Amplifier for Kenwood DNX773S and Polk DB522's: Would it improve my setup?

bobthetj03 said:
True, unless you already have a mono amp running a sub, and you run across an audio thread on your favorite Jeep forum, then rethink your system, lol! In my case, I'd probably find a small 4 channel to fit behind the HU, get a media player type HU, as it could leave enough room behind it to place the the amp. I currently run the Polk DB's, but before I would try a different speaker, I'd be curious to see how they sound with a bit more horsepower and some EQ tweaking.
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Yes, you never know what one has in the Jeep or even in the basement that can be recycled. So many options which makes audio building fun, sort of like building a personalized lift kit.
 
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Mhass said:
Here's the other one where I put two 6.75" subs in the center console-

Post in thread 'What did you do to your TJ today?' https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/what-did-you-do-to-your-tj-today.1784/post-969018
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Great Job...although this looks straight out of Nick Saban's playbook.

20210924_145758.jpg
 
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bobthetj03 said:
That is nifty how you put those 2 subs in there. I wasn't quite as ingenious as you and just went with a simline 8" sub. It does ok.
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It helped that they were on sale!

I am not an audiophile and deep bass actually sets me on edge most days...but with the top down...

I am really happy with this setup. Looks stock because it's a stock head unit, sounds great even at highway speeds and I get bluetooth through a lighter plug converter.
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
I've been watching a few audio threads concerning improving the TJ sound system, and it prompted me to ask a question about amplifiers. Hopefully a few of the experts (looking right at you @Jerry Bransford and @TheBoogieman ) can weight in. Thanks in advance.

In my rig, I run a Kenwood DNX773S Head Unit pushing 50Wx4 Peak / 22 Watts RMS at 4-8 ohms through 4 Polk DB522 300W Peak / 100W RMS 5.25" 4 ohm 91 dB sensitivity speakers in the stock locations. I also have replaced the stock sub with a Bazooka 6.5" 100W wired in parallel for 1ohm to the stock wiring in the console - no separate amplifier. All of the wiring is stock.

I am not an audiophile, so hopefully I have described everything correctly. The system sounds OK to my uneducated ear, by when I run with the top off and am in the mood, I'm always pushing the volume to it's max - and sometimes wanting just a bit more.

So here is my question: Would there be any benefit to adding an amplifier to the system, and how difficult would that be? In addition to the obvious (volume), are there any other benefits in sound quality in doing so? Would the Bazooka (selected mainly for its size) benefit?

Thanks - I'm all ears.

Jeff
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I was considered the sound specialist around here back in the day. There are much smarter people here now. I would agree with @skrelnik. He’s the most knowledgeable audio person on here. Get a 5-channel class C or D. Sell your tube to recoup some $$. Otherwise you already have a pretty nice system. But if you want a bit more, this is the best route. And get some more speaker suggestions from @skrelnik in addition to the Kicker C and D lines.
 
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Mhass said:
Bought the Picasso Nano based on recommendations here. Couldn't be happier.
Stock head unit to some 5.25s in the dash and 6.5s in the soundbar with two 6.5 subs in the console.
Plenty of sound/ volume with the top down and enough bass to shake the building when I feel obnoxious.
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Good to know - that is a unit I was reviewing.
 
Another vote for the soundstream Picasso Nano. I'm running the same, mounted to the steering column. Its a powerful little guy. I have kicker 5.25's front and rear with a little kicker Comp 6.75" sub that fits the factory sub enclosure. I have the coils wired in parallel, so its "load" to the amp seems less...which makes the amp perform a bit better. I can cruise at 75mph and hear my music. Of course, if I listen to the same volume at a stop...I can hear distortion, mostly from the sub. I'm overdriving it...but better to overdrive the sub than the amp.

For your situation, you need more power. 22 watts RMS isn't really going to get you "good" sound with a lot of background noise (and the wail of a Hemi). You'll probably hear it, but I think you really need more power, especially if the speakers are rated for 100 watts! I'd look for something in the 50 watt x 4 neighborhood. IIRC, the Picasso nano is 50x4 and 300 x 1.
 
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skrelnik said:
Agreed, very subjective. I used to like my Polks until I tried a new speaker, and I have found at least half a dozen speakers that are a better value, or just better because of the sound and build quality, but at a higher price tag.

Everyone has different needs and wants around their build, some want a stealth build, while others do not care how much space is used. That is why I push the Kicker D and C series, great value for the price, and sounds better than the Polks in the TJ, when the TJ has no amp.

I completely respect your audio and electrical knowledge, but specific product knowledge is where you lack some of the newer brands/styles that now outperform the Polks.

This is very subjective, and I'm not picking a fight here...
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Thanks for poking your head in, shrelnik, I appreciate the input.

