Upgrade to Sound System .... Crutchfield?

[WILDHOBO]

I forgot about Sonic!! I purchased some subs from them Many Moons ago. Good experience there as well.

I hadn’t heard of them. Thanks.

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[Lampasas1]

I am currently in the process of upgrading the very anemic factory sound system in my ‘25 gladiator through Crutchfield. This is the worst factory sound system I have ever had in any new vehicle. The sound quality is comparable to an 80’s Emerson mono speaker radio. I don’t want loud sound that my neighbors can hear, but I do want good quality sound to listen to while riding in my vehicle.

I started with upgrading the dash and soundbar speakers for a minimum improvement. After speaking multiple times with Crutchfield advisors, I am now in the process of adding a PAC amp pro, 4 channel amp for the front and soundbar speakers, and hideaway amplified sub woofer. I have the dash pulled out of the jeep and realized as I was installing that I do not have all the rca cables and speaker wires I needed to complete it. I was on the phone multiple times with Crutchfield this weekend and now have the right items being shipped to me to complete the install.

I am not an audio expert, but can follow directions. Crutchfield sends good directions on how to take your vehicle apart to have access to the radio head unit, but not much direction on how to install and place the components. Enter Trail Seven. They have fantastic you tube videos showing complete installation and thorough explanation of each step. If I were to do it again, I would contact trail seven and order thru them and have them make the needed wiring harnesses to make installation much simpler. Unfortunately I did not find trail 7 until I had already ordered and installed some of my components from Crutchfield.

I encourage you to watch some of the trail seven jeep installation videos to decide if this is something you want to tackle. I think that trail seven will custom make any harness you might need, even if you don’t go with one of the bundles they offer. The guy in the video makes everything seem very simple. I will admit that it is unnerving pulling panels and radio display out of your new jeep, but it is kinda fun too.

 

[gonemad]

I am currently in the process of upgrading the very anemic factory sound system in my ‘25 gladiator through Crutchfield. This is the worst factory sound system I have ever had in any new vehicle. The sound quality is comparable to an 80’s Emerson mono speaker radio. I don’t want loud sound that my neighbors can hear, but I do want good quality sound to listen to while riding in my vehicle.

I started with upgrading the dash and soundbar speakers for a minimum improvement. After speaking multiple times with Crutchfield advisors, I am now in the process of adding a PAC amp pro, 4 channel amp for the front and soundbar speakers, and hideaway amplified sub woofer. I have the dash pulled out of the jeep and realized as I was installing that I do not have all the rca cables and speaker wires I needed to complete it. I was on the phone multiple times with Crutchfield this weekend and now have the right items being shipped to me to complete the install.

I am not an audio expert, but can follow directions. Crutchfield sends good directions on how to take your vehicle apart to have access to the radio head unit, but not much direction on how to install and place the components. Enter Trail Seven. They have fantastic you tube videos showing complete installation and thorough explanation of each step. If I were to do it again, I would contact trail seven and order thru them and have them make the needed wiring harnesses to make installation much simpler. Unfortunately I did not find trail 7 until I had already ordered and installed some of my components from Crutchfield.

I encourage you to watch some of the trail seven jeep installation videos to decide if this is something you want to tackle. I think that trail seven will custom make any harness you might need, even if you don’t go with one of the bundles they offer. The guy in the video makes everything seem very simple. I will admit that it is unnerving pulling panels and radio display out of your new jeep, but it is kinda fun too.

Thanks for this. Keep us posted with updates. ’25 Glad here with the stock (not Alpine) stereo, so I’ll be following how your install goes.

 

[Lampasas1]

Thanks for this. Keep us posted with updates. ’25 Glad here with the stock (not Alpine) stereo, so I’ll be following how your install goes.

So I finished the audio upgrade yesterday and it is a MAJOR sound improvement over the stock radio system. I went with all kicker components:
Kicker dash speakers
Kicker soundbar speakers
Metra sound bar speaker install kit
Kicker 4 channel amp
Kicker amplified subwoofer
PAC amp pro to allow the factory radio to be used.

The install was not bad, mostly because of step by step directions on trail seven you tube videos. It just took me more time than I had allotted. I did not change the knee speakers but I may tackle that at some point. For now I am happy with what is installed.

 

[WILDHOBO]

So I finished the audio upgrade yesterday and it is a MAJOR sound improvement over the stock radio system. I went with all kicker components:
Kicker dash speakers
Kicker soundbar speakers
Metra sound bar speaker install kit
Kicker 4 channel amp
Kicker amplified subwoofer
PAC amp pro to allow the factory radio to be used.

The install was not bad, mostly because of step by step directions on trail seven you tube videos. It just took me more time than I had allotted. I did not change the knee speakers but I may tackle that at some point. For now I am happy with what is installed.

Great job.

 

[NC_Overland]

I’ve been using crutchfield since the late 90s when I first started driving. I got that magazine for decades. They give great help if you call too. Their website alone is great and the install stuff you get plus the instructions was always a game changer. I haven’t used them in years since stock car Audi got so much better. I hope they’re still profitable.

