407Lou
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Lou
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2021
- Threads
- 9
- Messages
- 70
- Reaction score
- 54
- Location
- Orlando, FL
- Vehicle(s)
- '21 Wrangler Rubicon 392, '16 Challenger Hellcat
- Thread starter
- #1
So I had been looking at these for my Rubicon with Alpine system and thought I would give them a try.
The kit includes two pods that replace the stock speaker grilles. The pods are strong, sturdy and very
well made and the texture matches the JL’s interior very well. You also get a set of Kicker component
speakers with titanium tweeters and 6.75” woofers (Kit PN CSS67).
Also included in the kit is Metra wire adapters for both woofers and tweeters, foam gasketing and all
needed hardware. This is a complete kit that requires you to buy nothing else. At first glance, the price
may seem high but for everything you get in one package it is very reasonably priced. Instructions are
very well laid out and leave no guesswork. The pods are precut for both woofer and tweeter, so
everything is just ready to go.
I did one side (left) first by removing the stock Alpine speakers then adding the pod with the Kickers on
the left side. I must say that I was very disappointed to see what the “upgraded” Alpine speakers looked
like when I removed them. The 3.5” look like speakers from a 70s transistor radio (yes, I’m that old to
know).
After replacing one side I did a sound check with various types of music and played around with the
fader and balance. I should note that prior to the sound bar, I had replaced the dash speakers with
Infinity 3032cfx. So first, fading to the front is nice and clear/crisp. Then fading to the rear left with the
Kickers is now also nice, clear and crisp while setting fader/balance to the rear right is muffled and
muddy sounding, pretty crappy actually.
I then proceeded to replace the right rear soundbar speakers with the pod and Kickers. Did the sound
check again and now front and rear sound equally good. I’m sure there is some muddiness with the
front kick panel speakers as I did not replace these (as these are a PITA to do so) but the new dash
speakers help the front dramatically.
One other disappointment I found was there is not a ton of volume coming from the sound bar OEM
speakers as this how Jeep/Alpine designed this system. The Kickers will not add much volume, but they
will improve the sound that may give you better volume when turning it up as all the speakers work
together to provide the overall experience. And I must say when installed, this is a really nice-looking
package that looks OEM if you didn’t know it.
So, to me this was a good way to improve the Alpine without spending a ton of cash. And if I want to add
an amp later down the road to get the full benefit of better speakers in the sound bar, I can do so
relatively easily and at a not so huge cost.
Pictures follow...
The kit includes two pods that replace the stock speaker grilles. The pods are strong, sturdy and very
well made and the texture matches the JL’s interior very well. You also get a set of Kicker component
speakers with titanium tweeters and 6.75” woofers (Kit PN CSS67).
Also included in the kit is Metra wire adapters for both woofers and tweeters, foam gasketing and all
needed hardware. This is a complete kit that requires you to buy nothing else. At first glance, the price
may seem high but for everything you get in one package it is very reasonably priced. Instructions are
very well laid out and leave no guesswork. The pods are precut for both woofer and tweeter, so
everything is just ready to go.
I did one side (left) first by removing the stock Alpine speakers then adding the pod with the Kickers on
the left side. I must say that I was very disappointed to see what the “upgraded” Alpine speakers looked
like when I removed them. The 3.5” look like speakers from a 70s transistor radio (yes, I’m that old to
know).
After replacing one side I did a sound check with various types of music and played around with the
fader and balance. I should note that prior to the sound bar, I had replaced the dash speakers with
Infinity 3032cfx. So first, fading to the front is nice and clear/crisp. Then fading to the rear left with the
Kickers is now also nice, clear and crisp while setting fader/balance to the rear right is muffled and
muddy sounding, pretty crappy actually.
I then proceeded to replace the right rear soundbar speakers with the pod and Kickers. Did the sound
check again and now front and rear sound equally good. I’m sure there is some muddiness with the
front kick panel speakers as I did not replace these (as these are a PITA to do so) but the new dash
speakers help the front dramatically.
One other disappointment I found was there is not a ton of volume coming from the sound bar OEM
speakers as this how Jeep/Alpine designed this system. The Kickers will not add much volume, but they
will improve the sound that may give you better volume when turning it up as all the speakers work
together to provide the overall experience. And I must say when installed, this is a really nice-looking
package that looks OEM if you didn’t know it.
So, to me this was a good way to improve the Alpine without spending a ton of cash. And if I want to add
an amp later down the road to get the full benefit of better speakers in the sound bar, I can do so
relatively easily and at a not so huge cost.
Pictures follow...
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