Usually aftermarket speakers do a better job, as per the typical wisdom.
I'm not sure if it still holds these days or not? But the rule of thumb
has been go aftermarket with audio for years. Just check out the prices
at a typical audio shop and compare it with the Subaru option.

    Yousuf Khan

I haven't made any upgrades myself, but after having a speaker replaced
under warranty for buzzing at loud levels I was told by the salesman to
consider aftermarket speakers. I think Soobs are known for minimal
quality/features stock audio. This was an 06 - maybe 09 is better?

Carl

Hi Joe,

My $.02:
My experience of my 1999 Forester S with the powered subwoofer and
tweeter option is that I'm pleased with the sound. It has more bottom
than what it would have without the sub and the tweeters do add
definition and sparkle to the high end. The subwoofer has a pair of
fairly-difficult-to-reach pots to tweak the crossover frequency and the
level, if one wants that degree of control.

I don't believe that the system has the power to fracture the windows
with bass or to ultrasonically weld the cupholder shut with treble.
You'd have to go aftermarket for those features. It does sound nice to
my ears at moderate levels. Of course, evaluating audio involves a fair
amount of subjectivity as well as a sense of how good is good enough for
your own satisfaction.

I imagine that you could achieve similar improvements to the sound in
your Subie at competitive prices from the aftermarket sector. I wonder
how the pricing stacks up between Subaru equipment and aftermarket when
the installation cost is considered?

Thanks to all for the input,
I decided to add the sub and tweeter kit. Picking up the car on Wed. I'll
let you all know my my thoughts on the sound.

Regards.