Alpine upgraded sound system...seriously?

[JeepinJason33]

I am sorry to hear you are "disappointed" Not too many people on here are overly excited with the system. There were not a lot of aftermarket options when I ordered mine and I wanted the bigger screen. I swapped the speakers over to the MB Quart system and it made a huge difference. Then added a third amp and sub for some low end. Fairly easy upgrades, except for the knee panel speakers.

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[Opus]

Any sensory input is subjective. Personally, I like the Alpine premium system. For me it's a substantial upgrade from the Beats Audio I had in the Renegade. I haven't tried connecting through the phone yet, but even SXM and local HD radio sound good to me.

 

[zrickety]

So my new Sahara came with the upgraded Alpine system and...it kinda' sucks. Has that tin can sound the many generic factory systems are known for. If this is a upgrade then I have to imagine the stock system is some Campbell soup cans with yarn connecting them?

I am not a audio guy at all and not into major upgrades but this system is lousy. What are your experiences and what upgrades have you made that were not extreme?

I will say I drove a used Gladiator with the Alpine and it was disappointing. Tinny sounding like you said. I have the 7" uconnect and 'standard' speakers in mine and I think it sounds great. Quite the contrast.

 

[bjm00se]

... I always ask, "Compared to what?" It just doesn't come close to other upgraded systems in other high-end vehicles...

...[audio] should be on the level of what's offered in other $70-90K vehicles....

See, this is where we fundamentally disagree. Wrangler isn't supposed to be a "high end vehicle." Wrangler is *never* going to be a premium luxury vehicle. That's not what it's designed for. Horses for courses. You don't cross-shop a Wrangler with a Range Rover or Cayenne.

There's an old saying somewhere about a silk purse and a sow's ear...

Instead, what your increasingly dear hard-earned-money pays for in the Wrangler is off-road capability par-excellence that exceeds any other on the market, and that is further enhanced by a willing aftermarket that can customize it up nearly to the level of custom-fabrication one-of off-road buggies and builds.

Yes, it does need to remain commute friendly and road-trip capable. What distinguishes a Wrangler from a buggy or Side-by-Side is that I can drive it to its destination in a modicum of comfort. I shouldn't have to tow it behind some giant pickup or SUV. It needs to have have the minimum comforts and accoutrements of a mid level trim sedan.

But that's it.

The thing's already expensive enough as it is; and I paid a discounted early 2022 price, not the 2023 pricing. Folks who want a luxury SUV with all the comfort and accoutrements should be looking at a Grand Wagoneer or Grand Cherokee.

 

[JamesWyatt]

See, this is where we fundamentally disagree. Wrangler isn't supposed to be a "high end vehicle." Wrangler is *never* going to be a premium luxury vehicle. That's not what it's designed for. Horses for courses. You don't cross-shop a Wrangler with a Range Rover or Cayenne.

There's an old saying somewhere about a silk purse and a sow's ear...

Instead, what your increasingly dear hard-earned-money pays for in the Wrangler is off-road capability par-excellence that exceeds any other on the market, and that is further enhanced by a willing aftermarket that can customize it up nearly to the level of custom-fabrication one-of off-road buggies and builds.

Yes, it does need to remain commute friendly and road-trip capable. What distinguishes a Wrangler from a buggy or Side-by-Side is that I can drive it to its destination in a modicum of comfort. I shouldn't have to tow it behind some giant pickup or SUV. It needs to have have the minimum comforts and accoutrements of a mid level trim sedan.

But that's it.

The thing's already expensive enough as it is; and I paid a discounted early 2022 price, not the 2023 pricing. Folks who want a luxury SUV with all the comfort and accoutrements should be looking at a Grand Wagoneer or Grand Cherokee.

Purpose nor comfort of the vehicle has relevance. If it did, they wouldn't offer the Alpine upgrade in the first place.

 

[liquids]

See, this is where we fundamentally disagree. Wrangler isn't supposed to be a "high end vehicle." Wrangler is *never* going to be a premium luxury vehicle. That's not what it's designed for. Horses for courses. You don't cross-shop a Wrangler with a Range Rover or Cayenne.

There's an old saying somewhere about a silk purse and a sow's ear...

Instead, what your increasingly dear hard-earned-money pays for in the Wrangler is off-road capability par-excellence that exceeds any other on the market, and that is further enhanced by a willing aftermarket that can customize it up nearly to the level of custom-fabrication one-of off-road buggies and builds.

