[H4D13Y]

Alrights since i have the sxt trim line obviously i don't have even the infinity speakers, just the stock mopar cheapos. so i was just like every other kid wanting to put a system and all, but i don't think i'm going to get subs just upgrade the speakers. so my actual question is do i need and amp too? or just figure out the size of the door speakers and replace them with something like alpine or kicker or whats my best bet on this. thank you

 

[fcsallan]

That all depends. If the sound of the current system is almost good enough for you, then just put a better pair of 6 1/2" speakers in the front and you should be good to go. If it is not loud enough or clear enough or (insert your choice of aspect here) than you will want to add a processor and an amp to the system.

A better question is how much money do you wish to spend?

 

[H4D13Y]

i just really hate how unclear the bass is, in my jeep i mean i have 2 6x9's 2 4" speakers and 2 51/2 inch speakers running off the pioneer deck and two alpine type R subs running off a 1200 watt amp. I'm not trying to parralel this system i just want some nice crisp audio and try to stay under 500 bucks if thats not too cheap of a buget.

 

[fcsallan]

How unclear the bass is???? At high volume? At normal listening level? Is it over driven or just muddy or ......

Crisp audio would require 1. new speakers the factory base speakers are single cones
2. a signal processor to remove the factory equalization (they tend to push the frequencies that the speakers are capable of)
3. If you use a processor you would need an amp. (all of the processors that I have experience with are RCA out only)

I would estimate a mid line system would run closer to $700.

You can probably get away with just new speakers to give more of a crisp sound but you will certainly give up on some base.

Just my $0.02

 

[Aaron]

Way more times than I care to remember, I wound up doing something halfway decent because I wanted it immediately and didn't have enough cash saved up.... only to spend even more cash to replace it all when I realized I wanted to do it up nice later on. If you're serious about having some good audio, it might be worthwhile to hold off for a few months, save up a fistfull of dough, and then pull out something sick when the time comes. Just playing Devil's advocate.

- Aaron

 

[fcsallan]

Just playing Devil's advocate.

- Aaron

Would that make you a "Jersey Devil"?

Sorry I couldn't resist.

Very wise though. I ran an audio shop when I lived in Jersey as well. In fact I ran it for 18 years. I have more experience with custom to crazy installs than I will ever admit. The wildest system involved a Ford Explorer II and 250LBS or concrete. Too much work.

Good advice, however I would modify it slightly. Buying a set of speakers to install in the doors would still improve sound. Buy what you can afford but don't buy cheap. Listen to them in the store. If you can't get a good idea of how they will sound in a car ask the installers. NOT THE SALESMAN. Ask him to stay inside.

Most installers are poor and know the best sounding equipment for the buck.

Once you get a bit more money you can do the rear speakers then the processor and amp. When it comes to sound processing I would suggest JL Audio. They might be a bit more expensive but they have, in my opinion, perfected the "polishing a turd" processing of OEM stereos.

From there all you need is a good amp and a sub or two and your done. (and broke)

but that is just me. Take it for what its worth.

 

[H4D13Y]

alright guys thanks a bunch, i think ill just maybe go to the audio store and see what kind of proccessors and amps they have and what a good starting price is going to be.

 

[onslow]

I am looking at upgrading the front speakers to some MBquart comps and the rear to a MBquart 2 way. Run a Kicker 4 channel amp with a speaker to rca converter and I think that this will sound pretty damn good. I am keeping the stock head unit as I like factory look, the stereo is not bad just needs power and decent speakers.

I have the SX model which has the standard six stacker and OEM speakers.

 

[H4D13Y]

i'm sorry what is mbquart? other than that sounds like a prety grade a system lol

 

[fcsallan]

I am looking at upgrading the front speakers to some MBquart comps and the rear to a MBquart 2 way. Run a Kicker 4 channel amp with a speaker to rca converter and I think that this will sound pretty damn good. I am keeping the stock head unit as I like factory look, the stereo is not bad just needs power and decent speakers.

I have the SX model which has the standard six stacker and OEM speakers.

MB Quart makes a good competition series separate speaker set as long as you use the comp crossovers. I shy away from the two way systems from them since they are usually overdone on the high frequency side. This might not be too bad if you are not using a processor since the factory head unit is equalized very muddy anyway. Just remember since you are using speaker level to RCA adapters you will be amplifying the unprocessed signal which will normally make a bad sound worse. I have not tried this with the Nitro but I have used a JL system processor to remove the factory Equalization / conditioning and the difference between stock and that install even with factory speakers was night and day.

 

[TylerCanada]

MB Quart are pretty bright (too much / too sharp high frequency). That's because of the metallic tweeters. There are some options to deal with that though. First, get a different brand that uses silk tweeters, they are MUCH softer (like Eclipse). Second, aim the tweeters into the passenger compartment as opposed to reflecting them off the windshield (the windshield makes them harsher). Third, MB Quart crossovers have tweeter settings that allow you to tone them down, to a max of -6 db.

I'm going to try installing my older MB Quart Q series this week sometime. I have the Infinity system with amp, so I'm going to try installing in place of the stock speakers without the crossover, since the amp has separate outputs for the door speakers and tweeters (it would be very tricky to properly use the crossovers with the Infinity amp). Unfortunately, the Infinity system seems to crossover at around 4khz, whereas the MB Quarts prefer around 2khz.

 

[fcsallan]

MB Quart are pretty bright (too much / too sharp high frequency). That's because of the metallic tweeters. There are some options to deal with that though. First, get a different brand that uses silk tweeters, they are MUCH softer (like Eclipse). Second, aim the tweeters into the passenger compartment as opposed to reflecting them off the windshield (the windshield makes them harsher). Third, MB Quart crossovers have tweeter settings that allow you to tone them down, to a max of -6 db.

I'm going to try installing my older MB Quart Q series this week sometime. I have the Infinity system with amp, so I'm going to try installing in place of the stock speakers without the crossover, since the amp has separate outputs for the door speakers and tweeters (it would be very tricky to properly use the crossovers with the Infinity amp). Unfortunately, the Infinity system seems to crossover at around 4khz, whereas the MB Quarts prefer around 2khz.

Agreed, but that is not the approach he suggested he was going for.

I would look again at Eclipse speakers too. Their quality has fallen off in the last two years.

 

[H4D13Y]

alright thank you for the advise, haha since i'm probably not gonna be able to remember all that, "its a bit out of my expertise lol" ill just see what the audio store has to say about the whole idea

 

[onslow]

Yeah the tweeters are bright on the MBs, I am looking at using a crossover or filter once the system is in to fine tune the audio. I would liek to chaneg the deck but finances are limiting and as I said I do like the factory look. Potential to look at a MYGIG down the track and I understand that these have RCA outs.

The Boston Acoustics are also another real speaker option that I am looking into.

With the rear speakers I am considering putting some 8" subs in the rear doors, does anyone knwo if this has been done in a Nitro?

 

[NitroB]

If I may, being an installer myelf and a little on the poor side of the dollar, you would be very surprised at how good a stock speaker will sound with some good simple clean power applied to it. Why go out and spend the money on an expensive set of speakers and then still not be happy. Get the JL clean sweep or a good hi/low converter and add a 4 channel amp and tune it properly and see how it sounds. I gurantee you will be surprised. Even upgrading the factory head unit will make stock speakers sound amazing sometimes. Just my .02 cents. Good luck which ever way you go, and post some pics for us.