 

[NC_Overland]

I am currently in the process of upgrading the very anemic factory sound system in my ‘25 gladiator through Crutchfield. This is the worst factory sound system I have ever had in any new vehicle. The sound quality is comparable to an 80’s Emerson mono speaker radio. I don’t want loud sound that my neighbors can hear, but I do want good quality sound to listen to while riding in my vehicle.

I started with upgrading the dash and soundbar speakers for a minimum improvement. After speaking multiple times with Crutchfield advisors, I am now in the process of adding a PAC amp pro, 4 channel amp for the front and soundbar speakers, and hideaway amplified sub woofer. I have the dash pulled out of the jeep and realized as I was installing that I do not have all the rca cables and speaker wires I needed to complete it. I was on the phone multiple times with Crutchfield this weekend and now have the right items being shipped to me to complete the install.

I am not an audio expert, but can follow directions. Crutchfield sends good directions on how to take your vehicle apart to have access to the radio head unit, but not much direction on how to install and place the components. Enter Trail Seven. They have fantastic you tube videos showing complete installation and thorough explanation of each step. If I were to do it again, I would contact trail seven and order thru them and have them make the needed wiring harnesses to make installation much simpler. Unfortunately I did not find trail 7 until I had already ordered and installed some of my components from Crutchfield.

I encourage you to watch some of the trail seven jeep installation videos to decide if this is something you want to tackle. I think that trail seven will custom make any harness you might need, even if you don’t go with one of the bundles they offer. The guy in the video makes everything seem very simple. I will admit that it is unnerving pulling panels and radio display out of your new jeep, but it is kinda fun too.

If I had to pick two options that should be on every Gladiator purchase, it would be the Alpine option and the factory LED option. Both are unacceptably bad in base model form and expensive to upgrade properly. This is coming from someone with a fully loaded Gladiator who savors all of the options. I’d give up all of the other conveniences for those two.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

If I had to pick two options that should be on every Gladiator purchase, it would be the Alpine option and the factory LED option. Both are unacceptably bad in base model form and expensive to upgrade properly. This is coming from someone with a fully loaded Gladiator who savors all of the options. I’d give up all of the other conveniences for those two.

There's a reason many don't get those "upgrades":

Lights: If you live in a winter state, they WILL freeze over, effectively lowering light output and being less safe than halogens. It's not a matter of IF, but WHEN. Idk about you but I don't enjoy scraping ice of my headlights in freezing temps. Oracle has a solution for less the OEM, so why Jeep can't be bothered is silly.

Alpine: for $2k you get an amp, subwoofer, and 4 ANC mics with the 8.4" screen. Not better speakers, not 2x+ the output, and you still won't be able to hear it with the doors/top off on the highway (at least with AT/MTs). You can have a significantly better sounding/louder system for that price. This includes ALL speakers, amps, wiring, etc. I understand some people aren't confident enough to install.

 

[NC_Overland]

There's a reason many don't get those "upgrades":

Lights: If you live in a winter state, they WILL freeze over, effectively lowering light output and being less safe than halogens. It's not a matter of IF, but WHEN. Idk about you but I don't enjoy scraping ice of my headlights in freezing temps. Oracle has a solution for less the OEM, so why Jeep can't be bothered is silly.

Alpine: for $2k you get an amp, subwoofer, and 4 ANC mics with the 8.4" screen. Not better speakers, not 2x+ the output, and you still won't be able to hear it with the doors/top off on the highway (at least with AT/MTs). You can have a significantly better sounding/louder system for that price. This includes ALL speakers, amps, wiring, etc. I understand some people aren't confident enough to install.

lol if you can’t hear the alpine system with the top and doors off on the hwy you’re more deaf than I am. I’ve driven many a road trip from Raleigh to the beach (2+ hrs) doing 80-90 the whole way down I-40 with music bumping the whole time. It’s not that much louder with the hard top off at those speeds than with it on. It’s quite pleasant with the top off. The only downside is my mpg plummets with the top off. Doors off doesn’t make it any louder. I’m also not going to ever have an aftermarket stereo in a vehicle that the top comes off. Plus, is it water resistant? Mine had been soaked before and it’s fine. I’ve had too many systems stolen in my life. It’s not a matter of installing them. That’s the one type of wiring that’s easy for me.

I don’t know what to tell you about the LEDs because I’d never live somewhere where that’s an issue, but I’ve had mine in snow several times a year and never had that issue. Must be horrible living somewhere with that miserable of weather.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

lol if you can’t hear the alpine system with the top and doors off on the hwy you’re more deaf than I am. I’ve driven many a road trip from Raleigh to the beach (2+ hrs) doing 80-90 the whole way down I-40 with music bumping the whole time. It’s not that much louder with the hard top off at those speeds than with it on. It’s quite pleasant with the top off. The only downside is my mpg plummets with the top off. Doors off doesn’t make it any louder. I’m also not going to ever have an aftermarket stereo in a vehicle that the top comes off. Plus, is it water resistant? Mine had been soaked before and it’s fine. I’ve had too many systems stolen in my life. It’s not a matter of installing them. That’s the one type of wiring that’s easy for me.