Yes, it does need to remain commute friendly and road-trip capable. What distinguishes a Wrangler from a buggy or Side-by-Side is that I can drive it to its destination in a modicum of comfort. I shouldn't have to tow it behind some giant pickup or SUV. It needs to have have the minimum comforts and accoutrements of a mid level trim sedan.

But that's it.

The thing's already expensive enough as it is; and I paid a discounted early 2022 price, not the 2023 pricing. Folks who want a luxury SUV with all the comfort and accoutrements should be looking at a Grand Wagoneer or Grand Cherokee.

I can agree that the traditional benefits of a Wrangler are far removed from premium sound. However, they do sell the Alpine Premium upgrade for $2000. At that price a buyer expects a $2000-quality audio experience. In my opinion it's not there.

I blame the speaker choices. For under $400 I drastically improved the Alpine Premium system in my 2018 JLU with new JBL dash speakers and Alpine 6x9s in the soundbar, made possible by the MB Quart soundbar adapter. If I could spend 1/5 of the price of the option and drastically improve it, they should have included that level of hardware in the first place.

 

[AOBE]

I have a 2023 with the premium Alpine system and thought it sucked until the other day a buddy adjusted the EQ in a way i never have or ever would as it is counter intuitive to me. Try this
Base mostly up
Mid 90% down
Treble 70% up

The above changes, have improved it enough where it is acceptable for a stock system, not great but ok.....

 

[Zandcwhite]

I can agree that the traditional benefits of a Wrangler are far removed from premium sound. However, they do sell the Alpine Premium upgrade for $2000. At that price a buyer expects a $2000-quality audio experience. In my opinion it's not there.

I blame the speaker choices. For under $400 I drastically improved the Alpine Premium system in my 2018 JLU with new JBL dash speakers and Alpine 6x9s in the soundbar, made possible by the MB Quart soundbar adapter. If I could spend 1/5 of the price of the option and drastically improve it, they should have included that level of hardware in the first place.

Spending an additional 1/5 the price of something to improve it drastically is kind of standard. Spend $10k on your stock Rubicon and it will be drastically improved as well, has little relevance to how it came from the factory or should have come from the factory. The larger and more functional head unit, subwoofer, and amplifier don't even exist in the non-premium audio. The upgraded audio also includes the upgraded alternator and navigation. One could easily spend more than $2k upgrading all of those things on a base audio model and still have even worse stock speakers. If you want high end audio in a wrangler, you'll have to do it aftermarket. $400 in shocks vastly improved ride and articulation vs a stock Rubicon, and yet the Rubicon has their best available shocks? They will only go so far into the cost vs performance and will always stop at the good enough for most.

 

[BXFXJeep]

I can agree that the traditional benefits of a Wrangler are far removed from premium sound. However, they do sell the Alpine Premium upgrade for $2000. At that price a buyer expects a $2000-quality audio experience. In my opinion it's not there.

I blame the speaker choices. For under $400 I drastically improved the Alpine Premium system in my 2018 JLU with new JBL dash speakers and Alpine 6x9s in the soundbar, made possible by the MB Quart soundbar adapter. If I could spend 1/5 of the price of the option and drastically improve it, they should have included that level of hardware in the first place.

I the Alpine system is about $1,200, includes a beefier alternator.

Depending they tend to bundle it with an "upgraded" uConnect unit, which could bring the price to $2,000.

This same Alpine system used to be a $700CAD option, a few years back, inflation and war or whatever jacked the price up it seems.

When I bought my 2015 JK I made the mistake of not getting the Alpine, $400 later in speakers, it still sounded like crap.

I sorta compare the Alpine to the radio in my YJ from 30 years ago, a $1,000 at an audiophile shop and it still sounded like crap, but at least you could have heard something, vs the stock radio.

I think the early JKs had JBL, that was a nice system, at least in the 2dr.

 

[SH556JL]

See, this is where we fundamentally disagree. Wrangler isn't supposed to be a "high end vehicle." Wrangler is *never* going to be a premium luxury vehicle. That's not what it's designed for. Horses for courses. You don't cross-shop a Wrangler with a Range Rover or Cayenne.

There's an old saying somewhere about a silk purse and a sow's ear...

