New 2024 Stock Stereo is Poor

[Phil_R]

Is there a reason you went with the Kenwood for the soundbar instead of using another set of the 3.5" Kickers?

That is what Crutchfield recommended on their website for a 2024. And so far, they work great, Sean!
Thanks!
Phil

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[TarheelJT]

That is what Crutchfield recommended on their website for a 2024. And so far, they work great, Sean!
Thanks!
Phil

Thx! I'm sure both are great speakers and a big step up from the Factory ones.

 

[GHOSTWERX23]

Going to revive this thread as I purchased a 2024 with the base sound system. The audio is just freaking ridiculous for a 50k+ vehicle. I installed the kenwoods in both the soundbar and dash. Honestly no real improvement. I also bought a set of fosgate r14x2. They will not fit unless I do some cutting to the soundbar. My expectations for these tiny speakers are not to blow the freedom panels off but to at least get rid of the 1950 transistor radio sound. It's like everything is in tweeter mode. I have my equalizer setting with the bass at 9 mid at 2 and high at -5 just to try and deaden the high pitched scream of the speakers. I'm thinking of sending back the kenwoods with the fosgates and go with the kickers.

 

[Phil_R]

Going to revive this thread as I purchased a 2024 with the base sound system. The audio is just freaking ridiculous for a 50k+ vehicle. I installed the kenwoods in both the soundbar and dash. Honestly no real improvement. I also bought a set of fosgate r14x2. They will not fit unless I do some cutting to the soundbar. My expectations for these tiny speakers are not to blow the freedom panels off but to at least get rid of the 1950 transistor radio sound. It's like everything is in tweeter mode. I have my equalizer setting with the bass at 9 mid at 2 and high at -5 just to try and deaden the high pitched scream of the speakers. I'm thinking of sending back the kenwoods with the fosgates and go with the kickers.

I think you will like the Kickers. Big improvement for me anyway!

 

[FreshStart]

I appreciate all of this feedback because I went from a 2017 JKU with the factory upgrade to the base system in my 2024 Willys Gladiator. I get better sound when I hook up my wireless Bose speaker through CarPlay. I get that things are more expensive now and audio was not the reason I bought a Jeep by, come on, $54,000 and my 2014 Patriot sounded better?

 

[JeepNightHawk]

I think you will like the Kickers. Big improvement for me anyway!

I'm looking to do a "light upgrade" from the factory stock base sport speakers in a 2025. They sound so bad. I want plug and play no cutting. Did you need to do any cutting ? I want to do this after work in a few hours . It don't have to sound like my wife's Lexus. I'm just looking to throw a few hundred bucks and a few hours at it.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Why didn't you just get another gladiator with the upgraded stereo?

True, I mean, at the point that you've bought 3 of the past 4 model years this does seem to be the obvious choice when changes are wanted lol.

I mean, it's one banana, what could it cost, $10?

 

[LookbeforeyouJeep]

Because the dealership had this Firecracker Red Willys on the lot and had the price reduced making it hard to pass up the great deal I got. I really didn’t pay close attention to the stereo and figured it was probably just like the previous Sport S I had. Wrong! But with the upgraded speakers, it sounds great now! And other than my time, I will have about $325 in it including the cost of the 8 inch powered subwoofer. I don’t mind the work, just disappointed in the stock base stereo system.

Did you ever install the sub? If so where did you install and what was involved. I'm hesitant to running/tapping into existing wires. Once you let those electrical gremlins out of the box they can cause a lifetime of misery.
Plus I don't understand Crutchfield's "expert" advice of mixing speakers (in your case the Kickers and the Kenwoods). Is it to provide a mix of frequencies, does it improve the sound compared to if you just went with all Kickers?

 

[JeepNightHawk]

I have a 25 with base stereo. I replaced the front dash speakers only and it made a huge difference. Just look at the size difference on the magnets .

 

[alexlab79]

I have two Jeeps—one is a 2023 Gladiator with the premium audio system, and the other is a 2024 Wrangler Willys with the base audio setup. I've installed subwoofers and amp in both vehicles, and the process was significantly easier in the Wrangler with the base audio.

I've also upgraded the front speakers (the ones in top of the dash). In the Gladiator, I replaced the 3.5-inch speakers with JBL Club speakers, and the improvement was noticeable. However, the most striking upgrade happened when I took the stock premium speakers from the Gladiator and used them to replace the 2.5-inch speakers in the Wrangler. The difference was incredible—now that's a true upgrade

 

[MattK]

I have the Alpine “premium” sound system in my 2020. I’ve only replaced the dash speakers with the Terra Acoustics when those came out and it made a difference. Is it worth it to replace the soundbar speakers with something else?

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