Speaker upgrades?

[brancky3]

Has anyone upgraded speakers yet? I'm assuming all speakers are the same size as the JL but can't confirm that anywhere... I'm debating if I should just replace the tweeters (top of dash and in sound bar) or go with a full component setup.

I have a small powered subwoofer already installed but also have a small 4 channel Alpine amp that I could install with aftermarket speakers.

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[Puttyandnapalm]

Been wondering this myself. I feel like $1300 (really $1600 since I’d go for the 8.4) for the alpine system would go a long way in aftermarket options.

 

[brancky3]

Been wondering this myself. I feel like $1300 (really $1600 since I’d go for the 8.4) for the alpine system would go a long way in aftermarket options.

You can get the 8.4 for less than $1k and install yourself; even the leftover $600 goes pretty far aftermarket!

 

[Puttyandnapalm]

Found this thread on the wrangler forum

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/speaker-replacement-upgrade.20561/

 

[J_low]

i did the loaded sound bar from ds18

 

[brancky3]

i did the loaded sound bar from ds18

Interesting, have any pics?

 

[Puttyandnapalm]

Played around on Crutchfield for the wrangler and came up with
Infinity Reference REF-3032cfx
3-1/2" 2-way car speakers - corner dash - $90

RetroSound R-452N
4" 2-way speakers - roll bar - $81

Focal Integration ISC 100
4" 2-way car speakers - roll bar tweeters - $80

Focal Integration ISC 100
4" 2-way car speakers - knee panel - $80


Comes out to $330ish and includes wiring connectors, etc.

If I end up with a base stereo 5”, I would upgrade to the
Linkswell
2018-2019 Jeep Wrangler JL 8.4″ Android Tablet Radio Replacement for $800. Includes 4X45 internal amp for the speakers and 2 rcas.

 

[spazzyfry123]

You can get the 8.4 for less than $1k and install yourself; even the leftover $600 goes pretty far aftermarket!

Not to mention the money you'd make back selling the 7". This is my ultimate plan, but going to see how it does with the base system first.

 

[J_low]

I will take some pics when I get back from work next week

 

[NewtoJeep88]

Has anyone upgraded speakers yet? I'm assuming all speakers are the same size as the JL but can't confirm that anywhere... I'm debating if I should just replace the tweeters (top of dash and in sound bar) or go with a full component setup.

I have a small powered subwoofer already installed but also have a small 4 channel Alpine amp that I could install with aftermarket speakers.

Ok, so I’ve never done any of this before and never been on a forum so I apologize upfront for anything that is out of line. I found this thread about a month ago and after....about a month just finished upgrading all my speakers and installed a powered sub. When I say I’ve never done anything like this before that is more of what I am getting at, I know nothing about car audio. With that said there is no doubt in my mind I got extremely lucky but this is what worked for me.
I have the sport edition w the 7” screen and no subwoofer in the back ( I know this for sure bc I pulled the back seat and panel and there was no sub. Not wanting to install an amp I figured I would change all the speakers and see what the factory radio was capable of. I installed the Mopar Dodge Dart (literally plug and play) 3 1/2” speakers in the dash and sound bar where the tweeters were. I used JBL GX402 in the knee speaker boxes and the sound bar. I did install sound deadening mat and poly fill in the knee boxes and sound bar. I needed to get 4 sets of the 72-6514 speaker harnesses to plug into the back of the JBLs which in turn plugged into the Jeep. I did have to use a Dremel to open up the 4” holes for the speakers and use self tapping screws to get the speakers into the sound bar, the factory speakers only had 3 screws and the magnet was smaller. That by itself was a big improvement and after turning the treble all the way down I was able to play it pretty loud and still get relatively good sound quality.
From there I added the JBL BassPro SL under their passenger seat. I got the unit, amp wiring kit and 2 channel line output converter from a big box store around my house, they claim to have the “Best Buy’s” around. The only thing I didn’t really know how to do was how to tie the sub into the system, so after many videos and as I mentioned before, a lot of luck I went to drop the sound bar again and when I disconnected the plug going to the sound bar I saw my answer. I ran 4 lines, one from each of the following wires: right sound bar speaker +dark green/light green - dark green/grey, left sound bar speaker +gray/light green - gray/dark green. I will try and add a picture but I just used the blue quick splice connectors. Ran all 4 wires (2 right and 2 left)down the passenger side trim, behind the seatbelt and out the bottom by the passenger seat floor. From there I just had to hook each wire to the appropriate line out converter box using wire nuts and I was tied into the system. I then grounded the line out converter and the power supply to the sub using the grounding nut under the seat. At this point I ran the power to the sub and a separate wire for the remote on the sub out the drain plug hole and up to my battery. I tied the power cable into the battery itself and the “REM” cable into a 6 panel power switch I had to control other lights and such, as far as I can tell the REM just needs some type of power going to it in order for the sub to turn on using this particular in line converter, it looks like other in line converters may have a wire to sense noise but mine did not so I had to run this second line to the sub. Once everything was hooked up somehow it all worked and it sounds amazing, at volume 22 it’s almost too loud, and the quality is very acceptable to me I did take some pics and video I’m trying to get up on YouTube but I wanted to post this here first as it was my original inspiration and a lot of help. I believe I said everything I used and hope I explained everything but if you have any questions and I can figure out how to use this forum I would be happy to help. Hope this helps and good luck, the whole thing cost less then 600$ and I think was well worth it!!

