Upgrading the sound system on your Jeep Wrangler TJ

I used to watch those guys all the time but there for awhile they were just doing the same boring shit all the time

Agreed...but how many head unit reviews can a person watch. They are helpful when looking for a new product and they do know their stuff. I almost pissed my pants when I was driving to the airport and saw their shop, I forced a family pit stop to say hi.
 
Agreed...but how many head unit reviews can a person watch. They are helpful when looking for a new product and they do know their stuff. I almost pissed my pants when I was driving to the airport and saw their shop, I forced a family pit stop to say hi.

Lol ya I'll watch a new product review stuff like that. That's cool they was there and took a pic. Interesting they had BLAM in stock.
 
Lol ya I'll watch a new product review stuff like that. That's cool they was there and took a pic. Interesting they had BLAM in stock.

Unless you are in the industry, I think a lot of the stuff they do is far too detailed and it's easy to get lost. They are fantastic though. I dropped in to buy my DSR1 one day and Dean went ahead and ensured the firmware was current. Then he proceeded to talk to me for 45 minutes about everything from all pass filters to Michigan winters. I wish more people were as nice as they are.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skrelnik
I have the 6.5" BLAM Relax in the factory sound bar but they don't sit flush. I ended up 3d printing some rings that match the contour of the pods that the speakers sit on so you can get a very solid mount. If you want the same, I can print you some if you cover shipping from BC.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4617429

View attachment 350366

View attachment 350367

Concerning your 3D Print solution. The ring is not what you mount the speaker too, it is just up against the ring and you screw into the stock mounting holes? I have the same problem on an 05. I had been thinking about cutting some rings out of MDF to resolve mine, but mounting the MDF rings to the sound bar and then the speakers to the MDF.
 
Concerning your 3D Print solution. The ring is not what you mount the speaker too, it is just up against the ring and you screw into the stock mounting holes? I have the same problem on an 05. I had been thinking about cutting some rings out of MDF to resolve mine, but mounting the MDF rings to the sound bar and then the speakers to the MDF.

That's what I ended up doing, bought MDF rings and routed the centers out so the 6.5" frames dropped in. The 6.5's are mounted through the rings

DSCN0848[1].jpg
[/url']https://postimg.cc/njyD9Z25]
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: JMT and skrelnik
That's what I ended up doing, bought MDF rings and routed the centers out so the 6.5" frames dropped in. The 6.5's are mounted through the rings

View attachment 350912[/url']https://postimg.cc/njyD9Z25]

+1

@JMT try to get the Speaker and Mounting Ring attached as one solid unit and then attach to the Speaker Pod.

Removing the pods from the Jeep would be the easiest way to get the Speakers, Rings and Pods well connected with no gaps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JMT
Concerning your 3D Print solution. The ring is not what you mount the speaker too, it is just up against the ring and you screw into the stock mounting holes? I have the same problem on an 05. I had been thinking about cutting some rings out of MDF to resolve mine, but mounting the MDF rings to the sound bar and then the speakers to the MDF.

I did something similar. I had 1/4" alum plates made and bolted them to the pods w/ silicone in between. The tweeter hole is oversized and the tweeter mounts on 1/8" aluminum mounting rings. That's so If I change tweeter size in the future They can be fitted to the plate.
20180823_174404.jpg

20190220_171642.jpg

20180822_215716.jpg

20180820_195317.jpg
 
Good question Nashville. I'd almost be in favor of loosing the tweeter altogether and just using the woofer, but haven't tried it out. I am pretty savvy with home audio, less adept with car audio.

I do know the 800 to 3Khz region is the presence region where humans get most of our info about spatial awareness. Thus, I have an itch to try out those mid tweeters up top of the dash and then do wall of sound under. But it is an untested theory at this point.
 
I've been looking at 5.25" components for the fronts. I've seen some of the tweeter mounting options around the forum, but I'm not sure what, if anything, I need to order to mount them. I'm fine with a separate mount, screwing them into the top of the AC vent area or attaching them to the A-pillar plastic.

If it matters, I've been considering these Sound Ordinance P-52CB or the Polk Audio DB5252 DB+ 5.25" components, but I'm open to other speaker options provided they aren't any more expensive. Not an audiophile, but I do want to be able to hear the radio with the top and doors off.

The Sound Ordinance speakers look like they come with various mounting rings and a base that might work.
 
The Polks I was less than enthused with. I can describe it as some portion of the midrange is there but a huge portion is missing. Not at all my cup of tea. They made every one of my favorite albums almost unrecognizable. A big portion is our sh**ty environment, that is a given. But I think we can do better.

The JLs were better but the tweeter needs to be on the dash IMO. This isn't audiophile level stuff this is about good sound.
 
Does putting a tweeter in the overhead pod make a difference?

It is overkill as a coaxial speaker has a tweeter and would give you the same sound. The speaker pods should be considered "fill" sound, and not play as loud as the front stage.

Good question Nashville. I'd almost be in favor of loosing the tweeter altogether and just using the woofer, but haven't tried it out. I am pretty savvy with home audio, less adept with car audio.

I do know the 800 to 3Khz region is the presence region where humans get most of our info about spatial awareness. Thus, I have an itch to try out those mid tweeters up top of the dash and then do wall of sound under. But it is an untested theory at this point.

I did try 6.5" woofers in the pods but ultimately went back to coaxial. I also tried the 6.5" and 0.75" tweeters in the pods, and it was a lot of work. I ended up going back to 5.25" coaxials and have them turned down relative to my front stage.
I did something similar. I had 1/4" alum plates made and bolted them to the pods w/ silicone in between. The tweeter hole is oversized and the tweeter mounts on 1/8" aluminum mounting rings. That's so If I change tweeter size in the future They can be fitted to the plate.
View attachment 350940

View attachment 350941

View attachment 350942

View attachment 350943

Amazing job. Talk about a side hustle, you should be selling these on here, offer both a component and coaxial version.

