[DozerJeeper]

I think some of the issues people have with the sound system arent entirely the fault of the system itself. Most modern vehicles have much higher insulation and sound deadening values. Neither the soft top nor the hard top provide quality insulation to allow the sound system to really shine. Things like removeable doors and hard tops are horrible for sound quality. Jeep would be wise to fill the hollow core of the hard top with an expanding foam. That would quickly change the sound quality. Insulating the door panels and tub with sound deadening layers would also help. These are things that are standard on most high end cars.

 

[2footin]

gotta wounder how many folks are going to re up sirius subscription judging on the lackluster performance from the factory sound system
even if sirius offered it to me for free I would have to think about it as the sound quality is worse than AM radio

 

[lolpetewtf]

I ordered these tweeters today: Amazon.com: Infinity Reference 1031t 1-Inch, High-Performance 150-Watt Textile-Dome Tweeter (Pair): Car Electronics

Well overdue. I see some people have already installed them with good results.

And yes, Sirius quality is terrible. Sounds like 96kbps (at best) music streaming. What a joke.

 

[panthermark]

I ordered these tweeters today: Amazon.com: Infinity Reference 1031t 1-Inch, High-Performance 150-Watt Textile-Dome Tweeter (Pair): Car Electronics

Well overdue. I see some people have already installed them with good results.

And yes, Sirius quality is terrible. Sounds like 96kbps (at best) music streaming. What a joke.

Let us know how they go....especially if they fit without having to trim the factory tombstone.

 

[st1264]

I'm unhappy with the sound system in my 13' JKU but haven't done anything as I have other things that take priority right now. Eventually I'll get to it. Everything will be redone from scratch, matched and crossed over properly.

 

[boon4376]

WOW, a ton of responses. I will agree that the satellite radio is terrible, it sounds like a 64kpbs stream.

I am coming from subaru (2009), saab (various years), land rover (1998), and honda (2003) backgrounds - all of which have absolutely terrible audio systems (the premium ones even) and have sounded worse than the Wrangler.

I did end up putting aftermarket systems in most of those.

The Wrangler is good enough for me as it is now. In a few years I may decide to upgrade if I have an extra $1,500 laying around. But I am genuinely surprised at how many people think it's so terrible. Jeep must have thought Wrangler people don't care much about audio quality?

I guess there are qualities in the wrangler's driving experience that don't make me focus on it as hard on sound quality I did in my other vehicles. Driving the subaru was so boring I NEEDED good sound I guess haha. I would consider myself a bit of an audiophile - built my own home theatre system, can appreciate the difference between a 192kbps mp3 and a 320kbps mp3. I know that the Wrangler still isnt AMAZING - but for me it's not bad enough to want to replace immediately.

I have not been able to find any aftermarket head units for a decent price with the same voice activation features that the stock wrangler head unit has. I could not live without that now that I have it.

What I would really like is an aftermarket android head unit I could add to my 4g plan with built in Google Now voice activation and Google Maps Navigation - why does no one make this yet?

 

[ohioviper]

Mines not too bad actually. el cheapo 130 .I wish it just had a little more power and I would be a happy Jeeper. One good thing about it.With the top off the thugs walk by and must be really disappointed to see a 130 HU.

 

[blueshound]

What I would really like is an aftermarket android head unit I could add to my 4g plan with built in Google Now voice activation and Google Maps Navigation - why does no one make this yet?

I've seen guys put an iPad mini in the dash with a head unit tucked away. Maybe this could be done with a Nexus 7 or Samsung Galaxy tablet.

 

[BLK2012]

Some people gripe about leaks. Some people gripe about squeaks. Some people gripe about sound. Some people gripe about the people who gripe about leaks or squeaks.

I'm guessing some people who gripe about people who gripe about leaks and squeaks gripe about sound.

Some people don't give a hoot about anything.

I love these threads.

 

[kjeeper10]

I don't like how I'm broke

 

[Knuckles65]

I've changed my speakers, but I think I had it at:
Treble +7
Mid -7
Bass+3

Or something like that.

The problem with the factory system and why everyone calls it muddy is because there is WAY too much mid-bass and there are only two tweeters in the entire system (the tombstones on the dash are not even powered by the amp). Plus you can't control the sub separately.

Thanks for the tip.

I might crank my mid's low and see how that helps!

