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Upgrading my 2015 JKU Speakers

26K views 17 replies 15 participants last post by  webwarmiller 
#1 ·
I just bought a new wrangler unlimited sahara 4 weeks ago and thought it had the upgraded alpine system with the sub woofer, but turns out it does not and the stock speakers really are just plain terrible. I was under the impression they were standard on the sahara but i guess not. Is it possible to get the alpine system installed into the jeep at this point? or would i have to do custom audio work? I would love to just pay to have it upgraded to the specific alpine system designed for it. Does anyone know if this is possible?
 
#3 ·
From what I have heard, it is not possible to put the Alpine upgraded system into a base system Jeep. Don't worry. That is good news. That system costs about $1,700. You can have a system that is just as good, if not better for far less. First consideration is getting new speakers. You can either go components, or get upgraded plug n play replacements for the (4) 6.5's and the (4) 3.5's. I'm on the fence as to what is better here... I went the second route with the Kickers (77KICK10's and 77KICK25AB's) for about $240 and installed them myself. The components are not too much more difficult. After that, you will need an amp and a sub. You can go one of two ways here, either get a 4 channel amp to power the speakers I mentioned above, plus a powered sub, or get a 5 channel amp and you will be able to power all 8 speakers and the sub. The deciding factor(s) here are likely how discreet you would like your system to be, as well as how much cargo space you are willing to give up. I, along with most people, don't want to give up precious cargo space with a big sub box (and also advertise to thieves) so I went with a powered sub under the front seat. It is less likely to get stolen and takes up next to zero space. It rounds out the system nicely, just like the upgraded Alpine, but won't go BOOM and wake the neighbors like a sub(s) in a big box with heavy amplification will tend to do. After you have made decisions on all of this, you will have to figure out if you desire to keep the stock head unit or not. None of them are very good compared with what is out there, but again, there is that thing about being inconspicuous, as well as how much you already put into it if you got more than the single din base stereo. Do you have nav? Do you wish to replace it and pay for it all over, less what you may be able to eBay your OEM unit for? I suggest searching the forum as you will find tons of other posts about how crappy the base 15 stereo is. I did that and ended up doing the Kickers, an amp, and the powered 8" sub for under the seat. It now sounds fantastic and I still have about 1/2 of what I would have in it had I gotten the upgraded system, while still remaining rather discreet. Search the forum and you will get a ton of ideas. Good luck. I just finished upgrading mine a couple days ago and although it isn't an audiophiles wet dream (it is a Jeep, what more can we expect with no top, doors off...?) it gets loud and sounds pretty decent without all of that base system distortion you are now experiencing! Search the forum. You will find all the answers you need!
 
#4 ·
From what I have heard, it is not possible to put the Alpine upgraded system into a base system Jeep. Don't worry. That is good news. That system costs about $1,700. You can have a system that is just as good, if not better for far less.
While this doesn't help the op much, the Alpine system doesn't run $1700. MSRP on the system was $795 when I ordered my '15 Willys jku. I had a friends and family number and if I remember correctly, it was a bit under $650 when it was all said and done.

The $1700 figure must take into account optioning up to one of the navigation head units as well.
 
#6 ·
I did the kicker speaker (Mopar) upgrade to just the pair in the sound bar, added dynamat and poly fill, and then added a Crutchfield b8ptd self powered sub. Not an audiophile, but it sounds great and good enough that an audiophile friend thought I had the $~1000 upgraded stereo but for only ~$300.
 
#7 ·
I upgraded all 4 6.5" speakers to the mopar kickers. Added polyfill in the sound bar as well and it's definitely worth the $150 spent. 1000% better sound over the base system. I will be adding a small sub under the seat as the speakers alone don't provide the punch I'm looking for on the lows.
 
#8 ·
I was lazy and changed out just the sound bar with Kickers, not too sure if it even made a difference, I will try putting Kickers in the Dash and see how that pan out. I have the Uconnect 730.

Kinda insane Chrysler would ship the Jeep with a practically useless audio system, reminds me of my 1990 YJ, my 1999 TJ was pretty good and my 2007 JK was awesome, very disappointed with this crap in the 2015.

If I had to do it all over would have never gotten anything other than the Uconnect 130 and take that $2000 spent on the 730 and pimped out with a decent aftermarket system.

Also I do not think you can get a base 130 in the Sahara any more they are forcing the 430 at a minimum.
 
#13 ·
Yes, just do after market. The upgrades Alpin is solid, for a "stock-factory" system. But you can do much better for less on on your own.

In fact there are numerous threads on using Alpin speakers to upgrade your base system.

I ordered a 2016 and am familiar with everything Jeep offers. There was zero chance I would have paid to upgrade anything. I'm certainly not knocking anyone that that has or did. But I'm very comfortable with after market options.
 
#14 ·
Well just got a 2015 sport with 430 stereo and stock speaker.

Dealer said with top down stock speakers wouldn't be adequate.
What I've found is yes they aren't super great, but I put normal iTunes downloaded music on a thumb drive and downloaded to 430 hard drive and am pleasantly surprised. Audio quality is very good and still loud with no distortion. I'm sure the alpine skiing are better, but knew I could do after market speakers cheap. Sirius doesn't sound very good. Like any music the source needs to be high quality. Yes. Stock system lacks base and depth, but I'm 41 and my rap days blasting base are long gone!!! So for $995 I chose to pass. I also didn't want to lose the storage compartment the sub takes up.

I plan to upgrade speaker bar at some point for sure, because given their location they clearly are the speakers you hear the most. Probably will go with the kickers.

I do like the 430 head unit. It's clean and integrated well with the truck and for the cost of the vehicle should be standard.
 
#15 ·
There are many threads, but many are reporting that there is a significant amount of sound coming from the small upper dash speakers. There is a JL Audio that fits nicely there.

For the sound bar, Alpin makes a nice set of components. Reasonable priced.

As for lower dash, one member here had the brilliant idea of putting subwoofers (2x 5.25"). If you don't want to take up cargo space or go under a seat (which you can't in a 2-door anyway), this was simply brilliant! The lower dash speakers are in true enclosures.
 
#17 ·
Do tell or point to link?

As for lower dash, one member here had the brilliant idea of putting subwoofers (2x 5.25"). If you don't want to take up cargo space or go under a seat (which you can't in a 2-door anyway), this was simply brilliant! The lower dash speakers are in true enclosures.[/QUOTE]
 
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