Any mystery to improving sound in a TJ?

[nevada72]

I'm sure that this has been discussed, but I couldn't find a dumbed down version that answered my question. I have a 2005 LJR and I want to replace all of the speakers. I'm not looking for anything audiophile level - just to replace the worn out crap. I already replaced the stock head unit with a cheapo Amazon double DIN unit. Honestly, I just did it instead of blanking off the radio like I did on my previous Jeep. I reasoned that it would be nice to have Carplay for navigation and phone calls. But now I'm thinking it would be nice if the speakers didn't rattle when I play music.

Of note - I used a wiring harness adapter and all the speakers, including the subwoofer, seem to work.

So the question - What speakers can I just install in place of the old ones including the subwoofer? Normally this would be a simple thing. But in doing some reading it seems like there is a subwoofer amp hiding somewhere. I've had he subwoofer out of the center console to clean things up (AZ Jeep so loaded with dust). I don't recall seeing an amp, but I've read that it's really small. Do I need to factor that?

 

[Chris]

If you want better sound you need an aftermarket head unit at the very least so it can power some better speakers.

The factory amp and subwoofer belong in the trash. If you're going to start ripping stuff out I would suggest an aftermarket head unit, new speakers, and preferably an aftermarket amp that can power said speakers.

 

[06GEEP]

I can't speak of the factory sub, as there wasn't one in the console when I bought it, but I have a 10" Kicker (TC10) with a Kicker 125 watt (DXA125.2) amp behind the back seat and Polk speakers in the factory positions with a Pioneer single din radio (Polk and Pioneer installed by the PO) that actually sounds pretty damn good. I'm sure any quality speakers in the factory spots with polyfil behind them, would sound better than the originals. I'm not trying to rattle my neighbors windows (anymore) but my setup certainly does thump. I've read a lot of people on hear like the under seat subs, but I've never had one of those.

 

[GregBelleville]

Are there reasonably priced head units that can provide enough power on it's own to get decent sound with out the need for an amp?

 

[JKP]

5 1/4 speakers of your choice in the dash and pods. I got 4 Polk DB 522s that are marine rated for 120 bucks a couple of yrs ago.

If the factory sub is shot, Quadratec sells a drop in replacement for about $100. If you go aftermarket, you need to match the impedance to the factory amp. It's a dual voice coil. There's a thread on the specs out there somewhere.

 

[KennethS]

Hard top? Soft top? No top? No doors?

All have an impact on the sound. Good thing you said you don’t expect audiophile quality sound in a vehicle that suffers from wind noise, suspension rattles, and various squeaks and noises.

 

[GoldenGorilla]

Yeah, sound deadning

 

[B1Toad]

Are there reasonably priced head units that can provide enough power on it's own to get decent sound with out the need for an amp?

The Sony DSX-M80 marine radio which has been discussed here before has 45 watts RMS x 4 channels and sells for around $330. It's a plain Jane single DIN with no touch screen and looks right at home in a TJ. It also has a real volume knob! I got one from Crutchfield along with 4 new Polk Audio speakers and pods for the fronts. It also has RCA outputs for a powered sub and I had a spare Blaupunkt THB 200A (no longer made) which I fit under the back seat. The Sony already sounded decent without the sub but the sub made it sound fantastic.

The only minor problem I have ever had with it is sometimes when I hit a big bump it changes source inputs by itself.

 

[CMBD]

Removeable face tape deck is hard to beat.

Bluetooth transmitter with that awesome

 

[macleanflood]

 

[inkedrose]

View attachment 651958

This pictures makes me cold

 

[JMT]

Are there reasonably priced head units that can provide enough power on it's own to get decent sound with out the need for an amp?

No. There aren’t even high priced units that can even get close to duplicating what an amp can do.

 

[06GEEP]

It also has a real volume knob!

ALL the cool kids have volume knobs.

.....and thumbs drives....

 

[macleanflood]

This pictures makes me cold

Summer of '23 in the PNW. Headed to Canada after my 8 day thrash to tub and frame swap my TJ.

-Mac

 

[Strizzo]

one thing that will improve your listening experience is to cut down on noise. I just have an oem radio with an aux in and the crappy oem speakers.

I just installed a hothead headliner in the hardtop and it made a huge difference in the usability of the factory junk. Actually I only have the front panel in at the moment because i need to pop the hardtop off the tub a bit to get the rear panel in and its made a huge difference.

 

[B1Toad]

one thing that will improve your listening experience is to cut down on noise. I just have an oem radio with an aux in and the crappy oem speakers.

I just installed a hothead headliner in the hardtop and it made a huge difference in the usability of the factory junk. Actually I only have the front panel in at the moment because i need to pop the hardtop off the tub a bit to get the rear panel in and its made a huge difference.

I was able to get both pieces into mine without unbolting the hard top. Did you get the Sound Assassin strips? I don't think they are really needed, besides it's just some strips of Dynamat looking material.

 

[Strizzo]

I was able to get both pieces into mine without unbolting the hard top. Did you get the Sound Assassin strips? I don't think they are really needed, besides it's just some strips of Dynamat looking material.

I did get the sound assassin strips, even before I installed the headliner they made a big difference in the resonance of the top. it was like banging on a big bass drum before, and the strips cut down on that a good amount.

I felt like I was going to crease the rear piece trying to get it over the sound bar and under the rear wiper motor cover thing that hangs down into the window opening and up over the sport bar. I feel like my top has sagged some in the center, which may be why I don't seem to have enough space to slide it in.

 

[B1Toad]

I did get the sound assassin strips, even before I installed the headliner they made a big difference in the resonance of the top. it was like banging on a big bass drum before, and the strips cut down on that a good amount.

I felt like I was going to crease the rear piece trying to get it over the sound bar and under the rear wiper motor cover thing that hangs down into the window opening and up over the sport bar. I feel like my top has sagged some in the center, which may be why I don't seem to have enough space to slide it in.

I think the Sound Assassin strips would definitely help before the headliner is in, but once it's in not so much. Mine is pretty good with just the headliner even at highway speeds. My strips are laying on a shelf, haven't decided if I should even try them. I'm always reluctant to add extra weight, I tow mine and every bit adds up.

 

[Rickyd]

This pictures makes me cold

His dad doesn't look amused

 

[Zorba]

ALL the cool kids have volume knobs. View attachment 651983
.....and thumbs drives....

Damn straight!

Best part: No expensive PHOOOOOONNE needed, no expensive data plan needed, no music subscription needed, not even any Bluetooth needed!