Critique my system plan

So I think I have things figured out as far as what direction I'd like to go. Just to preface I have a 2016 Ram 1500 with 8" screen w/o the alpine. My goal was to do a speaker replacement only so I didn't have to mess with inline amps, pac harnesses or rewiring. Below is what I'm thinking:

Dash - Infinity Reference REF-3022cfx
Front Doors - Infinity Reference REF-9620cx. I'll mount the tweeters in the sail panels.
Rear - Infinity Reference REF-9622ix
Sub - JBL BassPro SL

Nice thing is all this can be done without an amp, pac harness or any real rewiring. Infinity claims to have designed these speakers efficiently enough to utilize stock headunits and still sound great.

Crutchfield wants $542.00 for all this. After shopping around on amazon I could get it all for $487.00. Not sure if the $55 saved is worth it given the great customer support and install advice I can get from crutchfield.

For reference the kicker CS series with the JBL sub I was originally planning would run me $410.00 because of the buy one get one 50% off. So a difference of $132.00.

Would you say going with the Infinity set would be better than the Kickers? I really want clarity in my speakers and have the JBL pick up the lows.

IMO, once you choose components I think they will suffer a bit if just using the OEM head unit for amplification. I can hear what's lacking in my upgrade using the OEM head unit. But at your price point, it's not that expensive and no doubt you will have a decent improvement to the overall sound.

metalmancpa said:

IMO, once you choose components I think they will suffer a bit if just using the OEM head unit for amplification. I can hear what's lacking in my upgrade using the OEM head unit. But at your price point, it's not that expensive and no doubt you will have a decent improvement to the overall sound.

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So I asked the guys at crutchfield about using components on the front with a stock headunit and they are telling me that they work good due to the efficiency of the infinities. They did say they wouldn't recommend any other component speaker without an amp. But they are also trying to sell a product so that's why i'm wanting some unbiased opinions.

adubree86 said:

So I asked the guys at crutchfield about using components on the front with a stock headunit and they are telling me that they work good due to the efficiency of the infinities. They did say they wouldn't recommend any other component speaker without an amp. But they are also trying to sell a product so that's why i'm wanting some unbiased opinions.

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They will probably work fine as they don't need a lot of power, but the OEM head units amp is limited as opposed to a 3rd party amp. It's why I chose not to do components and get into wiring and instead just dropped full range 3.5's in the dash and 6x9's in the doors since the front signal splits to each.

Your speakers will only sound as good as the amp. Compared to stock they will be so much better, yet the head unit itself will just not give clean sound that an aftermarket amp would. Like myself, you may be happy. But I went with zero rewiring.

metalmancpa said:

They will probably work fine as they don't need a lot of power, but the OEM head units amp is limited as opposed to a 3rd party amp. It's why I chose not to do components and get into wiring and instead just dropped full range 3.5's in the dash and 6x9's in the doors since the front signal splits to each.

Your speakers will only sound as good as the amp. Compared to stock they will be so much better, yet the head unit itself will just not give clean sound that an aftermarket amp would. Like myself, you may be happy. But I went with zero rewiring.

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Gotcha. Well the plan honestly is to run with this setup and IF I ever get to the point that I'm not satisfied I've laid the ground work for adding an amp to the speakers and having a system that would really shine. Not doing the 6x9 components in the front only saves me $60. If I ever amped I would change out the sub as well.

they will work fine, just wont be as clear to their fullest potential. keep in mind these factory radios (non alpine) are only putting out about 7-10 watts rms power. that is why even something as small as a 40-50 watt rms amp on components is a huge difference.

I can speak the the reference speakers, they are great and while you lose a little volume they will hang in there longer to give you overall higher volume. As for clarity and definition, you will be blown away, the factory speaker are truly no match for them.

Smart trying the powered sub. I replaced factory sub with the 8" Pioneer, but not a significant gain other than it seems to be a bit tighter that the factory, nothing night and day for sure.

Trying to figure out if I can add an amp to the that and somehow use the existing harness for crossover duties so i only have to deal with power and ground ?

Look forward to your results and really into see how that sub does

Witch said:

I can speak the the reference speakers, they are great and while you lose a little volume they will hang in there longer to give you overall higher volume. As for clarity and definition, you will be blown away, the factory speaker are truly no match for them.

Smart trying the powered sub. I replaced factory sub with the 8" Pioneer, but not a significant gain other than it seems to be a bit tighter that the factory, nothing night and day for sure.

Trying to figure out if I can add an amp to the that and somehow use the existing harness for crossover duties so i only have to deal with power and ground ?

Look forward to your results and really into see how that sub does

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Now I'm wavering back and forth between the setup listed and just doing the Mopar Kicker speaker upgrade with a power sub. In my old truck I had a Kenwood KSC-SW11. While it didn't blow you away with bass it did help fill the gap on the low end and I found it was adequate. I've also changed up my mind on the power sub after talking to Crutchfield. I'll be going with the Rockford Fosgate PS-8 and mounting it behind the back seat. The rockford receives more power and also reaches deeper. Crutchfield recommended either that or the Kicker Hideaway. I was told both were superior to the JBL and Kenwood.

Can't speak to the Kickers ? The reference speakers have a very pristine clean sound to them. Low end is where they need the help , I didn't know you could fit a sub behind the seat ? I will check out the RF , still looking for a path to add an amp to my existing sub

Witch said:

Can't speak to the Kickers ? The reference speakers have a very pristine clean sound to them. Low end is where they need the help , I didn't know you could fit a sub behind the seat ? I will check out the RF , still looking for a path to add an amp to my existing sub

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Only a very low profile powered sub. The rockford Fosgate is only 3-7/16" deep. You have roughly 5" behind the seat.

Wow,

Checking into this , guess you have to take the back seat out, mine do not fold forward ?

Maybe two of them

Since you're going to have the door panels off add some sound deadening to the door skin.

Witch said:

Wow,

Checking into this , guess you have to take the back seat out, mine do not fold forward ?

Maybe two of them

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Google back seat mod

Edit: found the link. http://www.ramforum.com/f42/rear_seat_mod-79061/ and another one. http://www.ramforum.com/f42/flip_down_rear_seats_done-44805/

Eestee70 said:

Since you're going to have the door panels off add some sound deadening to the door skin.

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Actually in the process of researching what to use.

I used stinger roadkill extreme, dynamat works good too. Depending on how much of the panel you want to deaden you can add it through the speaker opening and reach in as far as you can or do like I did and remove the inner door card and do the whole door skin.

That's a good idea, did not put any on mine when I did it

Quick Google , wow that stuff is expensive .....

It is well worth it. You will notice a difference. Most of your local stereo shops should carry it.

Witch said:

That's a good idea, did not put any on mine when I did it

Quick Google , wow that stuff is expensive .....

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I'm looking into Noico Black 80 Mil

http://www.ramforum.com/f51/space_behind_rear_seat_2014_crew_cab-48887/index2.html

I may try and do this mod tonight to see how much room I have behind the seat of my crew cab before I make a final decision on the sub.

once you remove your back seat, there is another problem area for rattles back there. The cabin pressure vents rattled like crazy with low bass notes. it wasn't the rubber vent that was the issue but the loose fitment of the vent itself. Since the seat will be out might as well do that too. Here was my solution for it