Can I just get new speakers, or do I have to get an amplifiers and sub as well?

GirlWithAYellowTJ

GirlWithAYellowTJ

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Do I need new speakers or can I just add an amplifier and a sub to the factory speakers? Can I get new speakers or is that pointless without an amplifier and sub?

I just had my sound system done and the speakers (+ labor) I just upgraded to cost about $220, but I really can’t hear much a sound difference. At times it sounds a little better, but at times it also sounds a LOT worse. The stereo place said that Wranglers are difficult and I wouldn’t be able to hear a difference until I got an amplifier and/or maybe a sub, which would be about another $200 just for the amp (of course I was told this when I called inquiring about any possible return policy).

The place has good reviews (4.5 stars from 63 reviews) and the staff seemed great, so I’m not sure if there was miscommunication or if I was a dummy and bought something that I didn’t need. They told me to bring it back tomorrow so they can check that everything was done right, so I want to be more prepared on what to expect for a Wrangler sound system and make sure I’m not getting bamboozled.
 
I haven't done anything to the sound in mine but from what I hear almost any aftermarket speakers will be an upgrade over the factory speakers. It probably wouldn't be worth upgrading just the stereo, but maybe the factory stereo would handle new speakers just fine. Maybe others can chime in with their experience
 
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The stereo was kind of a must upgrade for me because I live in the middle of the desert and radio is nonexistent and my CD player broke unfortunately. Not a big fan of the modern ones, but I really didn’t have much of a choice on that part. I’m more worried about the speakers now.
 
If you're interested in just a stock replacement radio/CD player then check car-part.com. They have lots of them, and probably cheaper than an upgrade.
 
honestly in general i believe the oem sound setup is pretty good overall (usually).

the jeep doesnt have much going for it in terms of audio quality though. a amp may help if your getting distortion but it wont do much to make things sound magically better imo.

i purchased mine with a crap mix matched aftermarket stereo, and 3 different speakers, 4th was factory.
aftermarket deck, matching speakers and a amp was a improvement from that but im still honestly not happy with it, but accept it for what it is.

I believe polk db series (marine rated) is what most people go with. think its a db651 or something but im not deadly sure of exact model, im using kicker 5 1/4's all around with adapter rings in the fromt dash openings.
 
03coloradowrangler said:
honestly in general i believe the oem sound setup is pretty good overall (usually).

the jeep doesnt have much going for it in terms of audio quality though. a amp may help if your getting distortion but it wont do much to make things sound magically better imo.

i purchased mine with a crap mix matched aftermarket stereo, and 3 different speakers, 4th was factory.
aftermarket deck, matching speakers and a amp was a improvement from that but im still honestly not happy with it, but accept it for what it is.

I believe polk db series (marine rated) is what most people go with. think its a db651 or something but im not deadly sure of exact model, im using kicker 5 1/4's all around with adapter rings in the fromt dash openings.
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Hmm. So it sounds like I may have wasted my money on speakers? Not sure if I should just ask for a refund.
 
ehh, give this thread a day or 2, others will chime in with some knowledge. Theres many helpful people here.

I focused on bass/subwoofers a few years back, not midrange and high notes & dont intend on placing a subwoofer in what limited trunk space i have either. i know a little but not alot.

I do know though that the jeep wasnt designed for audio quality.
 
I recently installed the Polk speakers that are recommended in this forum and I must say it was a huge improvement. I also put the fiber fill behind the front speakers. I thought for sure I would have to add an amp and sub, but I’m pleased with the sound now. I would suggest you try those speakers and buy them from Crutchfield as they send you everything you’ll need.
 
GirlWithAYellowTJ said:
Do I need new speakers or can I just add an amplifier and a sub to the factory speakers? Can I get new speakers or is that pointless without an amplifier and sub?

I just had my sound system done and the speakers (+ labor) I just upgraded to cost about $220, but I really can’t hear much a sound difference. At times it sounds a little better, but at times it also sounds a LOT worse. The stereo place said that Wranglers are difficult and I wouldn’t be able to hear a difference until I got an amplifier and/or maybe a sub, which would be about another $200 just for the amp (of course I was told this when I called inquiring about any possible return policy).

The place has good reviews (4.5 stars from 63 reviews) and the staff seemed great, so I’m not sure if there was miscommunication or if I was a dummy and bought something that I didn’t need. They told me to bring it back tomorrow so they can check that everything was done right, so I want to be more prepared on what to expect for a Wrangler sound system and make sure I’m not getting bamboozled.
Click to expand...

