around to it when you need it.😂

[@mikemiller7117]

@@Lucrativesoldier yeah, but i could sure use the trunk space now though. How much better does your bass hit with that new sub? Is it significantly better than the HK sub?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Mike M can always use the extra space. Lol I still have the HK sub hooked up too. Hits a lot harder now with the new sub added. I’m thinking of trying the shallow mount pioneer subs out, to see if I can get similar sound quality and use less space. I tried the Hertz sub in a smaller sealed box, but the JBL amp didn’t have the power to make it hit as hard as the ported box it’s currently in. I tried a pioneer amp also, which had more power and a bass knob, and I just always found myself adjusting the bass knob to my liking. With the JBL amp, it matches the system perfect. So it’s not like loud bass at low volumes, but matches the volume all the way up. So that’s why I stuck with the JBL over the pioneer.

[@mikemiller7117]

@@Lucrativesoldier jl audio makes a very shallow sub, that might work for you if you desire a change. but if its sounding good, then why change it. I like your setup, because when you need space you can just disconnect that sub box and set it out. In my last vehicle, a F150 I put $2400 into my stereo, but I'm happy with the HK sound that came with my Forester. I listen to music that doesnt have much base anyways, so its sufficient. I'm excited to see your tire selection. Ive been looking at all terrain tire setups. i found a place in Santa Ana that sells used 2019 factory wheels for our cars, so if you get a bigger tire, you will need another wheel for a fullsize spare. Its called Santa Ana Wheels, and they have the dark sport wheels too for your car for about $200

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Mike M yeah the pioneer is the budget version of the JL shallow sub😂. In my younger before kids days, I didn’t care about space and would build a sub inclosure any size.😂. I do love the sound, and it doesn’t take much to take it out when I need space. But I was thinking of trying something where I could keep the space and the sub. And as cheap as the pioneers are, I could get 2 for almost nothing. Plus I’m curious on how good they sound.😁. But I agree with you, the HK system is very impressive, even with bassy songs. I love it! Thanks for the wheel info. I will have to check it out. I was thinking of going with 17’s, but I had to hurry up and do something because I’m taking a trip to the Utah snow again. So I put nice all terrain tires on the stock wheels. If you are getting new tires within the next week or two, I can let you know what I got. Otherwise I should be posting a vid after running them in the Utah snow.😁

[@oukeef]

Just bought my Forester Sport in the Dark blue. LOVING it so far! Got it in the Dark Blue Pearl. My only regret is that I got it in the dark blue and not the Dark Grey. The dark colors show the dirt so much easier lol. ::Subie Wave::

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Nice! Congratulations! You are right about that. Mine seems like it gets dirty shortly after every wash. lol. Thanks for the Subie Wave! ✌🏾

[@WorthyBuzz]

Great videoTerry! Love the red lighting too and I gotta do the same to my Forester

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks!👍🏾✌🏾

[@augustusmark715]

You prolly dont care but if you're bored like me during the covid times you can stream pretty much all the latest movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Have been streaming with my girlfriend recently xD

[@timothyotis1274]

@Augustus Mark definitely, I have been using instaflixxer for since december myself :)

[@garettg8011]

Killer vid dude, i dont have at harmon k. Sound sys. Looking to upgrade from a premium trim level.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks. One day I need more, and then the next day I’m content with the stock system.😂

[@Smirk_Station]

You got a like... just for the intro!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Lol I’ll take it!👍🏾. Thanks!

[@richardb.1468]

I have the same 2019 Sport and I have the HK system. I used to do stereo installations a long, long time ago...before factory amps came into play. I'm about to install my RCA converter, as I only want to add sub's and leave the rest alone. If I tapped into where the factory sub lines, there are four wires (WF1+, WF1-, WF2+, WF2-). I'm assuming this sub is dual voice coil. So, for me to attach the RCA wires, do I do one channel, like WF1+ and WF1-, or do I do WF1+ and WF2-? I'm afraid it may cause am impedance issue if I did that. My guess is to attach before the amp, which I think is the +B1 & +B2 (green and red wires), but I may be wrong. I have the wiring diagram, but I'm slightly confused. What's your take on this? I'll be note than happy to send you the schematics I have, directly from Subaru, if you'd like?

[@pattersonwhite9105]

This video was extremely helpful! Could you explain to me how you got the wires unplugged from inside the factory amp? I have all my wires run through the car but I would rather not pull the whole amp out to undo the plugs that I have to splice into. Thanks!

[@pattersonwhite9105]

Ended up figuring out the amp wires they were just tricky. Your video was a life savor though. I had the same issue with my audio and the #30 fuse was not working for me either. Got it replaced and the new setup sounds great!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Sorry, I somehow missed this. I hope you figured it out.

