Do you have a sound bar? I upgraded my speakers, added a molded subwoofer, added a amp, EQ and a HU. With my setup, I am pushing 100watts RMS to the speakers and 500watts to the sub. I can't stand my stereo any louder than 2/3 volume, and I like my music loud. Here's my setup and cost assessment.

PERFORMANCE TEKNIQUE ICBM-SATLITE 7" Automobile Digital Panel TFT Touch Screen, In-Dash One Din, DVD/CD/MP3/MP4/WMA Player,AM/FM MPX Radio, Built-In GPS,USA/MEXICO/CANADA Maps Included, USB Port/SD Card Interface, AUX, BLUETOOTH, Car Steering, Dual Zone, CC LED Fully Motorized/Detachable Front Panel $289
MTX Audio Thunderform JWTJ97T20-T45 10" 4 ohms Loaded Vehicle Specific (Tan color, Loaded Subwoofer) $348
4-5.25" CDT Coaxial Speakers, 110wattsRMS $99/pair
PowerAcoustik GT5-2500, 2500W Max, 5-Channel Gothic Series Car Amp. $175
Clarion EQS746 7-Band Rotary Equalizer $49

Total cost not including installation=$1059(shipping was free because I picked it up)

I got everything but the HU-here (the molded subwoofer is awesome, specially designed for the Jeep Wrangler 97-06).

http://www.techronics.com/

 

Do you have a sound bar? I upgraded my speakers, added a molded subwoofer, added a amp, EQ and a HU. With my setup, I am pushing 100watts RMS to the speakers and 500watts to the sub. I can't stand my stereo any louder than 2/3 volume, and I like my music loud. Here's my setup and cost assessment.

PERFORMANCE TEKNIQUE ICBM-SATLITE 7" Automobile Digital Panel TFT Touch Screen, In-Dash One Din, DVD/CD/MP3/MP4/WMA Player,AM/FM MPX Radio, Built-In GPS,USA/MEXICO/CANADA Maps Included, USB Port/SD Card Interface, AUX, BLUETOOTH, Car Steering, Dual Zone, CC LED Fully Motorized/Detachable Front Panel $289
MTX Audio Thunderform JWTJ97T20-T45 10" 4 ohms Loaded Vehicle Specific (Tan color, Loaded Subwoofer) $348
4-5.25" CDT Coaxial Speakers, 110wattsRMS $99/pair
PowerAcoustik GT5-2500, 2500W Max, 5-Channel Gothic Series Car Amp. $175
Clarion EQS746 7-Band Rotary Equalizer $49

Total cost not including installation=$1059(shipping was free because I picked it up)

I got everything but the HU-here (the molded subwoofer is awesome, specially designed for the Jeep Wrangler 97-06).

http://www.techronics.com/

How much would your setup cost without the screen? I don't need the screen

 

Here's a shot of my HU and EQ. Jeep Radios are 1-1/2 din radios, so I used a one din radio and I put a half din EQ in the extra space.

 

That looks like a nice setup.

If your Jeep doesn't have AC, no problem. But if it does, does the cold air blowing against the back of that screen for long periods of time hurt the unit?

I like the 7" screen, but because of the location of the AC vents, I like this stereo, too.

 

MTX Audio Thunderform JWTJ97T20-T45
It's a down-firing molded subwoofer loaded with 2-10" MTX subwoofers, unpowered.
It really vibrates the car, so you feel the bass.

 

1k is kind of an insane budget for a Jeep. Our Wranglers have terrible acoustics, spending lots of money is just a waste IMO. Some decent speakers, an amp, and maybe a sub is all you need.

For the past couple years I've been running the Sony XM-4S and Infinity Kappas. With the 2 ohm Kappas the amp puts out 60 watts rms x 4. Front are 5.25 with the Nallin brackets and 6.5" in the sound bar. I would suggest components for the front with the nallin tweeter brackets. In the stock location the tweeter highs are very muffled.

