Kicker speaker upgrade in the roll bar

[Zachanadandy]

I actually asked Kicker about this when I called, because I too remember that some amps will allow bridging, but normally that means going from a 4ch to a 2ch as seen here
"Power:
(@14.4V, <1%THD+N) 4Ω Stereo 65W x 4 Power
(@14.4V, <1%THD+N) 2Ω Stereo 90W x 4 Power
(@14.4V, <1%THD+N) 4Ω Bridged 180W x 2 Lowest Rated Impedance (Amp 1 & 2) 2Ω Stereo / 4Ω Bridged"

Notice how you CAN run EITHER 4ch@2ohm OR 4ch@4ohm OR 2ch@2ohm OR 2ch@4ohm, but not 4ch@ 2ohm AND 4ohm simultaneously. Kicker confirmed (with their amps anyways) that only their LX1300.7 is designed for a split speaker setup and why they have a 3rd full range speaker/tweeter amp at a lower rms output while working at a different load, similar to how the sub channel/amp can run at 1ohm while speakers are at 2/4ohm (speaker amps 1/2 at same load).

So CAN you run them at different loads, apparently. Should you, or is the amp designed to...according to Kicker for their amps, generally NO. Maybe I'll call during the week and double check, because I've been misinformed before

Weirdly most of the kicker 4ch amps don't offer 3ch mode so maybe it's something they do internally that doesn't work. Seems weird that the 2chs tied to their own inputs, outputs, fuses, and crossovers would be at all affected by the other 2 though. Of course if I'm selling you an amp you can't use the $200 version, you NEED this $800 amp.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

I've actually been reading that members who use acoustic dampening materials in the JT don't really notice much difference in outside noise reduction compared to sealing off any leaky spots (some say there's a spot below the windshield near the door that makes a good difference, others suggest headliners instead) and the weight added mixed with the cost of materials, I personally don't think it's worth the effort, especially if you actually get your truck dirty/wet on a trail/in the weather.
- And this is coming from a guy who normally would suggest dampening materials (albeit the lower cost stuff works almost as good as the "here's a finger" expensive), and used it in a rally car to reduce rock sounds during a stage.

Polyfill on the other hand is something I ALWAYS recommend, in proper quantity. It not only smooths the frequency rolloff but also can help improve driver response and handling. Just don't over stuff the enclosures.

If you're using mini amps, make sure to use a quality EQ or DSP. Preferably one that allows full tuning: HPF. LPF, Subsonic, Q Factor, Time/Alignment, etc...as more setting can be daunting to some, but really allows that personal touch for your own ears. Most mini amps don't have good adjustments, if any other than gain or maybe basic HPF adjustment.

When mentioning dampening material here I’m not talking about noise reduction in the vehicle. Instead this is about noise control within the speaker enclosure. Sound (vibrations) come primarily from the cone but if you look at an audio graph from a speaker you’ll see bleed off from the rear of the speaker as well. Sound deadening in the back of the enclosure will help focus the sound more clearly into the cabin of the vehicle. As I said, our vehicles aren’t really built for sound staging so the effects will be limited even when this is done. It’s basically a box and sound waves bouncing off of sharp angles don’t usually do the best. You can get better sound quality in the jeep but the amount and weight of materials you’d have to use will lead to diminishing returns in the end. An exterior product can be used to coat the tub underneath and a butyl type on the inside with a heavy rubber mat on the flooring will significantly reduce road noise. That second part is what makes Armorlite flooring so effective. For the upper you’d need to fully seal the top in some way to keep out air intrusion.

All this is just for the knowledge of people wanting to upgrade the sound system and something to think about. Gladiators were meant to be an open air truck so not going to get high end sound quality out of it. Good loud (SPL) tunes you can achieve. Sound Quality (SQ) is gonna need a denser vehicle with a few extra, read 100’s, pounds of sound control material.

 

[BSW520!]

When mentioning dampening material here I’m not talking about noise reduction in the vehicle. Instead this is about noise control within the speaker enclosure. Sound (vibrations) come primarily from the cone but if you look at an audio graph from a speaker you’ll see bleed off from the rear of the speaker as well. Sound deadening in the back of the enclosure will help focus the sound more clearly into the cabin of the vehicle. As I said, our vehicles aren’t really built for sound staging so the effects will be limited even when this is done. It’s basically a box and sound waves bouncing off of sharp angles don’t usually do the best. You can get better sound quality in the jeep but the amount and weight of materials you’d have to use will lead to diminishing returns in the end. An exterior product can be used to coat the tub underneath and a butyl type on the inside with a heavy rubber mat on the flooring will significantly reduce road noise. That second part is what makes Armorlite flooring so effective. For the upper you’d need to fully seal the top in some way to keep out air intrusion.

All this is just for the knowledge of people wanting to upgrade the sound system and something to think about. Gladiators were meant to be an open air truck so not going to get high end sound quality out of it. Good loud (SPL) tunes you can achieve. Sound Quality (SQ) is gonna need a denser vehicle with a few extra, read 100’s, pounds of sound control material.

Bandit nailed it. I have had these discussions with owners on Facebook before and I have myself did the floor of my gladiators and always do inside the enclosures with sound dampening and polyfill.

