Subaru Stereo Hidden Menu, Tweaks, and Optimization 

Great feedback and thanks for watching. Most appreciated.

Absolutely amazing simple trick. I was really disappointed in the stock deck in my 2013 WRX, after seeing this the difference is day and night! Thanks so much man!

I'm 60 years old...I just got my new STI 2013 sedan thanks for the help sounds soooo much better. Wish I would have known this before the 3 hr drive home from the dealer. Now for that 12" sub install. Rock on!

Sounds great! Thanks for watching.

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

Thanks man, I'll be doing this on my 2015 WRX as soon as I leave work this evening!

I have a 14 Crosstrek and this did amazing things to the sound! It is like I just upgraded to a much more expensive system. Thanks so much for taking the time to post the tweak!

A lot of people complain that the dealer should've told you this, but frankly mine didn't and i'm sure a couple others might've missed it. Thanks for a detailed tutorial!

nice work, was always interested what the 'sedan' / 'wagon' setting was all about. I did all those things you mentioned, makes a BIG difference. Cheers mate.

Thanks Bobby!!! I Picked Up My 2015 STI Launch Edition Yesterday & I Loved Everything On The Car Except I Was So Disappointed With The Stereo! On My Way Back From a Border Town Called Tecate a Border Patrol Agent Asked Me About My Car & I Told Him About My Only Disappointment And He Recommended Your Videos! Thanks Again Man Those Little Tweaks Sure Make a Hell Of a Difference!!!

Very cool, thanks! The 'loud' function fills in where the speed-sensitive volume fell a little short.

Thanks for the info! I have the kicker OEM option but b/c it's such a small box I uninstalled it and put equivalent of 75% of internal volume with polyfill; this helped some with the lower bass frequencies but still not as good as I'd like (mid bass is pretty good as is). These codes definitely made a difference. Thanks! BTW: my preferred settings are bass at 3-4, mid -2, and treb 5. With the mids lower, the bass has a cleaner sound, just IMO. Thanks again!!!

Hey Sergiy! Thanks for watching and I really appreciate your feedback.

Anyway, thank you for the well-done demo. Obviously your camera recording doesn't do the sound justice, but that's part of the fun -- makes me want to go see for myself just what my Clarion can do with these tweaks.

Thanks for sharing this mod. It worked as all the steps you provided on my OEM hu in my 2013 Impreza 5-door. Thanks bud.

Worked awesome on my lesser model CZ601U1 on my 08 impreza 2.5i hatch. Thanks man!

Thanks! I dumped a ton of money into replacing all my speakers and the tweeters, adding an amp, and dampening pads to the doors of my 14 crosstrek, but didn't want to replace the HU and lose my steering wheel controls. Now I can improve the sound even more!

Tried it on my XV OMG the sound is way better Thanks a million bro

No problem. Thanks for watching

Thank you!!! I was ready to replace the speakers!

Picking up my '14 STI today, and will definitely give this a try. Thank you very much for the video!

Thanks a lot for this, i didnt even know these options existed. i cant wait to play around with them

is the 12 inch sub aftermarket or did it come with the car ?

No problem at all. Yes it totally helps even with the stock sub.

tried this on my 2008 and it worked and now my radio sounds amazing

Works on new 2015 WRX Premium. I was so pissed when I picked it up and was driving it home. Spent a few minutes playing with the equalizers and was like, wtf, how does a new vehicle have a radio that sounds this bad?! Awesome fix thank you so much. Have no idea why they aren't set like this to begin with...

3 years with my '10 2.5GT and never knew there were "cheat codes!" Have to play with this more, but already discovered "Loud" was always on, and turning it off has helped a lot. Could never use my underseat sub to full potential -- bass was too boomy/percussive and tended to ignore all but drums. Had the Kicker trunk sub and had to remove it after 2 weeks because it only intensified the problem, and unlike the underseat sub, can't be adjusted. Now I can crank up the bass and get deep/rich sound.

Works like a charm on my 2015 STI and sounds so much better! Thanks for the video!

I researched a lot of forums and picked parts that worked. Some of it was just by luck and not giving up on patterns.

Thanks Bobby! I have a 09 Impreza, It has a stock Type 2 Pioneer, these hidden menu options are the same and works like a charm :) Thanks Again

Just helped the sound in my new Crosstrek, thanks for the info!

