Terra Acoustics - Yes or No ?

[AFD]

After messing with audio settings last night I discovered there is a “loudness” setting that was on. I turned this off and sound quality greatly improved. Problem is I have no reference to the stock speakers now.

with that setting off and the EQ settings closer to 0 it sounds much better but the volume is at 30 to get the same level as about 20-22 before. I decided to get the alpine power pack amp so I can get the volume I need and maintain the clarity. I may swap the from stockers back in after to compare.

Does your radio only have on/off for the "loudness" setting or is it like the "road noise" compensation on mine, that has off and levels 1-3? Acoustically, the RNC feature on the Alpine's still sounds like a loudness button, but at the lowest level (level 1) it's actually tolerable without screwing with the overall sound too much.

And I agree with what @jludave just said. The Terra Acoustics do have a slightly lower sensitivity rating compared to the stock dash speaker, which means they would require more amplification to reach the same level of volume output as a set with a higher sensitivity rating. Not sure what the difference is on the stock non-Alpine speakers versus the Terra Acoustics non-Alpine set, but Alpine vs the TA Alpine set, it's minimal but still audible enough that I needed to fade my speakers toward the front by +1 to +2 since the drop in volume was enough to make the soundbar sound louder than the fronts. Maybe try that first, but otherwise, getting a small amp or the Alpine Power Pack should help with this.

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[24Dexter71]

Just on/off for the loudness. I actually had to fade the speakers to the rear a bit but I think that might have more to do with the highs coming through so much more. I’m installing and amp next weekend so we’ll see how they settle in.

 

[CptFloridaMan]

Not gonna lie I was fully ready to expect nothing from these. I have a base system, but the immediate change was pretty great imo. The addition of the tweeters feels great and it overall feels louder than before. But I think that’s the highs coming in also like 24Dexter71 said. Definitely keeping them, I didn’t expect it to do s**t for the stock base system but it definitely feels clearer.

 

[24Dexter71]

So I ended up taking them out and putting the stock back in. Definitely noticed a huge reduction in highs, which is no surprise. I would consider putting them back in but they started making a cracking noise ever so slightly when I turned the volume up.

on another note. I put a KTA-450 Alpine amp. Things is so small it fit in the dash by the glove box. And now, even with all stock speakers and the 5” head unit, it’s stupid loud. I can turn it all the way to 34 and there is clean sound but it likely would have rendered me unconscious had I left the volume there for more than 10 seconds. I couldn’t believe how loud it was so I downloaded NOISH SLM app ( free)on my iPhone. I place it on the center console and turned the volume to 25 and it registered 100db.

I think I’m going to add a powered sub and call it a day. I don’t believe better speakers are worth it in a vehicle you drive with no doors or a top. FYI I used a AXLOC-5CH harness to wire in the amp with disturbing any factory wiring. It also gave me RCAs for subI’m going to add.

hope this helps someone!

 

[AFD]

I put a KTA-450 Alpine amp.

FYI I used a AXLOC-5CH harness to wire in the amp with disturbing any factory wiring. It also gave me RCAs for subI’m going to add.

Glad to hear you got your stereo sounding better/cleaner!

Just curious, but do you know how the 45W RMS x 4 power pack is feeding the speakers? Like, is it amplifying just the front 4 speakers (with rear powered by the factory receiver) or does it somehow divy up the total 180W to both the fronts and rear soundbar equally?

 

[24Dexter71]

I used the speaker level inputs for the amp. There is a sensitivity setting for front and rear. So all speakers in the Jeep are powered by the amp. It’s about as small an easy as you can get to MAKE SURE you can hear the music with the top off.

 

[cycler]

Is it worth not ordering the 2024 Willys with the Alpine system. And getting a better sound system installed. Or is the cost pretty high to do that?

 

[Riotfunk]

I’d get the alpine. Is def one of the better OEM sound system in any vehicle under 100k.

