Calling all car audio nerds! - Value audio upgrade strategy for 2024 BASE stereo

[nolanick]

Hi Team -

shoot down my theory here:

I've got a 2024 with the BASE stereo. yes, it's horrendous.

I'm interested in doing the best sound upgrade as possible without wiring an amp (I leave the jeep open up all the time), and with zero visual indication that it's modified.

I understand the 4 speakers in the base stereo to be
8 ohm dash high frequency
2 ohm dash kick panel mid/low frequency
8 ohm soundbar high frequency
2 ohm sound bar mid/low frequency

please correct me if any of this is wrong - some folks say the kick panel and sound bar "bass" speakers are 4 ohm.

I'm planning to replace the upper dash 8 ohms with JL Audio c2-350x 4 ohms. I've been buying JL Audio with solid results for 30 years.

I'm planning to DISCONNECT the kick panel mid/low factory 2 ohms (and just leave them there)

I'm planning to replace the sound bar 2 ohm mid/bass with JL Audio c2-400x 4 ohms.

I'm planning to DISCONNECT the sound bar 8 ohm tweeters (and just leave them there)


my thinking is thus : I do not want to overload the internal head unit with multiple 4 ohm speakers, and honestly, can't imagine it could possibly drive two 4 ohms properly anyway.

focus the limited power on 2 sets of decent speakers. also this would spare me the headache of tearing apart the dash.

I know the base will be lacking, if it's intolerable, would consider adding a powered slim woofer under the passenger seat.

thoughts? advice?

thanks all!

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[ScottBeach]

Do you feel you will have good spacial coverage?

 

[Splenda]

The base audio system is embarrassing.

 

[nolanick]

Do you feel you will have good spacial coverage?

prolly not. but those upper dash speakers reflecting off the glass are right in your face....

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Why not add a small amp if you’re going to get nice JL speakers?

 

[nolanick]

Why not add a small amp if you’re going to get nice JL speakers?

Might have to, but would rather try to see if it’s possible to avoid the cost, complication, risk of theft etc

 

[red/green hawk]

I don't know if it's changed from 2020, but all factory, non-alpine speakers are 4 ohms. I though the Alpine speakers were 3 ohms (could be wrong on this). But like mentioned above, install an amp or else you just have a crappy stereo pushing good speakers. IMO all pieces need to be replaced and upgraded to get a better system and sound.

 

[nolanick]

UPDATE

I CONFIRMED using a multimeter the 4 speakers in the base stereo to be
8 ohm dash high frequency
4 ohm dash kick panel mid/low frequency
8 ohm soundbar high frequency
4 ohm sound bar mid/low frequency

I replaced all with Jl audio C2-350 and C2-400 coaxials. The sound quality increase is remarkable. I may add a cheap underseat powered sub but this will likely do for quite some time. The ohm load is a bit harder on the amp (stock load is 2.67 ohm and now is 2 ohm) but no problems or over heatin, and minimal distortion.

for ~550 bucks and a couple hours of install (much less if you skip the lock panels) this is a solid solution imho.

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