Does everyone think that $495 is worth it for the system? I'm still on the fence on whether or not I'll spring the extra $500 for it.

I mean it what, adds 5ish speakers?

All of the speakers are upgraded, 4 full range 6X9s in the doors, two dash mounted tweeters, and two 3.5" midrange speakers in the liftgate all powered by a 368 watt amp. You also get a subwoofer in the right rear with its own built in 90 watt amp.

Me being a stereo neophyte...Is that good, and esp for $500?

I had a Caliber R/T as a rental car for a few days and it had the Boston Stereo system in it, and that stereo was very nice. The music was very clear and it impressed me for being a stock stereo system. If you enjoy bass, it has plenty of that as well.

It depends how serious you want to get with the stereo. If you are particular about having the best sound, the $500 is better off spent toward a custom setup (this would include new CD player, 1 or 2 amps, front and back full range speakers, subwoofer enclosure...can easily spend $1500) . But...if you want some GOOD sound with minimal inconvenience and expense then yes the speaker package is worth it. I would go listen to it first.

I think it would be hard to beat for $500, considering that its no muss no fuss and is backed by the 3/36 warranty. Aftermarket can certainly outdo the factory system but it would probably cost much more to see a signifigant difference.

I loved the way the 9 speaker system sounded when i was in the car and the Bass was more than sufficient for playing any type of music especially rap which really brings out the power in the speakers and sub. I think that i could have easily paid 500 at best buy and had a lower quality cheesier sounding system but because this is foctory and sounds THIS good, i think its worth the price easily.

wouldnt a 9 speaker system involve some sort of amplified speakers or internal crossovers and such? if anyone decided to install an aftermarket deck, it could become troublesome and not work properly.

im planning to bring in my current 4 channel JVC iPod deck which should be seamless with the stock 4 speaker system.

question: how might an aftermaket stereo affect certain integrated features (ie. uConnect, steering wheel controls, etc...)?

wouldnt a 9 speaker system involve some sort of amplified speakers or internal crossovers and such? if anyone decided to install an aftermarket deck, it could become troublesome and not work properly.

im planning to bring in my current 4 channel JVC iPod deck which should be seamless with the stock 4 speaker system.

question: how might an aftermaket stereo affect certain integrated features (ie. uConnect, steering wheel controls, etc...)?

JVC...you do realize that the Patriot comes equipped with an "Auxillary" jack that you can hook your iPod directly into, thus eliminating the need for any additional deck.

JVC...you do realize that the Patriot comes equipped with an "Auxillary" jack that you can hook your iPod directly into, thus eliminating the need for any additional deck.
yes i do, but the aux jack is to primitive for me. my deck bottom connects to the iPod, so it plays and displays everything thru the deck. also, it has controls similar to the iPod for pure integration. the deck charges it on the fly too, so i walk out everytime with a fully charged player.

from my understanding, the aux jack just allows sound to enter the stereo thru the earphone jack. am i wrong, or will it display song info text and charge my iPod? i like seeing whats playing...

yes i do, but the aux jack is to primitive for me. my deck bottom connects to the iPod, so it plays and displays everything thru the deck. also, it has controls similar to the iPod for pure integration. the deck charges it on the fly too, so i walk out everytime with a fully charged player.

from my understanding, the aux jack just allows sound to enter the stereo thru the earphone jack. am i wrong, or will it display song info text and charge my iPod? i like seeing whats playing...


You're right.

Mopar offers "iPod Integration Kit- Fully integrated adapter provides iPod control through your vehicle's audio system controls. For use on models equipped with Can-B style audio systems. Radio functions and displays vary between vehicle model and audio system." for $215. I know if you have a existing radio for a iPod you don't want to spend more money, but if you don't this may be a option. Crutchfield even sells theses.

Can-B style?

The Crutchfield iPOD adapter uses a CD changer input which means you can't use it with the Patriot radios. On the Patriot we test drove I noticed that when you changed the radio station it appeared under the speedometer. The mopar one would be really cool if you could use the steering wheel controls and view the menus on the Speedo. I will have to check out the Mopar part more, possibly e-mail them about it.

As far as the 9-spkr system goes, 500$ is worth it to me just to have the speakers that flip down in the tailgate. Im not much of a nut for quality sound but that right there is practical Talk about tailgate parties!

Can-B style?


Controller Area Network Bus.

I'm trying to figure out which Patriot radios have this feature. I am inclined to think they all do as my Limited has the base radio model and displays the radio info in the speedo cluster. I also have the radio controls in the steering wheel. This leads me to believe the radio is part of the vehicle network.

Found this:

http://www.wkjeeps.com/iPod.htm

and

http://www.wkjeeps.com/sound/Ipod_install_82209617.pdf

This looks like it should work for iPOD integration.:

http://www.installer-parts.com/by_item.php?it=chyp

Controller Area Network Bus.

This leads me to believe the radio is part of the vehicle network.

