I have a 2008 2dr x with the soft top. At turnpike speeds, I turn the radio off since the wind noise is so loud. I am considering buying a used 2007 with a Hardtop for my son, and was wondering if there is a significant difference at 60-70 mph. It seems that listening to the radio is on the top of the list. Thanks for any thoughts.

 

i have both a soft and hard top (2 dr X) and i do think the hardtop is quieter. though i don't have an issue the with soft top being so noisy that i can't listen to the radio even at freeway speeds.

 

I can hear my radio just fine with the top off @ 70 mph. Maybe the base stereo isn't as loud? I have the Infinity system. The hartop does make quite a difference, but I can't compare it to a soft-top.

 

I have a 2dr with both tops and dont have a real issue with wind noise on the interstate & the soft top. On one paticular day when there was alot of wind it was an issue but there were near 60mph gusts at my side.
The hardtop has never been an issue with noise & does make the radio seem alot better IMO.

 

it is somewhat loud with the hardtop, but not impossible to hear music at freeway speeds. then again i find the same thing with top and doors off with the music all the way up

 

I have a 4 door, but i also have both tops and listening to music was never an issue for me at any speed....

maybe your top is jacked.

 

'08 soft top only here (2 piece bestop hardtop willl be here at end of month) i have no issue with not being able to hear the radio but i have the infinity system in mine. I don't even think with the doors and roof off it is as loud as my brothers TJ with the soft top up and doors on on the highway.

 

Well I cant do a direct comparison, but my hartop is very quiet on the highway. At 60 mph I have virtually no wind noise whatsoever, but above 80 it does get increasingly loud pretty quick. Either way, I would say it is much quieter than you would expect a brick to be.....

 

Before I bought my Unlimited, we test drove one that had the soft top on. Conversation was difficult once we got over ~50mph. My wife immediately told me we would NOT buy one unless it had the hard top.

Well, after buying one (with the Freedom top), summer arrived and I was itching for a soft top. I found someone local who was selling one straight out of the box from a dual-top option. Installed it ASAP, and we haven't experienced any problems at all with noise. Yeah, it's a little louder that the Freedom Top, but nothing like the one we test drove.

Is it possible that it comes down to how they are installed? Perhaps the dealership or factory aren't tightening everything down properly? I don't know.

I do know my wife now really enjoys the soft top, and almost wishes we hadn't bought the hard one.

 

I can't tell a difference in the noise levels with a soft top or a hard top. It's the same to me. My JK has problems with wind noise like you describe. It is also a lemon and on the way out. My previous TJ had no wind noise issues. But the soft top and the hard top were still about the same. no difference between the two.