Stereo upgrade

[Hyemm]

I just took delivery of a 2024 gladiator sport S. I got it with the upgraded Alpine stereo system, but I am underwhelmed by the sound. Does anybody know if any of the speakers or subwoofer can be upgraded and if an amplifier can be put in? Thank you.

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[King Nothing]

It can all be upgraded. Just depends on how much work you want to do and how much money you want to spend

 

[Hyemm]

Thanks. i’m not planning on doing it myself. I was thinking of going to the installation guys at Best Buy, but looks like trouble is the speakers on the dashboard and the rollbar and the subwoofer are all an odd shape, or at least the grills are I’m assuming there are normal speakers behind all these grills.

 

[FL Robert]

I picked up my 2024 with upgraded Alpine yesterday and agree the sound is not great. To my ear, the dash speakers are just flat and muddy, making the whole system suffer. My plan is to replace the dash speakers with Infinity Reference REF307F . These *should* be a perfect fit.

 

[Hyemm]

Thanks. What about installing an amplifier and or upgrading the other speakers? How difficult is it to change the dash speakers?

 

[King Nothing]

Thanks. i’m not planning on doing it myself. I was thinking of going to the installation guys at Best Buy, but looks like trouble is the speakers on the dashboard and the rollbar and the subwoofer are all an odd shape, or at least the grills are I’m assuming there are normal speakers behind all these grills.

All the speakers are normally shaped. They’re also very small. There are adaptors that allow you to replace the 4 inch sound bar and lower dash speakers with 6.5s or 6x9s (sound bar only). The lower dash speakers are really difficult to change but everything else is pretty simple. You could definitely add amps but your installation is going to get much more complicated. I’m getting ready to put 6.5 components in my sound bar and will probably amp them since I have the skill and all the equipment laying around from previous stereo installs

 

[FL Robert]

Thanks. What about installing an amplifier and or upgrading the other speakers? How difficult is it to change the dash speakers?

The dash speakers look to be the easiest to replace. Maybe a 30 minute job. Since those are what I think are the biggest problem, I plan on replacing the dash speakers and reevaluating after that.

 

[XraytecH]

All the speakers are standard shapes and sizes that you can buy off the shelf. Most speakers are easily accessible but the pair in the lower dash and the rear seat subwoofer are more difficulty to access.

From what I have seen the rear sub speaker is not replaceable, I could be wrong.

The two lower dash speakers? Well... watch this video...

 

[Hyemm]

I just spent an hour on the phone with an extremely knowledgable tech guy at Crutchfield. The subwoofer is not replaceable. If you dont have the cargo kit under the rear seats (I do) they sell sub woofer enclosures that can go under the rear seat

In my case I am leaning towards the following:

For the Dash Speakers, Knee Speakers and Roll Bar Speakers - replace with the following MB Quart component set of speakers:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_049JSTG61/MB-Quart-MBQJ-STG6-1.html

For an amplifier upgrade (you must leave in the factory Alpine amp connected) the following:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13698408/JL-Audio-MX500-4.html

In order to connect the new amp to the factory amp the following ins needed:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_541AP4CH41/PAC-AmpPRO-AP4-CH41-Aftermarket-Amplifier-Interface.html


For a new subwoofer under the driver or passenger seat, the following:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646HS10/Kicker-46HS10.html

I would plan on having this installed by a professional

 

[Viper501]

the installation guys at Best Buy,

 

[Hyemm]

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Thanks. What about installing an amplifier and or upgrading the other speakers? How difficult is it to change the dash speakers?

The dash speakers are real easy to change. There are several threads about it. I would start with replacing those, and see if that is enough.

I bought the dash speaker kit from Terra Acoustics. I also have a set of the Kenwood speakers I bought from Crutchfield for the front. I plan to install those in the soundbar instead.

 

[Bird Dog]

I've got a pair of Kenwood's inbound from Cruthfield for the dash. Looks like a very easy job. Will try that first before I do anything in the sound bar. I've got the premium Alpine and the sound is reasonable for my listening habits

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

The dash speakers are real easy to change. There are several threads about it. I would start with replacing those, and see if that is enough.

I bought the dash speaker kit from Terra Acoustics. I also have a set of the Kenwood speakers I bought from Crutchfield for the front. I plan to install those in the soundbar instead.

Me. Bill,
Regarding the Terra Acoustics kit… did you have the Alpine premium system, if yes … does it improve the dound significantly? I hear mixed reviews if you already have the Alpine Premium system.

 

[BunkieJeeper75]

I picked up my 2024 with upgraded Alpine yesterday and agree the sound is not great. To my ear, the dash speakers are just flat and muddy, making the whole system suffer. My plan is to replace the dash speakers with Infinity Reference REF307F . These *should* be a perfect fit.

Let us know how the install goes and definitely sound improvements !

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