Integration of an iPod in a 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i
My Impreza lease has to be transferred, click here for more info
Since we changed our 2002 Mazda Protegé ES (in which the iPod sounded great with my iTrip when I closed the car’s antenna) for a 2006 Subaru Impreza 2.5i wagon, I’ve been wondering on how to play my iPod in there…
The iPod sounds like total crap because of the in-rear-window antenna and there’s no aux-in jack (as there is on the 2007 model).
After some digging on the web and forums (thx to posters from nasioc.com and mostly i-club.com), I went looking in the right direction.
After talking to my dealer, a clerk at a local car radio shop, looking at the manual and finally taking out the radio, I confirmed that the stock CD player (not the changer) is a Clarion HU which happens to have a CeNET connector on the back.
I promptly ordered the Clarion EA-1251B from a local dealer and had it the next day. Installed the adapter the same night and it worked fine on the first try.
The sound quality is pretty good and I might go ahead and purchase the upgraded speaker kit to make the whole package sound even better.
All in all, there are only 2 downsides to this :
1-The ID3 tags are not visible on the stock player since it doesn’t support CDText functionality
2-Since the iPod is seen as CD Changer by the HU, it can only play either ALL Songs (in order or Shuffle) or 5 specially created playlists (clarion1 through clarion5 - in order or Shuffle)
So this means that you have no easy control over the current playing song unless you don’t have too many songs in your playlists (I have a full 60GB iPod…).
The 1 really nice thing (apart from the sound quality) is that the iPod is now completely controlled through the HU. You can install your iPod in the glove compartment if you like or in the center armrest or as I did, in the ashtray.
Here are the installation pictures for those interested.
November 15th, 2006 at 4:28 pm
nice pictures. I have the 6 cd changer, and considering adding an AUX-IN port.
November 28th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
I’ve been trying to figure this out to avail for many months.
April 15th, 2007 at 12:08 am
Nice write up. The pictures are quite helpful. My 2005 Impreza 2.5RS sedan has the same head unit. I like it because it does not confuse you with an over abundance of buttons. Adding my 8 gig Nano works well when treated as a head unit. I play it in random until I hear an artest that catches my fancy, then switch out of random to hear several other tunes by the same group. If I really want to play only one group I can use my computer to add it to one of the 5 play lists.
By the way, My nano fits just right in the arm rest with the cord plugged in. It snuggs up against a wall and you’d never know it was there.
Thanks!
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:03 pm
will this work for a zune?? what kind of adaptor connects to the HU? help please!
May 24th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Adam,
No, this will not work with a Zune unless Clarion makes an adapter compatible with the Zune. They used to make one which would give you an auxiliary input but I don’t think it’s available anymore…
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:15 pm
I have the exact model except my Subie is a 2007. Where did you buy the head unit? I was looking at frys.com and they have a similiar HU unit. Does it matter?
PS. your pictures ARE useful!
October 11th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
Will the ‘Clarion EA-1251B’ work with the latest nano (3rd generation) or has apple changed the interface (aka hook-up that actually hooks into the ipod itself)? If it works, can I listen to podcasts or will it only seek out music file?
October 11th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I have no idea… I’ll check around to see if somebody around me has a fat nano. I’ll send you an email if I have an answer.
For your podcast question, as long as they’re accessible in a playlist, you shouldn’t have a problem.
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Hi I just came across this and am wondering if you have any idea if the newer version of this Clarion has released, the CCA-Ipod, is compatible with the 2006 stereo. The website lists several model numbers and then all 07 models. If you even just know the model number of our unit that would help.
April 13th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Did you ever find out if this worked with the new 3rd generation nano? I’d like to do this with my ‘04 Subaru Impreza. Thanks.
April 13th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to test it with a more recent iPod… Nobody around me has a fat nano. Although a friend of mine just bought a 160GB iPod Classic… I guess if it works with that (I’m pretty sure it will), it should work with just about any iPod. Could try it with an iPhone and touch too…
But as I said earlier, there ARE a few disadvantages… It’s just that if there’s no other way, this is obviously good. I’d prefer another way myself, like having the iPod interface directly on a screen in my dash (quit dreaming!) but hey, it’s only a Subie!