Adding an Aftermarket Amp(s)

[ChattVol]

Hey everyone I would just like to let you know that JL Audio will be making " speaker kits" for the JL Wrangler to upgrade the stock speakers!!! It's still in R&D but can expect them to be coming out in the next few months. I'm an employee there and let the company use my jeep as the test dummy.

Hey...it's been 3.5 months...any update?

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[Sting_NC_USA]

I'm looking to add some midlevel power in soundbar and up front to compliment the 8" JL Audio sub in the back. I've already replaced the 2.5" with 3.5" kickers and are using the stock 4" speakers in kick panel and soundbar, but dont have any speakers amplified other than the sub. What's the best bang for the buck to upgrade with $300. I bought some dynamat and polyfil today and was going to take the soundbar apart and add dyanamat on outside and polyfil tonight, but dont want to block the port. Would this help at all? Would I be better off buying some better 4" speakers to fit the current speaker cutouts and then add a $200 4 channel amp? Or buy some 6.5" speakers for the soundbar and get a dremel to cut opening and then amplify. Thanks!

Sorry, not sure I can recommend an Amp/Speaker upgrade option at that price point. I can tell you that the JL Audio VXi 800/8 kicks serious butt! (See "Sidebar" below) I have a JL Audio HD 400/4 I'll be selling, along with a set of Hertz Separates w/ Crossovers. Each is about 3-4 months old, and I've only run it for a short time before putting the 800/8 in. If you (or anyone else) are interested in my Amp and Hertz Separates, PM me.

The JL Audio HD 400/4 works great for mid-level speakers (roughly 75 watts per channel), but remember, to do this you need to follow the steps I've outlined in the original post with regard to the resistors and the line output converter. You'll be well over your $300 target with these components, and that's before you talk speakers. I hope this doesn't sound harsh, but if you really want to do this right, you'll need to commit to more of an investment.

Sidebar:

Using the JL Audio 800/8 VXi option, my amp channels have been split out such that I'm running two amplified channels to each corner (each mid-range speaker 5.25 gets a channel, and each tweeter gets a channel). I'm running a separate JL Audio 750/1 to my sub, and the sub amp's pre-amp signal comes directly from my 800/8 VXi amp. I then tune it with JL Audio's TUN 3.0 software (friggin' amazing!). It allows me to adjust delay, gain, EQ, cross-over and so much more for each channel. As mentioned above, I'm using the JL Audio Fix86 as my line output convert/digital signal processor. It's seriously incredible. Not loud/boomy... Very clear and crisp.​

 

[Cmarr22]

ETA on speakers? I put a JL 75x4 amp on factory speakers and they do not like the power, at all!! Lol
Patiently waiting on R&R speakers from JL.

Hey...it's been 3.5 months...any update?

I know I'm just as excited as you guys are but the team is working really hard to make sure these sub enclosures sound and look great. From what I've seen it looks like they are close to going to production soon. Trust me as soon as I know I can post something you all will know.

 

[ChattVol]

I know I'm just as excited as you guys are but the team is working really hard to make sure these sub enclosures sound and look great. From what I've seen it looks like they are close to going to production soon. Trust me as soon as I know I can post something you all will know.

What size speaker are they testing for the soundbar and kick panel? Are you hearing they'll be available by Christmas? TIA

 

[Cmarr22]

What size speaker are they testing for the soundbar and kick panel? Are you hearing they'll be available by Christmas? TIA

I know for the kick panel Jeep did a really good job at designing the speaker enclosure. for my Jeep they swapped out the dash speakers, currently running c2's but when all is done I'll have c7's. size I'm not entirely sure. Kick panel will stay oem. They are only working on my Jeep for best driver experience so my sound bar is not being touched. Best listening experience is when ad But I could assume the woofers will remain as is and tweeters get swapped out JL will me modding their own JL to showcase. I don't work in R&D so this is the best information I can gather. I can't answer for done date sorry.

 

[Evilicious09]

I have a Audio Control LC2I wired into the right rear sound bar. DG/GG. it worked for a month or so then had issues going into protection mode. Now the amp is showing it's fine but theirs no signal to the subs. My question is do I need the resistors for a sub set up or does this only apply when adding a LoC to aftermarket highs? Just can't seem to find any issues with what I added so this is my last idea.

