I installed the Infinity Reference REF307F 3.5” in the dash of my 2023 JTM and they sound great compared to the stock speakers of the Alpine “upgraded” system. However, I am also considering replacing the overhead speakers, but I really do not make all the modifications necessary to install. But I did look at the Trail Seven plug and play solution. I could easily return the Infinity REF307F’s to Crutchfield and get their plug and play system on sale for $422 delivered for everything but the knee speakers (which I will likely leave stock). Pretty good deal:
If you are happy with Infinity speakers and they sound "great", why not just put a pair in your soundbar (overhead)? I think they will fit right in. Then you can go from there, if you feel you need to.
The kickers don't look exactly stock with the separate tweeter, but they look factory enough that nobody that doesn't own a jl or jt would know the difference. The price an the Alpines is highway robbery with many sites listing then for $500. Trail sevens offering seems to be the better bargain to me.I also have the Alpine System. I went with an "OEM Plus" upgrade, bought a set of Alpine SPV-65-JLT Sound bar speakers, (they're "used, open box" but they had all the packaging and were basically new!) and Dodge Dart Kicker drop in upper dash tweeters. Needed some Metra adapters to bypass the built in crossover on the larger speaker, but it was otherwise a straight forward install. Very happy with the result, a great upgrade for around $500.
While there are some "drop in" soundbar upgrades like the Kicker speakers, I liked the Alpine option because it looks factory. With a fresh utility knife and/or a Dremel if needed, it's a pretty straightforward job.
The problem with upgrading the 3.5" speaker in the sound bar is that limits you to a 4" woofer wether you upgrade it or not. You'll get much better sound out of a 6.5" and a tweeter than a 3.5" and a 4" combo which are basically the same and limited in their low range output.
Fair enough.
The good thing about the Kickers is they sit under the mesh in the dash, you'll never see them until you pry the panel off. The price point with them fully plug and play is what drew me to them, and they pair well with the Alpines.
The Kicker option with the sperate tweeter looks better than the coaxial version.The good thing about the Kickers is they sit under the mesh in the dash, you'll never see them until you pry the panel off. The price point with them fully plug and play is what drew me to them, and they pair well with the Alpines.
Unless you're talking about the soundbar Kicker package. Then I do agree that they look out of place. I personally prefer the look of the Alpines.
I do agree that at $500 bucks the Alpines are over-priced. But the guys at Creative Audio were very helpful. I gave them a phone call and asked what condition the "used" Alpines were, and they said they basically just opened the box. Sure enough, when I got them, they were brand new! No missing instructions, everything in it's bag and sealed.
Paid $330 taxed and shipped. A much fairer price.
(Note I had already opened them in this pic)
Pick up the complete Alpine system.
Marine grade is overkill. Your speakers will not be frequently exposed to sun and water like on a boat.
Exactly what I did.. Thanks! $160 for a major upgrade in sound, I’m all in!
