Just received my BA's, upgrading my Infinities this weekend. My understanding is it will improve the clarity of the music, not the volume. Am hoping to find an amp or something to increase the volume in the sound bar after improving the clarity. Anyone got a recommendation for an amp? I've got the 420 system in my '13 JKU. (My '07 JKU factory system sounded way better, by the way.)

Whatever I do I want to find out why the soundbar sounds weak first.

I agree with this statement. My 07 was nicer as we'll.

I'm no audiophile, either, but
 

In my '07 I installed a new JVC head unit, Sound Ordnance speakers in the front and Polk speakers in the sound bar and it sounded sooooo much better than the base unit I had. I got the whole set-up from Crutchfield so it included EVERYTHING needed to install it correctly. The hardest part of that install was the front speakers because they were a b*tch to get at and take out. About 6 mos ago I got a new '13 Wrangler Sport (with a base sound system) and I transferred the sound bar speakers but left the base head unit (HU) in since I don't want to give up my steering wheel controls for the stereo, cruise control, etc, etc, etc. Just replacing the factory sound bar speakers w/the Polks made a HUGE difference in sound quality, IMO. I didn't screw with the front speakers due to the time consuming nature of doing so. I'm going to leave the factory HU in and have new aftermarket speakers installed in the front and a subwoofer and amp to give me a little more bass and amplify the whole system. There are units specially made to connect to factory HU's like Channel Line Output Converters that enable you to keep your factory HU while adding amps, speakers, etc. That's the route I'll be going except I'll have to have it done for me due to a bad back. :sad2: It sucks because electronics was always one thing I could do to my vehicles myself.

So this thread inspired me to do the following to my 2013 JKU non premium sound system:

- Boston Acoustic mids all around.
- Polyfill
- Used RBZ 430 off eBay. I had 130 with Connectivity/UConnect.
- Quadratec Supertweeters. They just rebranded tweeters manufactured by Powerbass. $24 shipped.

Clarity and loudness both increased dramatically. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

Interesting mod. Makes sense as you are keeping the 2 ohm speakers... And who knows; maybe the BA are also more effecient than the Infinity or Alpines...

My question is, Will the BA speaker make my 2014 oem Alpine sound better?



I'm sure the details are in here somewhere; no time to read the whole thread. Thx.

Since like you I'm in Woodstock GA and a mountain biker (novice level for me though), I will tell you it made a difference on my 2013 Alpine system. I don't know if they changed the system from '13 to '14. Going to do those super tweeters next. I think my tweeters may be blown.

Just finished my B/A upgrade. Did the sound bar last week, but had to put off the front until I had a free weekend. Mines an 08' but like others have said the drivers side is a PITA do it first and get it out of the way. You will appreciate the simplicity of the passenger said. So far I love the sound. Can't wait to really break them in!

[HR][/HR]What did you think about the Supertweeters? I did the BA swap and polyfil. Made a huge difference. Would you do the tweets again? Do they stick out as far as the pic looks?

They are an upgrade over the stock tweeters. They do stick out but if you try harder than I did you can mount them flush. They really don't stick out that far.

Over the past few months, I've stuffed the soundbar and sub enclosure with polyfill, upgraded the soundbar and dash speakers to the BAs listed here (and stuffed the dash with polyfill), and upgraded the tweeters to the PowerBass super tweeters. I kept the 430N head unit ('13 JKUR with "premium" sound). Each step made an improvement, and end result is a significant improvement in sound clarity and (I think) volume. Highly recommend these changes to anyone who wants to improve their sound but keep the stock HU. And I would do it all in one weekend instead of spreading it out over several months.

May upgrade the amp next summer, will have to hear what it sounds like with the top down.

Thanks to all the posters who gave tips and instructions!

Where do you get the tweeters and how hard is the install? Did they cost very much? I have already added the four B/A's with Pollyfill and I have two tens with a ken wood amp. Still running stock head. But everything sounds great with or without tops!

