Base vs Alpine

[JKLivin833]

Hi all,

I’ve owned 2 JKs and the base sound systems were horrible. The Alpine was leagues better. I was wondering what the experience is now with the base system vs the Alpine. I’m not looking to blow the doors off, I just want good quality that I can hear with a top down on the interstate. I’m trying to decide if I should let having the Alpine system vs not having it be a deciding factor. Thanks.

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[Alabama Mud Machine]

For what it's worth...Get the Alpine and the 8.4" Navi screen. It's worth the $1,700 upgrade.

I've never owned a vehicle that I didn't want to immediately change out the head unit, and speakers in. That included my 2017 Mustang GT Performance Pack...Which had decent speakers, just the crappy 4" screen head unit was garbage and basically useless.

This Jeep/Alpine setup is amazing! Sounds amazing, the screen is awesome, the navigation is awesome (and with a Tazer JL Mini, you can input addresses while driving down the road ), the features it has is mind-blowing, and I love the fact that the 8.4" system (not sure of other models) has the "Screen Off" button, where you can turn the screen off at night so you can really see around you. I use it pretty much anytime it's dark outside and I'm driving, because I have an astigmatism, along with welding for 2/3 of my life, means that bright lights REALLY screw with my eyes.

Trust me, it's worth the money. You'd spend $1,700 easily trying to upgrade the stock stereo to sound like it, or function like it. Hell, most aftermarket 8"+ Navigation head units cost $1,500+ by themselves.

 

[JKLivin833]

For what it's worth...Get the Alpine and the 8.4" Navi screen. It's worth the $1,700 upgrade.

I've never owned a vehicle that I didn't want to immediately change out the head unit, and speakers in. That included my 2017 Mustang GT Performance Pack...Which had decent speakers, just the crappy 4" screen head unit was garbage and basically useless.

This Jeep/Alpine setup is amazing! Sounds amazing, the screen is awesome, the navigation is awesome (and with a Tazer JL Mini, you can input addresses while driving down the road ), the features it has is mind-blowing, and I love the fact that the 8.4" system (not sure of other models) has the "Screen Off" button, where you can turn the screen off at night so you can really see around you. I use it pretty much anytime it's dark outside and I'm driving, because I have an astigmatism, along with welding for 2/3 of my life, means that bright lights REALLY screw with my eyes.

Trust me, it's worth the money. You'd spend $1,700 easily trying to upgrade the stock stereo to sound like it, or function like it. Hell, most aftermarket 8"+ Navigation head units cost $1,500+ by themselves.

Thanks AMM. I don’t mind paying for the alpine, I just don’t want the other stuff many Rubicons are built with. I’m looking for Gobi, White, or Sting Gray with Premium Soft, Auto, and alpine. That’s so hard to find. Found one with everything but Alpine, so I was wondering if alpine should be a deal breaker.

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

You called me AMM...Usually only people over on CumminsForum.com know me by that name, and call me that. You wouldn't happen to be a member there, as well? If so, it's good to see a familiar face.

I'd consider the no-Alpine a deal-breaker, personally, having owned one with it, and knowing how awesome it is. But that's just me. I can't tell anyone else how to spend their own money, but I can help recommend things that I think are worth the investment, money, or upgrade.

 

[JKLivin833]

You called me AMM...Usually only people over on CumminsForum.com know me by that name, and call me that. You wouldn't happen to be a member there, as well? If so, it's good to see a familiar face.

I'd consider the no-Alpine a deal-breaker, personally, having owned one with it, and knowing how awesome it is. But that's just me. I can't tell anyone else how to spend their own money, but I can help recommend things that I think are worth the investment, money, or upgrade.

Haha , I’m not, I’m just lazy. It was way easier than typing the whole name out. Haha. Thanks again!

 

[Renegade]

Thanks AMM. I don’t mind paying for the alpine, I just don’t want the other stuff many Rubicons are built with. I’m looking for Gobi, White, or Sting Gray with Premium Soft, Auto, and alpine. That’s so hard to find. Found one with everything but Alpine, so I was wondering if alpine should be a deal breaker.

That’s exactly how I felt. I ordered mine with 8.4 Alpine, automatic, and hard tip as the only options (they forced bedliner on me, but I like it). I would definitely build it the same way given the opportunity. Do it!

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

That’s exactly how I felt. I ordered mine with 8.4 Alpine, automatic, and hard tip as the only options (they forced bedliner on me, but I like it). I would definitely build it the same way given the opportunity. Do it!

Yeah, my wife loved that option, too...

 

[Renegade]

Yeah, my wife loved that option, too...

Oops! Your wife was the reason I ordered it...

 

[Alabama Mud Machine]

Oops! Your wife was the reason I ordered it...

Not cool man...

 

[Renegade]

Not cool man...

Just funnin around. I don’t even know your wife. Now your mom on the other hand...

 

[JBuckeye81]

Thanks AMM. I don’t mind paying for the alpine, I just don’t want the other stuff many Rubicons are built with. I’m looking for Gobi, White, or Sting Gray with Premium Soft, Auto, and alpine. That’s so hard to find. Found one with everything but Alpine, so I was wondering if alpine should be a deal breaker.

I recently purchased a JT Rubicon equipped only with the premium soft top + auto transmission options. So, my vehicle came with the 7 inch standard UConnect radio. All I can say is, I was surprised how good it sounded. For me, the Alpine would not be a dealbreaker, because the noise level with a soft top doesn’t want itself to high fidelity sound.

 

[WXman]

Hi all,

I’ve owned 2 JKs and the base sound systems were horrible. The Alpine was leagues better. I was wondering what the experience is now with the base system vs the Alpine. I’m not looking to blow the doors off, I just want good quality that I can hear with a top down on the interstate. I’m trying to decide if I should let having the Alpine system vs not having it be a deciding factor. Thanks.

I've had both of the new systems back to back. Alpine has a little bit more thump but otherwise sounds exactly the same. NOT worth $1,300 or whatever it is on today's order sheet but I would pay $250 or so for it.

 

[jurfie]

I've had both of the new systems back to back. Alpine has a little bit more thump but otherwise sounds exactly the same. NOT worth $1,300 or whatever it is on today's order sheet but I would pay $250 or so for it.

Dang, I was just playing around on the US build-and-price tool (which has a WAAAY better visualizer than the Canadian version, BTW) and see that the Alpine upgrade is $1,295. With the 8.4 it is $1,845! In Canada, the 8.4 is a $1,395 ($981 USD) with the Alpine upgrade. The Alpine upgrade alone is $695 ($489 USD). Crazy that it costs so much more down there.

 

[Puttyandnapalm]

FWIW, I think the alpine sounds great, but needed some more bass. Nothing to be heard all the way down the road, but some more thump. Many, including myself, have added a sub.

but audio can always be tinkered with. I’d say don’t let it hold you back.

 

[Dave S]

I recently purchased a JT Rubicon equipped only with the premium soft top + auto transmission options. So, my vehicle came with the 7 inch standard UConnect radio. All I can say is, I was surprised how good it sounded. For me, the Alpine would not be a dealbreaker, because the noise level with a soft top doesn’t want itself to high fidelity sound.

I have had the alpine in some of my vehicles. Great sound. My last vehicle was a 2000 tj. Never used the radio. Sucked and the road noise was never worth Turing it up. I have the base radio and I guess it is all relative but it sounds great

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