Amp is mounted under the dash, to the steering column.

I don't run a sub, don't personally feel I need one and don't want to sacrifice the space.

As for head unit I just have a cheap Kenwood with pre amp outputs, HD radio, and USB input for my phone.

 

We all have our different preferences and stuff when it comes to audio equipment. I know that with open vehicles you need higher volumes. I have tried the Kappas, and I hated them. I blew them out. They have low RMS, so any powerful amp, which I prefer in an open vehicle, will have problems. I also didn't like the tweeters. They sounded horrible to me, because they have no cross-overs. This is the main complaint about the Infinity Kappa Speakers. The Tweeters aren't focused, trying to interpret all frequencies, and they don't sound crisp. I know because I had them.

I use to feel the way that you do when it comes to subwoofers too. But, now that I have one, especially this one, it is like night and day. I listen to rock, pop, heavy metal and Hip Hop. I hear other stereo's without a subwoofer, and I think,"Wow, they just don't know". With a sub, It's like hearing music in a theatre. All my friends are amazed at my system. They continually want to bring their own music into my car, and then they say, "this is the way it is suppose to sound."

I didn't mount my amp under the dash because they get hot and need to breathe.

The rest is dependent on your budget. Some people spend $5000.00 or more on a sound system. Some of them have open vehicles or convertibles.
I know that I don't have to spend $5000.00 dollars to get my system to sound like a $5000.00 dollar system, and I think mine does.

I disagree that Wranglers have terrible acoustics. They are just like any other open vehicle. I have tried different size speakers in the sound bars and in the front. Maybe this is the reason you say terrible acoustics. But, if you put the same size speakers in the front and in the rear, you hear a different acoustical environment. I recognized this with my last upgrade setup. But, since I put 5.25 all around, I have a perfectly balanced acoustical environment, that with a sub, sounds like 4.1 surround sound.
No more do I hear one set over powering another set. Or, tweeters being pushed harder in one set, and more bass in another set.

The music just floats all around me. No more louder front speakers, or back speakers. It's amazing, you really should hear it, and I think you would agree that Wranglers don't have terrible acoustics, its all in our preferences of sound that we want in our vehicles, and the budget we want to spend.

 

I did a JVC Bluetooth in the dash, a set of Blaupunkt 6.5s in the dash, another set in the soundbar, and an 8in 100w Bazooka tube in the trunk area. sounds decent and didn't cost a fortune.

I do like the MTX enclosure though..Hmmmm..the Gen Right Soundgarden and the MTX enclosure....hmmmmmm....just thinking outloud....

 

For the subwoofer is this the right item with the same quality? : MTX ThunderForm Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom Subwoofer Box | eBay

 

For the subwoofer is this the right item with the same quality? : MTX ThunderForm Jeep Wrangler TJ Custom Subwoofer Box | eBay

It seems like its the same one, but I'm suspicious when the speakers are listed as max power instead of RMS. MAX power is a big useless number, that really doesn't mean squat in regards to continuous play ability. But, they seem to be the same 10" MTX speakers, just listed as 300 max watts each, or 600 max watts total, or 400 watts RMS total, since they run together off one channel.

 

A word to the wise. If you order electronics online, and the box is damaged, send it back. Likely the unit will be damaged too, and it might just stop working after a month, if it works properly at all.

 

If you plan to run a soft top don't spend more than $500 to $600. As was said, the acoustics suck. Plus, provided you put the top down, things will get wet. Also, any stereo bling will be eye candy for thieves!

 

Yeah I'm running a soft top but I live in the suburbs. I just need a system where the audio is crisp and I get Bluetooth

 

I actually just went through this myself when I bought my Jeep two months ago and put the finishing touches on my system today.

I replaced my head unit with a JVC Bluetooth receiver ($100), bought some Polk 5.25“ components up front ($100 plus $20 for adapters and made the tweeter brackets myself), put 6.5“ Polk speakers in the sound bar ($50) and then installed a Sound Ordnance powered subwoofer ($80 on Craigslist plus $30 for the wiring kit). In total, I'm out $400 and an very happy with it.

