Base System Speaker Upgrading Observations

[Jebiruph]

I learned a few things about the base system through several iterations of speaker upgrades that I thought might be helpful to others. Feel free to ask for more details if interested, I didn't expand on all the points to keep the size of this initial post from getting too big.

First, the base system speakers are wired with negative polarity from the factory.
Second, I accidentally found that I preferred some combintaions of factory/upgraded speakers wired out of phase.
Third, I suspect (but never tested) that retaining the facrory 4" speakers after upgrading the 3.5" speakers may actually sound worse than removing the factory 4" speakers and using the upgraded 3.5" by themselves.
Fourth, the characteristics of an upgraded speaker affect the output of the factory speaker it is wired in parallel with.
Last, with the right dash and soundbar speaker upgrades, it is possible to great sound while retaining the 5" radio and lower dash speakers, without adding a sub woofer or amplifier, but you do have to put larger speakers in the soundbar.

I am including a diagram that illustrates how the impedance of the parallel speakers affects the power used by each speaker.

The diagram shows the percentage of power delivered to each speaker in the pair based on each speakers impedance relative to the other speaker. Because of the crossovers/blockers used, these percentages only apply above the crossover/blocker frequency, all lower frequency power will go to the lower dash speakers.

Sponsored

 

[multicam]

Nice. Just for clarity when you say “base” you’re talking about the sound system that comes with the jeep if you don’t get the Alpine system right?

 

[Jebiruph]

Nice. Just for clarity when you say “base” you’re talking about the sound system that comes with the jeep if you don’t get the Alpine system right?

Yes, the non-Alpine system. As far as I know, the Alpine system speakers are wired independently (no parallel pairs) to the amp and are not all wired with negative polarity.

 

[noquartergiven]

Second, I accidentally found that I preferred some combinations of factory/upgraded speakers wired out of phase.
Last, with the right dash and soundbar speaker upgrades, it is possible to great sound while retaining the 5" radio and lower dash speakers, without adding a sub woofer or amplifier, but you do have to put larger speakers in the soundbar.

What speakers do you presently have installed in the upper dash, the lower dash and roll bar?

 

[Hpc3]

I learned a few things about the base system through several iterations of speaker upgrades that I thought might be helpful to others. Feel free to ask for more details if interested, I didn't expand on all the points to keep the size of this initial post from getting too big.

First, the base system speakers are wired with negative polarity from the factory.
Second, I accidentally found that I preferred some combintaions of factory/upgraded speakers wired out of phase.
Third, I suspect (but never tested) that retaining the facrory 4" speakers after upgrading the 3.5" speakers may actually sound worse than removing the factory 4" speakers and using the upgraded 3.5" by themselves.
Fourth, the characteristics of an upgraded speaker affect the output of the factory speaker it is wired in parallel with.
Last, with the right dash and soundbar speaker upgrades, it is possible to great sound while retaining the 5" radio and lower dash speakers, without adding a sub woofer or amplifier, but you do have to put larger speakers in the soundbar.

I am including a diagram that illustrates how the impedance of the parallel speakers affects the power used by each speaker.

The diagram shows the percentage of power delivered to each speaker in the pair based on each speakers impedance relative to the other speaker. Because of the crossovers/blockers used, these percentages only apply above the crossover/blocker frequency, all lower frequency power will go to the lower dash speakers.

I did an Infinity/RF DSR1 in my Grand Cherokee a couple years ago and by swapping polarity (in real time with the DSR1) you can drastically affect the overall sound in the cabin. I'd like to be able to do this on the Wrangler... think it could help as well.

 

[Ang1Sgt]

I am going to use some of the JBL Club Speakers in my BASE JL. I have the front dash one’s swapped out and have the 6x9’s for the soundbar, but those will have to wait for a warmer weather to come back.

I really looked over the specs and such and used Crutchfields’s comparison app to listen. Right now I have no close place to check for speakers. Best Buy in my area sux due to lack of product and knowledge. I don’t want/need a huge amp or sub-woofers in my Jeep and that is always what they try to get you to go with.

The fronts JBL Club’s seem to brighten and fill the sound better than stock and seem to be slightly more efficient. I think with the larger 6x9’s in the soundbar that it will sound way better.

Of course this coming from a USAF Weapons Troop that will probably have hearing aids sooner than later! LOL!

 

[Jebiruph]

What speakers do you presently have installed in the upper dash, the lower dash and roll bar?

Infinity Reference REF-375TX in the upper dash, factory speakers in the lower dash and Infinity Kappa 62ix 6.5" speakers installed in SSV adapters in the soundbar (all wired with negative phase/polarity) and still using the factory 5" radio.

Here's a link to a thread about my specific setup https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/base-system-speaker-upgrade.75015/post-1562924

 

[noquartergiven]

Infinity Reference REF-375TX in the upper dash, factory speakers in the lower dash and Infinity Kappa 62ix 6.5" speakers installed in SSV adapters in the soundbar (all wired with negative phase/polarity) and still using the factory 5" radio.

Here's a link to a thread about my specific setup https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/base-system-speaker-upgrade.75015/post-1562924

Jerry - thanks for all the info! I just started ordering my speaker replacements. Going to try your set up and see if it works for me. Why did you decide against upgrading the lower dash speakers? I figure there has to be something available in the aftermarket that would improve the sound quality. Those are 4" speakers right?

 

[LayerOne]

Jerry - thanks for all the info! I just started ordering my speaker replacements. Going to try your set up and see if it works for me. Why did you decide against upgrading the lower dash speakers? I figure there has to be something available in the aftermarket that would improve the sound quality. Those are 4" speakers right?

If they are same as the Gladiator, what a tremendous difference upgrading those to 6" and using JBL GTO 629s with the 6" adapter boxes. IS a PITA to do so a lot skip it.

 

[noquartergiven]

IS a PITA to do so a lot skip it.

Ah I didn't think of that. I just pulled up a couple videos about replacing those and holy s*@t that looks difficult. Lol. Thanks! I'll leave it to the pros.

 

[Jebiruph]

Jerry - thanks for all the info! I just started ordering my speaker replacements. Going to try your set up and see if it works for me. Why did you decide against upgrading the lower dash speakers? I figure there has to be something available in the aftermarket that would improve the sound quality. Those are 4" speakers right?

IS a PITA to do so a lot skip it.

This is the reason, the difficulty of replacing the lower dash speakers.

 

[Blackbeltspider]

So I have a question based on what you said about the base speakers being negative polarity. If I had the opportunity to swap out the base speakers, in the sound bar, with speakers that were in a JL that had the premium alpine speakers would that affect anything? I know the premium speakers were wired a bit different but didn't know if putting those in the base system would be a problem?

Sponsored