After reading almost all the threads on upgrading the sound system in WK2 I got a little lost and confused with all the technical info and opinions but I would like to thank everyone who shared hands on experience and valuable inputs..
I have the Alpine system 9 speakers + sub in my '14 Overland and I understand that to get huge improvement It'll involve a lot of work & money..
All I want now is a noticeable improvement by replacing the SPEAKERS ONLY (front & rear doors and center dash) with the easiest possible straight forward swap install within $500 budget..
I want to do everything myself (this will be my first time) coz I don't trust audio shops to be careful enough with door panel trim.. But I don't want to cut, modify or drill anything so I prefer speakers with the same size/fit as the factory or if it must be slightly different, adapters should be available for easy installation.. I prefer to buy from Crutchfield just to get the proper wiring harness and mounting adapters/brackets if needed.
So I need recommendations from you guys based on your experience and my requirements above, here's a list of the speakers I'm considering:
Front Door:
1- Focal Integration ISS 690 6x9" component speaker set. $280.
2- HAT Imagine I69-2V2 6x9"component speaker set. $400 (is it worth the extra $120?).
Rear Door:
1- Focal Integration ISC 165 6-3/4" speaker set. $170. (Drilling 4 holes required, is it possible to use bracket instead of drilling new holes?).
2- HAT Mirus M61-2 6.5" speaker set. $170. (I think they'll also require bracket/adapter?).
3- Polk Audio db651s 6.5" speaker set. $75. (bracket/adapter included from Crutchfield).
Center Dash:
1- Polk audio db351 3.5" speaker set. $41 on Amazon (not available on Crutchfield now).
1- Any other brand/model tried and recommended in '14 JGC?
2- Is it OK to mix & match different brands and models? For example: Focal ISS 690 front, Polk db651s rear & MTX 3.5 center. (Just to get everything from Crutchfield and the Polk 6.5" looks easier to install than the Focal 6-3/4").
Or should I stick to one brand and/or model for all speakers?
Thanks everyone in advance.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays.
These are great choices, from what I have read! I am looking at doing the same upgrade as you, so hopefully someone will chime in with advice! :thumbsup:
The key to this type of install, is look for speakers that have a sensitivity rating of 90 db or better. This way the speaker and the OE amp will give you the best efficiency in terms of power. This way the speaker will not distort that much when you rise the volume.
Both the Focal and HAT speakers are excellent choices. The main difference between them comes down to the type of tweeter. Focal uses a metal based tweeter that can give you a harsh, bright tinny sound. Think more of a club sound for hip-hop, pop and electronic. The HAT uses a Silk based tweeter that gives you a more a natural sound. When vocals and instruments are critical to your listening pleasure.
Both of the midbass / midrange drivers are excellent. Where the HAT does shine over the Focal is in the off-axis response giving you a better dynamic to the sound.
The Polk speakers in the tweeters use the silk or another form of natural material that will be a nice blend to match the HAT's. If you go everything with the Polk's that is also a choice, the sensitivity rating is high as well.
IMHO, blending the Polk's with the Focal's you might not like because of the variation of the upper frequencies. So when you mix and match try to keep that in mind to have similar materials.
Otherwise, to improve the system, better speakers require power which then requires the money.
In the Main WK2 forum for Audio, their are many great posts with excellent ideas.
I forgot to mention that when you are doing a straight speaker swap, you do not have to use the passive crossovers for the front door. The OE DSP handles the crossover settings. The use of the passive crossover will not achieve the correct upper frequencies.
For the rear door, if you are using a component set speakers and have a passive crossover, you can use it in order to get the tweeter to play correctly. The rear door is a full range signal that starts roughly around 100hz +/- 10hz.
The rest of the speakers except the sub are full range single similar to the rear door.
Now the question is, where (online shopping only) to get a good deal on the HAT speakers other than 12v site?
Sherif, I looked as well & all the HAT speakers are the same price, everywhere! I am looking to change out the fronts to start (I already changed the centre to a Polk and it sounds a lot better than OEM) and everywhere I looked the HAT Imagine I69 were $399. No deals, anywhere! I am probably going with the HAT's over the Focal's because I don't like bright sounding tweeters! They give me a headache!! They are a little pricey, but after reading the reviews, most say they are worth every penny! :thumbsup:
How did you remove the center dash cover without removing the center speaker first? I lifted the dash speaker cover and the center speaker is getting in the way of the 2 front dash cover clips. Thank you.
