Alpine stereo..what's actually Alpine?

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wildwest1011

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Howdy,
Long time lurker finally registered. I've read a lot about upgrading the factory Alpine stereo and thus far I have replaced all 6x9s and both front corner dash speakers. My reason for this post is I'm wondering if anyone knows what is actually "Alpine" about it?
Every speaker stock speaker I've taken out thus far is a factory/OEM speaker when I Google the number on the back. They even have the Chrysler logo. Did I pay extra for the center speaker grille that says Apine? I peeked under the dash and it's a Mopar insignia on the Amp too.
Anyone know what is exactly Alpine?

Thanks all!
 
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SitKneelBend

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Howdy,
Long time lurker finally registered. I've read a lot about upgrading the factory Alpine stereo and thus far I have replaced all 6x9s and both front corner dash speakers. My reason for this post is I'm wondering if anyone knows what is actually "Alpine" about it?
Every speaker stock speaker I've taken out thus far is a factory/OEM speaker when I Google the number on the back. They even have the Chrysler logo. Did I pay extra for the center speaker grille that says Apine? I peeked under the dash and it's a Mopar insignia on the Amp too.
Anyone know what is exactly Alpine?

Thanks all!
Alpine is a automotive audio brand. It's not unusual for brands to be used to sell factory systems but they also sell their own aftermarket equipment.
 
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wildwest1011

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Appreciate the replies thus far but - the question remains. Are any of the speakers actually aftermarket or Alpine? I've googled the numbers on the back of the 6 I've replaced.. all OEM Mopar. Happy with my factory replacements I've funded, but I'm curious what it is that made the "premium" stereo ALPINE.. I'll reach out to RAM but expect no response.
 

Docwagon1776

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You can read a lot of guesswork here:

 

Spindrifter

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Yep, I removed all the "Alpine " speakers from the truck. They were all cheap paper speakers that didn't have an Alpine logo or anything other than a part number. Fortunately, they were all fairly cheap to replace. Woke the whole system up, along with a new power amp and JL Audio sub.
 

mtnrider

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You'll likely never find out out who actual made them. The Alpine branding may simply be that it was designed by or Alpine had input on the the design, It may not be their hardware at all. Or it could be Alpine hardware with Mopar branding, either way it's not something you are going to find out unless you know someone that was involved in the design and is willing to speak. It's not something manufactures discuss.

To be honest, your best to go about your day and enjoy, you are not going to get a definitive answer.

.
 

utley

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They're just licensed Alpine speakers, nothing to brag about. They're kinda like generic brands but still the same thing albeit a lot cheaper - a lot like different pharmacy drugs. MOPAR pays Alpine to put their logo in the vehicles, thats about it. But yes, you can put actual Alpine speakers in the truck, I bet you wouldnt have to rewire anything unless you replace the head unit..then youll probably have to bypass the factory amp.
 

nlambert182

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It could very well be that FCA pays Alpine to build a speaker to meet their specs and brand them as Mopar. I dont know that for sure, but I can say that my 2012 2500 had the stock 6 speaker stereo, while my 2016 and 2018 both came with the Alpine system. I am an audio nut and really have no complaints with how this sounds. There is a night and day difference between the non-Alpine and the Alpine systems (at least in my experience). I think that there has to be some difference. Has anyone compared the part numbers on both speakers?

We had the Bang & Olufsen stereo in our old 19 Expedition and it sounded cheap and flat. The wife's current 21 Armada Platinum has the 13 speaker Bose Premium audio system and it sounds pitiful. My wife complains that she misses the Alpine system that was in her Charger.
 

Docwagon1776

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We had the Bang & Olufsen stereo in our old 19 Expedition and it sounded cheap and flat. The wife's current 21 Armada Platinum has the 13 speaker Bose Premium audio system and it sounds pitiful. My wife complains that she misses the Alpine system that was in her Charger.

I recently test drove a ton of trucks before buying the Power Wagon and the Ram's audio was significantly better than Ford's or GMC/Chevy's at any trim level (base vs base, high vs high) IMO. I'm very satisfied with the Harmon Kardon and think it sounds much better than the Bose or B&O in comparable trucks. I don't know anything about the Alpine, though.
 

nlambert182

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Interesting. I didn't know that Ram switched over to HK. Is that their option above Alpine now, or is that the only "premium" audio option above stock?
 

Docwagon1776

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Interesting. I didn't know that Ram switched over to HK. Is that their option above Alpine now, or is that the only "premium" audio option above stock?

Base --> Alpine --> HK in the Power Wagon. I can't say that's how it works in every trim, though.
 

Wild one

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Base --> Alpine --> HK in the Power Wagon. I can't say that's how it works in every trim, though.
It's the same in the cars,the HK is the topline system in them,with Alpine being the entry level system.On my wifes 2019 Challenger the 18 speaker with sub Harmon Kardon system was a $1500 Canuck upgrade.First thing i did was pull the sub out of it,i hate thumping sterio's,and it was in the way of where i wanted to mount her nitrous bottle,lol.The older i get,the less i like panels vibrating ,lol.
 

crash68

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I'm curious what it is that made the "premium" stereo ALPINE
The parts will all have OEM Ram part numbers but the system is designed and tuned in part by Alpine. I've been to one of their facilities here in Michigan and seen masked prototype vehicles in there.
 
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My 95 jeep grand Cherokee with the infinity package definitely had the infinity logo on the amp and speakers. For a stock system, it was good, but it didn't meet my expectations compared to retail infinity. The bass felt overdriven and distorted, but eq settings and a sub box fixed that. As for ram, if I ever get the money saved up to upgrade the sound in my 2015 tradesman I'll post the model number of the base system speakers.
 

Mleads310

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The HK system in my 19 ddsrt is very good. Only complaint is slight bass roll off at higher volume. But other than that it sounds pretty friggin good.
 

Mike Townsend

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I have had the HK in three different chargers starting with the 2015 Charger SRT 392, to the 2017 Charger HC to the current 2020 Charger HCWB. In the 2015 I blew the sub 6 times. I got questions from the dealership asking how loud I turned up my music. I said I paid for all of it so I will turn it up if needed. But I never turned it up all the way. The HK sounds good for a factory system. I just recently dropped the sub in the 2020. All of the music is streamed so it is a high quality sound and like the 2015 the bass isn't even turned up. Maybe one line but that is it. I haven't had the current sub replaced yet. I would prefer to get a new system/sub but not sure who to trust in the DFW area.
 

miketx

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HK isn't the company, or products it used to be. I used to buy HK home audio equipment years ago....it was top line stuff. Not anymore....the HK brand has been bought/sold a few times. It's just a name only now.
 

Bigskyroadglide

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Howdy,
Long time lurker finally registered. I've read a lot about upgrading the factory Alpine stereo and thus far I have replaced all 6x9s and both front corner dash speakers. My reason for this post is I'm wondering if anyone knows what is actually "Alpine" about it?
Every speaker stock speaker I've taken out thus far is a factory/OEM speaker when I Google the number on the back. They even have the Chrysler logo. Did I pay extra for the center speaker grille that says Apine? I peeked under the dash and it's a Mopar insignia on the Amp too.
Anyone know what is exactly Alpine?

Thanks all!
if you have a big alpine speaker looking thing in the middle of the dash there is a speaker underneath that grill. One in each corner and one in the middle of the dash.

I replaced my left and right dash speaker and then had to replace the bubble indicator for another issue and found the 3rd speaker.

I guess I should have tried to actually find all the speakers in the system.
 
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