Stock stereo is complete shit

[NWJeepr]

You are correct. Had the upgraded systems in the other two, but this one is the base. I’m just surprised that the base stereo is such garbage on a $50,000 vehicle

I had a base system in a JK. It was comically bad. So bad, I wondered why FCA would even waste the money to offer it. I hope the base system in the JL is at least marginally improved.

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[AFD]

Both Sirius and CarPlay

SiriusXM and streaming anything over bluetooth sounds like complete trash in my JL with the Alpine "premium" system and a set of Terra Acoustics in the dash. Just garbled low-bitrate upper range and nothing much down low.

Not saying that's solely the problem, but it's probably part of it. Try a few decent-quality FLAC or MP3 files on a USB drive and see if there's much difference. On mine, it's a night-and-day difference in quality versus sat radio and bluetooth, even though the latter both sounded fine in my last vehicle.

You didn't listen to it prior to purchase? I would think that would be something to vet if it's that important?

Bought my last two vehicles from out-of-state without having test driven either. At least this time I had driven a JL of some sort a few years prior, since the last vehicle before that I hadn't even sat in the model, let alone anything from that manufacturer, ever.

Having a shitty stereo is usually the least of my concerns

 

[mwilk012]

I guess that is one advantage to having a tin ear and having some hearing loss....I think the stereo sounds great...

same.

 

[BXFXJeep]

Sounds like you didn't get the Alpine system, that sucks.

Of course I would have thought that Sahara would have come standard with Alpine audio but maybe you didn't get it somehow.

I know compared to the Alpine audio system the regular stereo system is absolute shit.

Jeep is always messing around with the standard options, the 2021-23 Sahara 4xe the Alpine was standard, 2024 it's an option, but you get a bigger screen, yay.

I made a similar mistake with the 2015 JK, I assumed it had the Alpine because it had the $2,000 audiophile option. Huge mistake, the Alpine was a separate option. The missing Alpine was the major reason for me trading it in for a 2018 JL. The difference was very noticeable because my 2007 had the Alpine, and the Alpine was standard in the 2007 Sahara.

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Remote USB Port
SiriusXM Satellite Radio

 

[WI_Sarge]

I never thought Id see the day where I would spend 1k plus on an audio upgrade, but the wrangler we picked had it. At first I kept thinking about how I didn’t want the package, but after taking the top off and highway speeds, was definitely the best package I didnt know I wanted. But yeah, the first one we test drove didnt have the upgraded audio and sucked with windows open and high speeds. No issues with windows closed, but I have open air as much as possible. If ifs any consolation, better than the shitty stereo in my last 4runner.

 

[GinaC]

I guess that is one advantage to having a tin ear and having some hearing loss....I think the stereo sounds great...

Yeah, I think it sounds great since I'd been driving a 2006 for 18 years.

 

[Squibbles]

The upgraded system on my 22 JLR is kind of disappointing. Not very loud not the best quality, the woofer is fine. I’m sure a better amp is all that’s needed. I really didn’t buy a rubicon for the stereo though and knew the stereo was meh and had delays when changing songs before I bought one.

 

[ArcadeTracks]

Where are you in PA? I have a sub from the Alpine system looking for a home. It's from a 2 door, but if you're into audio, maybe you can make it work

 

[AK66]

To me having a good audio system in a jeep is a waste. All that tires, road and wind noise, motor revving, in a vehicle that has soundproofing of a tuk tuk scooter, makes it useless. You don't hear a half of what you're listening to no matter how good your sound system is. And no, I'm not deaf. I'm a former pro musician and I'm enjoying good quality music on a good quality gear, but at home. While driving, especially in a jeep, news and podcasts are the only audio I'm listening. JMHO.

 

[Heimkehr]

Try a few decent-quality FLAC or MP3 files on a USB drive and see if there's much difference. On mine, it's a night-and-day difference in quality versus sat radio and bluetooth, even though the latter both sounded fine in my last vehicle.

+10.

I've a touch of the ol' tinnitus as a consequence of working in close proximity to the jets (the kind that carry weapons, not people) for several years. That said, even I can observe a material difference in sound quality when comparing Bluetooth'd mp3s to that which has a hard connection via a lil' USB drive. The latter is plainly better.

 

[Kyanche]

I had a base system in a JK. It was comically bad. So bad, I wondered why FCA would even waste the money to offer it. I hope the base system in the JL is at least marginally improved.

I had a 2015 Wrangler Sahara and I agree, the non-upgraded sound system was absolute trash. Like, U-Haul trucks usually have better sound systems in their good ole Chevy Express dashboard than that. LOL.

At the time, I swapped all of the speakers out with the "plug and play" mopar kicker speakers. Those worked great. I was the first silly person to try stuffing the 3"(?) kicker speakers into the top of the dashboard, as I noticed those were an upgrade option meant for a dodge that happened to use the same speaker size/connector lol.

Soooo yeah. The problem is probably just that the base system uses awful speakers. OP you can try replacing them with some drop ins. Or just gut the whole thing. I feel your pain.

 

[wrang_stang]

I’ve legitimately never, ever heard worse quality base speakers than the ones in my ‘24 Sahara. It truly was shocking as I’ve gone through about a dozen cars ranging from cheap to very expensive.

Even though mine was a lease it was the first time I’ve ever done a full audio upgrade in a vehicle. It’s just embarrassing to have those as stock, they sounded like a bunch of iPhone speakers.

 

[bthomp]

The poor audio with the non-upgraded system I cannot speak to, but I really don't understand those talking about the upgraded Alpine system as being 'meh' or worse. The premium audio in the Jeep is awesome, by far the best car stereo I've ever had. I'm no audio expert, but I have zero complaints (except for the rare occasions where the sound doesn't work at all, but that's an easy fix when it does).

 

[TheRaven]

To me having a good audio system in a jeep is a waste. All that tires, road and wind noise, motor revving, in a vehicle that has soundproofing of a tuk tuk scooter, makes it useless. You don't hear a half of what you're listening to no matter how good your sound system is. And no, I'm not deaf. I'm a former pro musician and I'm enjoying good quality music on a good quality gear, but at home. While driving, especially in a jeep, news and podcasts are the only audio I'm listening. JMHO.

Yeah this is how I feel too. No system is great in a Wrangler and that's because of the environment, not the system. Car sound systems are not great across the board due to the variable and "hostile" sound environment...even luxury cars have major issues...there's no hope in a Wrangler. Best you can hope for is a system that's loud enough that you can actually hear your music over all the noise. I think that aptly describes the Alpine system in the JL - it's not good, but it is loud. To top it off, my wife (who daily drives my JL) mostly listens to SiriusXM anyway. She thinks it sounds awesome.

 

[Onthe6ix]

Where are you in PA? I have a sub from the Alpine system looking for a home. It's from a 2 door, but if you're into audio, maybe you can make it work

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