After a 10 hour road trip to Orlando, I can say that adjusting the mids to -6 or -7 really helped clean things up. Good tip! :thumb:

 

[Jayd_5150]

2010 here with a factory head unit. It had a premium sound system when I bought it, but like many others, I couldn't stand it. Changed out all of the speakers (filled sound bar w/foam). Added two amps, a 4 channel Alpine amp (had for years) and a 2 channel Rockford amp. Put a sub box in (2 tens). Now I don't have any issues hearing it without the top. Not the best sounding system I've had, but I can't complain.

 

[lolpetewtf]

Some people gripe about leaks. Some people gripe about squeaks. Some people gripe about sound. Some people gripe about the people who gripe about leaks or squeaks.

I'm guessing some people who gripe about people who gripe about leaks and squeaks gripe about sound.

Some people don't give a hoot about anything.

I love these threads.

Wtf are you talking about :surrender:

 

[stevenj24k]

just recently did a total upgrade on my 2012 rubi unlimited sound after living with the average sound quality for a year - went with pioneer avic z150bh HU with pioneer iphone 5 connection (HDMI/lightening), alpine pdx-v9 5 channel AMP, morel components upfront and morel coax in sound bar - IT IS NIGHT AND DAY COMPARED TO STOCK - of course it cost a bundle, but there's really no comparison. i left the current infinity sub for now, but will probably upgrade that next. just trying to decide if i go for something bigger or work with existing enclosure. (BTW, the morel tweeter is a little "oval" out of the box, so installer needed to modify a bit by putting a truly round "collar" over it, but it ends up looking exactly like stock set up when done, no one would notice, except for the morel logo).

 

[chris4x4]

First thing I noticed on my '13, with the 130, and U connect Alpine system, was the mids sounded flat, and the highs were virtually non existant. I replaced the tweeters in the tombstones with a pair of Alpine SPS-110TW. After removing them from the housings they came installed in, I removed the OEM tweeters from the tombstones, and the new Alpines fit right into the OEM housings. I used some double sided tape along the sides of the tweeters (thin strips), to aid in holding them in place. I did not use the crossover that came with them. This was a dramatic improvement, however, the rear still sounded flat. I replaced the speakers in the sound bar with the Polk Audio DB651 (non shallow mount), and after messing around with the adapter, I was able to find a way to mount them with the OEM grills. Sound, once again, was improved. After messing with the bass/midrange/treble settings, I am happy enough with the sound, that I dont think any further mods can be done to improve it, aside from a full HU/Amp/ more speakers. The sound is on par (better actually) than the OEM system in my Accord.....which I thought was pretty dam good for an OEM system. The highs are crisp, with clear, and precise midrange.

 

[BLK2012]

Wtf are you talking about :surrender:

Jeep owners love their vehicles as much or more than any other group of owners I have seen, and offer many different takes on what's "normal" and what's not.

I just like reading the back and forth, nothing less, nothing more.

 

[ORNGCR8]

I have an '11 JKU with the Infinity premium 430N with UConnect. It's been my experience that the system is average...not the worst I've heard, but not the best for an "upgrade premium" sound. However, I really do like the hands free integration for making/receiving calls and voice commands. That is why I will not mess with replacing the stock HU, despite the NAV being older generation technology.

Bottom line- it works for me. Maybe someday if/when I blow the speakers, I'll do the Polk upgrade. I have Polk in my home theater system and I am a huge fan of their speakers...very clear mid range and highs (listen to a lot of guitar/classic and alternative rock).

Which begs the question: Could it be our tastes in speakers and sound quality are aligned to the TYPE of music we listen to? I could see how fans of hip hop/rap or commercial top 40 stuff would be disappointed with a stock system weak on bass, but for me (think Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam) the premium system works great for guitar!

 

[ohioviper]

For the ones who replaced the stock speakers with the Polk was it worth it ? Will the stock HU drive the polks or is it a waste to put in the polks with the stock HU ?

 

[chris4x4]

For the ones who replaced the stock speakers with the Polk was it worth it ? Will the stock HU drive the polks or is it a waste to put in the polks with the stock HU ?

I found them VERY much worth it. They seem to have a little more volume than the OEM speakers, so they are driven fine by the OEM head unit.

 

[st1264]

I found them VERY much worth it. They seem to have a little more volume than the OEM speakers, so they are driven fine by the OEM head unit.

They are more efficient so they can be run with very little juice. They'll play louder compared to less efficient speakers, with the same wattage.