Sound system upgrade recommendations

[KyleTJ]

I want to beef up my sound system without using an external amp or subwoofer as I do not want to use up more space than stock. By the way, I already have the Pyle PLG64 installed in my center console. Are any of these unnecessary, need improvement, and is there anything that I am missing.
The following links are the parts that I plan on purchasing:
Sony XAV-AX7000 (Headunit)
Polk Audio DB652 DB+ Series 6.5 Inch Marine Speakers (soundbar speakers)
Kicker 47KSC504 (dashboard speakers)
PA Performance Alternator; 160 Amp
Jeep Wrangler TJ / LJ Big 7 Battery Cable Kit (1997-2006)
Install Gear 12 Gauge Speaker Wire - 30ft Brown 12 AWG - Deoxidized Copper
Fairfield The Original Poly-Fil
4 Pack Speaker Harness Replacement Speaker Wiring Harness Adapter 72-6514
Metra 70-6502 Receiver Wiring Harness
Fastronix Military Spec Battery Connectors- Positive Terminal
Fastronix Military Spec Battery Connectors- Negative Terminal
I plan on 3D printing the pods for the dashboard speakers.

 

[cpwolf]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/2005-texas-jeep-tj-never-sell-build.37076/post-1733631

Starting post #87 in my build thread is about my stereo upgrades.

Lots of thoughts and opinions, many good, some maybe not so when you talk on this topic, ha. I'm not saying anyone or anything is wrong, to each his own, but I'll give you my thoughts on what I did and your list.

I'll say this...my buddy used to own a shop....he couldn't believe I got the clarity and sound open air I'm getting.

Couple things:
1. The component speakers...putting the pods I have up on the dash corners...game changing...vs just the speaker screaming into my shin alone, ha.
2. The 4 Channel Amp for the front and overhead speakers.....Alpine smaller one, but the bracket from Taboo customs off the shelf, fit it under the steering column...you wouldn't know it was there...one of the better upgrades.
3. Getting the suggestions from others, and mounting the Rockville 10" powered Sub to the bottom of my back seat....you wouldn't know it was there....until the stereo hits.

The double din with wireless car play, your sony or my jensen....whatever, having that is a great upgrade too...and people that complain about glare...yeah, I get it, but there isn't a "screen" radio that won't have glare in Texas in a top down Jeep.

I put in Polk....DB5252 and DB652...love them, with an amp they come through super crystal clear. Nirvana Smells Like Team Spirit, if your system is loud when he's screaming the chorus....and DOESN"T distort...you know you've dialed it in, ha. The Polk, IMO, have awesome mid range sound...actually impressive. I don't think you need more alternator...I'd put that $275 in the bank or an amp.

Open air....I had a lot of this before the Rockville 10" powered under seat sub (it's cheap, I wasn't expecting a lot) and it changes the sound system, completely.

I will say, for Rock, southern rock and country. I can put on old school rap, the bass hits and thumps, its doesn't boom if that makes sense, just not enough size and box.

So your Polk I know I like, don't know anything about your kickers, but they don't look like component with separate tweeters to mount on the dash...so it won't matter how good they are or the poly or box in the dash....it's make sound and you'll hear very little of it, just my experience.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

I’m just buttoning up everything from a complete audio upgrade, and I’ll post details in my build thread. I went with a Sony double-DIN head unit, 4-channel amp under the steering column, Polk MM series 5.5” and 6.5” speakers in OE locations, and a 10” Kicker Hideaway under the rear seat. It’s louder than I need, which is just right.

I made my own battery cables and replaced the terminals… but there are easier ways that are cheaper than the Big 7 kit.

 

[suicideking]

I want to beef up my sound system without using an external amp or subwoofer as I do not want to use up more space than stock.

Without an amp, you are not getting anywhere near the potential sound quality. There are lots of small amps to choose from that will fit behind the dash, under a seat, etc. It will still sound better, but going to sound significantly better by comparison if you add an amp.

I have an Alpine KTP-445U Power Pack (45 X 4) under the dash. It powers the 2 speakers up front (stock location) and two roll bar mounted speakers in the rear (no sound bar due to a custom cage).

System in my LJ:

Sony XAV-AX3200 (double DIN HU)
Alpine amp
JL C1-525x 5.25" front
Alpine 6.5" roll bar mounted pods
Pioneer 10" powered sub

 

[xXDavidCXx]

I second component front speakers.

This is what I have

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20651KSS50/Kicker-KSS50.html?tp=97

Tremendously better sound stage and I had to lower my normal volume usage as a result.

 

[cpwolf]

I second component front speakers.

This is what I have

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20651KSS50/Kicker-KSS50.html?tp=97

Tremendously better sound stage and I had to lower my normal volume usage as a result.

View attachment 680568

This....Amp....Sub....biggest difference makers, from my experience.

