Alpine Stereo Sound Disappointing

[bill61]

Hello all, I have a question.
I have a brand new Gladiator with the Alpine Premium Stereo System. I’ll say that I am pretty disappointed with the sound quality. Do the speakers have to break in??
I also have a JKU with the Alpine Stereo System and it sounds like a set of headphones. There are a few songs I that I’ve played through it and heard details that I never noticed before.
It is an amazing system so you can imagine I am a bit disappointed that my brand new system is not nearly the same quality sound.

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[KevinC]

Did you buy your JKU new? I've owned a JK with the Alpine Premium and it sounded pretty terrible. I replaced some of the speakers and it was a little better.

Your 2024 JT system is not going to be much better until you start replacing the cheap speakers with a quality name brand company. I put Infinity Kappa's in mine and the quality is night and day.

 

[bill61]

I’ll have to start searching speakers then. The difference is too much to accept.
Thanks for the tip. I’ve always heard good things about Infinity.

 

[ErylFlynn]

It is all relative, I am coming from an old JKU base package. Compared to what I had in that it is amazing.

 

[bill61]

Well, I tweaked the equalizer a little more and it isn’t as bad. I don’t think it’s as good as my JKU Alpine system sound but is it bad enough to start replacing speakers??? I’ll give it a few months of listening.

 

[c.schill]

I put these in the dash corners in mine, and it significantly improved the quality up front.

Infinity Reference REF307F Reference Series 3-1/2" 2-way car speakers at Crutchfield

I have these on the way currently, to try to improve the sound bar quality a little.

Kicker KS Plug & Play Speaker Pods Upgrade | '18-'23 JL/ '20-'23 JT — trailseven.com

I can come back here and update you once I get those in and see how they sound.

 

[MSFTMatt]

I put these in the dash corners in mine, and it significantly improved the quality up front.

Infinity Reference REF307F Reference Series 3-1/2" 2-way car speakers at Crutchfield

I have these on the way currently, to try to improve the sound bar quality a little.

Kicker KS Plug & Play Speaker Pods Upgrade | '18-'23 JL/ '20-'23 JT — trailseven.com

I can come back here and update you once I get those in and see how they sound.

I'll be stoked on the update. I put the same as you in my dash, very curious about the sounbar.

 

[DBravo]

I have no complaints with the Alpine Premium system in my 2020 Gladiator Overland (purchased new). Bass punch will diminish as soon as you add a soft top or open the roof, etc - but overall pleased for what it is. I normally don't run the volume over 15. I can hear the music and feel the bass clearly unless on the hwy with the roof open of off.

 

[c.schill]

I'll be stoked on the update. I put the same as you in my dash, very curious about the sounbar.

Will definitely update. I went back and forth for several weeks on options for the sound bar. Finally decided I didn't want to deal with the options that involve cutting into the plastic, so this seemed like the best choice. Mixed reviews out there on it, but I get the feeling they'll be just enough improvement to satisfy the casual listener.

 

[bill61]

@c.schill looking forward to an update.
I adjusted the equalizer and was really disappointed but then went in today and adjusted some more and it is pretty decent. But in all honesty my 2016 JKU Alpine system is the best I’ve ever heard in an automobile. So I had expected this 2024 to be the same.
I went to the thread on speakers and most of the combo (?) replacements for the soundbar are for 2023 and earlier (I just bought a 2024). So it seems single speaker replacements will be my choices.

 

[HorsesRear]

I think mine sounds pretty good. It even sounded better after taking the mud tires off.

 

[papabear_va]

I had an Alpine system in my 2013 RAM 1500 and it sounded great. Just purchased a 2024 Gladiator Rubicon X with the Alpine speakers and they sound great to me, although it didn't have a subwoofer like my RAM. For a difference, my RAM had to be at 15 to enjoy the music. In my JT it's between 8 and 10.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Disappointed? I have the stock 8 speakers without the Alpine option, the 12.3 touch screen and everything else but the speakers are a work fantastic, the sound is clear and bright, but little bass or actual volume. Granted there’s no distortion even at full volume, but it’s tough to hear when windows are open, never mind the top open! So what’s the best choice for improving the bass/volume, for the least $$ as possible.

 

[bill61]

I had an Alpine system in my 2013 RAM 1500 and it sounded great. Just purchased a 2024 Gladiator Rubicon X with the Alpine speakers and they sound great to me, although it didn't have a subwoofer like my RAM. For a difference, my RAM had to be at 15 to enjoy the music. In my JT it's between 8 and 10.

The subwoofer is behind the rear seat in the middle from what I understand. I see a box there, but didn’t investigate any further.

 

[bill61]

Disappointed? I have the stock 8 speakers without the Alpine option, the 12.3 touch screen and everything else but the speakers are a work fantastic, the sound is clear and bright, but little bass or actual volume. Granted there’s no distortion even at full volume, but it’s tough to hear when windows are open, never mind the top open! So what’s the best choice for improving the bass/volume, for the least $$ as possible.

I read this thread…

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...g-help-with-an-upgrade-to-the-soundbar.90279/

and decided to go with replacing the 4” speakers in the soundbar as a starting point if I can’t get better sound. They say that gets more volume and sound quality. Next I’ll switch out the 3 1/2” in the sound bar. If I still feel the need I’ll switch out the dash speakers.
I’m still messing with the equalizer for sound improvements to try and avoid replacing speakers. I only have 250 miles on my 2024 Gladiator so still fine tuning.

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