Premium Audio Group... can I rock out?

[AleYeah]

Input from metalheads especially appreciated. Is this system good enough to crank to levels that would be indecent if you weren't driving solo?

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[FutureOdin]

Just picked up a Gladiator with the premium audio and it's definitely a noticeable difference to me.

The real test will be when I have the top off in the summer time, and the standard audio package was severely lacking in terms of listening to music at highway speeds with no top on. Had to have that thing cranked all the way up and still could barely hear it...

 

[Riccochet]

It's definitely louder, but the speakers are still garbage.

 

[AleYeah]

I'm guessing I'll probably end up doing what I did with my JKU: sinking some cash into a decent setup. (I have the Quadratec Kicker speakers dash and soundbar, a cheapish Alpine head unit and an 8 inch sub under my seat. Probably will up the ante a bit this time around in both the head unit and sub areas.)

 

[JoseQ_80]

The way Jeep describes it it sounds like you are getting 9 Alpine speakers in the "Alpine Audio Group"

My understanding is that the Premium Audio Group is just the additional amp and the subwoofer behind the rear seat. The other 8 speakers (2 dash + 2 knee panel + 4 sound bar) are the same for all trim levels (Sport/Overland/Rubicon, etc.)

They should rewrite that to say "The Alpine Premium Audio provides crisp, clear sound for an enhanced listening experience. This package adds a 220-Amp alternator, a rear subwoofer and a 552-watt, 12 channel amplifier to the standard 8 speaker system."

I have it, it could certainly sound better.

I'll probably upgrade the 3.5" sound bar speakers and the 3.5" in the dash. The knee panel speakers probably not, I understand they are harder to do than the rest.

 

[AleYeah]

The knee panel speakers probably not, I understand they are harder to do than the rest.

I'm not the handiest guy in the world, and when I yanked the dash and knee panels on my Wrangler, it was definitely an "Oh Lawd, what have I gotten myself into?" situation.

 

[02sahara]

I borrowed a Gladiator from a dealership employee for a 2 hour long test drive. It had the alpine stereo, it definitely sounded better stock and I did get it loud for the test. My only concern is the is one or two of the front speakers sounded blown already. I'm going to buy it in my order but it doesn't seem as good as my old Grand Cherokee stock upgraded stereo

 

[Riccochet]

I borrowed a Gladiator from a dealership employee for a 2 hour long test drive. It had the alpine stereo, it definitely sounded better stock and I did get it loud for the test. My only concern is the is one or two of the front speakers sounded blown already. I'm going to buy it in my order but it doesn't seem as good as my old Grand Cherokee stock upgraded stereo

The sound you were hearing it not blown speakers, but speakers being driven beyond their power limit and/or beyond their physically structural limit. Meaning the speaker is deforming enough to cause the coil to deflect inside of the driver. Which creates a crackled pop.

It's FCA's way of saving a buck by installing cheap speakers.

 

[FoxForce4]

So far I've done some Priest, Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer, a bit of In Flames. No complaints, but I'm not an audiophile.

Have also played some GnR & Crue. All good. You can rock out. It however does NOT get to ear-bleed levels. I generally prefer "I may be doing some damage" as the top end of my range. It doesn't go there, but I don't really need it to. I guess.

 

[JoseQ_80]

I usually play Boston's "Foreplay/Long Time" the first time I try an audio system. Maybe this should be a separate thread "Favorite song to test your Audio System."

 

[JoseQ_80]

Remember you need enough power to be able to hear it with the top off at highway speed.

WHAT, WHAT DID YOU SAY??

 

[AleYeah]

Maybe this should be a separate thread "Favorite song to test your Audio System."

Excellent idea.

 

[AZJT]

I have cranked all sorts of metal during the year I have owned my Overland with the upgraded Alpine system - via FM, Sirius, and an iPod (yup, still have one of those) hooked into the rear left USB port. All sounded fine. In addition to metal, I've cranked all sorts of other genres (I pretty much listen to EVERYTHING) and the only complaint I have is that the sliding rear window vibrates and make a hideous noise (only) when it's opened and something has a lot of bass.

That being said (written?), could the system be better/louder? Absolutely, especially when the top and doors are off. However, I will say that I won't be making any changes - my days of sinking large amounts of ca$h into upgrading my car's sound system are over. I am happy with the Alpine system.

P.S. Samples of the metal I have cranked: Crue, Maiden, Disturbed, Five Finger Death Punch, Slayer, Priest, Slaughter, Warrant, Poison, Leppard... you get the picture.

 

[AZJT]

Maybe this should be a separate thread "Favorite song to test your Audio System."

- Steelheart - I'll Never Let You Go
- New Order - Blue Monday

 

[Klutch]

I'm a bit of an audio snob and I'm pretty impressed with the Gladiator sound system. One area where I think it was lacking was it simply wasn't very bright. I replaced the dash speakers with Alpine two-way speakers. The Alpine tweeters really brightened it up.

The subwoofer isn't something that's going to set off car alarms around the neighborhood. If you're the type that wants that kind of sound, you're not going to find it any factory audio system. But the sub does work very well. I'm a big Rush fan and Peart's drums sound great. Replacing the factory sub with a higher end example might make it better. Not sure if the factory amp has enough muscle.

I've looked into the Alpine roll bar speakers, but sheesh, those things are just too rich for my blood. Maybe someday if the price comes down.

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