'01 Outback stereo questions

[442olds]

I love the factory stereo in my Outback...got great sound. What I'm wondering is whether a separate CD/MP3 player (with Ipod hookup) will work with this radio. If I could find one to fit where the factory disc changer would go, this would be great, but I don't know whether the radio would be able to decode the MP3's. Let me know if you have any ideas.

[Legacy777]

I know the later Subaru stereos had hookups for ipods & read mp3 cds. You could try looking at a stereo from a newer subaru and see if it'll work.

 

I don't know for sure, but I'm going to guess the opening area is a double DIN. Most of the aftermarket stuff is a single DIN.

 

Hopefully some others can chime in with some suggestions as well.

[idosubaru]

i've seen some folks claim newer subaru stereos are MP3 compatible, but i haven't looked into what they mean or if it's true.

[bheinen74]

in 1990 subaru had a ipod front input on the factory radio, WAY ahead of any others.

then they put a weatherband radio in, then dropped that feature too.

lol

[442olds]

If I can't find a way to make the factory stereo work, then I may have to go aftermarket. I wonder if I would need to change the speakers, also. I think the car has 2 small speakers in the corner of each front door, in addition to the ones in the bottom of the doors. I don't know where I would get replacement speakers that small or that would sound as good. Does anyone know who made the stereo system for Subaru?

[tractor pole]

you can replace the stock head unit with an aftermarket cd player that is a single-din, you get a pocket to take the place of the other stock unit. all that is needed to make it work is a wiring harness and a pocket. the stock brackets will allow you to bolt up the after market deck.

 

as far as the front speakers, they are a 6.5 in in the lower part of the door and a 1" tweeter on the top. if they are not blown you don't have to replace them they will work fine with the aftermarket unit. if you do have to replace them, I recommend the Infinity Reference 6.5 inch components. they will fit in the stock location, maybe a little trimming if the plastic basket that the stock speaker is mounted to.