WRX STI Head Unit Upgrade

[@akqjtn]

Review of this head unit: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaaUdmqEeKmGntE while there, please sub as I’d like to get a dedicated car audio channel going. Thanks!

[@Mzinya]

Thank God bro you're the only one I found in the entire web that's installing exactly what I need exactly the same thing. And I have no clue what I'm looking it's just one big old pile of wires I'm going to have to watch your video over and over about 50 times 🤣🤣🤣🤣😢

[@anunez6092]

Fan of your work, really like what you are doing and how you edit things and also how you explain it all. Feel like I would make the drive to bring you my car for a sound system upgrade for sure. Keep the good work bro.

[@akqjtn]

Thanks I appreciate that. Everything sounds fantastic now!

[@paulmarsdensr1095]

A nice looking install brother. I own my 2020 STI and its good to see you still own yours. Subies forever. Happy Veterans day and thankyou for your service in the coast guard. Im retired US Navy.

[@akqjtn]

Thank you friend, happy veterans day to you as well. I don't have the STI any more, but that's a story for different day. I hope to start doing videos again very soon. See you around.

[@joea1746]

Great video sure those Subaru STI owners will appreciate it. Although it looks a bit complex to install and requires attention to detail. 👍

[@akqjtn]

It does require patience and attention to detail, but definitely doable with minimal skills

[@valneissignorjunior3852]

Your videos are the most didactic and very detailed. Thank you man. Nice job!

[@akqjtn]

I very much appreciate that

[@Mzinya]

I got the rr2 too and I couldn't connect it with the Bluetooth I tried several times I finally had to connect it to my daughter's MacBook then I was able to flash it it was probably me just doing something wrong. Plus thank God you talked about those two wires that you have to cut and hook up to the climate control pins one and two

[@Mzinya]

Man that head unit is f****** sweet bro that's an awesome video I think I might have the balls to do this myself instead of spending the big money and getting a professionally installed you basically got the same instructions I do except you put that bypass in and I'm not going to do that other than that it's basically the same exact thing I appreciate the detail I'm sure everybody else does too that is a sweet head unit though I'm putting a Kenwood DDX 9707 XR in mine I'm throwing some JL audios in the door I did get an amp to go with it a thousand watt 60 RMS a channel but I'm definitely too scared to do that but I do appreciate the video bro thanks.

[@TheJasbmx]

Even though i dont have my sti ne more still enjoy your vids awsome instructions.

[@akqjtn]

I really appreciate that! Nothing wrong with a little nostalgia

[@TayloreO1234]

Use the gardener bender T tap to splice into the two wires that go into the factory harnesses. Will make life a lot easier for install and uninstallation😀

[@juliomiranda6801]

i went with idoing! best decison ever all plug n play!

[@techienerdnc]

Love your walkthroughs, clear, concise and accurate. I appreciate your professionalism, and that you don't fumble and stumble through your projects. Do you happen to know if having the limited with the Harmon Kardon system significantly increases the difficulty?

[@akqjtn]

I don't think so, but I would go to the iDatalink website and enter the car's info and see what they offer. I believe it's very similar.

[@AREMPEE]

There’s a lil bit more steps for the Harmon Kardon System but it’s all worth it.

[@akqjtn]

@@AREMPEE thanks for the input

[@AREMPEE]

@@akqjtn NP. I did this DIY project to my 17 WRX couple years back with Kenwood DDX9906XR and TBH, I struggled a lot but you made it looks easy. Now I know what’s the difference between the RR & the RR2😀

[@akqjtn]

With the programmable outputs you can add a Sideview camera and program it to turn on with the right turn signal. I might do that at some point.

[@destinycruz9145]

I'm proud of you tio! keep up the good work. :)

[@akqjtn]

Teenie that means so much! Miss you!

[@Moso818]

I purchased your exact setup, wish you were in Cali I’d pay you to install it!!

[@akqjtn]

If you need help reach out to me. Take your time. In order to test the radio after install you have to put the faceplate on AND the little black cover that covers the screws or the radio won't turn on.

