Only replacing speakers worth it?

[Rooster71]

I have the "premium" system with the sub. Is it worth the time and effort to just replace the stock speakers? Will it really be a difference? If I do it, should I go to 6.5" in the sound bar, or will good speakers the same size as stock sound better?

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[Hootbro]

Not a audiophile by any means but the only noticeable improvements to the stock system to include the premium was to replace the top dash speakers with aftermarket to bring crisper mids and highs.

The remaining speakers without changing anything else with the factory system is a wash IMHO.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

What’s the difference you’re trying to make?

If you want it louder, you’ll have to add some power.

If you’re looking to just change the sound, you could probably find some aftermarket speakers you like for how they sound.

 

[RHRT]

If you have the premium sound system in your Gladiator, it has been tuned specially for the interior to produce the best possible sound field. For me it sounds very good and wouldn’t change any thing. But we all love to “upgrade” all things inside and outside of these fine Jeep vehicles. I would recommend researching replacement speakers that are of the same manufacturer, this way you might be able to possibly match your current audio system without making it sound worse. Just remember these speakers, including the sub have matched for wattage and impedance to handle this particular audio design.

If you do decide to upgrade the speakers, let us know how it sounds and what speaker/amplifier you installed.

 

[XraytecH]

I have the "premium" system with the sub. Is it worth the time and effort to just replace the stock speakers? Will it really be a difference? If I do it, should I go to 6.5" in the sound bar, or will good speakers the same size as stock sound better?

The premium system is a lot better than the Non-Premium only because it has a Subwooffer.

In all honesty, get factory replacement sizes. Cheaper and you'll hear a difference, especially the front dash speakers and sound bar. That's what I did first for my non-premium system.

 

[jac04]

I have the premium Alpine system, and I was very disappointed with it at first. The speakers just sounded 'muffled' to me, with no clear highs. So, I installed 3.5" Infinity Reference REF-3032cfx speakers in both the dash & sound bar. I did just the dash first and it was a huge improvement (and the installation was super simple). The soundbar was much less of an improvement. I now have absolutely no complaints about the sound system.

 

[Radio Guy]

If you have the premium sound system in your Gladiator, it has been tuned specially for the interior to produce the best possible sound field.

Oh no it has not! I have the premium system and it was very blah sounding or muffled in the mids and highs as others have reported. I replaced the top of dash and sound bar with some recommended Kenwood speakers and it’s improved in the midrange and highs but not what I would call great. These trucks are noisy on the road so it’s not the best platform for an expensive sound system.

 

[MattK]

I went with the Terra Acoustics "Jeep Front Soundstage Speaker Upgrade - JL/JT" and I think it made the sound crisper. I can go louder without any distortion I was getting before if I want.

Their video with a bit of marketing and how to set it up. Worth a watch as he speaks to the mid-range bias of the OEM system.

 

[Warped]

^^^^^^^
What @MattK said. I bought the Terra Accoustics upgrade and am quite pleased with the improved sound quality for the price. I will be getting a set for my JL next.

 

[bd100]

Have the same 3.5" Kenwood upgrades up front and also in the soundbar above:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-VhFBnTqx9xU/p_113X3C/Kenwood-Excelon-KFC-X3C.html

and the 4" Kickers for the sound bar as well:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-cdhApr86Jw0/p_20647KSC40/Kicker-47KSC404.html

I strongly recommend the Kenwoods or any other 3.5" on the dash. Less boxy sounding, better highs.

The sound bar is mostly filler and I noticed less improvement from those. But you can still pull the sound bar speakers and stuff some pillow poly fill in there to reduce buzz. Also behind the 3.5" in the dash.

I never bothered with the lower knee panel speakers in front. Sounds fine as it is. Goes to near full volume w/o buzz, more than I'd ever listen to.

I do wish there were more control over the subwoofer, though. Just a level control would be nice.

 

[ScooterInTX]

Have the same 3.5" Kenwood upgrades up front and also in the soundbar above:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-VhFBnTqx9xU/p_113X3C/Kenwood-Excelon-KFC-X3C.html

and the 4" Kickers for the sound bar as well:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-cdhApr86Jw0/p_20647KSC40/Kicker-47KSC404.html

I strongly recommend the Kenwoods or any other 3.5" on the dash. Less boxy sounding, better highs.

The sound bar is mostly filler and I noticed less improvement from those. But you can still pull the sound bar speakers and stuff some pillow poly fill in there to reduce buzz. Also behind the 3.5" in the dash.

I never bothered with the lower knee panel speakers in front. Sounds fine as it is. Goes to near full volume w/o buzz, more than I'd ever listen to.

I do wish there were more control over the subwoofer, though. Just a level control would be nice.

This is the way!
I was pretty impressed with the stock system but thought I would give it a go since it wasn't an expensive or time consuming upgrade.

Like @Hootbro, I'm no audiophile and I could tell a dramatic difference in the highs and mids. My wife even commented on how much better the system sounded!

 

[Imperial Stout Gladiator]

I have the "premium" system with the sub. Is it worth the time and effort to just replace the stock speakers? Will it really be a difference? If I do it, should I go to 6.5" in the sound bar, or will good speakers the same size as stock sound better?

Here's an amazing option:

Wish I had the money for this...

 

[MaxStrategery]

I went with the Terra Acoustics "Jeep Front Soundstage Speaker Upgrade - JL/JT" and I think it made the sound crisper. I can go louder without any distortion I was getting before if I want.

Their video with a bit of marketing and how to set it up. Worth a watch as he speaks to the mid-range bias of the OEM system.

I purchased the Terra Acoustics replacement speakers and the sound improved but there is no way on earth they are worth the $250 or so that I paid, not even close. Those are $100 speakers at best.

 

[mersinery]

Just bought the Infinity REF 307F for the front dash. I have the stock standard (non-alpine) system so at this point anything would be an upgrade lol. Still wondering if I should have went with the Terra Acoustics, but we'll see. I liked the 307Fs better than the Kenwood Excelon's and felt it was very close to the Hertz DCX 87.3 when using the sound comparison tool on Crutchfield's site. Looking forward to the install, should be pretty easy, but now wondering should I stick with Infinity or go with a different brand and mix and match if I decide to upgrade the soundbar speakers.

Loved JL Audio years ago, went from a JL 10w7 to 2 10w6v2 with the 500.1 amp and it pounded. I honestly think I have some permanent hearing loss cause I was an idiot blasting heavy bass hip hop songs smh.

 

[FL Robert]

To answer your question, YES!

I installed the Infinity Reference in the dash. That made the dash speakers sound so good that it highlighted how bad the soundbar speakers were, so I upgraded them too. Now it sounds as good as you would expect from a premium factory system.

Pictures of install

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