Sherif, great photos! I found the front Polk speaker made a HUGE difference over the crappy OEM speaker! I am looking to maybe change out the doors with similar HAT speakers as you. I have been looking at the I69 speakers but just noticed they are twice the cost of the ones you chose: Stage 1 Mirus M69 ($219 vs $399 on their website). I wonder if they are that much better for 2X the price? I don't want to add a sub, or amp, etc. Been there - done that, and it gets pretty expensive! So let us know how the install goes (are you doing it yourself?) and how it sounds! :thumbsup:
One more off-topic post, I've also replaced factory fog light bulbs with Osram night breaker unlimited H11 halogen bulbs...
There're not really white but definitely whiter than the factory bulbs and more importantly higher light output, here's the before & after:
Just installed the Mirus in the rear doors, sound quality is even better now...
Overall I'm very happy with this setup (Imagine I69-2V2 + Mirus M61-2 + Polk DB351), huge improvement in sound quality.. Speakers worth every penny ?
Just installed the Mirus in the rear doors, sound quality is even better now...
Overall I'm very happy with this setup (Imagine I69-2V2 + Mirus M61-2 + Polk DB351), huge improvement in sound quality.. Speakers worth every penny ?
Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
So I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on Stealthbox and amp purchase (this will be the last audio mod), found good info here on the forum but I still have some questions:
1- Is there a light frost beige Stealthbox to match the light frost interior? or is it only the dark frost beige color? According to JL website the light frost is the same part# of the black! Edit: JL Audio confirmed there's no Light Frost carpet.
2- Which amp is better?XD300/1v2 is recommended on JL website but JX500/1D is what most people use for that sub.
3- LC2i, does it really make a difference or can be skipped/replaced with smaller and cheaper LOC? I'll be installing Stealthbox and mono amp only and I'll get the signal from the wires going to the factory sub.
Send JL Audio an email for clarification. They usually get back to you pretty quickly.
As for the sub, I always like to have a bigger amp for 2 reasons: 1st it does not strain the power supply as much and 2nd, the most important one in this case, it gives you more dynamic headroom. Since the Stealthbox can take it.
The key from the factory system is to get the high level signal which is 2 ohms and get into the amp either into a hi level connection or converting into a low level signal via the RCA's.
Also, for amps, check out AudioControls new amps if you have access to them.
Hi Sherif,
I just finished installing the jl stealthbox with the jx500/1d amp in my 2012 altitude. It sounds great! What you need to do is tap into the left (+) left (-) and right (+) and right (-) speakers which can be found in left quarter panel amplifier. Go to wk2jeeps.com and look for wiring diagram that labels which wire is which. I was very confused at first on how to do this because I've only done sub connections to aftermarket head units. The jx500 already high a high input connection built in so no need for a LOC. You may need to adjust the setting on the amp to filter out any high signals coming from sub.
Nice pics and some great ideas for potential upgrades. With a standard 6 speaker install. 4 speakers for front and the back doors and 2 tweeters would i still need to use the x overs for the front?
Sherif, Where did you tap your signal from for the subwoofer amp? Did you take the mono signal from the OEM sub or did you tap off of the rear speakers?
Infinity speakers are still pretty good. I do believe they are produced by the major European speaker companies that make the individual drivers for many brands. I am not sure if they are still using design specs from Harman or they just purchasing them directly from the designers.
I did Focals in the front and rear doors in my '16 Limited with the base speakers. It sounds great - maybe a little bright in the front from the tweeters, but a huge improvement over OEM. When you install the tweeters you will have to carefully shave some plastic off of the rim of the mount. I used an Exacto knife and worked from the back side. Once I shaved enough off the tweeters slipped in and fit snugly.
I believe that's what I have an extra of and no longer have my Jeep. This one is brand new. Let me know where you're at and it's yours for shipping and donation for a glass of beer. HAHA
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Jeep Garage - Jeep Forum
1.7M posts
176.1K members
Since 2009
Jeep Garage is where you can talk about all your favorite jeeps including the Cherokee, Liberty and Grand Cherokee.