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The Good, Bad, & Ugly of Upgrading a 2017 JKU Stereo (Long Post)

11K views 14 replies 13 participants last post by  Jeremey 
#1 ·
So, this is my first Jeep. I bought it in late May and am loving it. I got the Smoky Mountain edition, as I preferred something that came with everything I really wanted, so I did not have to do a lot of upgrading/accessorizing. This package did that for me, in all areas but one...the sound system.

Over the past 20 years, I have been lucky enough to drive mostly luxury-level vehicles (Range Rover, Infiniti, Land Cruiser, etc.) due to my work/job benefits. So, while I am no audiophile, I have gotten used to some really good sound systems. This Jeep came with a 430N base (non-Alpine), and it was simply horrible.

*Note: this Jeep also came with a Freedom Headliner, which is fantastic, but I am sure affects the sound/acoustics in some form or fashion.

The sound was painfully muddy, no separation between lows/mids/highs, many songs (especially Country, Rock, & Alternative) on Sirius were almost unlistenable. Other media/sources were a little better, but still really bad.

So, I immediately came to this forum and started researching...this place isamazing! I was able to find many answers and opinions, that allowed me to make some decisions.

Here's what I went with:

**FRONT**:

Quadratec® JK-TWEET15 Super Tweeters (Pair) for 15-17 Jeep® Wrangler & Wrangler Unlimited JK
https://www.quadratec.com/products/14133_1102.htm

Kicker 6.75” Deluxe Speaker Upgrade Kits for 07-17 Jeep® Wrangler JK (Dash,07-17 Wrangler JK (Uses Factory Grill)
https://www.quadratec.com/p/kicker/675-deluxe-speaker-upgrade-kits-07-16-jeep-wrangler-jk

**SOUND BAR:**

3.5" Kicker Speaker Upgrade 77KICK25AB
https://www.amazon.com/Dodge-Kicker...497119187&sr=8-1&keywords=Dodge+dart+speakers

Kicker 6.75” Deluxe Speaker Upgrade Kits for 07-17 Jeep® Wrangler JK (Sound Bar,07-17 Wrangler JK (Uses Kicker Grill)
https://www.quadratec.com/p/kicker/675-deluxe-speaker-upgrade-kits-07-16-jeep-wrangler-jk

**OTHER:**

Fairfield Poly-Fil Premium Polyester Fiber, White, 1 Bag, 12oz
https://www.amazon.com/Fairfield-Po...=UTF8&qid=1497120006&sr=8-2&keywords=polyfill

I have never worked on a Jeep or installed any stereo of any kind on any vehicle, but understood this process to be pretty easy. It was. Six of the 8 speakers were installed in just minutes. The 2 most difficult were the front in-dash 6.75"s.

**Front Tweeters:**

The Super Tweeters are truly plug & play. I popped off the covers, unscrewed 2 screws, unplugged the stock ones, plugged in the new ones, angled them to the front, no poly fill, screwed everything back in, replaced covers. Total install time for both, about 10 minutes. Very easy, nice upgrade. Angling them away from the windshield makes a big difference, too.

**Front 6.75-inchers:**

The toughest, for obvious reasons, but not too bad. Just a little time consuming, due to the disassembly of the lower dash and the overall tight fit. Just be patient and watch one of the many install videos that are available. I also added quite a bit of poly fill. Some people say these speakers don't make big difference, or the least amount of difference. I disagree and think it is totally worth the time & effort to replace the stock speakers. They do make a difference. You just cannot begin to have a decent system with those pathetic stock speakers. Get them out, all of them. Total time here, about an hour and 20 minutes.

**Sound Bar 3.5-inchers:**

Incredibly easy (plug & play) and I could definitely hear more mids and highs now. No poly-fill in these, as I didn't want to risk any muffling/dampening. Highly recommend these speakers. Total install time for both, 10 minutes.

**Sound Bar 6.75-inchers**

Again, just plugged, added poly fill, and played. These produced a noticeable difference. Nothing earth-shattering, but significantly better. Total install time for both, 10 minutes. I did not use the provided grills and just stuck with the factory ones, which was a preference and the path of least resistance.

The overall sound in the Jeep was definitely improved. The mids and highs were the most improved, as all music and talk radio was much clearer and had some depth. The lows were a bit better, but still felt a bit forced and unnatural, with the stock head unit and no amp. The biggest problem is that the stock head unit just doesn't have enough power to push lows through these speakers. If you set the bass on the EQ past 0 (zero), it sounds muddy again. If you leave it at zero, there are no lows.

So, after listening for a while (in many driving conditions), trying out at least a thousand different equalizer settings, I quickly realized that after spending $500+, my system was just OK now. It was more of what you would expect from a stock stereo in a entry-to-almost-mid level vehicle.

On a scale from 1 to 10, I started with a 1.5 (just because it worked) and was now at about a 4.5. Of course, I wanted more, I wanted it to be really good.

So, I came back here and researched more. I read opinions about replacing the head unit, adding a sub, adding more poly fill, taking out some poly fill, Dynamats, bass blockers, OHMs differences, etc. Geez. Some people had success, others were still unhappy with their systems after doing much of this. What to do?

