2024 Technology Group

[OminousSkitter]

I really don't regret having the Alpine for the 2-door, just really wish that for the price, they would've made a few minor improvements (sub level control, dash tweeters, 5-band EQ and better factory DSP/tuning for the 2-door cabin). Could've easily turned a good system into a great system for very little added cost, with 3 of those 4 things being resolved en masse solely by a software/programming change for the stereo and the other likely being less than $20 in parts per vehicle.

Oh, and add 75¢ for a damn Alpine badge somewhere. Completely unnecessary, but it just seems cheap and kinda weird not seeing the brand of a factory premium audio system anywhere on the entire vehicle, at least for the 2-door (think the 4-door says Alpine on the sub).

I completely agree on the badge. Every other brand-name, factory, car-audio upgrade I've ever had included the audio company's name somewhere. And I agree with pretty much every other thing you said. Better EQ/DSP and tweeters would have made it a no-brainer for me.

I only regret it because I chose the Alpine over the Towing package. I didn't want to pay for a larger alternator twice, figured it was easy enough (and cheap enough) to add a hitch and a 4-pin connection, and had no idea I would use switches. But to stay within budget, I went with speakers. The best thing that improved my audio was putting a heavy duty cargo mat over the sub—before that, it was way too harsh or the music was flat from bass being so low.

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[AFD]

I completely agree on the badge. Every other brand-name, factory, car-audio upgrade I've ever had included the audio company's name somewhere. And I agree with pretty much every other thing you said. Better EQ/DSP and tweeters would have made it a no-brainer for me.

I only regret it because I chose the Alpine over the Towing package. I didn't want to pay for a larger alternator twice, figured it was easy enough (and cheap enough) to add a hitch and a 4-pin connection, and had no idea I would use switches. But to stay within budget, I went with speakers. The best thing that improved my audio was putting a heavy duty cargo mat over the sub—before that, it was way too harsh or the music was flat from bass being so low.

Stupid me was originally gonna install my WeatherTech full cargo liner without cutting out the subwoofer hole to see if it adequately dampened the sound (or did so too much), but didn't want to mess with the rear seats a second time. Putting my Freedom Panel storage bag over the sub seems to help a little in that regard, but it sucks using up that valuable storage space for the bag. I might try laying a thick piece of rubber or vinyl over the sub, but beneath the liner for the same purpose.

And for buying a '23 Rubicon, I actually didn't have a choice to get the Alpine system, since they made it a standard feature and jacked the MSRP up accordingly for that particular year (was optional on that trim for the years prior and the year after). Think I still would've spent the $1,000 it was for '22 to get the system and probably wouldn't have regretted it too much, but think I'd rather have the aux switches for the same price, so kinda glad I got both. Just wish they would've done a few things different with the audio system.