Has anyone tried the Kicker Sound Bar Speaker Kit that Quadratec is selling? Here's a link: http://www.quadratec.com/products/14133_202.htm

I am happy with my factory sound system, except for the sound bar speakers because they are barely audible. I think I read somewhere that Jeep wired them in such a way so that they won't go loud, because of distortion issues or something. So would this Kicker replacement kit make any difference at all?

 

There is a pretty long thread about it here:

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/sponsoring-manufacturers-vendors-check-out-cyber-monday-specials-24/kicker-factory-replacement-overhead-sound-bar-speaker-kit-19726/

 

Thanks! I did a search, but obviously I didn't do a very good job!

 

If you only replace the rear speakers, then no, it will do almost nothing. The issue is with the factory head unit. I replaced my HU an all 4 speakers, made a HUGE differance. I also stuffed the soundbar and front speaker "pods" with lots of pollyfill, it did dampen alot of the vibration.

 

Polyfill is supposed to be used to make an enclosure seem bigger for a speaker. It's not designed to dampen vibration. Maybe you should buy a gasket to dampen the vibration instead???

 

Correct, but the "side" effect was that the soundbar did not vibrate as much than it did without it.

 

Jckid, just a quick thought, but if you say your soundbar speakers are barely audible, have tried the front/rear fade adjustment? I did replace all my factory speakers with some Polk db651s's, but the factory soundbar speakers were still plenty loud (just not as clear and had zero bass). So I suspect you might simply need to adjust your fade.

It is the same place as bass, mid, treble, balance, etc. The last one is front/rear fade. Try that by pressing the right control knob while the stereo is on. Hoping that is your problem, because I don't know why else your rear speakers would be barely audible.

 

I was thinking about replacing my head unit with the "Alpine CDA-9886" Do you think this will make a big differnce or is it not worth the money?

 

i like to feel surrounded by sound, so i have my fade set at -2 or -3 so it puts more oomph into the back a little, but i only have the stock speakers..which are crappy.

 

For some reason the factory setup leaves the rear speakers much quieter than the fronts. So I'm sure that's what he's alluding to. I don't think it's a fader issue so much. Even mine, with the fader adjusted just didn't have enough power to the rears.

I think any aftermarket head unit would really improve the performance of the sound system. But again, it'll only sound as good as the speakers allow it to. I noticed quite a difference when i upgraded mine, though.