Hey everybody, first time Jeep owner of one week!!
It's a 2015 GC Overland 3.6 4x4 with the Tech. option and ORII. Car is great, but the sound system is leaving a bad taste in my mouth. It's the Alpine "Premium", but it doesn't sound nearly as good as my 2015 Accord's upgraded system for some reason.
I'm a lover of good sound, but the gibberish about upgrading the system on the other threads makes as much sense to me as C++ does to my girlfriend.
Here's what I want to do and hopefully somebody can tell me their take on the plan:
I want to upgrade the speakers only [front woofer and tweeters, dash, rear doors]. I'm looking for balanced sound with good clarity.
With $500 to $650 all in (and beginner DIY capabilities) exactly how would YOU approach this project (please include the speakers you would choose too).
Folks here have been using focals, infinity and hertz for replacements. It all depends on your ears and how different music will sound to you after the speakers break in. Search the threads here for some info comparing the different brands.
For the $500-$600 range I prefer the Hertz sound over Focals but this is a personal taste issue. You should go to an authorized dealer for each brand and hear them yourself before deciding. I can't comment on the Infinity because I have not heard them enough. Two good sets of Hertz/Focals for front and rear will be closer to $1000-$1200. But that alone, IMO, will not necessarily mean better sound.
The alpine system in your Overland has factory equalization and amplification set ups specifically tuned for the OEM Alpine speakers. When you "upgrade" your speakers, the characteristics of the new speaker may not match the tune in the factory amplifier - the result is that you are not necessarily going to get better sound out of the better speakers. Again this is subjective, it may sound good to you and that is what matters at the end.
Personally I would not change speakers unless I would also install a DSP and amplifiers that would allow me retune the equalization and provide enough power to really get the most of my investment in speakers. Audison and JL Audio brands will do on these. This is where this gets expensive and requires professional help. In addition to t he speakers you are looking at about $2500 for amps and DSP.
The last thing on the puzzle is probably what I suggest you look first : subwoofer. Having owned a 2014 Overland I think this is the biggest weakness of the factory system. I was very happy with the JL Audio Stealthbox subwoofer that they sell for the JGC; you can invest the $1000-$1200 on this (you will also need an amp) but as you upgrade the factory sub you improve overall sound and still have a foundation to build your system further when you want. Just my opinion...
For a simple and initial upgrade for the stock speakers( without an amp) changing out the fronts and rear doors and dash speaker isn't a bad idea at all for a better all around sound and using the infinitys or hertz or focals(may be too bright in a lot of opinions) may solve the issue. This all subjected the the actual listeners ears and what they listen to along with the usual break in period that all speakers go through before they really settle in.
Once you start moving towards amps and the other high end upgrades there will a whole different and probably even more of an improved sound. Again all subject to the individual listener. ?
Great responses. TY Guys. I will definitely listen to some systems and get a feeling for what speakers I might prefer.
Although the speakers are a start for me, I'll def. keep in mind future upgrades, like a DSP and an amp (and sub). Otherwise, I'm game for the speakers for now.
I wonder how much it would cost to replicate the HK system (as reasonably close as possible.)
Whew..you're talking a few bucks more then some simple upgraded speakers. I'm looking to upgrade my stock 2014 overland speaker combo. I'm going to start with front door/rear door/front tweeters speakers first. I'll let them break in and see how that goes initially before I start installing amps or anything else. I've already replaced the dash speaker and that was a nice upgrade.
I really liked the Hertz Hi Energy HSK 165 for the front. I found the 1inch HT-25 tweeter that comes with that package to fit perfectly in the tweeter openings of the Overland; I also prefer warmer sound of Hertz textile tweeters over the aluminum Focals. But that is just my taste. The biggest issue with Hertz is counterfeit; be careful where you buy and ensure they are a reputable place. If you choose Focal then just go through Crutchfield. Good luck!
Focals have been rumored to be very bright kinda like klipsh. I like the warmer sound with clear highs also. How can you detect phony hertz speakers,,,by the we I like the hi energy models also via trying them out at various sound stores.
Focals have been rumored to be very bright kinda like klipsh. I like the warmer sound with clear highs also. How can you detect phony hertz speakers,,,by the we I like the hi energy models also via trying them out at various sound stores.
It is a known fact that the Focal metal tweeters are very bright. It is so because it is intend to those who like their music genres this way. Like you, I do not prefer that sound for my music genres and the warm sound works when I play those genres. This is true for many metal tweeters and it does vary to some degree between manufactures. It is also known that the Focal midbass and midrange drivers are excellent quality and reproduce exactly on note.
If one has the money, Focal Utopia series is outstanding. The Beryllium tweeter has a unique appeal to it and has a extreme rich sound to the hi's. This consider to be on the high level for the audiophile. It is not recommend for a surround system, although with the right DSP's it can be done.
For a warmer sound and clear hi's, any mobile car manufacture that collaborates with either ScanSpeak or Seas speaker designs will give you what you are looking for. This are 2 of the leading companies that the manufactures work with in the mid to higher price range. For example, Polk for years worked with Vifa to develop drivers. Vifa is rolled into ScanSpeak's parent company now instead of being a subsidiary.