I bought the PowerBass tweeters off the internet, maybe directly from PowerBass, I don't recall. Something like $30 or so. I got the ones with the included cross overs, read where the ones without were easily blown. Had to splice 2 wires for each tweeter, and used my dremel to open up the speaker hole so they would fit flush. ~30 minutes all in for both.

I saw Quadratec had the same tweeters, but it was ~$100 for the kit. I did use their on-line instructions though. I now expect that the extra $$ from Quadratec probably would have bought me an enclosure for the tweeter that would have fit flush without grinding out the speaker holes, and also would have included a couple clips that would have allowed a simpler install than stripping wires.

Thanks. I did see the ones at quadratec, but was iffy on the price. But it sounds like it may be worth it. Thanks

Another option for you.
I used Infinity 1031t tweeters (can find for around $42). I cut out the stock grill and hot glued the tweeters in place.
I am using Infinity PR6500cs in the front and the Boston Acoustics in the rears.Attachment 512078

I have 1 pair of the Boston Acoustic speakers for sale if anyone's interested. $50 shipped (within reason). I only had them in my sound bar for one season, and they are still in great shape. I just decided to go another route.

Just installed the Boston speakers in my sound bar. Sound is definitely better. 2 questions though. Just how much polyfill do you put in the sound bar? I put it all around where the speaker installs, not sure if I used to much or too little. I do get a good amount of rattle when I play something with decent bass, and even have bass turned down to 6. Wondering if I need to do something. Also when I installed those speakers, rather than cut the grill to mount them flush, I just best the metal tabs on the new speakers, same result, just no cutting needed.

So I took the speakers back out of thrcsoindbar to add more polyfill. Took 2 16oz bags to totally pack the bar. Hoping to do fronts tomorrow.

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Any different results with the extra poly fill?

I have replaced all my speakers with the plug and play Kickers, this includes putting a 10 inch CVR Kickers sub in my stock subwoofer box in the back. The 6.5 fit pretty good, but there was a bit of trimming that needs to be done to sit flush. I had to cut my stock sub box and then bolt the new sub down, but after cutting and fitting it looks pretty good. I have also filled all the speaker boxes with poly fill. I think the new speakers do sound better, but like a lot of folks said it isn't mind blowing. The HU still keep you from getting the full potential of the new speakers. I will be adding a 300 watt amp to my sub in the back, but we use it only to power the sub. I will also add a subwoofer volume control that will allow me to turn it up or down as needed. I'm not a stereo expert, but have been doing a lot of reading on this site and others to take advantage of my system without replacing the HU which I like because of the Nav. I have the Rer with premium sound and Navigation.. I will post a picture of the Sub if anyone is interested?

For me the extra polyfill seemed to help the almost drone that came from the soundbar under a decent amount of bass. I'd say more is definitely the way to go.

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You guys have any issues with the domelight vibrating with the bass sometimes? If so, what have you done to fix it?

I haven't had any issue with vibration for the dome light. Sorry I couldn't help.

SOLD --- Hey guys, if anyone is interested, I ordered (4) of the Boston Acoustic speakers mentioned in the thread from Hendricks Mopar that I would sell for $90/or best offer, shipped to lower 48. Have just decided to go a different route, I have not even opened the box that the speakers that were shipped to me in, never installed. PM me if interested.

Just installed the fronts today
Was not a bad install at all. If you are comfortable using a ratchet and sockets it us quite easy. Took maybe 45 min if that. As has been said, replacing the fronts nets the best improvement. System seems much louder now, and the sound much fuller. Definitely worth the small price!

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Tried to PM but your box is full

Just emptied, sorry and apologize for the thread hijack, just trying to find a good or bad home for these!

Very worth it!
 

1st - Thanks Scott! Got the speakers as expected, perfect. Thanks man!

Everyone else, here's my experience.

I have 2012 JKU, base system.

For reference, if I wanted to listen to some music loudly. My typical settings would be:
Bass +2
Mid +5
High +9
Volume 27-28

That's about as loud as it will go without getting wildly distorted.

Swapped the 4 new speakers in.

