Looking into a better stereo system.. need advice

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

JRussTX

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2018
Posts
46
Reaction score
12
Location
Texas
Ram Year
2018
Engine
V6
Hey guys,

So, the stock stereo system is.. well, lacking.. heh

I was debating upgrading it, but so much ties into it, worried I will lose some functionality. Anyone have a good recommendation, or possible models etc to avoid?

I went to Crutchfield and I saw the Pioneer that I had added to my wife's car listed, but I am partial to JVC and Kenwood and maybe Alpine. Not sure if they are worth the cost though.

Also, like I mentioned, so much ties into the 8.4" touch screen... I feel like I would be down-sizing stuff.

So, looking for guidance, is all... learn from those who have done it before. I do not plan to do it myself, just want to make sure I get the right model.

Not sure how well the stock speakers work, but looking at a total upgrade, if needed. Right now, I rarely turn the volume up loud.. but if my son and I are driving down the road on an awesome day and the windows are down with a nice Jimmy Buffet song on.. lol.. I can turn it all the way up and it is sorta.. "eh"

R
 

TomT

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2015
Posts
1,259
Reaction score
543
Location
SoCal/OC
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7
The the big three (Kenwood, Pioneer, Alpine) head units all have multiple models that can work with the iDataLink Maestro RR to keep all the onscreen vehicle functions. So at least that part is easily solved.

As for the rest, I’m personally partial to the Kenwood 9905S (or the newer version that is supposedly out soon). Do you have a budget in mind?
 

adurm

Senior Member
Joined
May 28, 2015
Posts
1,218
Reaction score
227
Location
FL
Ram Year
2015 RCSB
Engine
5.7
If you're going to add amps, I'd suggest a kenwood excelon with idatalink capability. The excelon will put 5v output.
 

autokraftgt

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2013
Posts
1,259
Reaction score
513
Ram Year
2011
Engine
Hemi 6.1
Great advice above. Maybe install a new headunit, and see how it sounds. It should improve sound nicely. Then if you want more performance, maybe look into aftermarket speakers and a nice 4 or 5 channel amp to quarterback the entire system. Keep it simple. The rabbit hole is real....and deep. best of luck!!
 

WilliamS

Senior Member
Joined
May 3, 2016
Posts
2,638
Reaction score
1,191
Location
Tampa FL
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Whats the budget?

Leave the 8.4, its a great headunit and you wont get a bigger screen. There are a few things to help.

1) no amp. Change all the speakers, get higher sensitivity across the board, use a resistor on the dash 3.5s to equal 8 ohms.

2) Amp all 6 channels, use something like the Helix or Sony DSP amps with multi channel time alignment and processing. This way you can run the fronts active, which means your also wiring ever speaker to the amp. Clean up the sound a lot and with time alignment you can point the sound to you.
 
Last edited:

88ROOK

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2018
Posts
658
Reaction score
300
Location
illinois
Ram Year
2018
Engine
5.7
u didnt mention what stock system u have, but i would first start replacing the speakers. new dash speakers will brighten it up. there is absolutely nothing wrong with the stock HU. after the speakers i would add an amp and a dsp. whats the budget and we can go from there
 

Graygoose

Indecisive Car Owner
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Posts
16,824
Reaction score
31,460
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
Convert, for now.
Engine
small
Agreed, Ive seen some big, nice sounding systems with the stock 8.4.
 

RodeoRam

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Sep 11, 2018
Posts
452
Reaction score
559
Location
North Carolina
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Agreed, Ive seen some big, nice sounding systems with the stock 8.4.

Maybe not so nice now since UConnect screwed up the 2018 8.4 with the OTA update in Sep '18. I'm seriously thinking about going aftermarket, too, because of UConnect's asshattery. It's just too bad I can't charge UConnect for the parts and labor.
 

Graygoose

Indecisive Car Owner
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Posts
16,824
Reaction score
31,460
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
Convert, for now.
Engine
small
They also changed radio vendors, the older radios were much better, IMHO.
They 'look' the same, but are not.
 

