Subwoofer Recommendations

[cherrykuma]

If it’s a lease, I’d say go with the under seat powered options. That will make it somewhat portable so you can move it to the next vehicle.

Moreso than rigging up one in my trunk? I think because of the 4xe battery, I'd have to put it under the front passenger seat instead of under one of the back seats like I'd prefer. I'm just a bit worried that the flow/balance of things might sound a bit off if I put it in the front

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[GATORB8]

Moreso than rigging up one in my trunk? I think because of the 4xe battery, I'd have to put it under the front passenger seat instead of under one of the back seats like I'd prefer. I'm just a bit worried that the flow/balance of things might sound a bit off if I put it in the front

Bass correctly low passed is in a frequency range where we can’t identify its location in a vehicle. Thats why you can put it in the back.

 

[Ol’ Timey Manual SWB Guy]

Depending on how you use your Jeep, like seats up/down, you might also look at pickup truck “wedges,” some of which are powered.

There are many truck designs in which there’s a gap behind the last row of seating (the seat is pitched, human-shaped) and the outer body panel (squared, truck/bed shaped). The resulting area is triangular, and is basically dead space. Some manufacturers have subwoofer offerings made specifically for that area.

BTW, what hurts here is that our particular Mopar product is a “JL.” One of the main players is also called “JL Audio.” So basically any Google search will get completely hosed.

You’ll need alternative search terms because of the JL/JL thing. Here are a few to try:

• “downward firing subwoofer”
• “fiberglass subwoofer enclosure”
• “powered wrangler subwoofer”
• “truck wedge subwoofer”
• “passive radiator sub”
• “hidden sealed subwoofer”

 

[1Evil55]

Is there a benefit to adding the sub under the seat vs putting it in the back besides space? And where does that amp go? I would've liked the sub to go under the passenger seat in the back, but im pretty sure there's an EV battery under there so it'd have to go in the front

I used the space under the seat for my amp instead. The sub is in the factory location so space used is very minimal.

I will praise the JL box all day. It's a sealed box designed to the sub and vehicle. I found mine in the used section here for $650 IIRC. My music goes from DMB to Westside Connection with a bunch in between. It doesn't rattle doors in the car next to me but it absolutely jams for my liking. My amp is 60x4 and 600x1.

 

[Ol’ Timey Manual SWB Guy]

I will praise the JL box all day…

Yeah, all the other potential leads (including mine) notwithstanding, it’s hard to ignore that two of the dominant players in subwoofer design already solved this problem for your particular vehicle.

JL Audio already built an OE-like side-mount sub for the JLU. The other manufacturer is Alpine. They offer a whole aftermarket kit, IIRC.

 

[lashlee]

You might want to look on CL, FB Marketplace, and the “member” forums right here. If you don’t care much about permanent fit, but just want a big thumpy thing for a while, those lists are full of used enclosures, some with amps.

Friendly bit of advice: the subwoofer culture, for better or worse, is dominated by people who think dual 12” ported enclosures are the bare minimum. That’s 0.1% of the market, but they’re an opinionated bunch, people who have a specific hobby. It’s similar to how 0.1% of the Jeeps out there have 40” wheels on tons. Wheelers who want that tire config are an opinionated bunch, and they have a specific hobby.

It’s a pretty good analogy.

If you just want more accurate sound quality (not sound pressure) in 99% of Jeeps on the road, a much smaller unit than a huge ported thing will gently improve your factory sound.

It’s very easy to get lost in the YouTube videos of what’s the “better” subwoofer rig. Mostly it’s hobbyists making content for other hobbyists.

It seems some people are stuck with their own opinion of how things are done, or at least how they think it can be done. A lot has changed in the audio world, and adding stereotypical information offers little help to the original poster.

As for your original post, here's my take, considering your current research:

There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing a given setup, but more of what can be compromised. I agree with changing the front speakers to a higher quality product, and I would try to find a local specialty shop that can let you listen to various options so that your ears can choose what is most pleasing to you. When it comes to choosing a sub, the choices can get overwhelming. Yes, you will need an amp, but you might find a given manufacturer offers a similar product both ways, powered and non-powered. The open air aspect of your Jeep will play into how things sound with the top on versus off. A larger sub will move more air and will typically play lower easier. For most people a 10" or 12" sub is a fantastic value covering most of the aspects you request in a given space. Some companies (like JL, and Rockford) offer model specific enclosures that tend to be pricier with the benefit of using under utilized space like the nook behind the seat and roll bar.

 

[cherrykuma]

Depending on how you use your Jeep, like seats up/down, you might also look at pickup truck “wedges,” some of which are powered.

There are many truck designs in which there’s a gap behind the last row of seating (the seat is pitched, human-shaped) and the outer body panel (squared, truck/bed shaped). The resulting area is triangular, and is basically dead space. Some manufacturers have subwoofer offerings made specifically for that area.

BTW, what hurts here is that our particular Mopar product is a “JL.” One of the main players is also called “JL Audio.” So basically any Google search will get completely hosed.

You’ll need alternative search terms because of the JL/JL thing. Here are a few to try:

• “downward firing subwoofer”
• “fiberglass subwoofer enclosure”
• “powered wrangler subwoofer”
• “truck wedge subwoofer”
• “passive radiator sub”
• “hidden sealed subwoofer”

Ah interesting... didn't really even consider that. I likely won't be putting my seats up/down often, but still maybe worth looking into.

And oh I know right? That was so confusing to me at first LOL. I was like wait are these like official speakers? But realized quickly it was a different brand haha.

 

[cherrykuma]

I used the space under the seat for my amp instead. The sub is in the factory location so space used is very minimal.