You’re splitting the power going to the TA setup with the mid and the tweeter. You’re also changing from a 3.5” mid to a 3” and going to a .75” tweeter. It’s gonna sound louder/brighter. You have a dedicated tweeter now.

Aftermarket will def be better and probs cost about the same.
One thing I always want in my Jeeps as an option is the alpine. I wouldn’t buy one without it.

I’d try them if the return policy is good. Took me 8 different pairs of speakers to redo the awful bronco setup before it sounded decent.

 

[mrtm1970]

I have the TA and they made a huge difference in brightening the sound from the stock Alpine speakers. You hear the symbols better now .

Also fade 1 tick to the front and sounded even better.

Would buy them again!

 

[Papa11]

Though I haven't heard them, I've heard a lot of different speakers in the last 30 years of being in the audio business. $250 will go a long way toward a great sounding set of speakers that will fit under the grill. Or use that money to buy something that'll help you out in the long run.

Respectfully, and truly respectfully, speakers alone do not really make the difference in your soundstage. They are the basis/ foundation of a system. amplification, sound deadening and a variety of other tuning factors really make a change. We do lose higher frequencies in our hearing as we age. Maybe you’re right about save the money if you cannot perceive the difference but acoustically i can hear the difference at 60yrs of age. Would I spend $249 for more enjoyment in my music…. Yes. i don’t know where you get your products but $249 is not a lot of money for Jeep upgrades.

 

[lashlee]

I agree completely that speakers alone don't make a lot of difference, and I feel that a processor is the best way to improve the sound of any setup! $250 for a Jeep upgrade isn't going to get you far, but it will buy a great set of speakers. A lot of people extoll on the great sound that comes with the Terra Acoustics speakers, I feel that you could get a better setup with a variety of manufacturers that will fit within the OEM cutout and stay under the OEM grill for less than $250.

The stereo in my car (the JLUR is my wife's) is a full active setup with a DSP, three amps, front three way, rear fill and a subwoofer, and included about 250 square feet of deadener.

 

[Riotfunk]

These make a noticeable difference at volumes less than 20. Phone calls are better. They sound better with my iPhone plugged in than the other inputs. Even running the same high bitrate song off iPhone and usb is a noticeable difference between the two. Gotta be the dsp for that input vs others.

I’d say after putting them through their paces. 100hrs + of listen time. Top on, off, windows open, closed, etc. Def louder at lower levels. 15 with these is like 20 on the alpine.

They are definitely brighter than stock, not a klipsch horn bright. More warm bright like a Boston acoustics. A richer, cleaner sound. It is immediately noticeable upon the switch. Not a fatiguing high. They do well with all genres of music. Except mid heavy stuff.

The build quality is very good. They’re put together well. Packaging is top notch.

Things I don’t like. They still have the same midsy distortion as the oem alpine. Albeit at a higher volume. With the windows open you lose a lot of the highs you’ve gained initially. They should be angled more towards the cabin instead of straight up. The volume above 20 there’s a noticeable fall off of volume. 20-25 isn’t much volume difference. There’s not much of a difference until 26/27 and then is good. I wish they had the mesh protector like the oem speakers do to keep out the dust, dirt and cut down on uv damage. I also never received the anodized rings I purchased in September.

Overall I’d say out of the options that are out there, these are probably one of your best options, especially for plug and play. They blend and enhance the oem alpine quite well. They don’t feel like there’s a music bias like it can when you add some aftermarket setups. They keep a pleasant soundstage and enhance it.

I’d you’re looking for better sound for most genres of music and want an easy install with no guess work. These are an easy pick. Yeah a lil more pricey than some others options, but they are gonna sound better out the box since they’re designed for the wrangler and not any 3-4” speaker opening like the aftermarket provides.

So all in all, I’d buy them again.

 

[Obviousbicycleco]

Just installed my Terra Acoustics on Saturday. Replaced the 3.5” Kicker CS coaxials I had in there. The Terra Acoustics are infinitely better than the Kickers and I would say the 3.5” and tweeter are on par if not smoother than the JL Audio C5 setup in my Cadillac.

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