[@akqjtn]

Don't ask me how I know that 🤣

[@nickorozco5933]

The JVC is so much nicer then the Idoing IMO

[@deucebigalo6650]

Bro I’ve been upgrading my car audio as well, and would like to know how much of an improvement you got out of an aftermarket head unit. The tweeters I heard the difference. The sub made a huge difference for me, to the point where I bought the oem limiter to make it chill tf out. And honestly the soundskinz in my doors and my new JL audio front speakers seem to have done what feels like a very minimal improvement. I really wanted to hear a difference in the audio, but maybe I just got used to the good sound, and can’t remember what the standard equipment was like. Also it still seems like this car just has road noise problem, then again Nebraska has the bumpiest of roads…

[@RebelWaz]

Damnn that head unit is huge but looks nice

[@Mike-jb5by]

Hey man! glad i found your channel, you have some really good videos! i also have a 2020 wrx sti, and its really hard to find a video for the exact car that you have lol. im thinking about buying this exact same setup, just had a couple questions: 1) what speakers did you use to upgrade your door speakers? just the kicker OEM fit upgrade, or like Fosgate's or something? also, how did they fit and what mods did you have to do to get them to fit? 2) what little features were lost by doing this entire upgrade? (as far as multimedia functions OEM on the car, button functionality or things that might have been a little wonky afterwards, pretty much anything that wouldn't feel like its OEM or lost its OEM functionality) 3) what are some other headunits that you would recommend that have around the same functionality but have a smaller screen but still look and preform well? im not sure how i like the mini-flatscreen TV on the dash blocking the air vents and the hazard/infotainment display button lol) thank you!

[@akqjtn]

Hello, welcome! I have Alpine R series speakers, I have a few videos on them with links in description. They are amazing. As far as lost functionality just the USB hub in the armrest because aftermarket stereos don't support hubs (I installed my own). On the flipside I gained a TON of functionality e.g. wireless Android auto/carplay, ability to play video and flac plus much more, gauges, proper equalizer, low level outputs and remote sub control, HDMI, radar integration, programmable outputs etc etc etc. Pioneer has a 9" floating HU that I would have bought but wasn't available when I was ready. That said this unit doesn't bother me. It's been in the 90s and my AC cools just fine.

[@Mzinya]

Okay sorry lol another question I got 1053 and you're talking about the starlink now I'm not sure if I have a starlink in mine or not I definitely don't have the button it's a 2020 Subaru WRX base model it's got the 6.5 inch screen in it and I believe that's it it's just a standard base model okay back to watching your video

[@nicholascroft520]

Intruiged as to why you need the micro bypass? I’m an installer at a local stereo place and we always just ground out the park brake wire and have never had a drama. This is with JVC, Pioneer and Sony units

[@akqjtn]

There are several safety systems out there when in comes stopping you from watching videos while driving (and digging through some menus, changing wallpaper, etc). The most basic requires a parking brake wire which is just a ground that engages and disengages when you park. Other more elaborate systems require pulses that have to be replicated or you won't be able to use those features, even if you ground the wire because the stereo will "know" that the wire is just attached to ground (because it will never unground). It requires some digging to find out what you need for each stereo or brand.

[@K03sport]

...better you than me. sure, the new JVC unit looks nice, but I'm not really interested in dumping $1k+ into my WRX for a marginal improvement in sound. I love car audio, but not now in the age of integrated infotainment/steering wheel/HVAC controls. Even the Pathfinder we had with double-din unit and steering wheel controls was a pain; plus it was with Bose system so the final result was only meh (thanks to Bose shenanigans). Again, thank for the tutorial an walk-thru. Hope it all works out...

[@akqjtn]

I get your point, but it's not just a marginal improvement in sound, it's considerable, plus you add more controls, a robust equalizer, low level outputs for amp/sub, wireless Android auto, integrated gauges, ability to play video, ability to add cameras, radar detector integration, a much more responsive and beautiful screen, DSP-level sound processing, man I could go on, all while retaining all of the stock functionality. Yes you can do all that with a cheaper unit for sure, but to get all this from the factory would be a 3-4k plus upgrade, and it would still fall short (I'm looking at you HK).

[@2018wrxaddict]

In the middle of installing a Kenwood in my 18 WRX with the factory Harman Kardon system. My wiring kit doesn't have a micro bypass. What's this for?