 

If you are happy with it, that is all that matters.unk:

 

I'm trying to save money for bumpers, a roof rack, etc. so I'm conserving money as to ensure my wife doesn't get pissed when she sees the credit card bill

 

I went with all Polk Audio speakers...6 1/2 in the sound bar pods, 5 1/4 in some Nalin adapters in the dash and 4" in the a-pillar. Powering it with a $100 Clarion XC1410 4-channel amp that I have hidden away off a JVC headunit that I don't really like, but it works and I don't need bling in the Jeep. Next up will be my sub once I finish my fiberglass box and an amp to that, and I'll be done. Should have right around $600 in the system once I'm done.

 

Although this one is only a 3.6" screen.

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When I go to the Drive In, I get there when the gates open, which is usually 2 hours before the 1st show starts. I do this because I want to get a good parking spot. (It's the ONLY Drive In around these parts).

For the times where I am parked, with nothing to do for 2 hours, but wait for the movies to start, I can see myself just kicking back, watching a DVD movie, instead of just sitting on my butt, and just looking around.

 

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Don't make the mistake of assuming the suburbs equates to low risk of theft...

I live near Eugene, Oregon, a smallish town in a very rural state. We have several cars stolen every day, and the number of "car clout" smash-and-grab thefts runs into the hundreds per month. If your local police agency doesn't post crime data on their website you might want to touch base with you car insurance guy or a local auto-glass shop. In Oregon, a nice stereo in a soft-top Jeep has a VERY low life expectancy... (Of course, our crime rate is terrible, because our legislature is pro-welfare and anti-law enforcement. Your experience may vary.)

My solution was to keep the factory head unit (not worth stealing) and install a behind the HU amp. (Several amps are designed for that placement and work well.) I like the Kappas too, and they're very efficient, so it takes little power to run them. I have an 8" sub in my Tuffy locking sub-console. The Jeep looks 100% stock, sounds 300% better, and the total investment was less than $600.

I love my music, so we put much better stuff in our other, more secure, more acoustically sound vehicles, but this is a very good compromise for a noisy open jeep.

 

Check your center console, you might have an amp and blown sub. If so, amazon has a replacement sub for 14$

 

I went thru Quadratec and got all of my new stuff. I would with the Sony CDX-GT575UP cost $139.99 with installation kit. Plus they have the full line of Kicker replacement speakers. I'm every happy with the full set up.

 

Just won an eBay auction for a new hu clarion nz503. It's normally in the $500 range ($800 retail). I got it for $300. It's a good price


Now that I got the hu, I need an amp, sub, and speakers.

 

Now that I got the hu, I need an amp, sub, and speakers.

I would put a lot of thought into your speakers and future system. The Polks are great speakers for your current HU. In most places it says the Clarion is 19watts RMSx4@1%THD, which is kind of low wattage for an open vehicle. In other places it says that the Clarion has a built in amp for 50x4. It doesn't say what the THD is at 50x4. I assume it is 10% and related to the loudness button. At 19RMS the Polks DB521 would be great speakers for your system. At 50RMS, you are pushing the limit of the Polk Speakers. Cranking up the Clarion with the crazy 10% THD(loudness button) might blow your Polks. If you plan to amplify your speakers with a powerful amp/sub, then the Polks definitely won't be good enough. I never use the loudness button. It adds too much distortion.

If you plan to add a sub and amp, I would consider adding an EQ too, into your empty 1/2 din space. This allows you too compensate for distortion and allows you to better adjust frequencies with loud volumes. I found that the bass, treble, environment, adjustments on the HU are not enough at high amplified volumes.

