Topic: Sound System and Speakers. Chime in!

[stan98tj]

New sound system isn't at the top of my list of things to do when i get home, BUT if i have a little $$ left over, I'd like to upgrade the system (or lack of system) that i have now and I'd like you guys to chime in on what you think is best.
AS for the deck: I kind of like the one Aka-Justin has in his Rubi: Sony DSX-S300BTX. I'm basically lookin for one that will play the songs off my Iphone and have bluetooth and phone capability. Being able to acess phone list from the deck would be nice and Pandora app would be nice too. I think the Sony DSX-S300BTX has all that.

For sound: I do NOT want a subwoofer. I don't want to give up what little trunk space i have to a sub.  I was thinking briefly about the center console sub but i fear that i won't have much room in the console AND i may ruin it as i like to hose out the jeep interior. SO i am for now basically looking for the best speakers available that will fit the sound bar and the front dash (6" in the sound bar and 4x6 in the dash i think) and will provide the best sound without a sub.

[aka-justin]

Being able to acess phone list from the deck would be nice and Pandora app would be nice too. I think the Sony DSX-S300BTX has all that.

DSX-S310BTX is the deck that has the Pandora control. The older model, DSX-S300BTX doesn't. I'd also recommend the external mic, unless you don't mind pulling over to talk on the phone - the internal mic doesn't work with the road noise.

For sound: I do NOT want a subwoofer. I don't want to give up what little trunk space i have to a sub.  I was thinking briefly about the center console sub but i fear that i won't have much room in the console AND i may ruin it as i like to hose out the jeep interior. SO i am for now basically looking for the best speakers available that will fit the sound bar and the front dash (6" in the sound bar and 4x6 in the dash i think) and will provide the best sound without a sub.

The TJ had a stock sub option in the console. If you can get some 6x9's in the rear, you'll have enough low end to not worry about a sub. If you have a soft top, I'd recommend a 4 channel amp to power over the road noise or when you go topless.

http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Wrangler-6x9-Enclosure-Pair/dp/B001DYC7TO/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt


Crutchfield also is great when you buy your deck or speakers through. You can save $20 from my refferal code, you get all the needed connections to adapt deck and speakers, and lifetime tech support. [ Crutchfield Referral Code: pghjc-qve6j-vsgyj ]  www.sonicelectronix.com is another site that does the same, but I never pulled the trigger through them. My brother-in-law has boughten a lot from them.

[stan98tj]

The TJ had a stock sub option in the console. If you can get some 6x9's in the rear, you'll have enough low end to not worry about a sub. If you have a soft top, I'd recommend a 4 channel amp to power over the road noise or when you go topless.

http://www.amazon.com/Jeep-Wrangler-6x9-Enclosure-Pair/dp/B001DYC7TO/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt


Crutchfield also is great when you buy your deck or speakers through. You can save $20 from my refferal code, you get all the needed connections to adapt deck and speakers, and lifetime tech support. [ Crutchfield Referral Code: pghjc-qve6j-vsgyj ]  www.sonicelectronix.com is another site that does the same, but I never pulled the trigger through them. My brother-in-law has boughten a lot from them.

Ok, what if i wanted to stay strictly with the 2 speakers in sound bar and the 2 dash speakers (i also wouldnt mind putting a pair of those tweeters in the dash corners like the later model TJs have) what brand would give the best sound without the use of a sub. I dunno if im quite ready to even give up the wheel well space where those 6x9 u suggested are resting. Maybe i should upgrade to a multi speaker soundbar? Or does it not matter if im sticking 2 tweeters on the dash?

[Jeffy]

I run a tri-way with two dash speakers and a sub in the back.  If I was going to do it over, I'd get the 6.5" speaker boxes for the driver and passenger foot wells.  Maybe components with the tweets on top of the dash.  I still like the sub in the back.  If I ever need the room, I disconnect two wires and the box comes out.

I had a custom setup before with some 5x7's under the doors on a MDF board screwed into the rocker.  It worked well but if there is ever water inside the wood will get ruined if you don't seal it.

[stan98tj]

I run a tri-way with two dash speakers and a sub in the back.  If I was going to do it over, I'd get the 6.5" speaker boxes for the driver and passenger foot wells.  Maybe components with the tweets on top of the dash.  I still like the sub in the back.  If I ever need the room, I disconnect two wires and the box comes out.

I had a custom setup before with some 5x7's under the doors on a MDF board screwed into the rocker.  It worked well but if there is ever water inside the wood will get ruined if you don't seal it.

not much room as it is in the passenger footwells, also would prob ruin the speakers when i hose out the interior. The only sub i would consider at this time would  be console mounted, but I would rather not even do a sub.
IF i want to replace the soundbar speakers and dash speakers, what brand gives the best sound possible given the lack of sub?

[Jeffy]

Dash speakers and soundbars suck in general.  If you're going to go thought the process of replacing the dash speakers make sure you get the 5.25" speaker adapters.  The 4x6's suck and the 5.25"s are just a little better.  At least they are more common as well.  You might also see if you can upgrade the soundbars 5.25" with 6.5". 

[stan98tj]

Dash speakers and soundbars suck in general.  If you're going to go thought the process of replacing the dash speakers make sure you get the 5.25" speaker adapters.  The 4x6's suck and the 5.25"s are just a little better.  At least they are more common as well.  You might also see if you can upgrade the soundbars 5.25" with 6.5". 