The radio's are definitely part of the vehicle network. Just about every electronic module in the instrument panel is on a network bus. My company designed and built the I.P. electrical assembly verification equipment that the I.P. supplier uses to verify their build. We talk to the radio, as well as the rest of the modules through the bus to verify that they have been connected correctly prior to the I.P. being shipped from the off-site assembler to the Belvedere Ass'y plant.

Controller Area Network Bus.

I'm trying to figure out which Patriot radios have this feature. I am inclined to think they all do as my Limited has the base radio model and displays the radio info in the speedo cluster. I also have the radio controls in the steering wheel. This leads me to believe the radio is part of the vehicle network.
so, this leads me to believe that most integration will be lost after aftermarket installs..?

The aux jack doesn't charge it..but it also doesn't tie up your power connection on the ipod...so you can plug it into the cigar lighter...or the plugin that is included on your patriot for a full battery everytime just the same as the JVC!

i think most people are misunderstanding my original issue... if i were to install my JVC radio, what features will i lose? i like the integration i obtained with my new stereo (ie. FULL iPod integration), but at what cost. will i lose the steering wheel controls and what else?

i dont want any cords visible. my current install has the iPod connector going from back of the deck to the glove box. it charges and controls from the deck... i never have to touch my iPod itself and it is hidden to the world. so, a charged battery is maybe half the problem.

Well, it depends on your JVC. I imagine you can GET a headunit that supports steering wheel controls, but that's up to your headunit, not the car itself. It'll likely have an extra wire or wires, like some of the newer (past few years) models do with dimmer lights.

They DO make adapters to use steering wheel controls with units that don't support the feature but DO have infrared remotes (I can't post a link since I'm a new member, but search Crutchfield's for "Steering Wheel Audio Control Adapters"). I think it basically sends the signal through the infrared to the headunit and gives it complete functionality.

Anyway, there are a lot of options available in the Patriot - I have the base-line stereo (forget the number) but it's just a basic 1 CD player, no changer or MP3 compatibility. I'm a big iPod guy too, though, so I understand what you're saying. And like someone said earlier, they have the Mopar installs, which will do exactly what you're saying - allow you to leave the iPod in the glove box and control the iPod from the head unit. It connects through the bottom of the iPod, not the headphone / auxillary jack. And I BELIEVE every head unit displays Title and Artist information, just like it does for the Sirius.


Seems to me that you could probably entice a dealer to throw in the Mopar cable as an incentive. Just tell them it's a major point to you. It's only like $100 retail, so you know their shop could get it cheap.


Just so you know, all the Patriot stereos have large volume and tuning knobs that extend beyond the edge of the stereo. It's kine of a (|===|) shape. Might look funny with an aftermarket spacer.

Just so you know, all the Patriot stereos have large volume and tuning knobs that extend beyond the edge of the stereo. It's kine of a (|===|) shape. Might look funny with an aftermarket spacer.

This is true but they sell a replacement center console panel for the nave system which might work for your use as well, depending on the size of your JVC thinger

http://www.leeparts.com/jeep_patriot/accessories/audio/navigation_radio_installation_kit.html

Very cool, that's not bad at all.

Found this:

http://www.wkjeeps.com/iPod.htm

and

http://www.wkjeeps.com/sound/Ipod_install_82209617.pdf

This looks like it should work for iPOD integration.:

http://www.installer-parts.com/by_item.php?it=chyp

Nice find - thanks for posting that!

It's nice to see that the IPod interface also has an AUX adapter on it. You not only get the "true" integration of the IPod (versus just pass through audio that the HU's with the AUX adapter give), plus also can hook just about anything else with a mini stereo plug to it (AKA, my XM Roady :))

So will the display on the base cd player show the song information for Sirius?

So will the display on the base cd player show the song information for Sirius?


I asked this in another thread and the answer was "no" if I recall.

I asked this in another thread and the answer was "no" if I recall.

I saw that also, the answer was it displayed the channel only but someone in this thread said that in an Escape there was a button to switch between channel display and song display. Can anyone confirm either way as to a song display on the Patriot?

I test drove one with sirius and you can hit a button to switch the display. It is very small, but it can be changed.

I test drove one with sirius and you can hit a button to switch the display. It is very small, but it can be changed.

ok thank goodness. that is absolutely huge for me thanks.

Yes, but did he answer the question about the song being displayed on the base radio? I really don't see that it would, the display in mine sure doesn't look like it would. He may have test drove one with an upgraded radio.

We need someone with the base radio and Sirius to comment.

i have the base stero with the sirius, and as far as i can tell there is no display

where are the 9 speakers in the car when you have this system...
one in each door I believe...thats 4
two flipdown liftgate...thats 6
one 18-inch sub in the back...7
where are 8 and 9?

prob on top of the dash for optimal range/ambiance...

I listened to the boston system at the dealer the other day and its awesome!!! its well worth the $500. Its super loud with killer base. Def getting on mine when i make my costom order this week!!!

prob on top of the dash for optimal range/ambiance...

Yeah, there is one on each side of the dash.