Hello. I have been into car audio for about 20 years and have competed in sound quality competitions in the past (and won a couple times). I also am mecp certified installer although I am now a psychologist. My Escape was totaled and I grabbed a Patriot.
Im going to document my build in this thread and discuss any audio questions you may have.
Day 1.
So first, my patriot was the stock base system. 4 6x9 wizzer cones - no tweeters. Ugly half moon radio.
![Image]()
First thing I did was replace the front speakers with some inexpensive coaxials.
I went with the Soundstream sst6.9 due to their performance in this review
http://www.soundstream.com/images/magazines/autosalon/SST6.9_shot.pdf
and that they were locally available for $75. They have a external 12db crossover and the tweets swivel. Soundstream is a shell of the company they used to be, but there are gems here an there and these speakers are gems.
Install is easy and well documented om this forum. I had to shave some plastic behind the speaker opening and remove the bottom grill clip which is simple and effects nothing.
![Image]()
I actually installed it in the shop parking lot then took a hour drive with the stock radio powering them.
First thing I noticed was that they were very bright. So I dd some research and was informed by JL audio tech that instead of using better speakers, its more cost effective to add a treble boost to the stock stereo to compensate for the cheap speakers with no tweeters. This is what Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep does as well as many other manufacturers. I drove home with treble at -5 yet still a huge improvement in clarity in all areas including bass.
So it was still early and my deck install parts came in when I returned home waiting for me on my front door. Ill be installing my Pioneer x930bt I had in my Escape prior.
I grabbed a
Double din Mopar bezel off ebay : $70
Antenna adapter: $10
Metra 99-6510 adapter: $12
Peripheral CHYAH05 : $60
Thats all you need for an easy install with no wire tapping.
I also added the Metra Axxess ASWC Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface for $45 with auto detects the controls as well as allows customization.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Mounted gps antenna on right dash corner and BT mic on drivers side a-pillar near visor.
First thing I noticed was that without the treble boost, the sound was much more balanced. I ran rcs and the remote turn on while I had the dash out but for now, the deck is powering speakers. The Soundstreams sound excellent and with the built in delay, creates a perfect center image. 4 of these off deck power is enough to satisfy 85% of the market. I will still be adding a sub but Im redic when it comes to this stuff.
Things to note: While I have my ESB/Zapco component speakers MSRP :$950.
Components are not the way to go in the patriot unless you feel like customizing your a-pillar for tweets, however, if the airbag employs, a 2 inch metal tweeter could kill you. Stock dash locations are poor and will cause reflections off the dash. ASailpanels are an ok solution but you really are best off using a pointsource coaxial with the tweeter centered in the base of the woofer like Home KEF speakers.
Eclipse pointsource speakers will fit and are being sold for really cheap since they dropped out of car audio
![Image]()
$65 on amazon
The center based tweeter uses the cone's shape to help with treble dispersion and makes the sound less easy to locate.
KEF, JVC, Eclipse, Image Dynamics, Critical Mass and a few others use pointsource and they are the drop in best solution IMO.
If you want to use a coaxial 2 way speaker like the soundstreams, opt for one with with an actual crossover, not just a cap on the tweeter, preferably with a swivel able tweeter. Depending on budget, I recommend these soundstreams under $100, if you plan on spending more, focal, mbquart and zapco , image dynamics, pioneer and some others are good choices. You can use convertable component sets like mb quarts premium which allow mounting as coaxial or component and have a nice crossover.
As of now, my head unit is powering the soundstream fronts full range and stock rears which I lowpassed to act as subs which my deck allows. Its temporary but a huge improvement and superior to the boston and kicker options.
Next steps:
-4 guage run to under drivers seat for single amp 4 channel (fronts and sub) or two micro amps (fronts and sub). Rears only used when people are there powered off the deck. I will be using time alignment on the front speakers to center the image on the dash.
-Build a .35 enclosure for an alpine shallow 10" to mount under the passenger seat.
-Sound deaden the front doors and upgrade front speakers although I do like the Soundstreams. Still researching. Toss soundstreams in rear doors.