[@ThaBossDogg716]

@@pattersonwhite9105 hey , I’m in a rut with trying to figure out which inputs on the factory amp are which. I need to transfer them into a new amp. Any advice? Thanks!

[@medialinx767]

Nice video man! Can I install one of these 2019-2022 units on the slightly older 2018 sport model? I got mine but it's mostly in Japanese and unable to change the language. I'm also trying to find something with Android Auto/Apple car play.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! That I don’t know. But you can get a nice android radio system to install in there, that would be nice.👍🏾

[@medialinx767]

@@Lucrativesoldier thanks. Any recommendations?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@medialinx767 I’m thinking about getting this one to put in my wife’s vehicle. Has different size screen options. amzn.to/3K27rDj

[@Detman101]

Liked and Subscribed! Thank you!!!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thank you, always appreciated!✌🏾

[@allenbutler8520]

Hi, I have a PAC line out converter and it only has one wire for the 12v. Do I splice it to the yellow wire on the smaller plug, or the red wire on the bigger plug? As it is, I have it connected to the yellow wire on the smaller plug. The converter powers on, but I get no signal from the audio outputs on the converter. I tested the pins on the plug of the converter and they read a signal. The signal from the speaker wires is stopping inside the converter. Any advice? Thanks for the video, very helpful.

[@timothysmith846]

Hey man super detailed guide great job. I kind of skimmed the video to see how you went about it but have it saved because I want to do this to my new sport. You had the Harmon kardon system with 9 speakers right? The HK sounds decent enough for now but coming from 2 tens custom it’s missing some of the lows I had before.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! Yes I have the HK system. The easiest route is using Kicker amps, then you can avoid having to use the processor. Let me know how things go.👍🏾

[@Rockspider99]

Fuse could have blown if you were hooking up the cables and the positive terminal was still connected to the battery. Otherwise very cool, added a little 10 under seat woofer to my XV, added nice punch while taking up Zero boot space.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Right! after I connected everything, I swapped the power, and remote turn on under the passenger seat, while the battery was connected, so I think that's when it happened. Very easy to contact a ground in that situation. Not sure if you've heard the Harmon Kardon system in the 2019 Forester, but its impressive. They did an excellent job. Not sure if the shallow mount 10" would add much of a difference to it. But I am thinking about trying the Pioneer 12" shallow mount subs. But will still have them in the rear, and just taking up less space than this big ported box. So we will see. Thanks again, I appreciate the comments and advice.

[@Rockspider99]

@@Lucrativesoldier yeah you don't really get that sub 40hz bass on the shallow subs, have not heard the audio in the new Forester but being HK I can imagine it is good, I have the upgrade speakers in my vehicle but the clarion stock deck seems to cut low frequency bass, so either a cap on the line somewhere or the deck just is not capable.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@Rockspider99 Yeah that's what I was thinking. I really didn't need to add anything to the HK setup. I think I just felt the need to do something different. lol. The good thing is, when I need to take the sub out for space, Im still happy with the sound quality without the sub.

[@broinsocali]

Nice upgrade

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks✌🏾

[@broinsocali]

@@Lucrativesoldier I'll holla at you when I finally get my outback next year.

[@broinsocali]

Mr Terry, I wanted give you an update on my Subaru Outback which I picked up 1/22/2021

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@broinsocali congratulations!🎉

[@deldim2003]

Grate content!!! Do you have a wiring diagram of the factory amp. under the seat?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Daniel De Lion thanks. Unfortunately I no longer have the wiring diagram. But if I can locate it again, I will post a link. Good luck!

[@ohmegatran]

Very nice install video! I'm interested in the lights towards the end of the video, they're pretty cool! Any chance you have tips of installing those - hiding the wires, power, etc?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Nathan Tran it’s fairly simple to install it without any wires showing. It’s easy to put the lights under the dash and seats and just tuck the wires up along the center console. Only thing showing would be the wire coming out of the center console storage, down between the seat and center console. Hope that makes sense. With a little more effort, I believe you can remove the bottom of the center console compartment, and bring it up thru there, and plug it into the outlet in there. Easier to show than to describe it. Lol

[@ohmegatran]

@@Lucrativesoldier Where did you plug in the power source?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Nathan Tran when I first got them, I just plugged it into the cigarette lighter outlet in the center console. Then when I did my audio install, I just wired it in with the amp under the seat.