I am happy with the Polks, but I’ve really nothing to compare to except for the stock units. What do you think are currently the best speakers that will fit in the dash and speaker bar locations?
 
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Mike_H said:
Another vote for the soundstream Picasso Nano. I'm running the same, mounted to the steering column. Its a powerful little guy. I have kicker 5.25's front and rear with a little kicker Comp 6.75" sub that fits the factory sub enclosure. I have the coils wired in parallel, so its "load" to the amp seems less...which makes the amp perform a bit better. I can cruise at 75mph and hear my music. Of course, if I listen to the same volume at a stop...I can hear distortion, mostly from the sub. I'm overdriving it...but better to overdrive the sub than the amp.

For your situation, you need more power. 22 watts RMS isn't really going to get you "good" sound with a lot of background noise (and the wail of a Hemi). You'll probably hear it, but I think you really need more power, especially if the speakers are rated for 100 watts! I'd look for something in the 50 watt x 4 neighborhood. IIRC, the Picasso nano is 50x4 and 300 x 1.
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Thanks Mike!
 
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JMT said:
I was considered the sound specialist around here back in the day. There are much smarter people here now. I would agree with @skrelnik. He’s the most knowledgeable audio person on here. Get a 5-channel class C or D. Sell your tube to recoup some $$. Otherwise you already have a pretty nice system. But if you want a bit more, this is the best route. And get some more speaker suggestions from @skrelnik in addition to the Kicker C and D lines.
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Sell my tube? Dude, you’ve seen my build - where in the world would I put a sub-tube?? 🙂

The Bazooka is just the speaker, in the stock location. Thanks for the insight on the amp and speakers. Lot’s of great help here.
 
NashvilleTJ said:
Sell my tube? Dude, you’ve seen my build - where in the world would I put a sub-tube?? 🙂

The Bazooka is just the speaker, in the stock location. Thanks for the insight on the amp and speakers. Lot’s of great help here.
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Sorry, I thought a Bazooka was a tube! LOL. You’re so smart you could fit two tubes in there if you wanted!

You need some kind of sub and amp. I use the Rockford Fosgate PS-8 which is a powered sub. It mounts to the bottom of the rear seat. It works great for me, but people who want mo’ better need a 4+1 or 5 channel.
 
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bobthetj03 said:
True, unless you already have a mono amp running a sub, and you run across an audio thread on your favorite Jeep forum, then rethink your system, lol! In my case, I'd probably find a small 4 channel to fit behind the HU, get a media player type HU, as it could leave enough room behind it to place the the amp. I currently run the Polk DB's, but before I would try a different speaker, I'd be curious to see how they sound with a bit more horsepower and some EQ tweaking.
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Check out the Soundstream cube mini amp

https://soundstream.com/product/st4-500d/
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
Thanks for poking your head in, shrelnik, I appreciate the input.

I am happy with the Polks, but I’ve really nothing to compare to except for the stock units. What do you think are currently the best speakers that will fit in the dash and speaker bar locations?
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There really isn't the "best speaker", per se, as audio is subjective. You just want to build the system as properly as you can on a predetermined budget. Car audio can get costly so set a budget and try to build off what you currently have. Keep the Polks and find the next weakness in your system.

As for the fronts, this is completely personal based on use, but are you open to mounting tweeters on your dash? If yes, look at these. Are there are higher quality speakers, yes, but our TJ has it's limits.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20647KSS50/Kicker-47KSS504.html
Screenshot_20220104-235231.jpg
 
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NashvilleTJ said:
That's definitely compact. A third the size of the Picasso Nano.
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Also, a good quality amplifier, and installation of the amplifier, food ground, right size wires etc.

Then you want to tune the sound via the equalizer. Some advanced amplifiers have digital sound processors.

It's more than just the hardware that delivers a great sound.
 
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Glad you asked this as it fits into my future plans too. I have OLD Infinity speakers and they all need to be replaced.
 
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Wildman said:
Glad you asked this as it fits into my future plans too. I have OLD Infinity speakers and they all need to be replaced.
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That Soundstream Nano 5 channel linked to by @skrelnik is really nice. I got to looking into it last night and I’m tempted to get one on the future and maybe move my powered sub over to my wife’s Yukon. Love that Nano. Basically the perfect amp for a 5-speaker system. The price is right too. All I’d need is the amp and a 10” sub. Tweeters on the dash might be too much for my rig with all the dust, but either way a nice system.

https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item-79531-Soundstream-PN5.640D.html
If you’re @NashvilleTJ you run one of these Bazooka tubes. 🤣

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-Lh8jE...nS3zeU_KqWFYP8dTgSir8QG3mYd9Yo8caAtVnEALw_wcB
 
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