No problem. I hear the factory speakers are amazing. I don't know if you will get more amazing sound out of them by changing them. They are Clarion speakers which are pretty amazing already.

Wow! I just bought a 2015 WRX STI and was totally disillusioned with the inferior sound system and was considering upgrading it. After changing the settings that you recommended it sounds like a totally different stereo system, thank you so very much for that. Instead of spending the money on a new stereo I can now use it for the damm premium fuel I have to put in this thing and the speeding tickets that I seem to be accumulating! LOL

Hello. Does anyone know if there's a hidden menu in the 2016 Crosstrek?

I heard you mention about a 12" sub I was wondering since you have the stock radio did you splice into factory wires when installing the sub? I have a 2013 crosstrek and have been looking for threads in installing sub but came across this video wish I knew about it when I had my impreza.. anyways I just wanted to know if you did add a subwoofer did you need any special harnesses I've been looking for some under seat subs to conserve space but the concept of installing is pretty much the same Thx

I just swaped out my clarion on my 2012 sti for the alpine ine920hd and total thumps .. In really pushes the factory speakers nicely

So you want to have it set to wagon mode even if you have a sedan? Also, do you have to activate "through mode" and "loud on" every time you turn your radio on?

Wow thanks man, I can confirm this works on 2015 WRX stock clarion HU.

Just did this to my 2014 2.0i Hatch. You're going to save me some data charges because I may listen to FM again. The other nice thing is that CD's and Pandora sound even better now too! For CD's and Pandora if I really wanted to crank it, 30 was my usual volume level. Now I have to keep it to 25-26. FM at 30 sounds almost as good now. Makes me even more happy I installed the Kicker 6.5's!

Yep does work with crosstrek. Now I need the kicker upgrade or a great set of focals. Thanks again

What's the difference between 'wagon' mode and 'through mode' ? Do we need one for the other or..?

My phones seems to stream everything into my deck for me. I do not program anything into the deck. I don't believe the deck holds or stores contacts. However I could be wrong. Anyone know differently?

I was wondering the same thing do you have a video on how you set this up? please and thank you :)

Nice trick :) Is there a way to connect 2 bluetooth devices (one for call and one for audio) at the same time ? I want to use a phone for call and a portable dash mount tablet for audio/navigation/weather etc. The latter does not have the phone as feature. I have a Subaru Forester 2.0D SJ MY13. Thank you.

Worked on my impreza 08!!! So much better than normal!!! Thanks!

Do you have a video on that mic test you mentioned? I found this great video while looking for a way to turn up the mic.

sorry for such a late comment but do you think it would help with the stock sound system? like the normal sub it comes with

since the moment i picked up my 2015wrx i hated the stock unit and was trying to find a decent unit and then i found this video,, u just saved me some money , kudos bro

Thanks man awesome video. I got a '14 and I remember from my 05 WRX that the audio quality was sub-par (as is my '14 WRX). I don't have the sub by my music streamed from my phone is so dull. Can't wait to give it a try

Great results. Thanks for the great how to videos.

so is that only on radio or does it make a difference on playing cd as well?

Dude, this video changed my life!!!!

Thanks! And if it's in USB mode, I suppose it's still wagon mode the best?

I think that's the exact stereo in the 2013 crosstrek. It will help me out a Lot when I do my speaker upgrades. Thanks

Awesome video, helps A LOT! Thank you so much!

Thanks Bobby! I have the same stereo in my 2012 Forester and this helped!

Awesome. I went out and did this as soon as I saw your video.

Does this work on the foresters?

Awesome. Thank you. Most appreciated

Thanks. Just got a Touring 2012 model. Sound is so bad. Even my old Yaris 2007 is way better sounding. The video did help. Merci beaucoup Bobby.

dose it work for2008 wrx

I am so grateful to you and this viedo. I have a 2014 Impreza sport, great car, but the worst radio and speakers I have ever had. I am 66 and have had many cars in my time. I was ready to spend big buck, to remedy this problem.. Now I will not. Thanks Bobby, your the best.

Does this work 4 a wrx 08??

Awesome! Glad I could help.

Mind = Blown. I'm happy to hear you say it's not a bad stereo, because before even knowing this I thought just that. Don't get me wrong, it's not all that great but compared to other cars this one is pretty solid. I'm very happy with the Bluetooth operation. Every time I get in my car it starts my music via Bluetooth without fail, regardless of what model phone I have. From what I've noticed, that is a rare feature to come by. Good video bro!

