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2015 Cherokee "Alpine" DASH Speakers Step by Step Upgrade

35K views 25 replies 14 participants last post by  Harveyhanson 
#1 ·
Hi everyone,


Vehicule Information:
==============

2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk w/ Nine Amplified Speakers With Subwoofer


The Situation:
=========

As I had aftermarket sound systems in almost all my previous vehicules (I'm now 40 years old), I purchased my Cherokee TH with the Premium "Alpine" system. Why ? Because from that point, I thought it could be enough and would not (for once) require an upgrade... again...

Don't get me wrong here, the Cherokee's amplified system is not that bad. To be honest, it's one of the best factory sound system I have experienced. However, after three months of tests and listening, I have to admit the "Alpine" system isn't up to my expectations.


Ok now what ?
==========

First, don't even think about replacing the head unit, period. Now, do I feel like the amplified system is playing the music loud enough, yes. That said, to me the obvious upgrade option to enhance sound quality was to change the factory speakers for better products.

NOTE: This is what I would call a "Stage 1" upgrade. Therefore, all 9 speakers will be replaced but for now I will keep the subwoofer as it is. With the new speakers in place, a Subwoofer upgrade might be considered, or not.


NOTE: I had to split my project in THREE different THREADS... 1-DASH... 2-DOORS... 3-REAR PILLARS



Before We Begin:
============

Please understand that I'm NOT and I DON'T CLAIM TO BE a car audio expert. I do have some experience installing aftermarket radios and speakers in my previous vehicules but that's it. Chances are I may be wrong and/or do some mistakes along the project. Your comments are always welcome but please be gentle as I do this with good faith and to help. :)



Dash Speakers
==========

Front left speaker grill



Gently use a plastic tool to lift the grill up





Front center speaker location



First lift the storage door



Just UNCLIP the speaker grill but DON'T REMOVE IT yet...



Now close the storage door and gently pull the uncliped grill up





To remove the speakers I recommend to use a ratchet with a 7mm socket instead of a screwdriver





All three dash speakers are IDENTICAL, same part number. I see NO ALPINE LOGO here...







Front dash speakers are 2.5 Ohm... Yes it DOES matter... important to consider to choose your replacement speakers.



Replacement dash speakers, JBL GX302



Metra 71-039C Adapters... Useful to connect the new speakers WITHOUT cutting or skinning anything



New speakers are 2.7 Ohm ... Excellent choice to replace the factory units !









New front left corner speaker installed



New center dash speaker installed




IMPORTANT :

TEST YOUR SPEAKERS BEFORE YOU REPLACE THE GRILLS !


Next step is DOOR SPEAKERS replacement, see my other post ! :)


Daniel
 
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#2 ·
Great job and write up. I recall seeing another speaker change thread, but dont' recall it being this clear on 'each' step. Any initial sound critique from just the 3 speaker change?
 
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#3 ·
Hi Warloq,


I did change all the 9 speakers before I do a real sound check... so can't tell if replacing "just" the 3 dash seakers would really make a difference...


For the 9 new JBL speakers it cost me about $750... and it does make a HUGE difference... the sound is more clear, feels pure, and the new speakers can handle the bass much better...


Is this upgrade worth the money, absolutely... and it was far from being a "hard" job doing it myself...


Regards, Daniel :)
 
#4 · (Edited)
The Mopar Accessory Catalog shows Kicker replacements. Did you consider these, and does anyone know if the Kickers replace all 9 speakers? I put Kickers in 3 of my last 4 rides and they do improve the sound 100%. Did you purchase the JBLs at Crutchfield? The Mopar/Kicker set for my Commander with the BA system had built in crossovers so only bass went to the front doors and mids and highs went to the dash. The rear doors were 2-way speakers.
 
#5 ·
Yes I know about the Mopar/Kicker upgrades... Actually I think there's TWO upgrades available, one for the front speakers and the other one for the rear... but I'm not too sure about it...


However, since I had Kicker products for years in my last vehicule (2008 Dodge Ram 1500) I wanted to try something else... but need to tell that two of my last high end Kicker "KS Series" Speakers had issues (bad woofer glue) and had to fix them myself... I think the kicker products don't like cold and winters...


I did purchase the JBL speakers from... Canadian Tires... I know I know... it's not exactly the first place I usually think and go for good audio products (I AGREE) but Crutchfield (USA) can't ship JBL products outside USA and Crutchfield (Canada) don't have them... So... while searching the net I found that Canadian Tire happen to have them in stock and guess what... the 6x9's were in sale... LOL !


The Metra wire Adapters are from Crutchfield
 
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#6 ·
Do the dash speakers come individually, or do you buy them in pairs? I do agree with you that the 9 speaker Alpine system in my TH is the best sounding Factory system I have ever heard. The first thing I do with any new vehicle is change the audio, and I didn't believe that I needed to do it until I read this. Thank you for the excellent write up.
 
#7 ·
Hi dhh3,

The new JBL speakers obviously sold in pairs, that's why many people do not upgrade the center dash speaker becuase you need to purchase an extra set ($100) for just one more speaker. I did it, and I consider the extra speaker as a "spare" unit... :)

I'm still playing with the audio settings a bit but I'm VERY happy with the result.

