Stock Chrysler CD Players
- Thread starter TJRick
- Start date
the OEM audio components are junk
Agreed, you can update the speakers and then suffer the consequence of doing so if you're not going to update the head unit...
In short; no. The only difference in the two radios is the extra two bands. Both were designed by Infinity. You won’t be pushing an extra power from the 5-band (maybe even less) because it was designed to be used with an external amp.
The 5-band Infinity system used an external amp that drove speakers with a crossover built into each one. I’ve read this system was state-of-the-art back in the day, and the 5-band was useful with the crossovers because they were very tuneable for a factory system. For fun, I bought two pairs of these speakers to try out in my last TJ with the OEM 3-band radio, but they sounded bland without the proprietary amp to drive them. And even then, the placement of the speakers in a TJ dissipates a lot of the sound quality.
If you want to go this far, you can use either the 3-band or 5-band factory radio with an external amp and hook the amp up via speaker-level inputs, which I have successfully done. I like the look of the OEM radio as well. You might get a little more fluctuation with the 5-band, but I’m not sure it would be noticeable in a TJ.
Last I looked, I believe they go for $200-250 on ebay. I was never able to find one in the junkyard.
The 5-band Infinity system used an external amp that drove speakers with a crossover built into each one. I’ve read this system was state-of-the-art back in the day, and the 5-band was useful with the crossovers because they were very tuneable for a factory system. For fun, I bought two pairs of these speakers to try out in my last TJ with the OEM 3-band radio, but they sounded bland without the proprietary amp to drive them. And even then, the placement of the speakers in a TJ dissipates a lot of the sound quality.
If you want to go this far, you can use either the 3-band or 5-band factory radio with an external amp and hook the amp up via speaker-level inputs, which I have successfully done. I like the look of the OEM radio as well. You might get a little more fluctuation with the 5-band, but I’m not sure it would be noticeable in a TJ.
Last I looked, I believe they go for $200-250 on ebay. I was never able to find one in the junkyard.
To update this thread - you are right.
I hooked up the premium "Infinity" model with the 5-band equalizer, and it completely lacked any bottom end in my Jeep. The stock CD/Cassette player (with 3-band equalizer) that came with my Jeep sounds MUCH better with the stock setup.
That is not entirely accurate.
I replaced my stock speakers with the Kicker replacement speakers from Quadratec last summer and it made a VERY noticeable difference in sound quality in my Jeep - even with the stock CD/cassette player.
Front:
https://www.quadratec.com/products/14133_2X0_PG.htm
Rear:
https://www.quadratec.com/products/14133_2X1_PG.htm
If you want to continue to use that HU, look into adding a small footprint amp under the dash. Like this one.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_530ST410KD/Soundstream-Stealth-ST4-1000D.html?tp=35782
Don't waste your time trying to hunt down an Infinity amp and the wiring.
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Thanks! When you say "that HU," Do you mean the Infinity unit, or my stock CD/Cassette player combo?
Are you saying that the amp you linked will fit under my dash, hidden from view?
I don't know much about sound systems, so this is much appreciated. I don't need much, but a little more without a bunch of modification piques my interest.
What else would I need to make this work?
I'm talking about the infinity unit.
The small footprint amps fit under the dash nicely.
I think @skrelnik had a post at one time regarding under the dash mounting.
Perhaps he will chime in, he is very knowledgeable in this area.
I have a pretty expensive setup in my jeep. I run a 5 channel JL amp that is mounted under my dash.
This is what always makes me laugh. There is no way you will ever get quality sound in a Jeep, only adequate/loud sound. Upgrade the electronics for additional features, such as maps and cameras, but not for sound. Keeping the old/original system is ok if you are preserving a low mileage collector vehicle.
If we were local to one another, I would invite you to listen to the system in my Jeep. It's quality sound, and very loud.
I could just be biased though... my home theater is all Bowers & Wilkens driven by Yamaha, and the Den has a hifi using KEF 104.2s driven by Dynaco PAT5/ST80...
I have that unit in my jeep. It will actually tuck up in the dash behind the radio. Not an earthshaker, but will give you a bit more volume and you can connect bluetooth to play music from your phone. No mic, so no phone calls.
Pick up a radio harness repair kit and a radio harness kit, and you can wire the whole mess up without too much pain.
These, but make sure they are the ones for your jeep.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007KPRJW/?tag=wranglerorg-20
and
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002BF0DE/?tag=wranglerorg-20
We are comparing two totally different systems here. A jeep and a home theater system. I would definitely be put off if I invested a ton of money into a home theater system and my jeep had better sound!
What sort of system/budget are you looking to build? Any areas you want to upgrade? Do you have the stock subwoofer in the center console?
If you have the subwoofer I would go for a 5 channel amplifier, the same one that @NashvilleTJ has. Check out his build threat starting at Post # 1087, then come back with more questions.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/nashville-tjs-build-continued.42035/page-55
Like @williambmac said, there are ways to get agreat system in the Jeep, just need the right equipment and placement. My system rocks when I am going 70mph on the highway with no top. Crystal clear sound. Tweeters relocated to the a-pillars, 8" ground zero sub in the center console, Helix 6.5" in the overhead pods and Focal 5.25" in the dash - plus a dual 10" sub in the back which has a quick disconnect for when I need the rear cargo space. Audiotec Fischer!
That would do it!
I have a 1998 model, so no subwoofer. All I have is the stock CD player/Cassette combo with the 3-band equalizer and the 4 [upgraded] Kicker speakers I linked above. (I also still have the OEM Infinity CD player shown above with the 5-band equalizer that doesn't sound as good with what I have.)
My current "system" sounds crystal-clear and quite loud, just a little low on bass. It's not bad at all, but I don't really need much. The Kicker speakers made a big difference in what I had before. If there is something else I could do to make it a little better - while keeping what I have - I am all ears.
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This is a for sale thread I made with audio equipment that was in my TJ. Look at the picture, that is the stock head unit connected to an amplifier, an Audiotec Fischer PP 52DSP. You can keep the stock head unit and have a killer system. You just need to venture off of Crutchfield to the DIYMA forums and you can learn a ton. This was Plug N Play, no splicing or anything like that.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/audio-equipment-wrangler-clean-out.35712/
My guess is you need some bass, that is what you are missing. A self-powered sub is okay, but probably not what you are looking for but maybe it is. Would something like this work for you?
https://incartec.co.uk/product/Blam...bwoofer-with-built-in-250w-amplifier-BL-MSA25
What about looking for a new center console, the version with the subwoofer insert? Is that a possibility? A while back I purchased a Tuffy center console and put an 8" shallow mount sub inside. Works very well, so you might be able to build your own box to install your existing center console???
Does anyone have a picture of the OEM radio (AM/FM cd player, with 7 speakers) in a 2002 Sport I want to go back to the OEM unit. And not sure whick one to look for on Ebay etc. Thanks. Picture of radio in dash is fine.
This is from my 2002 Apex (glorified X model) with the 7-speaker Infinity system. Identical in function to what the OP was looking at originally.
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