Premium Audio Group... can I rock out?

[Weasel Caesar]

It's good, but not great. The audio system in my Commander was definitely better. Still has enough drive to annoy my passengers, though.

>deftones
>Tool
>NIN
>Rob Zombie
>Alien Weaponry
>Alice in Chains

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[HopSlammer]

I have a Launch Edition and I’m unimpressed with its Premium audio system. The stock radio in my mid-level 2016 Ford Explorer blows the Gladiator away in both accuracy and decibels. There’s lots of good info and tips posted on here by owners that have upgraded the audio. I’m sure some will chime in here. Rockin’ to Iron Maiden, Priest, Black Label, Sigur Ros, Wardruna, Orbit Culture, Amon Amarth, Tool, DevilDriver.

 

[wchevron]

My daughter says her JL with the Alpine is pretty loud on the highway with top down. Her friend has a Sport without the Alpine upgrade and you can barely hear the music with the top off, on the highway.

 

[JoseQ_80]

Another way to improve the sound without touching the speakers is with Headliners and sound mat type products to improve the Jeeps acoustics which are horrible in stock form. With the roof on, with roof/doors off forget about it.

 

[CerOf]

Good song to test is Crystalize by Lindsey Sterling. Violin with heavy and tight bass.

Alpine premium sub does not do double kick bass drums well at all; actually, it’s terrible at it.

 

[knoxinsox]

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

man I’m really impressed with it. I’m no super duper audiophile but it’s the best car audio I’ve ever had. Sound is crisp, bass hits hard and IMO it gets loud as $hit. All the stereo I could ever need. Definitely is audible with the top off.

 

[ShirtlessCubsFan]

I feel like I've been spoiled by my Fender factory audio in my VW. It's not an ultra premium system delivering top honored audio, but it's definitely a quality system for the money.

My wife's old Durango with the premium audio was okay, so I'm imagining that's what my Gladiator will be like.

I know it can't be any worse than my old JKU Sport with standard audio. That was terrible.

 

[RavensEyeOffroad]

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

I'm an amon amarth junkie, I didn't get premium audio and actually enjoy the stock system alot. I figure the premium should allow for some good rock out moments. About all I would add would be a sub.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

I think the premium audio package is wildly overrated.
Anyone that’s really into music is going to replace the speakers and if they keep the overrated 8.4” radio, they should be adding an amp

I got the base 7” radio and as soon as my Jeep arrives I’m selling it for $2-400 dollars and doing a great head unit along with a big amp to drive them along with a 12” sub

 

[Binford]

I’ll have the complete 8.4“ Alpine head Unit and speaker for sale in a week or so. I have the JL Audio stealth box with 2 10” subs and a JL Audio 1000w 5 channel amp, with 2 sets of Focal 6.5” speakers (front and rear) and the Alpine Xl409 restyle head unit going in next week. In addition Im having them dyna mat the doors. Wasn’t cheap but I think it will sound great! At least it better for 8 grand!

Links:
https://www.jlaudio.com/products/sb-j-jtglad-10tw1-car-audio-stealthbox-94681
https://www.jlaudio.com/collections...ucts/vx1000-5i-car-audio-vxi-amplifiers-98632
https://www.focal.com/en/car-audio/car-audio-kits-solutions/performance/flax-evo
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500X409JL/Alpine-X409-WRA-JL.html?mfr=&fromlanding=1

 

[Hothead Headliners]

Another way to improve the sound without touching the speakers is with Headliners and sound mat type products to improve the Jeeps acoustics which are horrible in stock form. With the roof on, with roof/doors off forget about it.

I can attest to this.

-Mark

 

[Riccochet]

I might make use of the Alpine PDX-V9 and Audio Control LC7i I have laying around. Figure all I'll need are components in the dash and sound bar, build a box to replace the factory sub with a JL 10TW3-D8. Boom, done. No need for a new headunit. The 8.4 is too integrated.

 

[AleYeah]

Appreciate all the input, folks. Glad to see some metal fans on here, too. (Check out my new avatar to see how I rep for my favorite heavy band on the daily.)

 

[Kevin_D]

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.

Since the 3½" speakers have an 8kHz crossover built in, are you actually improving the quality of the sound, or just increasing its presence with an additional midrange?

Kevin

 

[Riccochet]

Since the 3½" speakers have an 8kHz crossover built in, are you actually improving the quality of the sound, or just increasing its presence with an additional midrange?

Kevin

Factory 3.5" are one way paper cone speaker. I'd imagine simply replacing them with anything that has a more rigid cone is going to brighten up the sound. Going two way with a dedicated tweeter is even better.

The factory speakers, all of them, are pretty flat and muddy.

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