You got those pods on Crutchfield? Did they come with the pod they are mounted in? Edit: Looks like they are in one of the pics...I didn't see those when looking. Very cool. After having to buy and wait for the pods on Alibaba or whatever it was....it would have been better to go this route....and they have 1" tweeters. They sound good I assume?

 

[xXDavidCXx]

This....Amp....Sub....biggest difference makers, from my experience.

You got those pods on Crutchfield? Did they come with the pod they are mounted in? Edit: Looks like they are in one of the pics...I didn't see those when looking. Very cool. After having to buy and wait for the pods on Alibaba or whatever it was....it would have been better to go this route....and they have 1" tweeters. They sound good I assume?

I’m using the 80w per channel internal amp and it sounds great, which is relative to dash mounted. Sounds as good as my GTI Fender audio component speakers.

I also have a kicker 2x10 with 200 watt amp to fill in the sound stage. Does sound anemic without the sub.

 

[KyleTJ]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/2005-texas-jeep-tj-never-sell-build.37076/post-1733631

Starting post #87 in my build thread is about my stereo upgrades.

Lots of thoughts and opinions, many good, some maybe not so when you talk on this topic, ha. I'm not saying anyone or anything is wrong, to each his own, but I'll give you my thoughts on what I did and your list.

I'll say this...my buddy used to own a shop....he couldn't believe I got the clarity and sound open air I'm getting.

Couple things:
1. The component speakers...putting the pods I have up on the dash corners...game changing...vs just the speaker screaming into my shin alone, ha.
2. The 4 Channel Amp for the front and overhead speakers.....Alpine smaller one, but the bracket from Taboo customs off the shelf, fit it under the steering column...you wouldn't know it was there...one of the better upgrades.
3. Getting the suggestions from others, and mounting the Rockville 10" powered Sub to the bottom of my back seat....you wouldn't know it was there....until the stereo hits.

The double din with wireless car play, your sony or my jensen....whatever, having that is a great upgrade too...and people that complain about glare...yeah, I get it, but there isn't a "screen" radio that won't have glare in Texas in a top down Jeep.

I put in Polk....DB5252 and DB652...love them, with an amp they come through super crystal clear. Nirvana Smells Like Team Spirit, if your system is loud when he's screaming the chorus....and DOESN"T distort...you know you've dialed it in, ha. The Polk, IMO, have awesome mid range sound...actually impressive. I don't think you need more alternator...I'd put that $275 in the bank or an amp.

Open air....I had a lot of this before the Rockville 10" powered under seat sub (it's cheap, I wasn't expecting a lot) and it changes the sound system, completely.

I will say, for Rock, southern rock and country. I can put on old school rap, the bass hits and thumps, its doesn't boom if that makes sense, just not enough size and box.

So your Polk I know I like, don't know anything about your kickers, but they don't look like component with separate tweeters to mount on the dash...so it won't matter how good they are or the poly or box in the dash....it's make sound and you'll hear very little of it, just my experience.

could you send me a picture of how you sub looks with the back seat folded up. Also, could you give me the names or links to the amp and mounting bracket that you use?

 

[KyleTJ]

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/2005-texas-jeep-tj-never-sell-build.37076/post-1733631

Starting post #87 in my build thread is about my stereo upgrades.

Lots of thoughts and opinions, many good, some maybe not so when you talk on this topic, ha. I'm not saying anyone or anything is wrong, to each his own, but I'll give you my thoughts on what I did and your list.

I'll say this...my buddy used to own a shop....he couldn't believe I got the clarity and sound open air I'm getting.

Couple things:
1. The component speakers...putting the pods I have up on the dash corners...game changing...vs just the speaker screaming into my shin alone, ha.
2. The 4 Channel Amp for the front and overhead speakers.....Alpine smaller one, but the bracket from Taboo customs off the shelf, fit it under the steering column...you wouldn't know it was there...one of the better upgrades.
3. Getting the suggestions from others, and mounting the Rockville 10" powered Sub to the bottom of my back seat....you wouldn't know it was there....until the stereo hits.

The double din with wireless car play, your sony or my jensen....whatever, having that is a great upgrade too...and people that complain about glare...yeah, I get it, but there isn't a "screen" radio that won't have glare in Texas in a top down Jeep.

I put in Polk....DB5252 and DB652...love them, with an amp they come through super crystal clear. Nirvana Smells Like Team Spirit, if your system is loud when he's screaming the chorus....and DOESN"T distort...you know you've dialed it in, ha. The Polk, IMO, have awesome mid range sound...actually impressive. I don't think you need more alternator...I'd put that $275 in the bank or an amp.

Open air....I had a lot of this before the Rockville 10" powered under seat sub (it's cheap, I wasn't expecting a lot) and it changes the sound system, completely.

I will say, for Rock, southern rock and country. I can put on old school rap, the bass hits and thumps, its doesn't boom if that makes sense, just not enough size and box.