I would add a EQ into your system now. They are only 50 dollars. You will find that you prefer using the EQ over the HU adjustments because the EQ is more specific, and clearer. Especially if you press that loudness button on the HU. I would find a display and listen to a few EQ's and check their specifications. Clarion has always had a great reputation for an EQ. They are good frequency responsive and low THD. There are other EQ's such as Boss too. But, I would first listen to it on a display and check the specifications. The Clarion EQ have great, crisp frequency responses at low THD. The Boss looks good, but I have found that they do not have good frequency response or good THD. Therefore, if you choose a Boss, I would suggest finding a display and playing with it. You really want a EQ that has crisp frequency response. You want one that brings the music alive.

 

People, it's a jeep, the sound can only get so good. You don't need an EQ for that HU, not in a million years. Adjust filter at 4chan amp to cut out low frequencies to stereo speakers and opposite for mono amp hooked up to sub. Polyfill the enclosure and tune EQ/cutoff until you get decent mid bass without excessive buzzing/rattling from the pods. A lot of it comes from the light covers, I pulled mine, but you could do something different (o-ring or sealant).

You're only going to get so much out of the enclosures and dash speakers simply due to how the jeep is. Alpine F35 is more than enough to punish your ears into submission if set up properly. It also mounts to MDF and fits inside the center console. I have an M55 hooked up to a single 12" sub in the back. Sub was just some 300W DVC 4ohm wired to 2ohm kicker I had left over, amp can definitely push better but it pounds good enough. I get pulled over all the time (4 and counting) playing from high-mid to max volume. I listen to classic rock and country and it's set up for only that type of music (it wouldn't sound good with rap, for example). I have Infinity 52.9i kappa's all around, use the -3db setting. If I wanted to go balls to the wall I'd buy a 500W RMS DVC 4ohm wired to 2ohm (some really good brand) and I'd get the F65 amp with the 90W RMS polk high end 5-1/4in components. Then I'd do custom fiberglass enclosures to replace the pods. But now you're looking at 2grand instead of $800. I only run topless and it's just about to the point where if I could get it louder, I wouldn't be sitting in it while doing it so I figured dropping another 2g into a system I couldn't enjoy was dumb.

Direct line of sight, you can hear it 3-4 blocks away, especially with the duster cover on the back you get a lot of base and the downfiring speaking bar/bods deflects off that too. Good stuff.

 

People, it's a jeep, the sound can only get so good.

I don't think you would say that if you heard my system.
I didn't spend 2 grand, I only spent, 1 grand. Check my prices and system in my above posting. I just happen to be more of an audiophile than an Off-Roader with my Jeep. I guess you would call mine a yuppie Jeep. But, that's okay, I still love it, and your Jeep too.

I am pushing 100watts RMSx4 and 500watts to the sub, at 1%THD.
My system absolutely rocks.

I have a very discriminating ear, and I without the EQ, my system sounded dead to me. I am not a big fan of modern Rap. But, I do listen to Pop, Hip Hop, Contemporary, Classic Rock, Classical, Country, Heavy Metal, Soul, R&B and some older Rap. I don't really care what people think, I love "Achy Breaky Heart" and I love, "Devil Went Down To Georgia." I also love Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet.

I EQ'd my system for every genre. I may have to adjust the sub level at times, but that is about it. For my spectrum of musical tastes, you can probably see that a EQ is crucial.

I guess it depends on whether you have broad musical tastes. Being a musician myself, I appreciate a broad spectrum of music.

But true, if all you listen to is Classic Rock and Country, you probably don't need an EQ or even a Subwoofer. But effect driven Classic Rock bands like Queen, Led Zeppelin, Rush and Pink Floyd, really benefit from an EQ. An EQ really brings the music alive. I think Black Sabbath sounds better with an EQ too, because the music is so dark.

If you listen to Hip Hop or Pop, you really must have a Subwoofer.

I guess it depends on your musical tastes in the choice of audio equipment or components that best accentuates it. But, in my "humble" opinion, a good EQ brings all music alive.

 

Also, why would you use the loudness feature if you have an amp?

