Quadratec Speaker upgrade

[Panthers65]

I'm not a huge music/sound snob, been called tone deaf more than a few times in my life. For the most part the factory speakers in my '21 are just fine, but there are a few times when I would like to crank it up while the Jeep is naked where I've been left wanting just a bit more.

I've read a few of the DIY speaker upgrades, they normally end up $400-$600 for what I would assume is a far superior setup compared to the factory. As far as basic simplicity, would the speaker upgrade from quadratec be a noticeable improvement over the factory setup. Got an email from Quadratec that it's $100 off, $300 seems to be reasonable if it's a big improvement.

Thoughts? I see a bunch of 5.25" kicker speakers on amazon much cheaper than this kit too, would I be better with that and an adapter harness?

https://www.quadratec.com/p/kicker/factory-replacement-overhead-sound-bar-speaker-kit-wrangler-jl-jl-kwr5.25?sc_src=email_2089752&sc_lid=141573101&sc_uid=oo3StTEmlN&sc_llid=550032&sc_eh=b9ae1dbdcae92df91&utm_source=Quadratec+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20220606+Audio-2022060215&utm_content=-IMAGE+md_915262.jpg-Quadratec+Overhead+Sound+Bar+Speaker+Upgrade+Kit+for+'18-'22+Wrangler+JL+&+Gladiator+JT

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[redfish]

Following as this doesn't like look too bad of an option for this tone deaf person either

 

[The Bean]

This seems pretty similar to the Select Instruments JL-JT Pods I installed. Looks like similar Kicker speakers too. I think I paid less than $250 for them and bought through Extreme Terrain. They made a significant difference over the stock speakers.

 

[Dlish]

Those ones @The Bean posted look way nicer. The instructions from the Quad site have finished pictures, they look like shit to me.

 

[Beemer533]

Another option you have that I went with are these 6x9 from JBL: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085ZTR7G1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And the MB Quart adapter kit:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-VFqAyT1PcFA/p_049JE1169S/MB-Quart-JE1-169SB.html

You could also just get the MB Quart kit that includes speakers for about the same price as the Kicker.


Here is my install...
It sounds great, but no matter what option you go with I think a little extra bass is needed so I also am adding this powered sub:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0169YBEAU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[The Bean]

Another option you have that I went with are these 6x9 from JBL: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085ZTR7G1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And the MB Quart adapter kit:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-VFqAyT1PcFA/p_049JE1169S/MB-Quart-JE1-169SB.html

You could also just get the MB Quart kit that includes speakers for about the same price as the Kicker.


Here is my install...
It sounds great, but no matter what option you go with I think a little extra bass is needed so I also am adding this powered sub:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0169YBEAU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I went with what I did because I want to be able to return the vehicle back to stock as much as possible when I trade. Hacking up the inside of the sound bar just isn’t a feasible option.

 

[RickF]

Those ones @The Bean posted look way nicer. The instructions from the Quad site have finished pictures, they look like shit to me.

I agree that the final product looks terrible--those inserts don't match the grain of the factory plastic at all and don't even look to be well-finished. The rough edges and seams are ugly. I would go with the Select Instruments JL-JT Pods (which I have in my Jeep) and some better 6.5" two or three-way speakers than the Kickers. That would be the easy way to do this. For better sound but an admittedly more complex installation, you may be able to use component speakers (the ones with separate woofers and tweeters) as long as the external crossovers are able to fit in there somewhere. I have done the job and I think there's room for them. I say "I think" because I have the factory Alpine upgrade, which eliminates the need for an external crossover because the existing plug-ins already split the frequencies that go to the separate woofers and tweeters.

I used these in the JL-JT Pods: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_236THND61/MTX-Thunder61.html

I did not need to use the included crossovers for the reason I explained above. Because it sounds like you do not have the Alpine upgrade, you WOULD need to use that crossover. With other factors being equal, I picked these because the "gear" design of the speaker grill resembles the upgraded Jeep wheels on my Rubicon.

 

[Panthers65]

Another option you have that I went with are these 6x9 from JBL: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085ZTR7G1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And the MB Quart adapter kit:
https://www.crutchfield.com/S-VFqAyT1PcFA/p_049JE1169S/MB-Quart-JE1-169SB.html

You could also just get the MB Quart kit that includes speakers for about the same price as the Kicker.


