2012 Jeep JK Unlimited Non Infinity Speaker upgrade
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: Ca
You really need to swap out the HU to make what you bought work properly. Dump that amp, buy a real amp for your sub, maybe a small mono. Get a HU that has the proper RCA outs and can tune your system properly. You're pretty much trying to jerry rig your system at this point. And I really don't understand your original post as to why you have to keep the stock HU? You can buy adaptors that will keep your steering wheel controls and to add the XM/Sirius antenna to most HU's is a $79 part (I did it).
I have the same 6.5's and tweeters as you do, I originally had them running off my HU (JVC KW-AVX800) and they sounded great. That HU died (forgot to put my freedom panels on, left them off in a monsoon) and when I bought my new one (Kenwood DDX-419) I decided to amp those speakers and now they sound even better. I also have another amp running a Kicker solo baric 12".
I have the same 6.5's and tweeters as you do, I originally had them running off my HU (JVC KW-AVX800) and they sounded great. That HU died (forgot to put my freedom panels on, left them off in a monsoon) and when I bought my new one (Kenwood DDX-419) I decided to amp those speakers and now they sound even better. I also have another amp running a Kicker solo baric 12".
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA -- Los Angeles CA
I feel your pain... I have a 12 and was going to go same route with basslink, there is nothing wrong with doing the basslink and i've heard one in a Jeep and it was magical, but the guy had a different HU and a 240w 4 channel for the speakers.
After much research, going to audio shops and such I am upgrading to a powered sub, leaving all the speakers stock (possibly upgrading the fronts to db651) adding a 4 channel amp and keeping the new head unit. Just changing the head unit actually makes it sound worse, yes thats right worse, BUT thats because of lack of power.
So being in the same situation, you need to upgrade your head unit. There are tons that retain factory functions and look very factory, the main problem with the factory head unit is the way the sound is processed so even adding an amp to the fronts won't solve your sound problems. Doing the install yourself is so easy its ridiculous paying what they ask for installs. Good luck with your sound battle
After much research, going to audio shops and such I am upgrading to a powered sub, leaving all the speakers stock (possibly upgrading the fronts to db651) adding a 4 channel amp and keeping the new head unit. Just changing the head unit actually makes it sound worse, yes thats right worse, BUT thats because of lack of power.
So being in the same situation, you need to upgrade your head unit. There are tons that retain factory functions and look very factory, the main problem with the factory head unit is the way the sound is processed so even adding an amp to the fronts won't solve your sound problems. Doing the install yourself is so easy its ridiculous paying what they ask for installs. Good luck with your sound battle
I was a little worried about taking apart the dash and messing with the wires but after looking at some posts here it doesn't seem to bad.
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA -- Los Angeles CA
Right now I am in about $500 not including the $200 I have to eat for the installation job I have to undo.
I am debating on the JL Audio Cleansweep. This looks like a good option for keeping the stock HU: JL Audio CL441dsp CleanSweep® Sound processor for use when adding amps and speakers to a factory system at Crutchfield.com
It looks good on paper but I am not sure it actually works. Anyone hear anything about it?
That will add about another $200-$300 depending on where I order it from. Iis it worth the extra money to go through crutchfield to get the install support since this is my first time?
If this works I would rather do the Cleansweep than spending $400+ on a nice aftermarket HU.
I am debating on the JL Audio Cleansweep. This looks like a good option for keeping the stock HU: JL Audio CL441dsp CleanSweep® Sound processor for use when adding amps and speakers to a factory system at Crutchfield.com
It looks good on paper but I am not sure it actually works. Anyone hear anything about it?
That will add about another $200-$300 depending on where I order it from. Iis it worth the extra money to go through crutchfield to get the install support since this is my first time?
If this works I would rather do the Cleansweep than spending $400+ on a nice aftermarket HU.