Same song, new settings:
Bass -2
Mid +5
High +8
Volume 22-23

At this level of volume and settings, the sound is much fuller/warmer and louder. It was an obvious and immediate better sounding system. So happy I did it!

Keep in mind, I'm comparing to my base system. Not saying this is an amazing stereo system compared to anything else, except the base JKU system.

Highly recommended! I went ahead and got a powered sub to round out the system, (sound ordnance - going to mount underseat) - happy camper over here!

Note - for passenger side, you can totally get the speaker box out through the glovebox. I saw some people removing the entire dash and airbag - no need.

Thanks!
Alex V.

I know this is an old Thread, but I replace my Premium Alpine Speakers (2014 JKU Rubicon) with the Boston Acoustics today. This was easy, but I do not find them a significant improvement over the Alpine stock speakers. Maybe more bass, but not significant. The Boston Acoustics were $130 shipped. Not crazy expensive unless you are like me and do NOT consider this is an improvement! I will likely live with the change for awhile, then find better after-market speakers that will give me what I hoped for. I would look elsewhere if you expect alot! :naw:

this thread wasn't intended to replace nice alpines...this thread was intended for the reg stock systems...which I had, and replaced my stock with BA...got a huge difference. alpines are nice, had them in my 08 Sahara.

Pdiesel- sell the BA's and put your Alpine's back in. There are many owners who would like to have more sound for cheap.

I don't find the "Premium" Alpines to be that great either. I will gladly sell Either set (Alpines or Boston Acoustics) The Alpine Premium system in my jeep is fair at best. The Infinity system in my previous Jeep was way better! I thought the Boston Acoustics would be an improvement.

I can't speak for the factory premium Alpine system, but if it's anything like my factory 2012 Infinity system, its sound is anything but "premium".

Maybe it's just because my last truck had a radio with the knobs falling off, they barely worked too and it only had one speaker that wasn't "completely" blown. But I think my infinity system is AWESOME!

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I had put two sets of 77kick10 in my 12' 2-door that had the base system. The sound was much,much better. A small powered sub in the back and I would have been extremely pleased. My only complaint was the left rear sound bar speaker would distort below 10 setting on the volume. I recently bought a Willys JKU that has the base system in it also. I did some searching on Crutchfield and found a set of Kenwood KFC-1665S for $39.99 that got excellent reviews and came with the mounting plate and plug adapter making them plug and play (kinda). I was weary of a pair of $40 speakers sounding good despite the great reviews so I only bought one set for the roll bar since it is a 10 minute job. I put them in and they are garbage. Way worse than stock. The left one also is a little distorted at lower levels just like the 77kick10 did in my 12'. Any reason for this? I put the stock speakers back in and there is no comparison to the crappy kenwood's. Is there a reason the kenwoods sounded so bad despite the good reviews? Is it something to do with the stock deck? They say RMS power range 2-30 with a peak of 300. The factory radio should clearly fall into this range. Is there a difference in Impedance in after market speakers or something? I mean I am just baffled these sounded so bad despite the good reviews. I noticed reading the reviews that a person with a Jk gave them 2 stars (compared to mainly 5's and 4's) and stated they sounded worse than stock. Of course I didn't see this until after.......

Thought I would chime in, put a full set of these in today and boy do they rock my world. For 120 bucks way better than I imagined. Much fuller sound, tons more bass and miss and much clearer.

I have a good radio, bought the new speakers at the dealership, packed the overhead bar with the pillow stuffing.....mine still sounds like muffled,treble-smothering crap; clearly I did something wrong.

Anybody finding these anywhere besides the dealer?

Just ordered 4 of the Boston acoustic speakers, I'll post my results when I get them installed.

The factory radio is match to your factory speakers in wattage and Mhz's when putting in after market speaker you wanna match the wattage best you can so the perform properly the mhz is the frequency they respond best at... (might wanna look it up though i am not the brightest crayon in the box according to everyone here)

Example: stock speaker 70mhz to 150mhz

Aftermarket speaker 50mhz to 220mhz

Again i do not claim to be right

I just installed the Boston acoustic speakers today and I was surprised at how much of an improvement they are over factory. I have the base system.