 

[Sting_NC_USA]

I have a Audio Control LC2I wired into the right rear sound bar. DG/GG. it worked for a month or so then had issues going into protection mode. Now the amp is showing it's fine but theirs no signal to the subs. My question is do I need the resistors for a sub set up or does this only apply when adding a LoC to aftermarket highs? Just can't seem to find any issues with what I added so this is my last idea.

If the stock speakers in the Jeep are playing and your sub is not, then you don't need the resistors. Where are you pulling power from, and where is your ground? I can see if you're pulling power from anything other than directly from the battery that it may stress your amp (and your Jeep).

 

[americonium]

Found my ESS problem! Whenever I would stop and the engine would stop, when it restarted, the volume would increase for a split second and sometimes pop. I found out that there's an accessory battery located under the main battery. It's main connection is N1 in the fuse box .I connected my amp to it and my stereo is perfect. Hope this helps someone in the future.

 

[Sting_NC_USA]

Found my ESS problem! Whenever I would stop and the engine would stop, when it restarted, the volume would increase for a split second and sometimes pop. I found out that there's an accessory battery located under the main battery. It's main connection is N1 in the fuse box .I connected my amp to it and my stereo is perfect. Hope this helps someone in the future.

Great find, and thanks for posting it!

 

[americonium]

Thanks. Like the steering wheel on my belt buckle, it's been driving me nuts all summer.

 

[smacum]

Hello, all. I just got my 2018 Wrangler. It's my first Jeep, and I can see this is going to become a habit, LOL.

Anyway, I am looking to add a subwoofer and amp and was wondering where other folks were tapping in for the 12v remote wire. Every vehicle is different so thought I'd ask what others are doing in that regard.

Thanks!!

 

[Sting_NC_USA]

Great find!

Hello, all. I just got my 2018 Wrangler. It's my first Jeep, and I can see this is going to become a habit, LOL.

Anyway, I am looking to add a subwoofer and amp and was wondering where other folks were tapping in for the 12v remote wire. Every vehicle is different so thought I'd ask what others are doing in that regard.

Thanks!!

The front cigarette lighter seems to be the easiest and most convenient location.

 

[smacum]

The front cigarette lighter seems to be the easiest and most convenient location.

Awesome. Thank you, sir!

 

[smacum]

Sorry for the stupid questions but I don't see an answer here ...

I have the 2018 JLU that has the Alpine with subwoofer. If I'm adding my own subs:

A. can I tap in to the audio feeding the stock subwoofer
B. if not where is the best place to bypass/disconnect it?

I'm sure I could monkey around and figure it out but I do't want to spend the time doing that if i don't have to. I'd prefer to jump in with a plan of attack.

Thanks for all you early adopters do!!

 

[Sting_NC_USA]

I

Sorry for the stupid questions but I don't see an answer here ...

I have the 2018 JLU that has the Alpine with subwoofer. If I'm adding my own subs:

A. can I tap in to the audio feeding the stock subwoofer
B. if not where is the best place to bypass/disconnect it?

I'm sure I could monkey around and figure it out but I do't want to spend the time doing that if i don't have to. I'd prefer to jump in with a plan of attack.

Thanks for all you early adopters do!!

Sorry for the stupid questions but I don't see an answer here ...

I have the 2018 JLU that has the Alpine with subwoofer. If I'm adding my own subs:

A. can I tap in to the audio feeding the stock subwoofer
B. if not where is the best place to bypass/disconnect it?

I'm sure I could monkey around and figure it out but I do't want to spend the time doing that if i don't have to. I'd prefer to jump in with a plan of attack.

Thanks for all you early adopters do!!

I'd recommend tapping into the rear speaker wires feeding your soundbar. Those will be the twisted pair wires accessible in the B-pillar behind the passenger seat and at the floor level.

I'm just not sure where the cross-over to the stock sub's signal is set. It could be fine to use the stock sub's signal, feeding it into an LOC, though I'd prefer to connect to a full-spectrum signal and let my sub amp handle everything.

For the record, I have the base radio, not the Alpine, so this is purely opinion.

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