I don’t know what to tell you about the LEDs because I’d never live somewhere where that’s an issue, but I’ve had mine in snow several times a year and never had that issue. Must be horrible living somewhere with that miserable of weather.

The simple fact they charge damn near $2k and don't even change the speakers, and if you think 12w rms is loud, then you either have the treble way too high, or have more sensitive ears than I do (tested well into negative decibels). I DO have tinnitus so hearing some lower frequencies over the easier-to-produce high frequencies is lacking, especially with doors off and MTs! Maybe THAT is why you say you can hear yours with the doors off, because you don't have knobby tires.

And regarding the lights, exactly. Saying they're fine when you don't experience cold like others do is why manufacturers test in ALL conditions, and good enough for most seems to be acceptable. We are moving into a generally warmer climate for the next couple hundred years, but the storm cells will keep becoming more intense too. Meaning better quality for those harsh conditions that people who buy live in.

 

[WILDHOBO]

The simple fact they charge damn near $2k and don't even change the speakers, and if you think 12w rms is loud, then you either have the treble way too high, or have more sensitive ears than I do (tested well into negative decibels). I DO have tinnitus so hearing some lower frequencies over the easier-to-produce high frequencies is lacking, especially with doors off and MTs! Maybe THAT is why you say you can hear yours with the doors off, because you don't have knobby tires.

And regarding the lights, exactly. Saying they're fine when you don't experience cold like others do is why manufacturers test in ALL conditions, and good enough for most seems to be acceptable. We are moving into a generally warmer climate for the next couple hundred years, but the storm cells will keep becoming more intense too. Meaning better quality for those harsh conditions that people who buy live in.

Sounds exactly like me. Tinitus and all. I’m glad mine came with the base 7” system with no “upgrades” I spent about $1,000 making it sound amazing. When I bought it, 7” was the largest screen I’d ever had in a vehicle. Now it’s our smallest, but who cares. It’s no longer responsible for the sound quality, as the amps have that job now. I get that the signal itself still is created from the head unit, but I’m not going to notice the difference there.

 

[NC_Overland]

The simple fact they charge damn near $2k and don't even change the speakers, and if you think 12w rms is loud, then you either have the treble way too high, or have more sensitive ears than I do (tested well into negative decibels). I DO have tinnitus so hearing some lower frequencies over the easier-to-produce high frequencies is lacking, especially with doors off and MTs! Maybe THAT is why you say you can hear yours with the doors off, because you don't have knobby tires.

And regarding the lights, exactly. Saying they're fine when you don't experience cold like others do is why manufacturers test in ALL conditions, and good enough for most seems to be acceptable. We are moving into a generally warmer climate for the next couple hundred years, but the storm cells will keep becoming more intense too. Meaning better quality for those harsh conditions that people who buy live in.

The total system output is 480W. 480 peak, but it’s plenty. I don’t put the treble up past 2 or it hurts my ears.

No one that I know of uses heated LED lights. Even my Audis and BMWs I’m pretty sure hav never had heaters on their LEDs and they cost quite a bit more and speaking of cost, they price it competitively. I need to look at my window sticker, I’m pretty sure I didn’t pay $2k for it on my 2020, but if it cost $2k it’s really not that expensive to me because I used to pay way more than that for my systems in the 90s, at 90s prices, that didn’t sound that much better. Just more bass.

 

[bd100]

The Alpine system PLUS upgraded dash and soundbar speakers does work pretty well, though. And the speakers are easy to upgrade, except the knee speakers, which can nevertheless handle full Alpine amp output.

 

[WILDHOBO]

The total system output is 480W. 480 peak, but it’s plenty. I don’t put the treble up past 2 or it hurts my ears.

No one that I know of uses heated LED lights. Even my Audis and BMWs I’m pretty sure hav never had heaters on their LEDs and they cost quite a bit more and speaking of cost, they price it competitively. I need to look at my window sticker, I’m pretty sure I didn’t pay $2k for it on my 2020, but if it cost $2k it’s really not that expensive to me because I used to pay way more than that for my systems in the 90s, at 90s prices, that didn’t sound that much better. Just more bass.

Must be a Colorado thing, but my leds have never gotten blocked by snow.

 

[WILDHOBO]

The total system output is 480W. 480 peak, but it’s plenty. I don’t put the treble up past 2 or it hurts my ears.

No one that I know of uses heated LED lights. Even my Audis and BMWs I’m pretty sure hav never had heaters on their LEDs and they cost quite a bit more and speaking of cost, they price it competitively. I need to look at my window sticker, I’m pretty sure I didn’t pay $2k for it on my 2020, but if it cost $2k it’s really not that expensive to me because I used to pay way more than that for my systems in the 90s, at 90s prices, that didn’t sound that much better. Just more bass.

Mine is 200w for the front and soundbar speakers, and another 250 o think for the 10” subwoofer. It’s 200 something. Also plenty.

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