Daniel :)
 
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#9 · (Edited)
Front speaker issue

IBypass/All,

I was following what you folks were doing here and came to the conclusion like yourselves, where replacing the factory speakers is a good idea.

I have the 8.4A with six speakers and decided to tackle the front 3 1/2" speakers first. Using the info from this thread, I selected the Pioneer TSA 878 speakers based upon price and previous experience with the brand. The Pioneer are rated at 4 ohms and not the 2 ohm as shown in the mod by iBypass, but figured that the 4 ohms could work with the HU since it's close, but not lower. I then went looking for the Metra adapter harness, but could not find the 71-039C, but I did find the 72-6514 on the Metra website. My speakers are in transit, but Best Buy had the cables, so I picked them up today. Not wanting to waste time, I removed one front speaker and checked the adapter and they do not mate.

Further, I also made note of the speaker info and see that it is not the same as the one from the mod photos in this thread. What the heck? The factory speakers plainly state 8 ohms and that isn't what I wanted to see since the ones I ordered are 4.



Note: Having some real trouble attaching the file (photo), so it may or may not appear in the posting (or it could appear, like 12 times!).

Basically, I was asking to see if you folks can verify the Metra cable adapter number that is shown above (it must be correct) and the reason for the speaker difference. May be that the six-speaker uses a different impedance version, but do I substitute the 4 ohm (new) speaker? I did not see an 8 ohm offering for the 3 1/2" speaker anywhere.

Comments, suggestions and even insults are appreciated.
 
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#10 · (Edited)
Just got these in the mail! 18 bucks from amazon warehouse. They weigh a pound each compared to the teeny mexican paper speakers. Took the ends of the wire and they fit snug into the jeeps connector, didn't even need to buy Metra adapters.
 

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#12 ·
Great info. I'm in the process of doing the same JBL upgrade. 2 questions: Did you install bass blockers, and did you add baffling/damping material behind the speakers?
 
#13 ·
Hello NOTACRV,

Sorry for the very late reply...

No bass blockers required for the new JBL dash Speakers as they can handle the load very well, and to be honest, I think there's already some kind of crossovers as the front door 6x9s do act as component speakers with bass output only... that's true for the upgraded 9 speakers system but can't tell for the basic 6 speakers package...

No damping installed either... there's a huge hole under the dash speakers so I can't think of any way to install damping material in there...

Regards, iBypass ;-)
 
#14 ·
Just a note for those shopping for speakers and using crutchfield. Crutchfield shows only one speaker is able to fit in the dash corner speakers. And it's a $150 pair of infiniti's... Apparently it's the mounting depth that crutchfield says is the issue.

The speaker that crutchfield says works is 1 3/4" deep. The JBL speakers used in this thread is 1 7/16" deep.

Just thought I would throw that out there that crutchfield is wrong as it excludes vast amounts of speakers less then it's preferred 1 3/4" speaker its pushing.

I decided to go with the Kicker 43csc353 (1 11/16 deep) for dash and the 43csc54 for doors.

For those that opened up the d ash speakers. Was the hole in there deep? Were your Jbl's a perfect fit in there or plenty more room for depth?
 
#15 ·
I ordered the Kicker 41KSC354 for the dash. I have only done the two corner dash speakers, but the fir was a tad tight. Had to loosen the bolts and rotate them a bit to get the grill on, but no cutting required. I ordered the similar Kickers for the front doors, just haven't had any time to put them in yet.
 
#17 ·
You talking about that one right in the center? It's pretty easy, just pop the grille over it off and undo two screws. Find a plastic trim tool or something to pry it with (carefully) but you just have to disengage the orange clips


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
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#19 ·
Just replaced the dash speakers and 1 of the rear pillar speakers (didn't buy 3 pairs of the GX302's)

Also got a set of GX962 to do the doors.

Upgrade in sound quality is immediately noticeable. I'm not an audiophile at all but i could tell the difference. Since I Have a 2014 with the Alpine system it was easy to get music playing in each and sit and compare side by side. Much crisper high frequencies this is a very worthwhile upgrade
 
#20 · (Edited)
I'm stalking you Tyler (=
Another question since not addressed here, the rear pillar speaker(s) are also the same like the 3 in the front dash?
And to do all the small ones, not the 6x9 doors I would need to order 2 or 3 sets? Thanks in advance again brother (=
Edit: so I reread again and again and I think I need to buy 3 pairs to complete the job and then 2 6x9 sets to complete the doors..
 
#24 · (Edited)
So I just finished the 5 speaker upgrade as noted here in this thread; 3 dash and 2 rear pillar. Need to do the 4 door speakers this weekend. Have to say it's a big noticable difference so far. The highs and mids are so much more clearer and crisp. The surround sound is also more noticeable. Trevor's step by step instructions are right on. Can't wait to do the doors and see the difference.
One other notable difference is somehow by cleaning up the highs the bass also seems to be clearer. Actually lowered the bass 1 notch now.
 
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