I decided to add a small, under the seat sub, the Alpine PWE-S8-WRA Subwoofer, as I have an English Bulldog that rides in the back and did not want anything in the cargo area.
https://www.quadratec.com/p/alpine/8-inch-compact-powered-subwoofer-system-11-17-jeep-unlimited-jk

I will admit that I know what I don't know. And, when it comes to removing seats, messing with car batteries, pulling wiring, I just don't know much. So, I called a local shop and asked how much it would cost to install this. They told me $100, which was a no-brainer for me.

When I arrived at the shop, the owner warned me that these under-the-seat subs usually don't produce much bass and to temper my expectations. He recommended a new head unit, if I was not happy with the sound after the installation.

A couple hours later, they called to tell me it was ready. The owner went on and on about how impressed he was with this Alpine. I went to pick it up, and he was right. The damn thing sounded amazing. Way more bass than I expected. Really good, deep bass, that can be controlled. I finally had full, rich, loud sound in the Jeep.

The best part about adding the sub, is that I could set the head unit EQ bass at -2, keep the mids and highs really clear, and still have deep, clean lows from the sub. Huge difference. Enough to make me question whether or not I need a new head unit.

So, here's the bottom line...

The Good: The sound system in the Jeep is now great, at least an 8 out of 10. I am very happy with it, and may not change a thing. I have the Bass at -2, Mids at +2, Treble at +4, and the Sub at about 4 O'Clock on it's controller. It sounds great on just about any genre, even at low volumes.

The Bad: I still can't get over how bad the stock system was. Just pathetic. Really, really awful.

The Ugly I spent $1,100 on the stock 430N, $500 on speaker upgrades, $500 on the Alpine Sub, and $100 for installation (totals $2,200) to get a system that now rival the other systems I referenced above. I still might replace the head unit, as I don't love the UConnect and want a better set of EQs. That will run another $800. Ugly.

Hope this helps.
 
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#2 ·
Agreed!

I just bought my Smoky Mountain a little over a week ago and too cannot believe the quality of the stereo/speakers.

I have gone to a local audio shop and was quoted $2100 to put in the JL Stealthbox, replacement speakers and amp and have been searching for an alternative. I'm pretty sure I'm going to follow your upgrade. I assume you didn't add an amp then?

I don't need a booming system but want something that sounds great. I've been spoiled with the systems put in my old rides and cannot deal with this stock.

Thanks for the post.
 
#3 ·
Unfortunately the second you park your "pathetic looking" stock smokey mountain jeep next to a lifted jk (mine is a jkur with AEV package and 35" tires) you are going to lose your mind and spend the next 3 months and significant bucks upgrading. So the money you dropped as an "audiophile" is just the start. Ha! It's a disease. But fulfilling as well. Just part of the ownership experience.
 

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#5 ·
I concur that the stock Jeep audio system is horrendous and not acceptable in any way shape or form. Here is what I did to my 2015 JKUR with the base system and the 430N:

Pioneer 4200nex - $525
Alpine 445 amp - $120
Polk separates up front $cant remember
Alpine 8" sub underneath

Result is a kicking system with great clarity! I did the install myself and the total system was less than $1000 after selling my 430N. What started as a 1.5 on a 1-10 scale is now a 9. I would like to do something with the sound bar (I have nothing powering the Polk separates I put in there), but I have become used to the 90 watts going to the front speaker and don't want to cut those down to power the rears. Sub is simply amazing. Head unit is 100x better than the stock unit. It has a great crossover built in that I used to fine tune the roll off for the front speakers and also the sub which is also adjustable. It is perfect!

Once you get this little Alpine sub in, it makes all the difference
 
#6 ·
Hope you are liking your Smoky Mountain as much as I like mine.

Yes, you are correct, I did not install a separate amp. However, the Alpine sub produces 120w of power, so it really makes a huge difference for the overall sound of the entire system.

The dude at the shop initially recommended an upgraded/more powerful head unit (he is a Kenwood fan for the JKUs), as he said a separate amp with my configuration would be problematic. I am still considering it, but am pretty happy with what I have now.

As for the sound, I think this one would give you exactly what you are looking for. Good luck, keep us updated!
 
#8 ·
Pffft. Ugly smugly. Here's ugly... but the good is sooooooo good.

Pioneer AVIC 8200 - $1,0000
Hertz HSK165 Speakers - $400
JL Stealthbox Sub - $600
JL 650 Speakers for soundbar - $175
JLM 700/5 Marine Amp - $500
Rearview Camera - $300
XM - $70
LABOR and PARTS, including new USB in dash and sub control dial - $970
 
#9 ·
Glad I got the Alpine system. Not the absolute best, but good enough…
Saw this (from a few years ago) and was amazed at the effort put into the sound in the 2015+ Hard Rock's (and others with the same components):

Not crazy about the 130S (didn't feel like paying for the 430/430N).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b25jj_zzINQ
 
#10 ·
I would add a small separate amp to your upgrades. I have a smilar setup, but using a KICKER 8" sub. Get a small ALPINE power pack amp to push the new speakers. Overall sound will match the sub better.
I was thinking about those QTech tweeters. But the OEM ALPINE 3.5" are great so far. Have in dash and sound bar and they replaced the KICKER 25ABs I tried.
 
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