So what did you add, just four new speakers? Which specific speakers?

Also, do you have the stock head unit?

Stock subwoofer in the center console?

Upgrading audio is easy and can be effective if done right, and mapped out accordingly.

So, what do you have right now for speakers, head unit and amplifier, if any?
 
I like to crank up the jams myself and I am happy with Kenwoods. IMHO, put round speakers in the dash, Alpine, Polk, Kenwood or the like. The 4x6 size that is stock in the dash is a crappy dimension for sound, scrap them. Get the dash speaker adapters and go round. Put some 6.5 inch Kenwoods in the sound bar. Now, you can get a small powered subwoofer with a 4 channel amp or a five channel amp and a conventional sub. Get a blu-tooth deck so you can sync to your phone and call it a day. 4-500 tops. If you want it to be a bit more, some 6x9 mounted like this carry the day. Midlife crisis for me, I put in 3 amps.

IMG_3781.JPG
 
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Flivver250 said:
I like to crank up the jams myself and I am happy with Kenwoods. IMHO, put round speakers in the dash, Alpine, Polk, Kenwood or the like. The 4x6 size that is stock in the dash is a crappy dimension for sound, scrap them. Get the dash speaker adapters and go round. Put some 6.5 inch Kenwoods in the sound bar. Now, you can get a small powered subwoofer with a 4 channel amp or a five channel amp and a conventional sub. Get a blu-tooth deck so you can sync to your phone and call it a day. 4-500 tops. If you want it to be a bit more, some 6x9 mounted like this carry the day. Midlife crisis for me, I put in 3 amps.

View attachment 171604
Click to expand...

What's your overall system looking like now?
 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BJM6H51/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KL4TG6E/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019JHH2Y6/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KKHT2MY/?tag=wranglerorg-20 2 of these

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HHOOZ8/?tag=wranglerorg-20





Some Alpine 5.25 inch speakers in the dash, some tweeters on the top of the dash and an Alpine 2 channel amp powering a 12" JBL sub. I ran all good cables and wires. If I was pinching pennies, I'd do the deck, a four channel amp, the 6x9s and the sound bar speakers. You could use the deck's internal amp to power some dash speakers. I'd put a small powered sub in somewhere too. I do not have to worry about theft in the middle east.
 
I just upgraded mine. I have a non subwoofer, so i just replaced the front pods in the dash and the rear sound bar.
Polk DB522 and Polk DB462 with an adapter bracket made all the difference in the world for me. Night and day, strongly recommend. didnt have to do an amp or any of that
 
skrelnik said:
So what did you add, just four new speakers? Which specific speakers?

Also, do you have the stock head unit?

Stock subwoofer in the center console?

Upgrading audio is easy and can be effective if done right, and mapped out accordingly.

So, what do you have right now for speakers, head unit and amplifier, if any?
Click to expand...
I got 5.25 Punch speakers up top and 4.6 Punch speakers up front (it was the only brand they had, and I didn’t want to move across the country in 5 days with what I thought were shotty speakers) and a Pioneer head unit.
 
Study the wiring, ask a friend good with wires for assistance. The installation could be done by a novice with a bit of research and planning. It is not complicated. The Jeep is a lousy concert hall. High end audiofile equipment is wasted on it. The quality of the wiring job does however go a long way towards the sound and safety. I used all copper wires and ran heavy gauge power cable to the amps. Wiring is not a place to cut corners. I did not use those skinny wires that come with the speakers, I ran my own 14 gauge all copper wires to all the speakers.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0848T4ZWQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
Than
DylanM345 said:
I just upgraded mine. I have a non subwoofer, so i just replaced the front pods in the dash and the rear sound bar.
Polk DB522 and Polk DB462 with an adapter bracket made all the difference in the world for me. Night and day, strongly recommend. didnt have to do an amp or any of that
Click to expand...
Thanks! This is very helpful. I think I just bought a bad brand. I got 5.25 Punch speakers up top and 4.6 Punch speakers up front (it was the only brand they had, and I didn’t want to move across the country in 5 days with what I thought were shotty speakers) and a Pioneer head unit.
 
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Does anyone have any recommendations on good sound without a lot of modifications for it? I’m just now realizing that good sound quality is pretty elusive, which is fine as long as I know what to expect now. I’d just rather modify a lot of other aspects of the Wrangler before my sound system.
 
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