The people at Subaru are a funny lot. They sell the public a $40K car with a storming engine, sublime handling and four wheel drive worthy of Vermont winter - and compliment the package with a second rate audio system and speakers made of bubblegum. So it is with my 2009 WRX STI. What were they thinking?

Enter the folks at 201 Motoring. My remit for Frankie was make things better within financial reason. I have no need to set off car alarms as I drive by but I would like to hear the highs and lows of an iPod playlist and have access to all the latest streaming services such as MOG and Pandora. The first thing I got was not a shopping list of equipment to fill a budget but a thoughtful thirty minute discussion on my musical tastes, lifestyle and practical considerations I am a part-time ski instructor and need space for skis and boots. A plan of action was soon sketched out that included a Kenwood head unit, speaker replacement, sub-woofer in the trunk and discreetly placed amp. In addition and given the acoustic qualities of the WRX, Dynamat was added to the list.

A few days later the car was transformed and the audio experience improved way beyond my expectations. Frankies team did a superb job and the installation was completed with care and efficiency. What I did not expect was the amount of system set-up time they were prepared to spend to ensure the components produced a sound greater than the sum of the parts. This attention to detail was impressive and 201 Motoring has changed my view of what a well set-up audio system can sound like - I now find myself making excuses to pop out for long drives.

I have no hesitation in recommending the work of Frankie and the guys. You will not be disappointed.