Topic: Best Calgary Installer/dealer

[3inchesoflove]

Just picked up a 2017 STI Base and need to upgrade the stereo immediately.   Got the dealer to throw in the kicker speakers/tweeter package, but the stock head unit is a junker and I'm looking for an upgrade.   I have 0 experience and want to maintain steering wheel controls & back up cam ect...  So wondering if anyone here can recommend a good installer in Calgary?

[Asstuna]

GlennC at Visions NE used to be our go-to guy.

[kijho]

Glenn is A+, would recommend.

AutoTemp (both locations have done work for me), I'd also recommend.
The location closest to Centaur was really good. They did my full custom Amp bracket (under-seat setup), fully wired Subwoofer etc. all connected to the OE Controls + HU (Because it's quite complicated to begin splicing wiring behind the steering column).  They also tuned it for me and set some custom EQ's based on my music preference (they actually asked what kind of music I listen to).  Price was good for the quality brand of product they carry (they don't really have any "cheaper" stuff like BestBuy would have though if you're looking for a very entry level setup).

[Perfect Dark]

GlennC is now at Crowfoot Visions, but yeah he's the guy.

[RedndWhite]

Agreed, GlennC is the guy to go to.

[kijho]

Has anyone actually gone to Glenn in the past year and dropped a WSC reference? I personally only reccomend him to people I truly know and who will really appreciate his efforts.

Glenn's an awesome guy and he did my entire GC8 for me (full keyless, installed actuators, full audio, full alarm with every sensor etc)... But I kinda feel bad just dumping random people whom I don't know onto him and expecting him to be that nice a guy to them too.  Almost like that connections is being abused a little... Too much taking advantage of that. I'm sure he appreciates the business so long as people are not expecting major major discounts and free labor from him etc.

Just my 2 cents though!

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Has anyone actually gone to Glenn in the past year and dropped a WSC reference? I personally only reccomend him to people I truly know and who will really appreciate his efforts.

Glenn's an awesome guy and he did my entire GC8 for me (full keyless, installed actuators, full audio, full alarm with every sensor etc)... But I kinda feel bad just dumping random people whom I don't know onto him and expecting him to be that nice a guy to them too.  Almost like that connections is being abused a little... Too much taking advantage of that. I'm sure he appreciates the business so long as people are not expecting major major discounts and free labor from him etc.

Just my 2 cents though!

I send people to Glenn because he's the best at what he does, not because he gives deals.

[WAGOWN]

I send people to Glenn because he's the best at what he does, not because he gives deals.

100% this. Glenn has wired up a few Subies for me. Not cheap. You get what you pay for.


(Plus the guy can build freaking anything!)

[kijho]

Yes, I agree - Go to Glenn just pls don't be like "my friend Jory told me you'd hook me up with a sick deal on a full stereo install"  LOL...   That's my fear when recommending him haha...

Then he comes onto WSC (which he never does..) and is like - "what the uckfay guys, some kid wanted a full install for $20. Said Jory told him!"  ...

Sorry if this derails the subject.  Go to Glenn @ Visions in Crowfoot!

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

If I sent someone to Glenn, and they said that to him, he'd charge them double.

[3inchesoflove]

Awesome, thanks for the recommendations.  Looks like I am heading to Glenn...  so we all agreed $20 bucks was the going rate?

[Tik-Tok]

Awesome, thanks for the recommendations.  Looks like I am heading to Glenn...  so we all agreed $20 bucks was the going rate?

Only if you mention Jory.

[3inchesoflove]

Got my appointment with Glenn on tuesday...  Car is a 2017 base STI, so has the horrible base model subaru sound.   Got the dealer to throw in the kicker speaker upgrade and  Went with the Alpine KTP- 445U Power pack and a Rockford Fosgate PS-8 underseat powered sub.   Ill keep you guys in the loop on how the whole thing works out, but got the sub for $270, Power Pack for $260 and install should be about $300.  So hopefully a pretty decent budget solution to how crappy these stereos are from the factory. 

On that same note I found this post about tuning the 16+  stereos and when I adopted and tweeked this guys settings a little it made the base stereo almost bearable.

https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/3kf4d2/a_note_on_audio_in_16_wrx_and_other_cars_with_the/

[RockThePylon]

I'm curious to see how the underseat sub works out with the newest gen.

My GR didn't have much room, and using a 3" tall unit, the seat bracket carved a nice "self-clearanced" groove through the top MDF.

[ultimatt]

Sounds like it fit perfectly then!

[GTRAuto]

Mobile Solutions

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Mobile Solutions

Wee bit late to the party there.

[wrxsti15]

Went with the Alpine KTP- 445U Power pack and a Rockford Fosgate PS-8 underseat powered sub.   Ill keep you guys in the loop on how the whole thing works out, but got the sub for $270, Power Pack for $260 and install should be about $300.  So hopefully a pretty decent budget solution to how crappy these stereos are from the factory. 

what about

 

want to maintain steering wheel controls & back up cam ect... 

[3inchesoflove]

Got the components installed today and thought I would give an update. Ill start with my comments on the base stereo and go from there. GLenn C did the install, and did a hell of a job.  Sub didnt quite fit under the seat, so he had to do some modifications and handled it with no problems.

1) Base Stereo- rating 3/10. From what I have heard in other cars, the base STI stereo is definitely on the lowest end of the scale, what you would expect from a cheap econo box. Volume is decent enough, but clarity is garbage, base is limited, and it almost hurts your ears to listen to at above average volumes. Found myself sticking to podcasts ect... because I hated the way music sounded. After tons of research on EQ settings, I was able to get it tolerable, but not enjoyable.

2) Base Stereo with Kicker Speakers and tweeters - Barely an upgrade in sound quality. Tweeters add some high end, but the sound quality almost seems worse. Like the low powered head unit struggles even more to drive a higher quality speaker. Rating 3.5/10

3) Alpine Power Pack Addition- definitely fixes the quality of the sound, not sure how it would affect the stock speakers, but with the kicker speakers I am now listening to an exceptionally better sounding system. Total volume hasn't increased much, but that wasn't the issue. The clarity of the sound is much better, and no longer grating to listen to. This in itself would be an almost acceptable upgrade. Rating 5/10

4) Rockford 8" underseat Sub- Definitely the icing on the cake. This took the system and made it sound like a decent factory sound system. Nothing that will shake the car or blow people away, but bass that is evenly matched to the speakers and completely fills out the sound in the car. This is definitely not up to snuff with a Harmon Kardon, or Bang Olufsen or any other premium car sound system. But it is definitely a great sounding stereo, and makes music quite enjoyable to listen to. System sounds great up to barely tolerable volumes. Make no mistake though, this sub does not kick you in the assay, it fills out the sound nicely, but does not make for a punchy system. This isn't a blow your mind stereo upgrade, but for $500 in parts it is highly worth the upgrade. Overall rating 7/10

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

Glad to hear that Glenn knocked it out of the park!

[subinew]

You should check out Paul T. at Mobile sounds also follow him on instagram at bettercallpaul.

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

3.5 year bump. Interesting.

[aznriceballman]

Hi, does anyone know if Glenn still works there or how I can contact him?

[LilDrunkenSmurf]

He's still at Crowfoot Visions.

[RockThePylon]

Forums still got value baby!