So your Polk I know I like, don't know anything about your kickers, but they don't look like component with separate tweeters to mount on the dash...so it won't matter how good they are or the poly or box in the dash....it's make sound and you'll hear very little of it, just my experience.

Is this a good amp? Alpine S-A55V Car Amplifier S-Series 5-Channel Class D Amplifier 540W RMS

 

[JMT]

Is this a good amp? Alpine S-A55V Car Amplifier S-Series 5-Channel Class D Amplifier 540W RMS

That’s a good amp.

5-channel is great for 2 Front, 2 Rear, and 1 Sub

What others said about the system needing an Amp for real improvement is absolutely true.

Many of us use the small Soundstream 5-Channel Amp. It’s smaller dimension than the Alpine. I’d say the Alpine is better overall, but larger. Sound quality difference unnoticeable in the TJ/LJ soundstage. Price difference is large.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Soundstr...Audio-Amplifier-Multicolor-5-51-lbs/114673360

 

[Hasselblad]

I wish I had kept track of all the upgrades to my system, I've a Kenwood double din excelon head, kicker sub amp under the drivers seat, alpine amp driving the normal speakers, all speakers upgraded (Polk). Sounds amazing, especially with siriux xm music.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_613DMX809S/Kenwood-Excelon-DMX809S.html
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500KTP445A/Alpine-KTP-445A-Power-Pack.html
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_20646CX41T/Kicker-46CXA400-1T.html

 

[KyleTJ]

That’s a good amp.

5-channel is great for 2 Front, 2 Rear, and 1 Sub

What others said about the system needing an Amp for real improvement is absolutely true.

Many of us use the small Soundstream 5-Channel Amp. It’s smaller dimension than the Alpine. I’d say the Alpine is better overall, but larger. Sound quality difference unnoticeable in the TJ/LJ soundstage. Price difference is large.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Soundstr...Audio-Amplifier-Multicolor-5-51-lbs/114673360

Will I be able to fit a subwoofer in the center console? To pair with this. Since I

That’s a good amp.

5-channel is great for 2 Front, 2 Rear, and 1 Sub

What others said about the system needing an Amp for real improvement is absolutely true.

Many of us use the small Soundstream 5-Channel Amp. It’s smaller dimension than the Alpine. I’d say the Alpine is better overall, but larger. Sound quality difference unnoticeable in the TJ/LJ soundstage. Price difference is large.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Soundstr...Audio-Amplifier-Multicolor-5-51-lbs/114673360

how big of a sub can I fit in center console without losing the storage spot.

 

[JMT]

Will I be able to fit a subwoofer in the center console? To pair with this. Since I


how big of a sub can I fit in center console without losing the storage spot.

Do you have a Rubicon center console? They will hold a 6 3/4” sub made by Kicker. Sort of a sub. Punchy. Maintains the upper storage space

A regular center console can be modified with significant work to hold a slimline sub. I think an 8” max. It eats your storage.

 

[DeltaNu1142]

Will I be able to fit a subwoofer in the center console?

I PM'd you some info & links.

 

[cpwolf]

Is this a good amp? Alpine S-A55V Car Amplifier S-Series 5-Channel Class D Amplifier 540W RMS

Agree...this is a good amp. I chose a different direction...I wanted a 4 channel, so no sub, just the front and rear.....and a "powered sub" with a built in amp stand alone.

Reason is the cost of an amp I wanted to get a little higher power out of it to avoid any distortion.....that way I can power as much to those speakers as possible for clarity.

The sub...a cheap powered sub is the trade off, and for me, it works pretty darn well in the TJ. I don't store much...because there's not a lot I want stolen, ha. I find the center console storage highly over rated.

Still, I think the under back seat, unless you take yours out...to be a great setup vs in the center console.

 

[cpwolf]

could you send me a picture of how you sub looks with the back seat folded up. Also, could you give me the names or links to the amp and mounting bracket that you use?

I put 2 boards up under the under seat wire....then bolted the Rockville directly to those boards. This is what is looks like with the bottom up and unzipped. I've tied up the cabling some, but this is it.

Sub bolted to boards bottom of seat....

This is the amp mounting bracket....I bought it and it went straight onto the bolts under the steering wheel. Two phillips screws and you can pull a panel there under the wheel, and see easy to mount it. This bracket would hold one much larger than I got....you can see that from the view looking up.
https://taboocustoms.com/store/ampmountplate

Amp on the bracket from through that removed panel, directly under steering wheel:

Pic of amp from under where the floor mat view.

Shows no longer available, hmmm, they probably have an updated model, all weather power pack 4 channel.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500KTA30FW/Alpine-KTA-30FW-Tough-Power-Pack.html?mfr=&fromlanding=1

 

[cpwolf]

@JMT did the under seat....not sure where his pics are, maybe in his build thread, I used that as inspiration for what I did,

 

[JMT]

I can’t find the pics of mine, but here’s what I did next.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/05-flame-red-tj-build.3998/post-1635313