Easiest Amp Addition

[mstrpoz]

I have been doing some searching and am more confused now haha.

Simply put, I have upgraded the dash and soundbar speakers to the Kenwood Excelon KFC-X3C and am still not satisfied with the sound level, especially once the doors and roof start to come off.

I have the stock 7" screen without the Alpine upgrade.

What is the easiest way to add an amplifier to provide more power to the upgraded speakers resulting in more loudness?

I've seen I need a PAC AmpPRO AP4-CH41 and/or a AudioControl LC2i PRO to pair with a new amplifier. Are all 3 required or just a combination of an amp and one of the others?


I am far from an audio expert, and this is the most i've had to do to a stock sound system in my 20 years of driving. I guess i've been blessed over the years that most of my vehicles had the upgraded options from the factory. What is the easiest and most cost effective way to make this system louder?


Secondly, I will likely want to add a powered sub like the Kicker 46HS10 - does this play into the required components above in any way or is this an easy addition down the line once i do the amp upgrade?

I know there are a ton of threads out there, but being so ignorant with car audio I really need this simplified without room for interpretation.

Thanks in advance!!

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[Kevin_D]

I've upgraded my speakers to those Kenwoods, and the stock amplifier easily drives them to distortion (yes, the speakers, not the amplifier.)
So be aware that a higher-powered amplifier may require another speaker upgrade, and it probably won't be as simple as swapping them out.

Kevin

 

[mstrpoz]

I've upgraded my speakers to those Kenwoods, and the stock amplifier easily drives them to distortion (yes, the speakers, not the amplifier.)
So be aware that a higher-powered amplifier may require another speaker upgrade, and it probably won't be as simple as swapping them out.

Kevin

I was under the impression i did not have an amplifier as I do not have the Alpine system.

 

[Kevin_D]

I was under the impression i did not have an amplifier as I do not have the Alpine system.

The stock amplifier in the radio...

Kevin

 

[jcarbs]

I added a - Kenwood - 400W Class D Bridgeable Multichannel Amplifier - after changing my OEM speakers to Kickers. I have no issues hearing the radio with my freedom panels off and with all the windows open. I have the same 7" Mopar radio and didn't have to do anything else.

 

[mstrpoz]

I added a - Kenwood - 400W Class D Bridgeable Multichannel Amplifier - after changing my OEM speakers to Kickers. I have no issues hearing the radio with my freedom panels off and with all the windows open. I have the same 7" Mopar radio and didn't have to do anything else.

Do you have a link for the AMP? Did you use any of those amplifier interface modules? How did you wire the amp in?

 

[jcarbs]

Do you have a link for the AMP? Did you use any of those amplifier interface modules? How did you wire the amp in?

Got it at Best Buy and they installed the speakers and the amp. Kenwood has upgraded the one I have so here's the link from Best Buy https://www.bestbuy.com/site/kenwoo...able-crossovers-black/6330250.p?skuId=6330250

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I've upgraded my speakers to those Kenwoods, and the stock amplifier easily drives them to distortion (yes, the speakers, not the amplifier.)
So be aware that a higher-powered amplifier may require another speaker upgrade, and it probably won't be as simple as swapping them out.

Kevin

The stock amplifier in the radio...

Kevin

You have distortion because you do not have enough power.

 

[Kevin_D]

You have distortion because you do not have enough power.

The speaker cones hitting the speaker frames is not from lack of amplifier power.
Could it be caused by clipping in the amplifier? Sure, but when I test with large speakers, the amplifier isn’t clipping at the power level that causes speaker distortion with the Kenwoods.

Kevin

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

The speaker cones hitting the speaker frames is not from lack of amplifier power.
Could it be caused by clipping in the amplifier? Sure, but when I test with large speakers, the amplifier isn’t clipping at the power level that causes speaker distortion with the Kenwoods.

Kevin

I don’t think the head unit is capable of putting out enough power to over power Kenwood speakers. Maybe 15-20w going to each speaker?

 

[mstrpoz]

Any other help out there?

 

[ShawnL]

I upgraded all of my speakers and added a Sub and a AudioControl LC 5-1300( installed unde front seat on stinger mount. I used a PAC solely to avoided cutting into factory harness. I also ran all new heavy gauge speaker wire.

 

[mstrpoz]

So I chatted with a local audio shop and was blown away by pricing. See below full replacement vs just adding an amp - Does this sound in line?


Full replacement/upgrade without changing the existing headunit out has you around $5775
Full replacement/upgrade WITH new Kenwood headunit has you around $6645

Keep in mind these builds are FULL replacements/upgrades.

Equipment that I have selected for the build as follows

Focal front and rear overhead speakers
JL Audio Stealthbox 2-10" subwoofers (600watt RMS)
Jl Audio Amplifiers - (1) XDM600/1 (subwoofer amplifier) (1)RD400/4 (4channel full range amplifier)
Custom vehicle speaker pods for the front and overhead speaker upgrades.
Vehicle specific underseat amplifier mounting racks(2) 1 per side, Vehicle specific dual fuse holder for underhood.
All applicable wiring, parts, and interfacing.
The Kenwood unit is the DMX809S


After receiving the above quotes I asked about jsut adding the amp and this is the result:

If we go with a 4 channel amp($379.99)
The vehicle specific interface(299.99)
Speaker pods for the larger overhead speakers and larger knee area speakers(228.98)
Labor and wiring($599.99)
That puts us at $1508.95, and keep in mind that does not include the speakers. So it does add up quick.

 

[Gossamer]

I have been doing some searching and am more confused now haha.

Simply put, I have upgraded the dash and soundbar speakers to the Kenwood Excelon KFC-X3C and am still not satisfied with the sound level, especially once the doors and roof start to come off.

I have the stock 7" screen without the Alpine upgrade.

What is the easiest way to add an amplifier to provide more power to the upgraded speakers resulting in more loudness?

I've seen I need a PAC AmpPRO AP4-CH41 and/or a AudioControl LC2i PRO to pair with a new amplifier. Are all 3 required or just a combination of an amp and one of the others?


I am far from an audio expert, and this is the most i've had to do to a stock sound system in my 20 years of driving. I guess i've been blessed over the years that most of my vehicles had the upgraded options from the factory. What is the easiest and most cost effective way to make this system louder?


Secondly, I will likely want to add a powered sub like the Kicker 46HS10 - does this play into the required components above in any way or is this an easy addition down the line once i do the amp upgrade?

I know there are a ton of threads out there, but being so ignorant with car audio I really need this simplified without room for interpretation.

Thanks in advance!!

Here is what I did.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...r-non-alpine-systems.59375/page-4#post-980985

 

[Neushane]

If you add an amp and lower your bass settings in the head unit, you will be a lot happier with your setup. I just did the same thing and it's night and day with added bass.

Check the polarity on all speaker adapters if you used them. Add poly-fil to the speaker pods and add some sound deadening to the sound bar as well.

Buy your LOC. I got this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000K50HJY?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

I added a 6.5" sub to maintain my under seat storage when I need it but I also have a larger box with (2) 8" subs for when I don't need storage. Both are very good setups. I will eventually add another 4 channel amp for the highs but I am satisfied for now (both with top on and off).

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