[@MONSTERBROS]

Thanks So much Terry! Really enoyed how informative this was. I have a 2015 Forester XT touring with the HK premium audio (8 speakers, 440 w). i am going to embark on the adventure of upgrading it with a subwoofer tomorrow (CT SOUNDS STRATO 10" WITH 1000 watt CT amp). I will be using the LOC method and splicing into the amp harness. I CANNOT for the life of me find any wiring diagrams for speaker wire color for my whip. I am assuming that the 15 and 19s Amp harnesses are the same but I cant be sure, Any tips or thoughts on this? I am going to follow your colors since it is the closest thing i have found but i guess there is a chance that i am wrong. Let me know if you have any thoughts!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

You’re welcome! Yeah it seems like wiring diagrams are closely guarded secrets. Lol. Not sure if the wiring is the same or not, so all I can say is good luck! Hope you get it figured out. Sounds like a nice setup.👍🏾

[@MONSTERBROS]

@@Lucrativesoldier Yep! I figured it out and man does it sound good! CT SOUNDS for the win, love the pairing with my harmon kardon system! thanks for your vid, it really gave me hope that I could do it in my Subaru with the stock amp and an LOC! THANK YOU!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@MONSTERBROS Glad it all worked out. Good to know the wiring is similar, for anyone else who is interested in doing the upgrade. Thanks for the update!

[@andrisdze]

How do you remove the larger fuses since the tool seem to only work with the thinner fuses?

[@NORDICWAGON]

Nice video! Would you know if there is an amp in one or two models above the base model?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! I would think so, but I’m not certain. It just wouldn’t be the upgraded HK amp.

[@DJNuMAN]

Nice job

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks!✌🏾

[@ThaBossDogg716]

Hey I’m struggling with understanding which wires going into the hk amp are what. I’m trying to use a new alpine amp, but don’t know which inputs to the hk amp are which, I need to find out which ones are for the door speakers, tweeters, and trunk sub. If you have any advice I’d really appreciate it. Thank you! Great vid.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Oh man, yeah they don’t make it an easy thing to do. Check out this link, it should help you out. Good luck and let me know how it goes.👍🏾 www.subaruforester.org/threads/2019-stereo-upgrade-for-2019-or-2020-forester-touring.813471/

[@mgunthe]

Great video. I have the exact same model, coloring, etc. I added a sub too (a powered Memphis 12') and it didn't match the other speakers. I dropped some coin and had a shop add a separate Memphis and swapped out the 6 of the HK speakers with Sundowns. Now it feels like it's all high and low. The shop said the factory head has a high pass filter (low cut) that you can't adjust for the door speakers... mmmm... I'm not really buying that. Do you, or does anyone have advice about how to find out if this shop is blowing smoke? I thought they'd wired the phase wrong or something but they said they didn't because it has almost nothing between 80-200hz. When you turn off the sub it just sounds weak and the sub only gives you these huge booms. So, I'm pretty frustrated with this shop but I think they just want me to go away. I think the only recourse I have is to take it to someone else. To me a good car system should sound full w/o the sub and then the sub just adds boom to the bottom. Thoughts and prayers appreciated for my 1st world problems. LOL.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! I agree with you, the system should be well balanced. Should sound great without the sub, and the sub adds the extra thump. My guess would be, they don’t know what they are doing. I believe all speakers, tweeters, sub have their separate output from the factory amp. So they are probably connecting to the tweeter output.😒 At this point, I haven’t really considered upgrading the highs and mids. Mainly because I’m working on my pilots license, and need my ears to be able to hear and understand radio traffic clearly. So unfortunately the boom booms will have to be sacrificed. Lol Good luck, and I will let you know if I come up with something.👍🏾

[@mgunthe]

@@Lucrativesoldier Thanks Terry. I agree that even though the shop that did this work was nice, they just didn't know what they were doing. Good luck on getting your pilot's license!

[@Lucrativesoldier]

@@mgunthe yeah it’s unfortunate when they can’t admit that they don’t know what’s going on. They should have access to the proper wiring schematics too.😒 Thanks, I hope to add the journey to my vids, so everyone can enjoy the experience. Thanks again!

[@ekimandersom4478]

Find a better shop. They are right there are crossovers, thats why you should use a Audiocontrol LC7i . They should know that.

[@Murr808]

nice video except the i thought the seat bolts were 14mm...

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks. Did I get that wrong?

[@brianwong7868]

That's awesome big fan what about the lift....

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Thanks! No lift yet. I was able to get some nice tires without the lift for now.

[@brianwong7868]

@@Lucrativesoldier awesome can't wait to see them

[@Lucrativesoldier]

brianwong7868 I’ll be taking a trip soon, so I’ll be getting footage for that vid with some snow driving.