Here is my install...
It sounds great, but no matter what option you go with I think a little extra bass is needed so I also am adding this powered sub:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0169YBEAU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Interested int his- the mod doesn't look too bad. So basically the new speakers come with the round enclosure. Hold the enclosure up, trace the opening into the factory soundbar, cut away the factory soundbar areas, and then remount the new speakers?

 

[Chocolyle]

I used the Metra kits for both the front knee location and soundbar. I have my older Boston Pro 6.5 in both locations. My plan will have a couple amps and a custom sub behind the rear seat. The Metra kit is a nice way to go and gives you lots of options. They look right and fit perfect. Not that any of the above listed look bad except the Quadratec ones. As for speakers, being a former Car Audio guy, I would recommend checking a local car audio dealer. Then you can listen to see what you like. Not Best Buy.

If you just want something a little better, pretty much any quality brand name coaxial will fit the bill. Separates, separate tweeter and woofer with crossover, will be that much better. I do like the idea of 6x9's in the sound bar for some more bass if you are not going to or want a sub.

Do note, the head unit amp, non-Alpine, in the 5, 7 or 8 head unit is terribly weak. It doesn't clip but you can hear it back off power to the speakers if it hits a hard note at high levels. Think bass, even a little. A small amp will help this a lot! There are a lot of plug-n-play options for the JL/JT

Do note, removing the sound bar is a definite when doing any kit except direct replacement. Not terrible, but have patients to get it out. As for the fronts, knee location. When they say you need to take apart the whole dash, it's no joke. If you neighbors think you are boarder line nuts before you start that project, they may see about getting you a padded room after doing that part. Sweet baby Jesus!

Cool bonus though, I did a post no one seemed to check out regarding the factory porting they did in the stock locations. Pretty impressive, too bad so much engineering for a weak head unit and terrible speakers.

 

[RickF]

As for the fronts, knee location. When they say you need to take apart the whole dash, it's no joke. If you neighbors think you are boarder line nuts before you start that project, they may see about getting you a padded room after doing that part. Sweet baby Jesus!

You do not need to remove the entire dash to install new knee panel speakers. I did the knee panel speakers with the new Metra pods last month following the directions at the link below. It was STILL a pain, but not nearly as involved as removing the entire dash would have been.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/adding-an-aftermarket-amp-s.6568/

 

[aceisback]

@Chocolyle, “a former Car Audio guy” from how far back?
I definitely consider myself a “former” car audio guy, having installed dozens of systems from way back then. Back then when a good system included a head unit, an equalizer, a couple of amps, some component speakers, a sub enclosure, capacitors, etc. The gap between now and when I used to do that is great.
There was none of this CANBUS stuff that to me made upgrading from factory extremely confusing. Now with Digital Signal Processors thrown into the mix I feel like a total car audio infant.?
So my question is, when my Mojave finally arrives, with its 8.4 Alpine system and I get ready to add an amp and a/some sub/s would you mind walking a brother through the process?

I have a pair of 8” MTX subs in a MTX Thunderform custom enclosure for a 2001 Ford F-150 SuperCab. If it fits somewhere in the Gladiator I would like to repurpose it.

 

[XraytecH]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=five+star+car+stereo+gladiator

 

[Chocolyle]

As for not needing to take apart the whole dash, I got to page 15, skimming not sure where in the 81 pages regarding. Let me rephrase though. Both sides, center needs, HVAC, Bezel around radio, bezel around speedo, passenger air bag, glove department, oh sh*t front handle, lower section of steering wheel, headlight knob assembly, lower panel drives side, driver side panels of dash, passenger side panels and more. Cool to see what is going on back there. They do not make these to come apart, they are built then installed. It is possible to do the passenger through the glove box once removed but I did not see any saving there. Of course there is always another way.

As for how long ago, my first was in 1988 (?), 84/5 VW Golf hatch for a GF at the time. Professionally, 93-99ish. Here is a pic of me in Brattleboro VT, I think 95. Also worked at Tweeter in sales. I have always been both sales and install. Same as now in electronic security, Video and Access control.

 

[Chocolyle]

This is what I am planing for the sub enclosure:

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...nstall-with-custom-sub-box-behind-seat.43076/

 

[chrismeece74]

This seems pretty similar to the Select Instruments JL-JT Pods I installed. Looks like similar Kicker speakers too. I think I paid less than $250 for them and bought through Extreme Terrain. They made a significant difference over the stock speakers.

Complete agree, installed them in my Glafiator and wife's Wrangler.

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