Thanks so much for this video. My 2015 WRX Premium had NO bass at all, I was utterly disappointed. The loudness and through mode you explained are so helpful. I watched the video a little late though. I already ordered Pioneer AVHX5600BHS In-Dash DVD Player, Alpine SPR-60 6-1/2" Coaxial 2-Way Type-R Speakers for front and rear, and a Alpine PDX-F4 4/3/2 Power Density Digital Amplifier before I watched the video. I sure hope it sounds a lot better than stock with your optimizations or I am gonna be upset :)

Wow! Big difference! Great Vid! Worked Perfect on my 09 STI!

Thanks for sharing. Never knew these tweaks existed.

do you have a video on Mic testing my in car phone calls are terrible

thanks for the vid, really helped a lot (especially since my radio is installed in a 97 Legacy) :)

Big thanks for this. I was never happy with the stereo in my 2012 Forester when I got it. Friends even commented that it had potato speakers. Service crew at two Sub dealers said sorry nothing they can do. One even commented if you think yours is bad you should have heard the 2010. What kind of comment is that. Anyway this works and makes it more bearable until I upgrade I guess Cheers

Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

thanks for sharing. how did you find theses menus lol ?

Sweet now I can blow out the stock speakers!

I guess this is like what Jonathan Sutton asked... Do you know if there's an easy way to add names to the contacts? I have an iPhone which doesn't support sending contacts through bluetooth, so all I see are phone numbers, which of course I don't remember... Luckily I remember mine :)

Holy crap Most things today can blow your mind but this BLASTED MY MIND !

Bobby, you're the man. Can't wait to got try this now and hopefully be impressed. Thank you.

I have a base 2015 STi .... this just BLEW MY WORLD!!! My stock system was so horrid that I was embarassed to drive around with people in it. Now, it rocks! I dont think I even need to upgrade a thing. Shame on Subaru for sending cars out like that....THANK YOU BOBBY!!

Wonderfull my friend... Finally I have a real FM radio sound!!!

Great vid man. Helped a lot. Thanks dude!!

Glad I could help.

Doubt you know this cause you have the stock stereo but never hurts to ask.... Know anything about the nav unit settings? Any secrets to that as far as audio goes or good EQ settings? 2013 WRX Limited Hatch here

How do u reset the radio back to factory setting? I hate to keep going phone set up each time i use Bluetooth on my cell. It seems that they dont stay connected after i turn on and off the car.

Any idea how to access the secret menu on a 2016 7" Subaru Starlink Mulitmedia Navigation system?

Thanks man! This worked on my 13 WRX sedan.

Bro you are AMAZING! Just got a brand new Impreza with a different but very similar deck and OMG it sounded horrible like garbled noise even at fairly low volumes. The dealer said that was that so I was going to buy another deck and then I stumbled upon your video and you just saved me from buying a new deck. Now you wouldn't happen to have a video for when your iPhone won't reconnect on its own when the car starts would you? ;)

Very nice man! Worked on my 09 impreza. Was dissapointed on this audio system be4 this lil secret :D still needs sub..

Do you know if the stock stereo deck has RCA sub outputs built in? It appears to be the same deck shown in the video. I'd like to throw my old sub rig in my new impreza but don't want to change out the deck

Thanks Bobby, great info... will try it on my 2015 Subaru Forester, the radio sounds as bad as you describe. It's my wife's car and she hates the radio sound.

Dude!! I love you

You're awesome. I keep hearing how bad the stereo is but here are ways to make them better. Should be get a '14 wagon so ill use these tweeks

My pleasure

Makes a huge difference on CD's, SAT, or Bluetooth streaming music (Pandora) etc...

Thanks man gonna try that on my 13 Rex right now!

Thanks bro ! Wool hoooo

Do you know any other tweeks for this radio? I heard something about EQ but havnt found

Works on a 2010 base model Impressa - sounds great!

Nice, thanks for this video! My unit sounds a teensy bit better now thanks to these tweaks :) Now if I could only fix the BT metadata issues on Android I'd be all set.

Awesome video! Much appreciated.

You rock, dude!! This was priceless!! Cheers!! :)