Alpine Stereo Sound Disappointing

[c.schill]

That 's one of those mods where you need to start with a shot of whiskey.

This is the way.

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[ttn333]

I remember reading somewhere that you don't have to remove the whole dash. I'll have to track that instructions down. I'm pretty happy with the Terra acoustic in the dash and kickers in the soundbar. But I'm starting to think that they'll be a marked improvement with the knee speakers upgrade as well. I didn't think the kickers were going to make that big of a change and would pull the soundstage back behind me. That wasn't the case. I didn't have to adjust my fader at all. Although it was already set to be more forward a notch or too.

 

[bill61]

Not disassembling the dash so much would be great. I’ll have to look at mine, maybe they made the 2024 easier. There are a lot of changes to the 2024 so …. ?

 

[bill61]

I just watched a video on changing out the knee speakers of the 2024 JT. There is no way I am disassembling my dash to do that! I can imagine the rattling after you get it back together!
I changed my upper dash speakers and that was easy. I’m waiting on adapter cables for the soundbar speakers and then they’ll be changed out. I might upgrade the sub but it actually seems to do fine so I’ll listen a while to make that decision.

 

[bill61]

Well I installed Infinity speakers in the top of the dash and Kicker in the sound bar. I haven’t done the 4” Kickers in the soundbar as I’m waiting on the adapter harness. It is already sounding better.

 

[GCBurt]

My Gladiator came with the Premium Alpine Audio system, but I just replaced it with an Alpine i509-WRA-JL Multimedia Dash Restyle system. While at it, I had the front and overhead speakers replaced. I kept the Alpine subwoofer. I added a five-channel Alpine amplifier. I can finally hear the system going down the freeway at 75 MPH.

ALSO updated interior with a BANKS iDash and Pedal Monster. Next will be some under bumper fog lights.

 

[bill61]

I have the new ‘24 with the 12” screen. So replacing a head unit is not in the cards. I did replace the dash and overhead speakers and the sound improved considerably.
I could always hear it no problems. Just not like a set of headphones (like my JKURHR).

 

[gatorglenn]

I bought my 2021 Gladiator a few months ago with the premium Alpine system and it is lame. I plan to replace all of the speakers.
It looks like Terra Acoustic is out of business so I’ll probably go with some 6+1/2 components in front with the tweeters in the dash.
I will probably also go with 6+1/2 components in the roll bar.
i am looking at the Fox acoustic single 10 sub box for under the rear seat with an amp.
I sure hope I can get better sound quality.

 

[Jeepmonster]

Not sure if Terra Acoustics just rebranded themselves or if this is a completely different company, but Audio Uprising speakers look nearly identical (and same price).
https://audiouprising.com/products/...soundstage-speaker-upgrade-rubicon-red-accent

Edit: According to Google, Audio Uprising is the seller of Terra Acoustics products.

This is what I did, and every step made a huge difference to my stock 8.4 Alpine.

1. Replaced dash (top) with Kenwood KFC-X3C. Much better response to the highs.
2. Replaced soundbar speakers with Alpine SPV-65-JLT. Improved both highs and mids at higher volumes.
3. Replaced knee panel speakers with Metra housing and Alpine R-S65.2. Improved mids (less muddy). Taking dash apart wasn't as bad. Looks way more intimidating than it really is. The speakers are two way (has tweeters), but the signals going to those speakers are filtered (no highs). I learned that after installing.
4. Added a Kicker Comp RT10 subwoofer (custom enclosure under rear seat) and Kicker 46CXA8001 mono amp (800W). Big improvement to bass. I turned down the factory sub from the head unit (to flat/mid level), and control extra bass with the knob adjustment to the Kicker amp.
5. Replaced the Kenwood dash speakers with the Terra Acoustic. Even better (clearer) highs, and sounds more equallized. The colored trim rings were a waste of money. I got the red ones. They fade.

I think I'm done now. I'm sure better speakers will make incremental improvements.

 

[XraytecH]

I bought my 2021 Gladiator a few months ago with the premium Alpine system and it is lame. I plan to replace all of the speakers.
It looks like Terra Acoustic is out of business so I’ll probably go with some 6+1/2 components in front with the tweeters in the dash.
I will probably also go with 6+1/2 components in the roll bar.
i am looking at the Fox acoustic single 10 sub box for under the rear seat with an amp.
I sure hope I can get better sound quality.

Not sure if Terra Acoustics just rebranded themselves or if this is a completely different company, but Audio Uprising speakers look nearly identical (and same price).
https://audiouprising.com/products/...soundstage-speaker-upgrade-rubicon-red-accent

Just found out today that the founder of Terra Acoustics passed away at the end of 2024.

 

[CyberHero]

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.

I thought it was weaker too I’m constantly checking to see if I have the premium system lol

 

[bill61]

I couldn’t take it so I switched the upper dash speakers and soundbar speakers. I am still not completely happy though.
I will look into the subwoofer too. I found another thread that had recommendations but it doesn’t have recommendations for the subwoofer. So I will have to see if I can learn enough to pull that off. Lol
I am still impressed by the JKU Alpine system. The only thing I have been disappointed with in the Gladiator is the Alpine system. I guess I’m being kinda first world problem there. But I hop back into my JKU and notice the difference. BTW, I am not an audiophile by any stretch of the term either.

 

[Gatorized]

Have you checked if the JK speakers are different from the JT?
possible to retro fit to the JT?

 

[YGBSM]

Have you checked if the JK speakers are different from the JT?
possible to retro fit to the JT?

The dash tweeters are the same size in a 24 JL and JT. Not sure about the other speakers.

 

[Gatorized]

I couldn’t take it so I switched the upper dash speakers and soundbar speakers. I am still not completely happy though.
I will look into the subwoofer too. I found another thread that had recommendations but it doesn’t have recommendations for the subwoofer. So I will have to see if I can learn enough to pull that off. Lol
I am still impressed by the JKU Alpine system. The only thing I have been disappointed with in the Gladiator is the Alpine system. I guess I’m being kinda first world problem there. But I hop back into my JKU and notice the difference. BTW, I am not an audiophile by any stretch of the term either.

The dash tweeters are the same size in a 24 JL and JT. Not sure about the other speakers.

Sorry, the quote didn’t fill in. That was in reference to bill61’s reference to the JK speakers.

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