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Stock radio sucks any tips

16K views 37 replies 22 participants last post by  87silver 
#1 ·
My new Jeep stock radio is really bad it's sounds awful.
Wish I got the Alpine system.
Without spending fortune what would be my best option for sound?
I also miss the touch screen my car has it
I didn't think it would be a big deal but I realize now how convenient the touch screen is.
And the back up cam I won't even go there ☹


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#2 ·
@skullfreak

Here's a list of some of the best sounds anyone can have while traveling in a jeep:

1) Wind
2) Road/Tire noise
3) Rain on the soft top

When stopped or resting still:

1) Birds
2) Streams/Waterfalls
3) Chipmunks
4) Rain of the soft top
5) Wind at 14K feet

In other words.. if we could have ordered the jeep without the radio.. it wouldn't have killed us not having one. So we got the basic setup which isn't used anyway.

Edited:

Wasn't trying to persuade you from not using your radio. but have you ever stopped in traffic and a big dude on a Harley pulls up beside you who has his radio full blast tuned to something you may not like.. Of how about that type is some kid in his rice burner playing something so load, you can't think straight. Thats sort of how it feels within a jeep.

If Jeep ever created a system where the must would auto adjust based on the surround conditions.. so you can actually listen to music, yet when you enter slower traffic, the volume automatically turns down as not to disrupt others.
 
#11 ·
If Jeep ever created a system where the must would auto adjust based on the surround conditions.. so you can actually listen to music, yet when you enter slower traffic, the volume automatically turns down as not to disrupt others.
I would have to agree. A radio with speed sensitive volume would be great. The Ford factory radio from 15+ years ago, had that feature.
 
#3 ·
Basics....poly fill ur soundbar n sound proof tub. Kicker upgrade on speakers is nice too. There are a few build threads for sound systems. Some go all out with nice equipment. Myself I just used poly fill n kicker upgrade. I can't stand touch screens...have an iPhone that I cuss daily. To some extent I can see wanting back up cam if lifted n large tire on rear of jeep but otherwise no need imo. Jeeps have great visibility. Use ur side mirrors n look around to find obstacles. Mostly I think they look terrible on any vehicle's dash. Really disappointing that vehicles will be mandated to have them going forward
 
#4 ·
Replace the deck with something aftermarket like a Pioneer 4200, and add the kicker upgrade speakers. Most people would be very happy with this, and it would cost a lot less than the overpiced Alpine system.

If you want to really rock it you can start adding amplifiers and a sub. Again, you could do this all for less than the premium Alpine system.
 
#5 ·
Replace the deck with something aftermarket like a Pioneer 4200, and add the kicker upgrade speakers. Most people would be very happy with this, and it would cost a lot less than the overpiced Alpine system.



If you want to really rock it you can start adding amplifiers and a sub. Again, you could do this all for less than the premium Alpine system.


Not looking for something crazy loud.
Just better quality.
I try the pollyfill first.
And go from there thx.


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#6 ·
You think the Wrangler radio is bad?

Be very thankful you dont have a Subaru WRX
The worst sounding P.O.S. I have ever encountered. :atomic:
Makes my JK sound like heaven

Dante
 
#12 ·
Be very thankful you dont have a Subaru WRX
The worst sounding P.O.S. I have ever encountered. :atomic:
Makes my JK sound like heaven
Even with that shark difference, I would have to say that a Wrangler has to be amongst the worse acoustic environments in any passenger vehicle today. I mean, if good sound is at all very important to one, a Wrangler is a pretty bad choice.
 
#9 ·
If I could do it again, I would go this route:

Order the higher powered radio linked below. It seems to be the highest powered aftermarket radio available. No need for amps. With that one, you should be able to hear the tunes with the top down/doors off.

https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_92652_Sony-MEX-XB100BT-Stereo-w-Built-In-160W-Amplifier.html

Order some takeoff speakers from the Alpine Premium Sound package. I did this and they are GREAT! You will need a 400-600 Hz bass blocker on the small speakers.

Jeep Wrangler JK 07-17 Sound Bar Speaker 6.5" Alpine OEM

Jeep Wrangler JK 14-17 Dash or Sound Bar Speaker 4" Alpine OEM | eBay
 
#13 ·
Yea the stock head unit is garbage. Replace it first even the paper speakers sound fine after you replace the head unit. Your sound system will only sound as good as the AMP pushing it. Garbage head unit = garbage sound, better head unit = better sound. I did poly fill my sound bar speakers afterward, some like it some don't, seems better to me and that's whats important. Speaker upgrades are nice but you'll be way under powering aftermarket speakers most of the time with the stock head unit.
 
#14 ·
I have the 430Z and its horrible. I replaced the sound bar and front dash wit Polk Audio db651s and polyfiil everything, a little better. The issue is you need power at least 45 Watts.
I`m thinking of just getting a class D amp cutting the 8 wires to the Polk speakers and
that might do it.
 