[@MetalManTX1]

Curious if the added Sub overpowers the normal speakers? I have a 2020 Limited with the HK system, and desperately want to add a sub/amp. Afraid that adding that will suddenly drown out my mids/highs from the other speakers.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Well, I just got a more powerful amp for the sub, so now I do find myself needing a bit extra in the highs and miss department now.

[@jeffreysmith3877]

Confused…. Did you tap into the red?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Yes, tapped into red, yellow, and black.

[@Itzmyrave]

Can you explain how to boost that 8" Harman kardon Sub that came with my 19 Forester Sport? Of course, I can just crank up the bass in the settings to +9. But that's going to create more bass through all the speakers as well. I just want to boost more bass through that 8 inch subwoofer it came with, not the speakers. Is there something I can do with the amplifier? Any tweaking?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Роман Погосов Not sure about any tweaking to make the 8” sub louder. I think HK did a great job on designing the system. My guess is the sub is setup for optimal sound quality. Only thing I could think of off the top of my head, would be to run a separate aftermarket amp to the 8” sub. But I have no experience with that, and how much more wattage it can handle.

[@K03sport]

... Sound deaden and sound insulate the doors and interior. Eliminate outside, unwanted noise (reduce the noise floor) and the music on the inside will sound louder and usually more clear as well since it doesn't have to compete with the outside noise.

[@danek893]

@@K03sport I truly agreed, did sound proof on all 4 doors on mind, it make huge difference. I did a mistake added a subwoofer on my last car, more bass but not matching speakers at all.

[@danielfair4675]

Swap it with an 8" JL Audio sub & power it with a bridged 2- channel amplifier

[@codyovergaard6226]

Would this also work for my 2019 cross trek?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

I’m not sure. But I would imagine it would.

[@StudyintheShadows]

Does anyone know if the wiring diagram is the same for the new 2022 forestor?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

I’m not sure, but I would think it would be the same. Look at yours and see if it looks the same or different.

[@K03sport]

Did I miss it...did you add sound deadener/blockers to the doors, roof, and floor? At least do the doors and cover up those gaping holes and that should help all the work you've done sound better...

[@Lucrativesoldier]

lol you didn't miss it. I skipped that part for now. lol. I will be adding that soon, to helpfully help with the overall sound quality, keep the sound in, and the outside noise out. Thanks

[@rexnhogz]

No fuse??

[@Boxboys.Audio.Sound.Solutions]

Yeah ,Always, Always, Always fuse as close to the battery as possible,using the recommended size for the gauge. The fuse in the Amp kits are for under the hood(to protect the wire). Also fuse to b4 the amplifier to the recommended amp rating per the manufacturer. Ground wire should be a close to the Amplifier as possible with clean shiny metal to metal connections. I personally would use a different method of connection to the battery. Overall nicely done video.

[@julianleon2046]

Does your system have navigation?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

No navigation.

[@julianleon2046]

@@Lucrativesoldier dang, I'm having a problem with my brother's 2019 crosstrek n I thought ya demo would help

[@Rockspider99]

I didn't see a Fuse in the Engine Bay, Please add a fuse for safety.....

[@Lucrativesoldier]

You are right, and thanks for pointing that out. The one I had was for 0 gage wire, so way too big. But I should have mentioned to add a fuse in the vid. And I still need to add one. Thanks

[@Lucrativesoldier]

BTW, I added this info to the description. So hopefully it gets noticed. Thanks

[@Rockspider99]

@@Lucrativesoldier smart!

[@michaelcharach]

Shame on Subaru for installing such *hit systems in their cars. Its not like it is easy to upgrade after the fact. The system in my 19 OB sounds like garbage. In fact I would say it is the worst sounding factory stereo I have ever heard. My dealer is just terrible so I am afraid to upgrade especially after reading out Starlink telematic errors that you can experience. I really would have passed on my OB had I realized just how bad the stereo sounded.

[@Lucrativesoldier]

I must say the OEM HK system in the forester sport is pretty impressive. But if you want to upgrade after the fact, I would go to a good stereo shop. The dealer is gonna knock you upside the head to do a standard upgrade.😒. Good luck!👍🏾

[@yarpos]

Amazing what people will do and spend just to listen to doof doof in a closed box so they can be continually asking What? when they are 40 year deaf heads. Awesome.

[@K03sport]

What?

[@Lucrativesoldier]

Lol. Ive been doing this since I was probably about 12 or 13. I don't constantly ask "what", but I do notice, I can no longer hear certain high pitches. But not a bad trade off. lol

[@danielfair4675]

Audiophiles get it .... others don't. 23 years ago I dropped nearly $4k in my Toyota 4 Runner Limited system (yes, I still have it). Absolutely a killer, clear sound upgrade. $$ well spent!