Not Enough Output from Factory Jeep Wrangler Stereo
Jeep Wranglers are one of the most popular vehicles we work on. A client from right here in Westminster came to us with the common Wrangler complaint… “I can’t hear my stereo on the highway with the top and doors off! Help!” The factory Jeep Wrangler stereo was never designed to perform on a level that would satisfy anyone who loves to jam. Many people think it would be a waste to upgrade the sound system simply because of this… They are wrong! We have built many stereo systems in Jeep Wranglers over the years, and there is absolutely no reason NOT to enjoy a great sounding stereo even with the top and doors off. It is a very achievable goal! We inspected the existing equipment for this particular client, checked out the vehicle top to bottom, and got right to work.
First Step? Replace the Speakers
The first thing we needed to do was replace the speakers. All four existing speakers were the original factory speakers from 2006. Being exposed to the elements for the past 8 or so years had already taken its toll on them. They were tired and worn out. This is to be expected with the low quality components that the speakers are made of. After demonstrating several types of speakers to the client, we chose JL Audio C2 series speakers for the front and rear factory locations. This consisted of two 4” speakers in the dash, and two 5.25” speakers in the overhead sound bar. The JL C2 speakers are a very nice improvement for any vehicle. They incorporate some of the silk dome tweeter technology of their high-end C5 speakers, producing a clear and smooth treble. The C2’s also have a surprising amount of midrange capabilities, and they can handle a decent amount of power which was important because we were planning on amplifying the stereo to achieve his output goals. After making the necessary adapter plates, the front speakers fit behind the existing factory grilles, and to add a nice cosmetic touch we used the JL grilles for the rear speakers. The factory grilles were starting to dry rot so this was a great solution.
Jeep Wrangler Stereo Systems Need Power and Bass!
Now that this vehicle had good speakers, we needed to make it LOUD. Volume means power… If anyone wants to truly jam, especially with a Jeep Wrangler stereo, you need to supply adequate power to the speakers for them to perform. While we were at it, the client also wanted to add bass since there was very little to begin with. We carefully selected an amplifier with this client that would allow us to power all four speakers and add a subwoofer. That amplifier was the Kenwood Excelon X700-5. This amp has 5 channels; one for each speaker, and one channel for a subwoofer. The X700-5 is built into a small chassis which allowed us to mount it under the rear seat. No one wants a nice amplifier sitting out in the open in a Wrangler, as easy as it is to break into the vehicle…
After tuning the stereo we were able to get PLENTY of sound out of the four speakers. We then installed a JL Audio 12W0 subwoofer in a small enclosure that fit behind the rear seat. With the top on it was barely noticeable from outside the vehicle, maintaining our “out of sight out of mind” thought process. This subwoofer added what the stereo was still lacking; deep bass. The stereo could now play the full range of musical frequencies, giving this finished product great clarity, depth and a more “full” sound.
Another Happy Client
The client was ecstatic with the output and sound quality of the stereo in this Wrangler. So were we! We built this project on a reasonable budget, and we were very happy with the results. There are many options when designing a great Jeep Wrangler stereo. We would be honored to give you a full demonstration of exactly how good your Jeep can sound! Again, there is no reason you shouldn’t enjoy a great quality sound just because you drive a Wrangler! Whether it’s your daily driver or a weekend toy, stop by our facility at your convenience and experience what the team here at WSS can do for you. For more information, give us a call at 410-857-5300, EMAIL US, or just stop in and allow us to show you around!