 

Exactly. I don't use it. But, before I got my amp, I used it. It was then that I realized, I needed an EQ. The music sounded good at low volumes, but as I turned it up, and pressed the loudness button, I said, "Oh No. This will not do. I need an EQ." The additional $50 dollars didn't break the bank, but it made a big difference in sound quality. This is the key word, "Quality". With loud volumes you can lose that "Quality" that you had at low volumes. Therefore, an EQ is crucial to amplified music. Every music studio, I mean everyone, has an EQ. Why? Every theatre has an EQ. Why? Because, it is crucial to good music reproduction at high volumes.

 

This is the link for the Nalin type adapter that I used to convert the front stock speaker size of 4x6, to 5.25. This adapter allow you to match the soundbar 5.25 speakers for great surround sound. It is a little cheaper than the Nalin one.

Amazon.com: Jeep Wrangler (Tj, Rubicon, Unlimited) Front Dash Speaker Adapter 1997-2006. Converts 4 By 6 Inch Factory Speakers to 5.25 Inch Aftermarket Speakers (4x6" to 5.25").: Car Electronics

 

This is the link for the Nalin type adapter that I used to convert the front stock speaker size of 4x6, to 5.25. This adapter allow you to match the soundbar 5.25 speakers for great surround sound. It is a little cheaper than the Nalin one.

Amazon.com: Jeep Wrangler (Tj, Rubicon, Unlimited) Front Dash Speaker Adapter 1997-2006. Converts 4 By 6 Inch Factory Speakers to 5.25 Inch Aftermarket Speakers (4x6" to 5.25").: Car Electronics

Just buy the one from nalin though, he's a cool dude and will put it in the mail quick. Couple more bucks no big deal.

 

I really like my Infinity 52.9i kappas, but they may be too bright for rap.

 

An EQ does not add any "quality" to your audio. It's actually just another piece of electronics to add distortion to your final output. Buying an independent EQ for a Jeep is the most ridiculous thing I've heard. As it has already been stated, the acoustics are complete shit in a jeep. You would be wasting money on an EQ. All you need is a decent set of speakers, receiver and a 4 channel amp.

Buy from a reputable brand and look at the THD & SNR specs and get the best you can afford. Don't buy some crap flip screen receiver and think your an audiophile.

 

Just a word of advice, even though this forum doesn't have a filter, the mods will jump down your throat for language (forum rules prohibit it). It's a three strikes and you're out system. I'm at strike 2.

 

All I'm saying is if I only had a $600 budget for a car audio system I wouldn't waste it on a cheap flip screen receiver and an EQ.In my OPINION all your doing is trying to polish a turd.

I would spend my money on a better receiver without the fancy flip screen, get a nice set of speakers and power them with a quality 4 channel. And just so you know, the receiver will have a built in EQ.... Maybe even a 7 band!

Your recommendations lead me to believe that you lack knowledge as to what makes a stereo system sound good, but that's just my OPINION.

 

All I'm saying is if I only had a $600 budget for a car audio system I wouldn't waste it on a cheap flip screen receiver and an EQ.In my OPINION all your doing is trying to polish a turd.

I would spend my money on a better receiver without the fancy flip screen, get a nice set of speakers and power them with a quality 4 channel. And just so you know, the receiver will have a built in EQ.... Maybe even a 7 band!

Your recommendations lead me to believe that you lack knowledge as to what makes a stereo system sound good, but that's just my OPINION.

I already have my head unit and now for the speakers I have a cap of $600

 

I now have the head unit clarion nz503 and now I have a sound bar up top. I now need speaker replacements across the board and I also need a sub and amp. I have a hard cap of $600 for now

 

My jeep also has a sub. It's blown out or is really horrible one or the other. It's located under the lock right before the transmission for park, drive etc. it's underneath the standard lockbox

 

Inside the center console? That would be the stock location for Wranglers that came equipped from the factory with a sub.