 

[NC_Overland]

The Alpine system sounds amazing, its arguably my favorite upgrade and I wouldn't change a thing. I have had my share of luxury vehicles with upgraded factory sound and it rivals the best I've had. I've also had several vehicles where I replaced everything and spent a lot of time and money replacing all of the speakers and wiring and adding amps and subs. Other than being louder and more bass this sounds just as good as any of the systems that I've installed, if not better than some I've had.

 

[NewtoJeep88]

The Alpine system sounds amazing, its arguably my favorite upgrade and I wouldn't change a thing. I have had my share of luxury vehicles with upgraded factory sound and it rivals the best I've had. I've also had several vehicles where I replaced everything and spent a lot of time and money replacing all of the speakers and wiring and adding amps and subs. Other than being louder and more bass this sounds just as good as any of the systems that I've installed, if not better than some I've had.

I agree, I have heard it and think it sounds great. Along w a few others I’ve heard is what finally convinced me to upgrade. Having never done anything like this before I’m sure it would have been a lot easier as well. I’m glad you are happy w what you have, I am guessing that’s the idea. At this point I am hoping to keep all my trim pieces in place and enjoy!

 

[NC_Overland]

I agree, I have heard it and think it sounds great. Along w a few others I’ve heard is what finally convinced me to upgrade. Having never done anything like this before I’m sure it would have been a lot easier as well. I’m glad you are happy w what you have, I am guessing that’s the idea. At this point I am hoping to keep all my trim pieces in place and enjoy!

I'm glad you have good results and are very pleased with the. The really cool thing is your research will help others in the future.

 

[peteawalk]

Found these speaker enclosures from Metra to convert front knee speakers to 6" - 675" speakers... http://www.metraonline.com/part/JP-1014

 

[e36racer]

I've been installing high end car stereo systems as a hobby since the mid-90's, and I didn't hesitate to check the Alpine speaker box when I ordered mine. I'm very happy with that decision. I completely agree with NC_Overland's statement that it sounds better than the premium HK systems that have been in my BMWs. From my experience in the car stereo hobby I can assure you that to build a system that sounds equally as good, or better, will most likely cost more than the $1,400 Alpine upgrade. Is it possible to build a setup for less money that is louder, absolutely. However, it will not sound as good and for me the sound quality is more important than overall volume. They really did an impressive job on it and to mirror the results for the same money, or less, would be a challenge.

Think about it, a good sub alone is at least $400, then the box materials are another $50-75 depending on what kind of enclosure you build. A decent amp to run just a single sub is another $250 or so. And add another $100 for RCA cables, power cables, harness adapters for the factory stereo wiring, etc. and your talking around $800 just for a good sub (good sub = sounds good musically with various genres, gets loud without distorting and is equal volume across the capable frequency range). Plus you will probably have 10 hours invested in buying materials, building the box and installing it.

Now lets get to the speakers, your not getting away with JBL, Kicker, Fosgate, DS18 (total garbage IMO), etc., if you want it to sound as good as the Alpine setup, so break out your debit card. You will also need an amp to power them. And don't forget rca cables, wiring, harness adapters, etc. So the speakers all said and done are another grand, at a minimum. And again, don't forget about your time to buy all this stuff and install it, probably another 10 hours.

That leaves us at a minimum of $1,800 in parts and 20 hours of your time. Don't forget to add a half of a weeks paycheck to that amount, and that's the true cost of doing a DIY stereo install that will meet or exceed the performance of the factory Alpine system.

My disclaimer on the DS18 stuff - Let me start with the fact I live in Miami and every show-off mall crawler and their cousin has the entire rear of a JLU filled with DS18 stuff like they are hosting a Pitbull concert in the parking lot. With that said, I've heard dozens if over the top DS18 systems that these dudes probably have $10k+ wrapped up in. The annoying part is when you get 2 or 3 of them together, and they all blast different songs at the same time. Do they produce a clear sound with minimal distortion at high volume, absolutely. Do they get loud? Loud enough to literally make your ears bleed. But they all sound like garbage. Tons of bass, enough treble that makes it feel like you are stabbing your ears with an ice pick, but the mids are incomplete and the imaging is almost nonexistent. I don't know if they don't consider the frequency ranges of the speakers they use when building a system but to me they all sound like there is large frequency gaps in the mid range, and I don't think they have ever heard of imaging. And that is what makes them sound like crap, the music/sound is not complete. It doesn't have the warmness to it that a good Hi-Fi system has. Best way I can describe it, a DS18 system sounds like a boat. If you want to host a local music festival with just your Jeep, DS18 is the way to go. If you truly enjoy listening to music, I'd look somewhere else.

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