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Audiophiles... a word...

1Evil55

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I wonder how many people these days, no matter the vehicle, put $$$ into the sound system then run super compressed XM through it and wonder why it sounds like crap. I'm betting so many people aren't aware of how low quality the XM feed is. To most people, my wife included, it sounds fine, but to even a slight audiophile it simply won't do, the quality of the source material is as important or even more so than the system itself...
Not an audiophile here by any means but I do like to turn up my music. There is a distinguishable difference when I plug in versus bluetooth. 99.99% of the time I'm streaming my Sirius app. Care to suggest other platforms with stronger/cleaner streams?
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crudesolo

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Off topic but the rear window seals on my hard top use to make all kind of squeaking when dry. I picked up some Honda seal grease and it took are of my squeaks. There's threads here about taking care of those squeaks. My dashboard when it's cold.. now that a whole 'nother story...
There's so many noises coming from my rig that fixing the squeaking won't matter too much. It's become white noise at this point. Will do that though to extend the seal life. Thanks for the tip!
 

Mx5red

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In a JL Wrangler?
Depends for each person if the cost is worth it. If spending that much I would add sound deadening and/or Armorlite, but tbh I think these new Jeeps are pretty quiet comparatively and it’s usually quiet enough that a clear stereo really shines through.

I did a much more budget amp/speaker/DSP addition to the Alpine system and the DSP made a huge difference, as does the amplifiers. The alpine amps are just too weak to adequately drive good speakers cleanly.

I am very very happy with my sound in my gladiator. My wife is very happy with the Alpine in her wrangler (which I think sounded better than my alpine gladiator; should be the same besides the sub so must’ve made a noticeable difference).
So to her not worth messing with. To me was worth spending a couple grand because I crank the stereo every single day. People spend that on their home stereo and hardly ever listen to it!
 

lashlee

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In a JL Wrangler?
Yes sir. Coincident point sources on the dash, 6" midbass in the lower dash and sound bar, JL drivers side sub box, Arc 1100.5 and 450.4, Helix DSP Pro. Drivers are still up in the air, depending on what the shop that I work through can get, may be Illusion Audio, may be Hertz Mille's or Audible Physics. HU will be the OEM Alpine with the Pac Audio interface.

How my car sounds is what she wants. I use Illusion C3CX's, C8's, Audible Physics Ram3's, Helix Ultra processor, Phoenix Gold and Arc Audio amps, and a Stereo Integrity sub.
 

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Cutterone

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That, and also those that use Bluetooth instead of a direct wired source.
Yeah I've always used the iphone port to usb, I use the USB C input now on the JL. Even before, my old ipods I used the old 30 pin connector to aux cable where most people where using the headphone jack which was inferior for many reasons...
 

Cutterone

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Not an audiophile here by any means but I do like to turn up my music. There is a distinguishable difference when I plug in versus bluetooth. 99.99% of the time I'm streaming my Sirius app. Care to suggest other platforms with stronger/cleaner streams?
Well I download most stuff off Apple music to the phone so its not streaming over cell serive to play, I have spotty reception in my area. I download at 256 AAC, but apple gives you the choice to go above that or below, but I think its indistinguishable from lossless in a wrangler sound stage. I'm assuming Spotify and other apps give you a choice of quality for both over air streaming and downloads. I have the apple music set to lossless streaming over wifi at home because why not! And buy a good lightning to usb-c cable and away ya go...
 

Cutterone

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I'm very happy with the Alpine in both my old JK and new JL, sure you can dump more money into it but in a Wrangler you are chasing diminishing returns for lots of $$$, not worth it, but my opinion is only worth 2c so...:lipssealed::clap::giggle:
 

Cutterone

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Be happy you didn't buy a Bronco, I hear even their "premium" Bose system is garbage... :CWL: :CWL: :CWL:
 

MayThe4x4BWU

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I consider myself an audiophile, but knew going into the JL that sound quality was going to be compromised compared to any other vehicle I've owned in my life ?

That said, aside from having to turn up the volume a bit more, I'm pretty happy with keeping the three flat set...occasionally turning bass up a few notches for certain songs.
 

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Mocopo

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Be happy you didn't buy a Bronco, I hear even their "premium" Bose system is garbage... :CWL: :CWL: :CWL:
It's not sound quality, it's speaker placement that's the problem. Quality is actually on point, IMO.
 

BullMoose1776

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I'm not an audiophile, but I do appreciate a good equalizer, which we do not have!

These speakers are sufficient for me, and I will maybe upgrade in the future after all other things are done.

Overall iita fine. My jeep is pretty loud, so it's mainly used to drown out the road noise. I do like the sound system better with the top off, tho...
 
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whitechocolate

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It's all subjective, of course. But I like a flat, midrange sound, so I keep my equalizers flat 90% of the time. I'll bump the bass up to 2 - 4 when I'm in the mood for some good rumble. I listen to SiriusXM and downloaded music through Apple Music with Android Auto.

I currently have a 2 door with the Alpine system, but the 4 door had the better sub resonance, so the bass equalizer doesn't have to go as high in the JLU vs the JL.

If you like clean midrange, I suggest taking off the grills from the soundbar, removing the foam next to the high range driver, and stuffing it into the open bass ports. That covers up the gross high-range bass from the soundbar, and gives me a more noticeable midrange stereo effect.
Thanks for the tip, use power amp for android which has a killer eq and effects and balances nice in the JL, using the radio the mids are washed, going to look into that this weekend.
 

Paluss

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I have Audiophile home stereo equipment in a dedicated room (not sure if that makes me an Audiophile), I think Music Lovers would be a better term to use. IMO audiophile quality sound cannot be reproduced in any vehicle, as the key to high-end or audiophile sound is having the lowest possible noise floor on the music signal. any form of noise or vibrations does not allow for a low noise floor such as an engine, fans, tire noise, wind noise etc., you can turn up the volume to compensate for those noises, but you are not getting better sound just louder sound. a good example is having a conversation with a person in a crowded busy room, you have to really listen closely versus being 1-on-1 with a person in a quiet room and there voice is crystal clear. Not as dramatic, but music in a car is similar to the crowed room in Audiophile terms... Having said all that, I like the Alpine although the sub is a bit boomy. Enjoy!!!!
 
 







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