As for Hertz, check their website regarding authorized resellers.
OP, it is waste of money and time plus money to replicate the HK system. To start, you have to find the JBL MS-8 that has the LOGIC 7 surround sound processing in it. Then you will need an additional 2 more DSP's, plus the amps, speakers and installation material. To get a sense for what it takes, just click on the link on my signature line about my build.
This is why I came to you guys. I know computers like Bill Gates knows Africa, but I don't know squat about audio, except good sound when I hear it. :thumbsup:
I figure I'm going to spend up to 1k in the next year on audio, and invest whatever I can put together on a second set of tires. Hope it gets me a decent sounding upgrade.
I'll sort through the advice you guys shared while I wait for my car to get out of the shop (heard from the dealer it might be electrical ).
This is why I came to you guys. I know computers like Bill Gates knows Africa, but I don't know squat about audio, except good sound when I hear it. :thumbsup:
I figure I'm going to spend up to 1k in the next year on audio, and invest whatever I can put together on a second set of tires. Hope it gets me a decent sounding upgrade. I could not get my system in before my trip down south to Atlanta, but I had excellent tires.
I'll sort through the advice you guys shared while I wait for my car to get out of the shop (heard from the dealer it might be electrical ).
My priority would be the tires. More important to have a safe ride and the speakers can wait a while. My the time I was ready for my sound system, it was 2 1/2 years after I purchased MY11.
As for your speakers, just make sure you demo them with music you like.
BTW, I still remember my first computer that dad purchased for me, a Radio Shack TRS-80 Model I with 16K of ram and the cassette deck. The expansion module came the next year followed by the floppy drives. LDOS (Unix type) was my favorite OS for it.
I have the alpine system and only upgraded the center, tweeters, and front and rear doors with 2016 infinity reference drop ins! Sounds amazing no need for anything more and if you shop on eBay you can get them for very cheap!
Look at the other speaker thread about which model speakers I used. Seriously I think I spent maybe a little over 300 bucks total don't waste your money on the focals or hertz unless ur getting a dsp and aftermarket amps it's a waste. The infinity's with the factory alpine amp sound amazing after they new speakers break in. I run mine at +9 bass 0 mid +3/4 treble now with the infinity
Before with the shit stock speakers I had to keep the bass at 0 Mids -3 and treble at +8
It's insane how much of a difference just the infinity speakers made and make sure to point the tweeters down on the rear door coaxials and don't turn on the treble boost on them either.
I have the alpine system and only upgraded the center, tweeters, and front and rear doors with 2016 infinity reference drop ins! Sounds amazing no need for anything more and if you shop on eBay you can get them for very cheap!
Look at the other speaker thread about which model speakers I used. Seriously I think I spent maybe a little over 300 bucks total don't waste your money on the focals or hertz unless ur getting a dsp and aftermarket amps it's a waste. The infinity's with the factory alpine amp sound amazing after they new speakers break in. I run mine at +9 bass 0 mid +3/4 treble now with the infinity
Before with the shit stock speakers I had to keep the bass at 0 Mids -3 and treble at +8
It's insane how much of a difference just the infinity speakers made and make sure to point the tweeters down on the rear door coaxials and don't turn on the treble boost on them either.
Thanks for that 411! That sounds like a awesome value. What exactly sounds improved, if you could describe it?
I ask because next month I'm going to start on the audio upgrading and this sounds like a great plan. My biggest gripe with the Alpines is with its clarity and range.
I posted it in the other speaker thread with pictures. Wrap 3/4 of the speaker in 3m foam double sided tape and shove in into the stock tweeter grill. Then just splice together the positive and negative connection to the stock tweeter harness.
I used quick connects and electrical tape to make the splices cleaner. Very simple over all a lot easier than I expected.
Here is a pic of my infinity tweeter install for reference. That is the factory tweeter harness on the left with quick connects crimped on. The tweeters come with the quick connects already on from the factory. You just need to crimp/smash the two together once u hook them up so they don't come loose. Also wrapped them in electrical tape afterward.
Opposite, you have to cut the factory harness and install quick connects on it (The red and blue ones I used) the infinitys come with quick connects on them already.
No... You need to buy quick connects to install on the factory harness only the male sides come pre installed on the infinity's you can find them at radio shack etc.
Just recently received the Infinity speakers and will start installing them soon. Will post again after i finish and let everyone know how they sound and how the install went.
Just remember to turn surround on and move the
bass to + 9
Mids at 0
Treble at +4
Fade and balance at 0
And given them time to break in the will sound a lot better a month down the road once they loosen up.
Also I hope you listen to a Bluetooth or sd card because radio and XM leave a lot to be desired in this system. They lack quality, this system strives on a good source.
Went with the same setup as ImprezziveWK2. Infinity Ref 6522ix, 9620cx, and the 3022cfx from Crutchfield during their current End of Summer sale ... ~$352 shipped ... included connectors. Did the center and the rear doors yesterday. Might get to the fronts today yet. So far I'm very happy with the results and imagine once I get the fronts done, it will be that much better.