Instead, what your increasingly dear hard-earned-money pays for in the Wrangler is off-road capability par-excellence that exceeds any other on the market, and that is further enhanced by a willing aftermarket that can customize it up nearly to the level of custom-fabrication one-of off-road buggies and builds.

Yes, it does need to remain commute friendly and road-trip capable. What distinguishes a Wrangler from a buggy or Side-by-Side is that I can drive it to its destination in a modicum of comfort. I shouldn't have to tow it behind some giant pickup or SUV. It needs to have have the minimum comforts and accoutrements of a mid level trim sedan.

But that's it.

The thing's already expensive enough as it is; and I paid a discounted early 2022 price, not the 2023 pricing. Folks who want a luxury SUV with all the comfort and accoutrements should be looking at a Grand Wagoneer or Grand Cherokee.

I crossed shop a Defender 90 with the Wrangler and of course the Bronco. Jeep has the soft top and cooler colors, plus a manual. Jeep is also easier to get and my opinion looks better. However, initial quality is poor at least when it comes to paint.

The Jeep brand and even the Wrangler is getting into the premium territory. Most likely getting cross shopped with other high end brands.

 

[AFD]

The upgraded audio also includes the upgraded alternator and navigation.

I the Alpine system is about $1,200, includes a beefier alternator.

Knew you got an upgraded alternator with the tow package, but didn't know it was also included in the premium audio package.

So I paid for 2 upgraded alternators, but since I was essentially forced to get the pricier eTorque engine, instead I got none

(and I know the upgraded audio is now "free" with the Rubicon trim, but when that happened the base price increased to compensate)

 

[Beachcomber72]

I have a 2023 with the premium Alpine system and thought it sucked until the other day a buddy adjusted the EQ in a way i never have or ever would as it is counter intuitive to me. Try this
Base mostly up
Mid 90% down
Treble 70% up

The above changes, have improved it enough where it is acceptable for a stock system, not great but ok.....

Those are some odd “Tone” settings. Were those adjusted to help your listening experience with FM/HD radio or Satellite radio or for music from your phone like Apple music or other services, or all three in general?

My personal preference for music is:
1. Bass is +1
2. Mid range is -2
3. Treble is +9
I’m a bass junkie and more so a high-hat cymbal fanatic. I never listen to satellite radio or the AM/FM sources at all. It’s all Apple Music in lossless mode.

A lot of people on IPhones have a setting turned on in “music settings” in the main phone menu that’s called “sound check”, which should be turned off. That in itself will greatly increase your music quality/output when listening to sources being played from the phone. Also turn off any EQ settings on the phone source, let all that be controlled by the head unit.

Might want to give that a try. Also may want to turn off the UConnect setting of speed/volume amplification, where the volume rises or lowers as you drive or slow down and or come to a stop.

 

[Kyanche]

So my new Sahara came with the upgraded Alpine system and...it kinda' sucks. Has that tin can sound the many generic factory systems are known for. If this is a upgrade then I have to imagine the stock system is some Campbell soup cans with yarn connecting them?

That was definitely the case in my JK hahaha. I gave up on doing a custom order and bought one off the lot that didn't have the alpine group. Boy was that a mistake. I replaced all the speakers and still wasn't too terribly thrilled lol.

 

[Deki]

So my new Sahara came with the upgraded Alpine system and...it kinda' sucks. Has that tin can sound the many generic factory systems are known for. If this is a upgrade then I have to imagine the stock system is some Campbell soup cans with yarn connecting them?

I am not a audio guy at all and not into major upgrades but this system is lousy. What are your experiences and what upgrades have you made that were not extreme?

You can not judge a quality of a stereo syetem while using XM as your sound source. The codec they use to compress the audio, as well as the bit rate, is lower than even an FM signal. Get a good sound source and listen to it again. It's not the greatest stereo system in the world, but it's not bad looking at speaker placement and how the sound stage is set up.

 

[Jguru23]

Wow that is a lot of great replies. I agree (obviously) that a upgraded system regardless should be pretty good considering its a "upgrade". Stock is stock and even that shouldn't suck for a consumer but it is what it is. Not a audiophile and never will be. My Sahara came with the larger display screen and the upgraded package. I don't us XM and most of my critique is based on using good old fashioned apple music app. I previously drove a old Charger that had factory upgraded Boston Acoustics system and it was bad ass. I will admit...I have not listened with my phoned line connected. I had been taking advantage of the Uconnect. Will I really notice a difference that way?

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