But I summed it up exactly the same, I built my systems for my needs within my price point vs. intentions. Had I wanted to do $3000+ a set components for a sql setup, I wouldn't have did it in a Jeep.. lol!

 

[Y-Guy]

@4-Low Thanks, I appreciate your comment!

 

[MattHamilton]

Just to close out my input. I got this package installed:

KICKER 47KEY200.4 SMART 4CH AMLIFIER WITH AUTO DSP 50X4 RMS​

KICKER KSS365 3-WAY COMPONENT SPEAKER SYSTEM (dash and knee)​

KICKER KSS690 2-WAY 6X9 SPEAKERS (sound bar)​

Rockford Fosgate P300-8 SELF POWERED 8" SUBWOOFER WITH BUILT IN AMP (below rear passenger)​

METRA JP1010 6.5" FRONT JEEP SPEAKER ENCLOSURES​

METRA JP1016 6X9 REAR JEEP SPEAKER CONVERSION KIT FOR SOUNDBAR​

I've only had about 30 minutes of highway time to listen to it. But I'm VERY pleased so far with the difference in volume and how much more alive it sounds. Bass punch is nice and not over the top; mids seem more better (not sure how to describe); and highs are not tinny any more. Talk radio (especially the hockey broadcast on Sirius NHL) was definitely more crisp.

 

[gonemad]

Thanks for the info. I don’t listen to the radio much, and I’m old enough to remember nothing but AM radio, with a single speaker in the dash, but these new JT audio systems do suck mightily.

I ordered the Kicker CS dash and soundbar speaker upgrades from Trail Seven. Easy install. I’ll decide on the knee panel speakers, amp, and sub-woofer options later.

 

[Brickmaster6]

Already upgraded dash speakers to REF 307 with fiber fill (much better so far). Having this installed this week into my 25 Gladiator Rubicon X, with REF 6352 in knee and soundbar:

 

[BSW520!]

Already upgraded dash speakers to REF 307 with fiber fill (much better so far). Having this installed this week into my 25 Gladiator Rubicon X, with REF 6352 in knee and soundbar:

For reference so the shop knows, you need the AP4-CH42 for your year JT . The APR-CH41 is for model year 2023 and older.

 

[gonemad]

I installed the CS Kicker dash speaker and soundbar speaker bundle from Trail Seven. I can’t say yet if I can tell any real difference, except for somewhat improved highs. My ‘25 JT does not have the Alpine system.

The plastic adapter ring to install the four inch soundbar coaxials was fairly clunky to install. That could be improved. Needs to be metal and have longer screws.

Not sure if I’ll go to the trouble to swap out the knee speakers unless I go all in with an amp and sub.

My WAG* of the day is the stock system does not have the juice to push these upgraded speakers. They are significantly heavier magnets even though they are the model number beneath the KS speakers which can handle more juice.

*wild a$$ guess

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

For reference so the shop knows, you need the AP4-CH42 for your year JT . The APR-CH41 is for model year 2023 and older.

Just make sure it's an "R2" variant of the PAC AMP Pro. As the first revision didn't compensate for the 3ohm load the radio expects to prevent shutting down speaker channels. Contact PAC for more info.

 

[Brickmaster6]

Just make sure it's an "R2" variant of the PAC AMP Pro. As the first revision didn't compensate for the 3ohm load the radio expects to prevent shutting down speaker channels. Contact PAC for more info.

PAC APH-CH03 AmpPro Harness
T-harness for adding an aftermarket amp, LOC, or signal processor to select 2015-20 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles with factory amp


Fits in your 2025 Jeep Gladiator Pickup Crew Cab with Alpine Audio System
Radio:
factory stereo

This is what they recommended. as shown. The 42 model says it wont work with my year, the 41 will. This is the R2 variant. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[BSW520!]

PAC APH-CH03 AmpPro Harness
T-harness for adding an aftermarket amp, LOC, or signal processor to select 2015-20 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM vehicles with factory amp


Fits in your 2025 Jeep Gladiator Pickup Crew Cab with Alpine Audio System
Radio:
factory stereo

This is what they recommended. as shown. The 42 model says it wont work with my year, the 41 will. This is the R2 variant. Thanks for the heads up.

You will need the APH-CH03 in conjunction with the AP4-CH42-R2.
The 41 radio harness is for the 2023 and down and will not plug into the uconnect 5. Just trying to save you a delay at the installer.
Uconnect 5 radio and associated PAC module 42 below.

 

[Brickmaster6]

You will need the APH-CH03 in conjunction with the AP4-CH42-R2.
The 41 radio harness is for the 2023 and down and will not plug into the uconnect 5. Just trying to save you a delay at the installer.
Uconnect 5 radio and associated PAC module 42 below.

Shows that one doesn't fit? I have the premium alpine with sub?

 

[Brickmaster6]

I intend to unplug the factory sub , amp the fronts, run the Hs10 on its own amp, and the sound bar off factory

 

[BSW520!]

I intend to unplug the factory sub , amp the fronts, run the Hs10 on its own amp, and the sound bar off factory

Yes, I went through the same thing when i did my 25 gladiator and about to do the same with the wifes 26 wrangler with alpine factory system.

Half of the online sites said use this, don't use that etc.. So referred to PAC themselves.

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