[@grantp5090]

Thanks for the awesome videos! Does your head unit stay on once you shut off the car? With the stock radio it would stay on until I opened the door. I put in a pioneer and now it immediately shuts off as soon as I turn the ignition off.

[@d77543020]

So you unscrewed that Alpine from on top of the Rockford amp good idea

[@valneissignorjunior3852]

May I ask you, why have you chosen to get a this head unit instead of an android head unit ready for a Subaru WRX STI install?

[@akqjtn]

Funny you should ask, I have the idoing Head Unit coming in on Monday and starting that install and review videos. I initially had doubts about quality, but with their popularity and cheap price I just have to try it for myself.

[@tplurnt447]

You know if this is the same for 2021 sti? Does this headunit go on sale lol?

[@JPIndustrie]

Awesome video as always! Does the maestro Rr2 allow you to re use the existing oem mic and antennas in the sti ?

[@Mzinya]

You know I have one more question how did you route your OBD11 and what did you use to hold it up with thanks bro

[@panda6711]

Does anyone know or have opnions on the IDoing Headunit ?? looking to upgrade my headunit in my 19 wrx just looking around

[@coach_jaydub8913]

I am buying a 2015 STI limited with the Harman kardon stereo, will all these parts work and keep all functionality that you covered in this video and part 1?

[@juliomiranda6801]

check out the idoing head unit on youtube

[@RLTPDX]

Hi bro. Question if i Want To Retain The OEM USBPort ?

[@kelvin9439]

I have a question I have 2018 subaru sti I followed everything on the diagram my radio is working fine but it's not reading the tpms pressure now I have the tpms light on and it won't go away?

[@akqjtn]

Do your gauges work on the stereo?

[@kelvin9439]

Yes they do

[@akqjtn]

Have you driven the car since the install?

[@kelvin9439]

Yeah it's been a week already and nothing. I already went to discount tire to reset the tpms light and their scanner is saying that my obd2 is not reading

[@akqjtn]

@@kelvin9439 I know it's dumb, but have you double checked your Maestro setup? I would even go as far as reflashing.

[@akqjtn]

Thanks for dropping by! Part 1 has everything else leading to this point. Got questions? Let me know. Take care.

[@josenavarrete8407]

Does it work the same for base wrx?

[@victorcano3899]

Nice work on the videos, can you do a video showing how the unit works?

[@Sdubz]

Hey so i just have a quick question because you seem knowledgeable about the stock head unit. I also have a 2020 sti and it seems like ever since i got a new iphone 11 im having trouble with apple carplay. Itll connect to bluetooth and play music from the ipod via usb but thats it. Idk if its the phone or some connection in the back of the head unit as ive taken it apart before. Do you know if theres a specific wire that feeds the carplay or is that something thats in the brains of the head unit itself? Im so confused as to whether its a phone problem or headunit problem etc. everything up to date as far as i know not sure if you can even help but

[@ekimandersom4478]

Use the original apple cable

[@Sdubz]

@@ekimandersom4478 have been so idk maybe its an firmware update on subarus end idk lol

[@ekimandersom4478]

@@Sdubz Strange, the only known problem is some aftermarket usb/lightning cables won’t work. The original cable from apple should work. Maybe try another apple cable, maybe yours is still faulty , they are sensitive to cable quality.

[@Sdubz]

@@ekimandersom4478 thanks ill try another one cuz at this poinnt im bout to just buy an android idoing or somethin not too pricey with wireless carplay cuz shit shits annoying makes no sense that it still plays music and charges thru usb but not apple carplay

[@ekimandersom4478]

@@Sdubz Maybe a hard reset can also help, take the power of the HU. Thats just an idea, not sure if it will do anything.

[@knurri]

Great video. However, that unit is way too big for my liking

[@akqjtn]

Not for everyone for sure, but I like it. The one I wanted originally was the Pioneer which has the same size screen, but a smaller bezel. After installing it I don't mind it like I thought I would so it's staying.

[@HectorRodriguez-fe8xz]

Did you remove the LC7i??

[@-japson-9910]

?

[@kksan]

"STI Model 3" :)

[@akqjtn]

Haha

[@akqjtn]

It's nice playing Super Nintendo on my big screen during lunch🤣