I will praise the JL box all day. It's a sealed box designed to the sub and vehicle. I found mine in the used section here for $650 IIRC. My music goes from DMB to Westside Connection with a bunch in between. It doesn't rattle doors in the car next to me but it absolutely jams for my liking. My amp is 60x4 and 600x1.

So when you say JL box, is that like the one I put in my original post or would that be like the stealthbox? I'm assuming the latter based on the price you got yours used? Thx for including what amp you have tho, I'll take note of that. I truly don't really know hardly anything about this stuff LOL

 

[cherrykuma]

It seems some people are stuck with their own opinion of how things are done, or at least how they think it can be done. A lot has changed in the audio world, and adding stereotypical information offers little help to the original poster.

As for your original post, here's my take, considering your current research:

There is no right or wrong when it comes to choosing a given setup, but more of what can be compromised. I agree with changing the front speakers to a higher quality product, and I would try to find a local specialty shop that can let you listen to various options so that your ears can choose what is most pleasing to you. When it comes to choosing a sub, the choices can get overwhelming. Yes, you will need an amp, but you might find a given manufacturer offers a similar product both ways, powered and non-powered. The open air aspect of your Jeep will play into how things sound with the top on versus off. A larger sub will move more air and will typically play lower easier. For most people a 10" or 12" sub is a fantastic value covering most of the aspects you request in a given space. Some companies (like JL, and Rockford) offer model specific enclosures that tend to be pricier with the benefit of using under utilized space like the nook behind the seat and roll bar.

LOL yes true and of course everyone really does have different opinions and tastes on what they like!

Everything you said definitely makes sense! Do you think that something like the one on crutchfrield I shared on my original post would be a good option for the price? It seems to have pretty good reviews. I'd love to get something like the stealthbox, but it's just too pricey for what I can do right now unfortunately.

 

[Ol’ Timey Manual SWB Guy]

It seems some people are stuck….

I agree with all your technical/product advice. Just not sure why the ad hominem was necessary. My point was that if a new entrant to this space actually tries to watch all the current crop of YT videos, for example, there’s an SPL bias in the content, rather than an SQ bias (by volume of content and thus, to some extent, in what’s served up algorithmically). It helps to know that before engaging the content, so you understand what people mean when they say “X is better than Y” online.

 

[1Evil55]

So when you say JL box, is that like the one I put in my original post or would that be like the stealthbox? I'm assuming the latter based on the price you got yours used? Thx for including what amp you have tho, I'll take note of that. I truly don't really know hardly anything about this stuff LOL

Your assumptions are correct. Not sure of what your budget is but keeping an eye on CList, Ebay, classifieds here, etc., something is bound to pop up. The beauty of the JL Stealthbox is that the engineering is all done for you. They understand the best amount of space the sub requires for optimum sound. It uses very little, if any, usable space that is in the trunk. The amp I'm using is a Kenwood 9015. I think I paid a touch over $500 for it but it was brand new. All in for me was under $2000. Comparing the cost out of pocket versus the Alpine upgrades from factory, I've got plenty of gas money left over with a much higher quality sound.

 

[cherrykuma]

Your assumptions are correct. Not sure of what your budget is but keeping an eye on CList, Ebay, classifieds here, etc., something is bound to pop up. The beauty of the JL Stealthbox is that the engineering is all done for you. They understand the best amount of space the sub requires for optimum sound. It uses very little, if any, usable space that is in the trunk. The amp I'm using is a Kenwood 9015. I think I paid a touch over $500 for it but it was brand new. All in for me was under $2000. Comparing the cost out of pocket versus the Alpine upgrades from factory, I've got plenty of gas money left over with a much higher quality sound.

Truly I'm not that sure LOL because my mom offered to pay for the upgrades as a special gift for my 30th bday, but it's still a lease, so I can't assume over 1k really. I know the TA dash speakers are like 250, so I'm assuming I'll have 400-500 to spend on an amp/sub? I'm not really sure tho cuz she didn't give me a number haha.

But dang, $2000?! Was that for all the speakers and a sub or just adding the sub in? I think if I get the sub I linked above, I'm hoping to be close to 700-800 after an amp. But I've not looked much into amps so I'm not sure.

Edit: she just said she's giving me $500 total lol so that'll cover that sub basically ? I mean of course that's 1000% better than nothing so I'm definitely still grateful tho haha

 

[lashlee]

LOL yes true and of course everyone really does have different opinions and tastes on what they like!

Everything you said definitely makes sense! Do you think that something like the one on crutchfrield I shared on my original post would be a good option for the price? It seems to have pretty good reviews. I'd love to get something like the stealthbox, but it's just too pricey for what I can do right now unfortunately.

I think it's a great option, especially since you've got the option to use it in multiple orientations. I would do a mono amp under one of the front seats and have enough wiring to try it out in the rear (facing forward, rear, front and up) to match the output you need. JL dealers typically will have something like that in stock for you to listen to if you can find one nearby.

 

[cherrykuma]

I think it's a great option, especially since you've got the option to use it in multiple orientations. I would do a mono amp under one of the front seats and have enough wiring to try it out in the rear (facing forward, rear, front and up) to match the output you need. JL dealers typically will have something like that in stock for you to listen to if you can find one nearby.

Yeah I feel like that might be a good setup! Is there a mono amp that you'd recommend? I don't know really anything about the amp side of things. I'll have to look around to see if I have any places like that nearby!

 

[lashlee]

If you want to stick with the same brand for the amp and sub, JL sells a few options based on budget. The JD500/1 is a great option that will meet all of your needs. Small form factor, enough power for the sub, will handle a speaker level (sometimes called hi-level input) since you are sticking with the OEM radio. If the budget gets a little tight, you could look at other options. I guess it's time to feel out what mom considers an amount she is comfortable with spending to celebrate your 30th!

Don't forget you'll need a 4 awg wiring kit to get power from the OEM battery to the new amp.

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