I replaced the stock 4x6 ones with Pioneers a while back and remembered the space was kind of tight, im surprised you can fit 5.25" in there.
I think my soundbar speakers are already 6.5".
So pair 5.25" up front, 6.5s in the soundbar, pair of tweeters on dash. Any particular brand speaker to go with? Just want the best sound available for the setup i'm considering.
And is my assumption that a sub in console will render very limited actual console space and make hosing out the interior impossible?

[Jeffy]

I don't really like the console speaker idea.  It's too small and takes up a lot of room.  Not to mention, you can't remove it.  Honestly, you could make a sub box and install a small 8" or a 10" and get decent sound.  Unlike other speakers a sub is non-directional.  This means you can mount it just about anywhere you want to.  If you make a custom box, you can hide it easily.

Those boxes justin linked to could have been made with subs.  Really though, those boxes are too big for 6x9's.  There is a lot of wasted room in them.  You could have done a two-chamber box and mounted a 8" on the side of one with a 6x9 in the front.  Keep in mind that subs want to really be fired into something solid.  Placement should be a few inches off a wall of some type for best performance.  Down-firing boxes are popular and depending on the speaker and don't need to be that big.  My 8" is in a 12x12x13 box but that really could be 6x15x16 so it would sit flatter.  I'd like to actually switch up to a 10".  I've seen some speakers mounted to the cage as well.  5.25" or 6.5" mounted above the driver and pass. in the front and same speakers behind.  Integrated into the cage as gussets.  I've also seen an SAS Bazooka bolted to the cage in the back.  You can even get a marine SAS which is waterproof.  The 8's aren't that big and do put out a decent thump since they are band-pass.

[jfrabat]

I have ModPods under the doors and sound wedges for 6X9 speakers on the rear.  Those two mods will improve sound drastically. 

ModPods:



Sound Wedges:



Both of these pics were taken about 5 or 6 years ago, but these same components are still in there...  As for the cup holders on the sound wedges, don't try placing bottles there; they will not stay there even on the road, much less off road!

Like Jeffy said, the stock location is not optimal for good sound, so if you plan to invest in your sound system, might as well relocate it to improve the sound quality.  Just make sure you use plastic cone speakers for the ModPods if you expect them to last (mine have been underwater and undermud a couple of times and are still alive).

As for the sub, I run a 12" aluminum sub with an amp, but now a days, you can get the super slim subs and even make a box for them under the rear seat so you don't loose any space (there are a couple of threads on how to do this).  You can also use the stock TJ location if you choose, but I would go for a 10" instead of a 8" if I were you.

[Jeffy]

If those pods weren't so expensive I'd have them, too.  I've added a board of MDF across that lower rocker area and it worked out pretty good.  The only problem was rain from the doors being open and if the footwell flooded.  I think something could be made with plastic or metal instead of MDF so water is less of an issue.  Speaker, even paper ones are usually coated so water isn't a big problem as long as they aren't submerged.

[jfrabat]

If those pods weren't so expensive I'd have them, too.  I've added a board of MDF across that lower rocker area and it worked out pretty good.  The only problem was rain from the doors being open and if the footwell flooded.  I think something could be made with plastic or metal instead of MDF so water is less of an issue.  Speaker, even paper ones are usually coated so water isn't a big problem as long as they aren't submerged.

You can always use fiberglass...  not a fun product to sand, but final result works rather well.

[Jeffy]

You can always use fiberglass...  not a fun product to sand, but final result works rather well.

Not worth the effort.  By the time you get the mats, resin and all the molds done you've probably wasted more time and money then $79.

[aka-justin]

Ok, what if i wanted to stay strictly with the 2 speakers in sound bar and the 2 dash speakers (i also wouldnt mind putting a pair of those tweeters in the dash corners like the later model TJs have) what brand would give the best sound without the use of a sub. I dunno if im quite ready to even give up the wheel well space where those 6x9 u suggested are resting. Maybe i should upgrade to a multi speaker soundbar? Or does it not matter if im sticking 2 tweeters on the dash?

Most speakers that Crutchfield or Sonicelectronix sale sound good. If they don't, you'll see it in the reviews. I really like the Infinty Kappas and MB Quartz speakers. 6x9's add just a bit more depth over the 6.5" speakers, but it's not as much difference as a single 8" sub would add. Most speakers sound aweful without the amp - I'd stress that more over a sub, but a sub is like the cherry on a sunday.  

Adding tweeters without a sub is torture, in my opinion - as you don't wan't screaming highs without the depth to add to the volume.  I'm only running a single 10" kicker sub in the rear with a custom box and it sounds awesome. Crutchfield sales a small predone 8" - 10" enclosures pre-amped and non-amped.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_663STEALTH/Select-Increments-Stealth-Pod.html?tp=131


http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777B8PT/Sound-Ordnance-B-8PT.html?tp=114


http://4bangerjp.com/forums/index.php/topic,10420.0.html

[stan98tj]

Will I need an amp if I add anymore speakers than the 4 I already have?

[aka-justin]

Will I need an amp if I add anymore speakers than the 4 I already have?

No. Just souns so much better with some power. A deck has a hard time awakening speakers. You'll get better volume at higher levels - especialy when you have a soft top or no top on going down the freeway.