Upgrade Alpine sub & speakers

[Midnight Storm]

If your Amp is 1ohm stable get the dual 2ohm voice coil subs, if 2 ohm stable get the dual 4ohm ones. I bought 2, Infinity kappa 1200w subs today, $106 each shipped. If they don't work in the Rams box, will put them in my Camaro.

The mrv500 says 300x1 @40hm and 500x1 @ 2ohm. So I’ll do the dual voice coil 4ohm 10”. I will love it!

 

[slacadjuster]

The stereo in my 16 sport is pretty decent, but I still want a little more oomf!
The stock sub is a bit weak so what have you guys swapped it out for. Looking for easy install and not a bank breaker.
I might consider doing higher end mids and tweets too. Please give your input there too!

Pics are always awesome!!!

I tried liking the general stereo upgrade thread, but it was kinda all over the place.

If there’s a better thread for me can you please send a link to it?

Really???? wow, personal preference. NOT something to be asked on a forum. If I'm upgrading my stereo, I'm doing it for my own listening pleasure. Who gives a fig what others (especially others on a forum that will never hear it) think.

 

[rotwiler]

Really???? wow, personal preference. NOT something to be asked on a forum. If I'm upgrading my stereo, I'm doing it for my own listening pleasure. Who gives a fig what others (especially others on a forum that will never hear it) think.

I don't think he has done much car audio in past. I asked and would ask for advice too. Not to care what others think, but to save money on trying something that makes little difference like replacing the front door speakers when still using the stock Alpine Amp. If he didn't ask here, he probably wouldn't know the OEM speakers have no tweeter and are 2.3ohm so would have bought some less efficient 4ohm speakers instead of the infinity 3022cfx or the jbl Gx302. I post all the time here, but can care less I use a 1,000 watt Rockville Amp, as long as it works for me, knowing a lot think Rockville sucks. Which it may, but I have had good luck. If I originally listened to others here, I could gave saved a lot by just buying the Amp pro ch41 first, instead I tried to cheap out, bought a loc, audiocontrol lc2i, then a ax-dsp and all never satisfied me.

 

[Midnight Storm]

Really???? wow, personal preference. NOT something to be asked on a forum. If I'm upgrading my stereo, I'm doing it for my own listening pleasure. Who gives a fig what others (especially others on a forum that will never hear it) think.

It’s my first ram, why wouldn’t I ask guys who have rams what combo works and doesn’t
for them?

what is a forum for? Tips and advice mostly. You get the Really????

I’ve been getting so much good advice here and things are staring to come together. You don’t like the thread? Please... don’t click on it!

Anyways, this thread has been great for me and thanks to you all for sharing your experiences.
I now have an amp, sub and box plus some infinity speakers. (All on the way)
Keep you posted

 

[TomT]

Really???? wow, personal preference. NOT something to be asked on a forum. If I'm upgrading my stereo, I'm doing it for my own listening pleasure. Who gives a fig what others (especially others on a forum that will never hear it) think.

Get your panties in a bunch often? He asked for suggestions and help making his sound better. That’s pretty much exactly what this forum is for.

 

[Midnight Storm]

I got the infinity 3.5 dash speakers in. SO GOOD!!! I’m going to do the center too now. I can see that the sub will have some balance.

 

[rotwiler]

I got the infinity 3.5 dash speakers in. SO GOOD!!! I’m going to do the center too now. I can see that the sub will have some balance.

You got them in! Sounds so much better with the new speakers up front, on bluetooth it tends to get much louder than using usb or radio.

 

[B_Hansen]

Hey everyone! Quick question as in the future I am going to look into getting a Sub behind my driver seat as I need my fold out for my dog in the back seat. Where did everyone place their Amp?

 

[Midnight Storm]

You got them in! Sounds so much better with the new speakers up front, on bluetooth it tends to get much louder than using usb or radio.

Yes! busy busy busy these days but those were a breeze to swap. The tough ones to make time for that are sitting in the garage are my GTR hid kit and rear lowering springs.
I’m still a ways from being confident enough to instal the sub and amp, plus I need all the wiring and LOC.
U ended up not liking the LC2i?

 

[Midnight Storm]

I’m really getting down to the last of the questions here. From what I have read, if I’m just doing one amp and it’s only for the sub, I can get away with an in line converter off the factory sub signal. If I want to run an amp to other speaker the amp pro is needed?

If I’m correct here... follow up question: does the LC2i get me more than the little basic one, like this kicker one?

 

[TomT]

Hey everyone! Quick question as in the future I am going to look into getting a Sub behind my driver seat as I need my fold out for my dog in the back seat. Where did everyone place their Amp?

Easiest place is on the back wall. You can also put small amps under the seats, but with a dog, the back wall seems safer from wire chewing.

Scroll up for a picture of my truck to see how it looks.

 

[TomT]

I’m really getting down to the last of the questions here. From what I have read, if I’m just doing one amp and it’s only for the sub, I can get away with an in line converter off the factory sub signal. If I want to run an amp to other speaker the amp pro is needed?

If I’m correct here... follow up question: does the LC2i get me more than the little basic one, like this kicker one?

View attachment 165777

Using the factory sub output is ok, you’ll lose some low bass since the factory sub can’t handle it so they roll it off. Another thing to note is that the factory amp wants to see a minimum level of resistance otherwise it will shut off that channel. The factory Alpine system can be finicky when you try to add things to it.

That said, the best solution is the AmpPRO since it pulls from before the factory processor and gives you standard rca outputs to feed your amp. The factory amp will still work as normal so everything else stays the same. This solution will give you a full range, clean signal and will give you the best results.

