I've got focals for my dash speakers, with polks in the soundbar. I'm happy enough with the focals to debate switching the soundbar to focals too.

Of course, this all comes eith a caviat. You arent going to get great sound in a wrangler, especially with a soft top, so it may be wasted money.

 

I have the focal component in dash and coaxial in sound bar with 2 jl audio 10w1 in a sealed down fire box In the back running everything off the jl 700/5 amp and it is extremely loud and clear. You can't go wrong with either speakers.

 

Oh yea and kenwood 470 touchscreen head unit. Mine is a jk hard top. But with top off sounds great as well.

 

I run primarily all JL stuff. Have for a long time.

I have C2-650 components up front, C2-650 coaxials in the sound bar, an 8" W3 in an enclosure and a XD 700/5 amp driving it all. Source is a Pioneer HU.

My system cranks with hard top, soft top, no top, whatever. Clear sound at any volume.

I experimented with C5 and really don't think the $$ increase is correlated to the quality increase. As in not much difference to my ears between the two groups. C2 level is well built. Plus the tweeters drop right into the tombstones with zero modification flush mount.

 

I've heard good things about focal but I find some killer deals on JL stuff from local shops so thats what I've always used. I got my rear 6.5 cl2's for like 50$ when I got the cl2's for the front.

 

I just put in Focal components ISS165 and coaxial ISC165 with 8" JL sub in stock enclosure with 5 ch JL amp and an Audio Control 6 ch Line Output Converter with AccuBass. All I can say is wow. What a difference, hardtop on or off, at least with my iPod. With the stock HU, pretty much still blows. But that will be taken care off shortly. Oh and I also put Dynamax inside front doors and front floor and behind speakers in sound bar. This does make a difference.:dance:

 

I'm using Focals too. Third car with them. I've run Polyglass and Kevs previously but those were in much more expensive German cars with better acoustics.

The Access exceeded my expectations, even in an open air vehicle. When I compared the two in store on the board I went with Focals. I probably listened to 10 sets of components. If it wasn't a convertible, I would have gone with power kevlars again.

I am running two Sundown 10" subs under the front seats and think they are outstanding especially when you compare prices and performance with JL.

Sound quality is a personal preference and everyone's ear is different. Go listen in store and decide.

 

Go listen in store and decide.

This is the sensible advice. More accurately, take your favourite CD or MP3 - a piece of music you know really, really well - to the store with you and have them play it through both sets of speakers. That's how you'll decide which you prefer.

For me, it's Metallica's Enter Sandman. It's such a masterfully produced album and song with such a distinctive and powerful riff, you can hear every nuance of the speakers. When I listened to the Focals the other day that song had never sounded better.

 

Focal hands down. They are all handmade in France. The know how to make their speakers. I have been in the business for 15 years. Now with the amplifier and subbox I would go with JL. We do a ton of Wranglers here and we typically do Focal 165KR or Focal 165KRX2 in the front and do 165KRCs in the soundbar. The Kevlar is waterproof, extremely durable and a good sounding speaker cone. Do a JL Audio HD900/5 and the 13TW5 Stealth box. Great setup!

 

I have Focal Utopia Be's if you are an audiophile this is the only way to go. of course cost becomes an issue.

 

Utopias would be a complete waste in something like a wrangler, a vehicle with tons of road noise, and terrible imaging. Utopias need to be in luxury sedans.

 

djberto is spot on. Best speaker in the biz. Made out of beryllium which is like 10 time the price of gold. With the right setup they sound like live music every time.

 

The Utopia tweeter would kinda be and awkward mount in the Wrangler. I am curious as to see what djberto did with the tweeter mount.

 

the utopia crossovers are a pain in the... to mount and hide where did you put it? i had a hell of a time putting in my krx crossovers mounted under the dash.

 

When I have done this mod in Jk's (I have guy who works for me that had to have it in his.) we put in in a drawer under the passenger seat. I mean once it's set, there really isn't a true need to change anything, just filled the rest with some sound foam we have laying around so it wouldn't bounce around and added some PC fans to keep it cool. to the back or the drawer.

The Utopia tweeter would kinda be and awkward mount in the Wrangler. I am curious as to see what djberto did with the tweeter mount.

We basically cut the old tweeters out after folding the window down, but the Focal ones in place with some spare plastic and some higher end epoxy. then covered with fiberglass for added protection.

Don't get me wrong his JK is a mall crawler all day. but it sounds good! ALMOST as good as my car.

 

to the op if you want a good speaker at a ok price jl if you can spend the extra money and get the focal

 

I'm a big fan of JL, specifically the C5 setups.

 

I'm using this JL stealth box, and works good for me.. they have another version for the unlimited... mine is for a 2 door and fits perfect behind the rear seat, is also secure when the top is off:thumb:

 

USUALLY I would say the Focals.. for a Wrangler.. I might suggest the JL instead for a couple of reasons.
1. the extra cost will not be justified by the extra sound quality in a Wrangler (even more so by a soft top). These jeeps are LOUD on the road, With the windows down it gets louder.
2. I have always found the Focals to have bright tweeters..with our tweeter pods right up high in your face and near the windshield, you may want a softer sounding tweeter.

 

JL..... I sell it, use it, and love it.

 

Let your ears decide: find a shop that sells both. Close your eyes and tell the sales person to alternate between the two.

I went with JL, but didn't compare to focal.

 

I've been pretty happy with my JL separates. I have JL separates up front and some so-so 6.5's in the sound bar for rear fill. The JL do sound really good. Many (like my wife) probably couldn't tell the difference between them and the Focal. So definitely try both out if you can. Might not be worth the price difference for the Focal. I wouldn't pay more for them.

I have a JL 4 channel amp for the mids and highs, a separate amp for a 10" sub. Lately I've been thinking about replacing the sub because it's a kicker and not very nice. I'm thinking of replacing it with an 8" that can be mounted above the rear wheel well. The 10" is just bungied to the back seat.

 

best Focals to run

What are the best Focal speakers to run in a 2014 jk 4 door? Money isnt an issue. What would fit the best. Any ideas? Thanks

 

What are the best Focal speakers to run in a 2014 jk 4 door? Money isnt an issue. What would fit the best. Any ideas? Thanks

You will want a 6.5" mid and 1-2" tweeters. A 6.5" will fit in the soundbar and dash. Get separates if money isn't an issue. If you have a soft top and/or don't use the hard top bolts, that would be a perfect place to put a tweeter.

You'll want a sub in the back which will depend on space, or if you're using the factory sub. They come in all sizes from 8" on up.

 

I run JL C3's in the front and soundbar and they are great. I'd absolutely recommend them. Haven't heard the Focals but I can tell you my C3's, JL Stealthbox for the Wrangler with the 13.5" sub, and JL 900/5 amp put out plenty. The only thing I don't like is the sub really needs the hardtop to sound good. It fires towards the window and when the top is off it loses its ability to project off the window.

 

Thanks for your input. I am looking at 2 sets of the Focal 165krx2 and a sub is coming soon.