Anyone else not getting the Infotainment System?

[macintux]

If I buy this year, it’ll be a Sport, and my biggest regret is I’d love the Alpine system. The rest I do fine without in my LJ.

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[alphalife9]

The GPS is nice as a backup to any other apps one may have.

The Alpine sound system is very worthwhile for the price. Alpine has spent a lot of time and money figuring out how to deliver great audio in a Jeep.

 

[DanW]

The GPS is nice as a backup to any other apps one may have.

The Alpine sound system is very worthwhile for the price. Alpine has spent a lot of time and money figuring out how to deliver great audio in a Jeep.

Good point on GPS. Nice to have if you lost your phone or didn't bring it along.

 

[dwoodwo1]

Any ideas on how the base radio on the Sport sounds? We arent that big into music listening but do so from time-to-time.

I keep hearing that at volume there is distortion. Could that be a result of poor factory speakers? Decently good aftermarket speakers are fairly cheap as an DIY upgrade. Is the standard head unit woefully under-powered?

The only comparison I know is in my 2015 Dodge Caravan which has the radio that appears identical to the 430 radio in the JKs. It sounds plenty good too me. If stock JL radio is as good then I'm good.

My wife only cares about back-up camera and the base radio has it. I guess i can't see myself financing another $1000 for the 7" upgrade and we use GPS on our phones too with a simple dash-mount.

Speaker distortion can have as much to do with wattage as speaker quality. If the stock system is not pushing enough RMS wattage, you could have the most expensive speakers on the market and they would still not perform.

 

[Orly]

Speaker distortion can have as much to do with wattage as speaker quality. If the stock system is not pushing enough RMS wattage, you could have the most expensive speakers on the market and they would still not perform.

I agree. They work hand in hand. I find that speakers are usually the biggest culprits in crappy sound. Unless I need really high volume, I wont bother with greater wattage if unnecessary. I'm not the type to blast music for the whole neighborhood, just for me.

I keep going back to my Caravan but the stock 430 and speakers are plenty loud and clear. Sound really good IMO.

 

[FrenchSSGTMike]

I added the infotainment system «despite» the fact that it came with a built-in GPS that I have never cared for...
Then realized it could be convenient not to have and use my data or have to load maps ahead of time while travelling (from Canada) to see my relatives in NY, or through areas with no cell coverage... and considering the price difference between the whole package and getting the Alpine sound system only, I see it as a bonus feature...

 

[Socceref]

Does the bass speaker enclosure in all JLU's? I want to ditch the stock speakers and amp for an after-market upgrade. BUT I insist that they drop into the existing mounts.

My wish list is a Sahara 2018 JLU.

 

[jlroman2]

I have to say the alpine speakers and bigger screen are amazing. I did see the 7" screen in another Sahara and it is also quite good but the 8.4" is definitely better. The speakers are definitely loud and with solid base. Can't wait to see how loud it sounds once top is off. I don't really care about the GPS either but it is a good feature to have in case of emergencies (not really tho).

 

[The Z]

Curious if anyone else is passing on the Infotainment system? Essentially I only see it as an extra inch of screen and a built in navigation that will never be used by me.

I'll take the 7 inch with Android Auto. If you've ever used the Android Auto (or Apple) through Uconnect, I find it superior to any navigation system out there. Yes you have to hook up your phone, but its interface is perfect with Spotify, Google Maps for navigation or even the use of Waze. Just figure I will save the $1,495 here and use it on something else.

I think android auto sucks. We had a Toyota Camry with built in navigation that was awesome. That is the only thing that my wife missed not having in the mini van we traded the Camry in for and I just added Pioneer head units in both my Truck and the Mini Van thinking that the Android Auto thinking it would cover the navigation side. It sucks you get sub par music player while using android auto you can not navigate a play list or albums of your music for the sake of safety even if your parked with E brake on! Because using the Android Auto for a navigation app side effect it takes over the MP3 playing. I am glad I ordered the Infotainment system. Plus you can not use Android auto on a head unit without plugging in a cord. If you have navigation built in all you need is blue tooth. I think of all the optional equipment the Infotainment with the Alpine is the best value and honestly priced. After upgrading my Pickup truck with new speakers , head unit and amplifier , adapters never mind the cost the time and hours if you do it yourself is a major headache.

 

[Fred]

I am getting it for the larger screen, upgraded audio system and built in navigation. Can't go wrong. It will be awesome!

 

[vilacr]

Any of you guys know what speakers go in the sound bar and lower dash? I have the base unit and would like to upgrade the speakers. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[jrohan07]

Had the base radio on 2012 JKU terrible sound, would go to a lower volume with the Hard Top removed...used a jumper on the HT wiring harness so volume would be the same with or without the HT.

2013 JKUR went with upgraded Alpine and was a huge difference in the sound quality, base was really clean.

I will get it again in when I order JLUR.

 

[Hip2u77]

For what it's worth, we've had 3 JKURs, an '07, '12 and now a '14. We've had the premium audio in all 3, the last 2 with the 430N. The '07 had the 6-disc DVD player and sounded fantastic. The '12 and '14 had / have the 430N and sound average, at best, and only if you turn the mids all the down to lower the muddiness. We test drove a JLUR with the infotainment and I reached over and cranked the stereo and was surprised about how much better it sounded than an JK. I thought it had to be an HD radio station but then I noticed it was actually on Sirius. Yep, satellite sounds better by a HUGE margin than our 430N Alpine system. I can't wait to hear what it sounds like with a higher quality source.

(I will admit I'm sad the new systems don't play DVDs as we've watched / listened to sitcoms to pass time on our cross-country trips. Now I'll have to rip DVDs, save them to my phone / tablet and stream them to the JL using a lockpick. A lot more of a pain in the butt.)

 

[alphalife9]

For what it's worth, we've had 3 JKURs, an '07, '12 and now a '14. We've had the premium audio in all 3, the last 2 with the 430N. The '07 had the 6-disc DVD player and sounded fantastic. The '12 and '14 had / have the 430N and sound average, at best, and only if you turn the mids all the down to lower the muddiness. We test drove a JLUR with the infotainment and I reached over and cranked the stereo and was surprised about how much better it sounded than an JK. I thought it had to be an HD radio station but then I noticed it was actually on Sirius. Yep, satellite sounds better by a HUGE margin than our 430N Alpine system. I can't wait to hear what it sounds like with a higher quality source.

(I will admit I'm sad the new systems don't play DVDs as we've watched / listened to sitcoms to pass time on our cross-country trips. Now I'll have to rip DVDs, save them to my phone / tablet and stream them to the JL using a lockpick. A lot more of a pain in the butt.)

The Alpine was upgraded on the JK starting 2015. I wonder what the difference is between 2015+ JK and JL Alpine (sound wise). They supposedly use the same amp. The sub is obviously different as is the cabin.

 

[Hip2u77]

The Alpine was upgraded on the JK starting 2015. I wonder what the difference is between 2015+ JK and JL Alpine (sound wise). They supposedly use the same amp. The sub is obviously different as is the cabin.

Good to know. I didn't know they upgraded it, I thought they just relocated the subwoofer. It may not be an improvement on the 15+ then.

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