If the PAC is not an option, look into this solution from Net Audio. They really know their stuff and are happy to talk you through your plan.
https://www.netaudiowf.com/product/dodge-ram-alpine-subwoofer-line-output-converter/

 

[Midnight Storm]

Using the factory sub output is ok, you’ll lose some low bass since the factory sub can’t handle it so they roll it off. Another thing to note is that the factory amp wants to see a minimum level of resistance otherwise it will shut off that channel. The factory Alpine system can be finicky when you try to add things to it.

That said, the best solution is the AmpPRO since it pulls from before the factory processor and gives you standard rca outputs to feed your amp. The factory amp will still work as normal so everything else stays the same. This solution will give you a full range, clean signal and will give you the best results.

If the PAC is not an option, look into this solution from Net Audio. They really know their stuff and are happy to talk you through your plan.
https://www.netaudiowf.com/product/dodge-ram-alpine-subwoofer-line-output-converter/

Sir, you are awesome! I really like the ideas of the net harness for its simple plug and play, plus a super reasonable price! I will give them a call today
I’m betting I will got that way for now at least as I can’t justify spending over $300 on the pac as that’s as much as I’ve spent in total on sub, amp and box

I suppose I can get an alpine sub control knob and run it off of the amp to the dash?


Edit: I got off the phone with Net audio. A wealth of info there. They say the harness is fine if you’re not super picky and it might not hit all the higher bass notes.
Has anyone tried it yet?

 

[BWL]

Hey everyone! Quick question as in the future I am going to look into getting a Sub behind my driver seat as I need my fold out for my dog in the back seat. Where did everyone place their Amp?

If you go custom you can get a sub under the seat and keep the fold flat. Limited on sub options though. A lot of 8s and some 10s will fit. To give you an idea this is what another member @blackbetty14 did. https://www.ramforum.com/threads/my-custom-8”-sub-box-that-clears-fold-flat-floor.132074/

 

[rotwiler]

Sir, you are awesome! I really like the ideas of the net harness for its simple plug and play, plus a super reasonable price! I will give them a call today
I’m betting I will got that way for now at least as I can’t justify spending over $300 on the pac as that’s as much as I’ve spent in total on sub, amp and box

I suppose I can get an alpine sub control knob and run it off of the amp to the dash?


Edit: I got off the phone with Net audio. A wealth of info there. They say the harness is fine if you’re not super picky and it might not hit all the higher bass notes.
Has anyone tried it yet?

I'm bass picky and got the Amp pro open box for price of a lc2i, your so close to where I live, do you ever drive through WA? I have a infinty 3022cfx, lc2i, ax-dsp, 8.4a radio etc etc Installing the wires is very easy. Ground goes from Amp to seat bolt, power from battery to fuse then to Amp. Only took me like 45 minutes to run and hide the power wire. And I'm old and unmotivated lol. That was right after I installed the homeade fiberglass box I got from member here for $15. Next week infinty kappa 12s going in.

 

[Big Menace]

Great information from all thanks! I have a question on the dash replacement speakers. I see a lot of recommendations for the JBL GX302 and the Infinity 3022cfx. Will those speakers fit in the center also? I want to replace the factory Alpine system and keep all three speakers the same in the front. Thanks!
Also is the JBL Club 3020 an option? Whats the difference between that and the GX302?

 

[Midnight Storm]

I'm bass picky and got the Amp pro open box for price of a lc2i, your so close to where I live, do you ever drive through WA? I have a infinty 3022cfx, lc2i, ax-dsp, 8.4a radio etc etc Installing the wires is very easy. Ground goes from Amp to seat bolt, power from battery to fuse then to Amp. Only took me like 45 minutes to run and hide the power wire. And I'm old and unmotivated lol

I have family in Washington state. Might see them this summer Bothell area I believe.

 

[Midnight Storm]

Great information from all thanks! I have a question on the dash replacement speakers. I see a lot of recommendations for the JBL GX302 and the Infinity 3022cfx. Will those speakers fit in the center also? I want to replace the factory Alpine system and keep all three speakers the same in the front. Thanks!
Also is the JBL Club 3020 an option? Whats the difference between that and the GX302?

Yes all three front dash speakers are 3 1/2” I’m looking to go halfers on a set with somebody for the center speaker. Preferably someone in BC
I believe the club is a cheaper option, therefore I’m assuming not quite as high of quality. Trust me on the infinity 3022’s though. They are solid!

 

[rotwiler]

Great information from all thanks! I have a question on the dash replacement speakers. I see a lot of recommendations for the JBL GX302 and the Infinity 3022cfx. Will those speakers fit in the center also? I want to replace the factory Alpine system and keep all three speakers the same in the front. Thanks!
Also is the JBL Club 3020 an option? Whats the difference between that and the GX302?

The JBL 3020 is less power handling and 3ohms, vs 5 more watts rms handling for the Gx302 and the Gx302 is 2.3ohm. All 3 are same size in front dash, the Gx302 and the infinity 3022cfx are 2.3ohm speakers, same as stock 2.3ohms. Stick with either of those, at around $50 a pair, no reason to skimp on them. You can find open box speakers on Amazon all the time to use for center, seen them under $30 a pair. I did jbl Gx302 on each corner and a infinity 3022cfx in center. At time I thought the infinity wouldn't be as loud, think was because they are slightly less sensitive rating, but can't remember exactly why, so later I tested both the jbls and infinity in corners and I couldn't tell any difference, so get which ones cheapest, both made by harman, that alone will turn a so so alpine system into a wow, sounds good. I wasn't even going to do rear door 6x9s, but the highs were so good after the fronts I needed some better highs in back doors to even sound out. Same thing there, get jbl 2-3ohm 6x9 or infinity, they end up being 2.3 ohm.

 

[Big Menace]

Thanks for your input. Amazon here I come!