88ROOK

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2018
Posts
658
Reaction score
300
Location
illinois
Ram Year
2018
Engine
5.7
Maybe not so nice now since UConnect screwed up the 2018 8.4 with the OTA update in Sep '18. I'm seriously thinking about going aftermarket, too, because of UConnect's asshattery. It's just too bad I can't charge UConnect for the parts and labor.

theres nothing wrong with mine that a little adjustment didnt fix, 2 jl xd700s, 2 10 inch subs, jl 6x9s, jl 3.5s and fosgate dsp1
 

rdvm1972

Junior Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2018
Posts
4
Reaction score
3
Location
Las Vegas, Nevada
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I’m installing the linkswell Gen 2 this Wednesday. It looks like an amazing radio with every option you can think of. Plays movies, internet access, apple car play, android auto. 3D camera setup....
 

RodeoRam

Senior Member
Military
Joined
Sep 11, 2018
Posts
452
Reaction score
559
Location
North Carolina
Ram Year
2018
Engine
Hemi 5.7
theres nothing wrong with mine that a little adjustment didnt fix, 2 jl xd700s, 2 10 inch subs, jl 6x9s, jl 3.5s and fosgate dsp1

Holy cow! I'd hate to see what your idea of a big adjustment is. Marty McFly in front of Doc Brown's ten-foot-tall speaker comes to mind.
 

Graygoose

Indecisive Car Owner
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2011
Posts
16,824
Reaction score
31,460
Location
Oklahoma
Ram Year
Convert, for now.
Engine
small
I’m installing the linkswell Gen 2 this Wednesday. It looks like an amazing radio with every option you can think of. Plays movies, internet access, apple car play, android auto. 3D camera setup....
a coworker has one Linkswell in his F250....loves it....HUGE radio
 

88ROOK

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 22, 2018
Posts
658
Reaction score
300
Location
illinois
Ram Year
2018
Engine
5.7
Holy cow! I'd hate to see what your idea of a big adjustment is. Marty McFly in front of Doc Brown's ten-foot-tall speaker comes to mind.

alot of people have complained about the update to the 8.4 which in turn put to much bass into the system. i guess when you have a system that can handle the bass the update didnt seem like that big of a deal when you just need to adjust the parameters of the fosgate dsp which is all done by bluetooth through my phone
 

cop4hire

Member
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Posts
50
Reaction score
24
Location
Pierce Conty, WA
Ram Year
2020
Engine
Cummins
I’m installing the linkswell Gen 2 this Wednesday. It looks like an amazing radio with every option you can think of. Plays movies, internet access, apple car play, android auto. 3D camera setup....
Let me know how it turns out. Over $1,100 just for the unit is kind of pricey for me. Is it worth it for the extra 2 inches and app access?
 

Moparfanatic21

U.S. Marine Vet - 0321, Now a Doctor...of Vehicles
Military
Joined
Apr 13, 2015
Posts
1,066
Reaction score
459
Ram Year
2006
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I will give my experience with the radio. I wanted to upgrade mine as the sound was lacking. I first installed sound deadening material and it made a moderate difference, would be good if you just listen to music but I wanted more base. I went with Alpine headunit as I liked the features it offered (such as controlling accessories from the radio (lightbars etc) and went with Rockford Fosgate speakers
 

BCMark

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 26, 2015
Posts
143
Reaction score
62
Location
BC Interior
Ram Year
2015
Engine
Hemi 5.7
My vote would be to go with a DSP and keep the stock head unit. A good dsp is going to remove any EQ settings from the head unit anyways so that update or any future ones like it shouldn't affect it.

With a tuned DSP, a bit of sound deadening, a good pair of components, a couple 10" subs, and 2 amps you can put out a beautiful sound at volume levels that will more than satisfy 99% of the listeners out there. I have had a great experience with mine the last 4 years.
 
Top