Will keep ya posted.
Any questions feel free.
Im going to document my build in this thread and discuss any audio questions you may have.
Day 1.
So first, my patriot was the stock base system. 4 6x9 wizzer cones - no tweeters. Ugly half moon radio.
First thing I did was replace the front speakers with some inexpensive coaxials.
I went with the Soundstream sst6.9 due to their performance in this review
http://www.soundstream.com/images/magazines/autosalon/SST6.9_shot.pdf
and that they were locally available for $75. They have a external 12db crossover and the tweets swivel. Soundstream is a shell of the company they used to be, but there are gems here an there and these speakers are gems.
Install is easy and well documented om this forum. I had to shave some plastic behind the speaker opening and remove the bottom grill clip which is simple and effects nothing.
I actually installed it in the shop parking lot then took a hour drive with the stock radio powering them.
First thing I noticed was that they were very bright. So I dd some research and was informed by JL audio tech that instead of using better speakers, its more cost effective to add a treble boost to the stock stereo to compensate for the cheap speakers with no tweeters. This is what Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep does as well as many other manufacturers. I drove home with treble at -5 yet still a huge improvement in clarity in all areas including bass.
So it was still early and my deck install parts came in when I returned home waiting for me on my front door. Ill be installing my Pioneer x930bt I had in my Escape prior.
I grabbed a
Double din Mopar bezel off ebay : $70
Antenna adapter: $10
Metra 99-6510 adapter: $12
Peripheral CHYAH05 : $60
Thats all you need for an easy install with no wire tapping.
I also added the Metra Axxess ASWC Universal Steering Wheel Control Interface for $45 with auto detects the controls as well as allows customization.
Mounted gps antenna on right dash corner and BT mic on drivers side a-pillar near visor.
First thing I noticed was that without the treble boost, the sound was much more balanced. I ran rcs and the remote turn on while I had the dash out but for now, the deck is powering speakers. The Soundstreams sound excellent and with the built in delay, creates a perfect center image. 4 of these off deck power is enough to satisfy 85% of the market. I will still be adding a sub but Im redic when it comes to this stuff.
Things to note: While I have my ESB/Zapco component speakers MSRP :$950.
Components are not the way to go in the patriot unless you feel like customizing your a-pillar for tweets, however, if the airbag employs, a 2 inch metal tweeter could kill you. Stock dash locations are poor and will cause reflections off the dash. ASailpanels are an ok solution but you really are best off using a pointsource coaxial with the tweeter centered in the base of the woofer like Home KEF speakers.
Eclipse pointsource speakers will fit and are being sold for really cheap since they dropped out of car audio
$65 on amazon
The center based tweeter uses the cone's shape to help with treble dispersion and makes the sound less easy to locate.
KEF, JVC, Eclipse, Image Dynamics, Critical Mass and a few others use pointsource and they are the drop in best solution IMO.
If you want to use a coaxial 2 way speaker like the soundstreams, opt for one with with an actual crossover, not just a cap on the tweeter, preferably with a swivel able tweeter. Depending on budget, I recommend these soundstreams under $100, if you plan on spending more, focal, mbquart and zapco , image dynamics, pioneer and some others are good choices. You can use convertable component sets like mb quarts premium which allow mounting as coaxial or component and have a nice crossover.
As of now, my head unit is powering the soundstream fronts full range and stock rears which I lowpassed to act as subs which my deck allows. Its temporary but a huge improvement and superior to the boston and kicker options.
Next steps:
-4 guage run to under drivers seat for single amp 4 channel (fronts and sub) or two micro amps (fronts and sub). Rears only used when people are there powered off the deck. I will be using time alignment on the front speakers to center the image on the dash.
-Build a .35 enclosure for an alpine shallow 10" to mount under the passenger seat.
-Sound deaden the front doors and upgrade front speakers although I do like the Soundstreams. Still researching. Toss soundstreams in rear doors.
Will keep ya posted.
Any questions feel free.
epper:
