[cpole17]

Looking to possibly upgrade the audio system a bit. I am a music buff, but certainly no auto audio buff.

I find the system tolerable, but certainly not great. I have the basic system now.

Two questions:

1. Do I tackle speakers first? It seems to me that is the issue. I would rather not change out headunit if I don't have to...or do i?

2. How much would I need to spend to exceed current quality for each speaker location?

I have a long list of mods I want to do, and little money to tackle them, so need to take one step at a time.

Thanks

 

[Creation]

Most of the patriot users who arient auto audio buffs put the rockford fosgate 6x9 2 ways in, they run less than $100 for all 4 doors and harnesses. Thats what I did.
But ill let the auto buffs chime in about their ideas.

Sent from my Droid Charge using Autoguide.com App

 

[cpole17]

Yes, would be awesome to know if that alone makes it far better.

Thanks

 

[kingtj]

re: audio upgrades

My experience with the Patriot is, if you've got the basic 4 speaker stereo in one, the speakers are the most cost-effective place to do an upgrade first.

The factory speakers are lame. All you have to do is remove one from a door and examine it. You'll see that it has a simple paper cone, covered with a thin layer of cloth over the top, and the whole thing is really light-weight compared to most 6x9" replacement speakers you could find for sale. (The light weight indicates a smaller/weaker magnet in the back of it, which is a good hint that the speaker isn't very capable.)

I went with someone's suggestion on here to purchase Kicker drop-in replacement speakers, since Kicker made them in some kind of partnership with Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep. They probably cost more than some others (I think I paid around $97 for a pair), but they have the factory plug on the end of them, so the original connector just plugs right in -- which was kind of nice.

They made a really big difference in the sound quality. There was more bass but also clearer, crisper highs, because they actually have separate tweeters mounted on top of the main speaker -- and no paper cone! Much heavier magnet on them too, so likely to handle a lot more power if you wanted to add an aftermarket amp in the future.

I can't speak for the Rockford Fosgates suggested here ... but in a very general sense? I *often* find that when you upgrade factory speakers in a vehicle, they really need more wattage than the factory head-unit puts out before they operate at their potential. So you wind up with sound that's really not much better than what you started with until you do the head-unit upgrade. That's definitely one plus with the Kickers I got. I know for a fact they're designed to operate properly with the low wattage the factory head-unit puts out, BUT they can handle a lot more than that if you like.

Looking to possibly upgrade the audio system a bit. I am a music buff, but certainly no auto audio buff.

I find the system tolerable, but certainly not great. I have the basic system now.

Two questions:

1. Do I tackle speakers first? It seems to me that is the issue. I would rather not change out headunit if I don't have to...or do i?

2. How much would I need to spend to exceed current quality for each speaker location?

I have a long list of mods I want to do, and little money to tackle them, so need to take one step at a time.

Thanks

 

[Creation]

My fosgates made a hugeeeeeee difference. Atleast to my ears it did. I would highly recommend them from my experience.

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[MB]

Kingtj,

Where did you buy your speakers? Do you have a link as to where you bought them?

I know on the forum someone did an step by step installation of the Rockford's.. I do know that Rockford is a great company and I've used their products before. I had the same questions as Cpole17 and looking to upgrade.

 

[dB-SPL]

Changing the front stage should put a smile on your face. Just know that it won't get any better after that 'til you upgrade your source unit. After all, this is where the signal comes from. Some look at it as the 'perfect fix' and others see it as wasting the potential of a good aftermarket speaker. Everyone's ears/taste is different so there's really no direct answer. If your budget's pretty tight and you wanna start easy, swap out the fronts for something more suited toward your liking. A component set or coaxials, what material the woofer/tweeter is made of, impedance and sensitivity of the speaker. That will all play a huge role in how it will sound at every volume level.

 

[tyroneshoes]

I would upgrade the front speakers first.

Leave the rears stock as the stock add to the low end nicely.

Personally, I would not use the rockford. I would recommend just getting a set of these up front

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Soundstream-SST6-9-6x9-Inch-300-Watt-Speakers/dp/B0002W81YI/ref=sr_1_9?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1334271563&sr=1-9[/ame]

But you would have to trim a little plastic behind the speaker. Its worth it and you only need a razor. If you want a swap in with no altering at all:

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Eclipse-SP6910-6-InchX-Point-Source-Speaker/dp/B001EJO1YC/ref=sr_1_16?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1334271563&sr=1-16[/ame]

Or you can grab these

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/PIONEER-TS-D6902R-360W-SPEAKERS-PAIR/dp/B00126KFVU/ref=sr_1_41?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1334271794&sr=1-41[/ame]

Both superior to the rockfords

The stock headunit has a treble boost built in and cuts the bass at high volume to protect the cheap speakers and make them sound better. So upgrading the front speakers will make a huge difference as youll have much nicer mids and highs, but to get really good sound, you should change the head unit.

But first do the front speakers and see if youre content with the change.

 

[RLO]

Pioneer

Tyroneshoes,

Do you think the pioneers you suggested will swap into a 2011 with no modifications? I think I'm getting a pioneer head unit, do you think an all pioneer system would be ideal in the way they were "made for each other?"

Thanks for your input.

 

[cpole17]

Great feedback guys. Thanks

 

[Murman]

Looking to possibly upgrade the audio system a bit. I am a music buff, but certainly no auto audio buff.

I find the system tolerable, but certainly not great. I have the basic system now.

Two questions:

1. Do I tackle speakers first? It seems to me that is the issue. I would rather not change out headunit if I don't have to...or do i?

2. How much would I need to spend to exceed current quality for each speaker location?
I have a long list of mods I want to do, and little money to tackle them, so need to take one step at a time.

Thanks

My bill of good to replace the stock speakers in my PAT...

$75.98 for two sets of speakers (4 total), shipped.

$24.98 for speaker wire adapters (4 total), shipped.

Project total: $100.96

cpole17, do you use an iPod w/ your AUX input?

 

[tyroneshoes]

Tyroneshoes,

Do you think the pioneers you suggested will swap into a 2011 with no modifications? I think I'm getting a pioneer head unit, do you think an all pioneer system would be ideal in the way they were "made for each other?"

Thanks for your input.

I dont know as I never tried to install them in the patriot. But any mods would be small stuff like cutting plastic from behind the speaker mounting area. Im pretty sure they will drop right in, no mods needed. Especially if he got those cdts to fit with no mods.

BTW there is no "made for each other" but if you want to stay brand specific, pioneer is a good brand to be specific to.

 

[FloridaJeep]

I have 6x9 Kicker KS693's in the front and love them, they fit without any problems but not sure you want to pay the $150 for them. I don't think you can go wrong with the plug and play Kickers that they sell for the Patriot either.

 

[tyroneshoes]

I have 6x9 Kicker KS693's in the front and love them, they fit without any problems but not sure you want to pay the $150 for them. I don't think you can go wrong with the plug and play Kickers that they sell for the Patriot either.

You can get better for cheaper

Drop in, high end coaxial

http://www.audiosavings.com/product...clipse-SP6910-6x9-2-Way-540-Watt-Car-Speakers-w--Silk-Dome-Tweeters/SP6910.aspx

Kicker does not make very good speakers. Theyre an upgrade and decent but for less you can get better. They make good subwoofers and amplifier.

 

[MB]

You can get better for cheaper

Drop in, high end coaxial

http://www.audiosavings.com/product...clipse-SP6910-6x9-2-Way-540-Watt-Car-Speakers-w--Silk-Dome-Tweeters/SP6910.aspx

Kicker does not make very good speakers. Theyre an upgrade and decent but for less you can get better. They make good subwoofers and amplifier.

I was looking at getting those speakers. Do I need anything else like a wiring harness?

 

[RLO]

I was looking at getting those speakers. Do I need anything else like a wiring harness?

You don't need one but if you want to make your speakers "plug and play" you can get the harnesses on crutchfield for 10 a pair. You could splice if you wanted to, but the harness makes it easier. If you don't have the tools like a soldering iron or wire strippers, then buy the harnesses. Free shipping on crutchfield too. if you need install help, then go to the knowledge base on this forum. Pics and everything there.

 

[MB]

Thanks RLO

 

[msilvia01]

Most of the patriot users who arient auto audio buffs put the rockford fosgate 6x9 2 ways in, they run less than $100 for all 4 doors and harnesses. Thats what I did.
But ill let the auto buffs chime in about their ideas.

Sent from my Droid Charge using Autoguide.com App

Where did you get the RF 6x9's for $100 is that wiring harnesses included, I know on crutchfield they have them going for $69.99 for 2 with wiring harnesses included so im looking at $140 for 4 of them. If you know of a place to get them cheaper any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cpole17]

Murman...I do use a smartphone with the aux jack.

 

[Murman]

I switched from a 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable to an iPod dock "plug" to 3.5mm plug cable.

This setup bypasses the iPod amp and uses the line outs on the iPod. No need to mess w/ the volune control on the iPod.