#16 ·
Crutchfeild or Amazon Polk or Kicker are the best fit. Fit right in NP. Make sure they are 61/2 for both sound bar and front dash. I also purchased a set of drop in tweeters from Quadratec for the top dash. They also have the Kicker speakers.

Polk Audio db651s 6-1/2" 2-way shallow-mount car speakers are waterproof so I purchased them. I have been searching the internet for a while for a way to upgrade the sound system. Can`t change the head unit with out modifications.
 
#18 ·
One would have been thrilled at the roads we drove this weekend, assuming they enjoy the silence of the great out doors. Every time we came to a stop sign, we just listened. Nothing for miles around. Our back roads leading to small towns are dieing off cause the major highways are in a rush to get those in a hurry from point A to point B as fast as they can. Off roading is just part of the over all picture.. driving these small no name roads tends to make one reflect on how things use to be.
 
#19 ·
poly fill sound bar. Up grade speakers At least sound bar speakers. Get a 4 channel amp does not need to be top of the line. It is a jeep. I go like panasonic 45 watt Some thing like that and kicker sound bar speakers and it sounds good. Top off can get loud enough to hear fine and no distortion.
 
#22 ·
Added kickers speakers today.
Not 77kick10 but kicker brand from crutchfield I don't think it's better at all.
If anything I have to have the bass way down now.
Looks like there's no getting away without paying for a new system install.
Getting overwhelmed with jeep upgrades.
So much and not so much money to blow on that.


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#23 ·
I`m in the same situation, I pulled apart my dash yesterday thinking of getting an
Alpine amp 1445U using 2 reverse connectors to tap the amp off of so I don`t need to cut into the factory harness. The problem is the head uint has no power. It should sound a little better then those paper speaker Jeeps come with. I don`t understand why Jeep put
such a lousy cheap sound system in most Jeeps. Also headlights suck thinking of replacing
with JW Speaker J series headlights and fog lights.
 
#24 ·
So have you tried getting 4 daughters? I know when I ride with mine they will all sing to whatever is on the radio, all off sync, different pitches, with their own flair, then they will yell at each other to shut up and quit drowning their voice out. After a bit more arguing and screaming I will tell them all to be quiet turn on the stock radio....even with the top off, it sounds heavenly.

I mean yeah it is a rather expensive fix, but it does seem to really make me appreciate the stock sound a lot more.
 
#29 ·
YOU NEED POWER! Putting new speakers on the Jeep head unit is like putting fancy tires on a Geo Metro. It's not gonna make you go any faster.

Go read my original post again.

You can triage the problem by running your stock head unit into an amp that accepts speaker level inputs, BUT it won't have the clarity of using RCA outputs from a quality aftermarket deck.

Someone mentioned that Jet.com has the Pioneer 4200 on sale. I own one and can recommend this.

Then add an amp if you need to.
 
#31 ·
I just purchased a 2017 Smoky Mountain edition.. and yes agreed - the stock speakers might be the worst sound I've ever heard. Especially compared to the sony system in my car.

Didn't want to spend the money, but I purchased the x009-wra from Alpine. X109 & X209 have features (and a larger price tag) I don't care much for. Alpine said the interface didn't change much. This will at least allow me to output more power to the speakers and such. Also came with the backup cam/light system.

With that, I also purchased (from Quadratec) the Kicker 6.75 deluxe speakers for the dash and soundbar, as well as the dash tweeters. I've read the soundbar tweeters are okay, so if necessary I will get 2 more of those.

In your case, the kicker speakers will certainly allow improvement for sound, but as others have mentioned - the stock head unit can only do so much. However, its a fairly inexpensive and simple way to replace the stock speakers yourself (plug and play). I think for 6 of the 8 total speakers my JKU has came to about $440. The alpine system runs for $1300 itself.
 
#32 ·
2015 JK 2-dr Willys Wheeler

Head Unit -
Alpine iLX-007 CarPlay

Amp
Alpine MRV-F300 mounted under front driver's seat

Front Speakers
Alpine SPS-610C

Soundbar Speakers
Alpine SPS-610

Subwoofer
Alpine PWE-S8 - mounted behind the front passenger seat.

Best sounding system I've ever had in any vehicle.
 
#33 ·
My 2011 JK has the "368W 7-Speaker Infinity Sound Sys Incl Subwoofer" according to my window sticker. The head unit looks like the 130 head unit, so I assume the Infinity system was just slightly better speakers and a sub in the back. I think it sounds pretty decent.

My wife's 2014 JKU has the same head unit as mine, but no sub, and probably lower end speakers. She doesn't really care because she mostly listens to audio books or NPR when she's driving to work.

I can definitely hear a big difference in sound quality between our two Jeeps, but even hers is good enough.

If want better sound quality, I'll listen to music in my home recording studio through my studio reference monitors or my 2000 watt PA system. :D
 
#36 ·
So everyone hates the entry level system
 
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#38 ·
OEM sound system = topless and who cares

Premium sound system = Freedom Top and alarm system...

Seems that one thing is always impacted by another...
 
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