I've been looking at 5.25" components for the fronts. I've seen some of the tweeter mounting options around the forum, but I'm not sure what, if anything, I need to order to mount them. I'm fine with a separate mount, screwing them into the top of the AC vent area or attaching them to the A-pillar plastic.

If it matters, I've been considering these Sound Ordinance P-52CB or the Polk Audio DB5252 DB+ 5.25" components, but I'm open to other speaker options provided they aren't any more expensive. Not an audiophile, but I do want to be able to hear the radio with the top and doors off.

The Sound Ordinance speakers look like they come with various mounting rings and a base that might work.

Do you have an amplifier or just looking to drive off the head unit? Kicker D or C series are a good replacement, or you can look at the KSS line which has the pods.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20647KSS50/Kicker-47KSS504.html

Screenshot_2022-08-14-21-40-24-00_e2d5b3f32b79de1d45acd1fad96fbb0f.jpg

If you get an amp, then I would look for a 2 ohm amp and buy the BLAM 130 RS and pods.

130 RS are 100 pounds - 5.25" components

https://incartec.co.uk/product/BLAM...y-2ohm-2-Way-Component-speakers-PAIR-BL-130RS

165 RC are 92 pounds - 6.5" coaxial or the 5.25" coaxials which are a couple bucks less and easier to install.

https://incartec.co.uk/product/BLAM...ncy-2ohm-2-Way-Coaxial-speakers-PAIR-BL-165RC

BLAM amp is 150 pounds and has 4 channels.

https://incartec.co.uk/product/BLAM...MS-Class-D-amplifier-OEM-Compatible-BL-RA754D

For Pods, about $100, reach out to the German guy and have him make you pods for the BLAM RT20 tweeters. He has them for the BLAM RT25 tweeters but he would custom make the RT20s based off manufacturers specs. He has made custom pods for me in the past.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2742589632...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

Then you need an amp install kit and for $500 you will have an awesome system.
 
Last edited:
This site contains affiliate links for which Jeep Wrangler TJ Forum may be compensated.
It is overkill as a coaxial speaker has a tweeter and would give you the same sound. The speaker pods should be considered "fill" sound, and not play as loud as the front stage.



I did try 6.5" woofers in the pods but ultimately went back to coaxial. I also tried the 6.5" and 0.75" tweeters in the pods, and it was a lot of work. I ended up going back to 5.25" coaxials and have them turned down relative to my front stage.


Amazing job. Talk about a side hustle, you should be selling these on here, offer both a component and coaxial version.



Do you have an amplifier or just looking to drive off the head unit? Kicker D or C series are a good replacement, or you can look at the KSS line which has the pods.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20647KSS50/Kicker-47KSS504.html

View attachment 351105

If you get an amp, then I would look for a 2 ohm amp and buy the BLAM 130 RS and pods.

130 RS are 100 pounds - 5.25" components

https://incartec.co.uk/product/BLAM...y-2ohm-2-Way-Component-speakers-PAIR-BL-130RS

165 RC are 92 pounds - 6.5" coaxial or the 5.25" coaxials which are a couple bucks less and easier to install.

https://incartec.co.uk/product/BLAM...ncy-2ohm-2-Way-Coaxial-speakers-PAIR-BL-165RC

BLAM amp is 150 pounds and has 4 channels.

https://incartec.co.uk/product/BLAM...MS-Class-D-amplifier-OEM-Compatible-BL-RA754D

For Pods, about $100, reach out to the German guy and have him make you pods for the BLAM RT20 tweeters. He has them for the BLAM RT25 tweeters but he would custom make the RT20s based off manufacturers specs. He has made custom pods for me in the past.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2742589632...d=link&campid=5337789113&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

Then you need an amp install kit and for $500 you will have an awesome system.

Thanks this is exactly what I needed. Good to know the kickers come with a bunch of different mounting options.
 
  • Like
Reactions: skrelnik
This site contains affiliate links for which Jeep Wrangler TJ Forum may be compensated.
What reasonable cost head units are people turning to these days? My JVC is about 5 years old and I'm tired of having to update the software and now the clock won't work.

I was thinking of going with all pre-amp outputs since I'm going to be running the Soundstream Picasso Nano 5-channel amp. It will be powering Polk's in the front dash and rear soundbar and a Kicker 8" square sub in a sealed box under the rear seat. I found these single DIN on Crutchfield, but mostly looking for you guys research. Not sure if having pre-amp outputs for all speakers is an advantage. If not, I can go either way.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_45955..._Channels|5&nvpair=FFPreamp_Output_Channels|6
 
What reasonable cost head units are people turning to these days? My JVC is about 5 years old and I'm tired of having to update the software and now the clock won't work.

I was thinking of going with all pre-amp outputs since I'm going to be running the Soundstream Picasso Nano 5-channel amp. It will be powering Polk's in the front dash and rear soundbar and a Kicker 8" square sub in a sealed box under the rear seat. I found these single DIN on Crutchfield, but mostly looking for you guys research. Not sure if having pre-amp outputs for all speakers is an advantage. If not, I can go either way.

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_45955..._Channels|5&nvpair=FFPreamp_Output_Channels|6

The Clarion M508 has been on my radar for a while. I like the semi-retro look compared to a lot of the modern units. Whether the cost is reasonable compared to the other options... well, that's probably why its still on my radar and not in my Jeep.
 
Last edited:
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: skrelnik and JMT