Has anyone verified who makes the "Alpine" speakers?

[FL-RAM]

Got into a spirited discussion with some folks on one of the Ram FB groups who said the speakers in the Alpine system are actual Alpine speakers. I don't think they are. I've had Alpine speakers before, and the speakers that come with the Alpine system definitely do not appear to be Alpine quality. Not that Alpine is top of the line or anything, but these speakers are cheap with small magnets. No Alpine markings at all on them. You would think that if Alpine actually made them there would at least be a stamp on the back of something. All they say is "Made in China".

Just wondering if anyone has definitive evidence on who makes the speakers in the Alpine system? I think they are cheap, generic Chinese...maybe slightly better than the base speakers, but certainly not Alpine.

thoughts?

 

[Docwagon1776]

Not a direct answer to your question, but manufacturers often make lower quality versions of their products for certain buyers. Call it the Wal-mart effect, where a certain price must be met to gain the contract but the company's normal quality can't be built to that price point. Everything from outdoor grills to riding mowers often has a big box store SKU that's specific to low price vendors. OEM for car makers is the same and audio equipment makers certainly make multipe lines at various price points, each with different levels of quality. Alpine has, what, 3 or 4 consumer grades? Nothing to think they have an OEM grade under the consumer grade.

 

[Riccochet]

I do not think they are Alpine at all. No where on them does it say Alpine. Only a Mopar logo. I think the only "Alpine" part of the system is the Amp/DSP. The speakers are all cheap **** paper cone garbage.

 

[FL-RAM]

Not a direct answer to your question, but manufacturers often make lower quality versions of their products for certain buyers. Call it the Wal-mart effect, where a certain price must be met to gain the contract but the company's normal quality can't be built to that price point. Everything from outdoor grills to riding mowers often has a big box store SKU that's specific to low price vendors. OEM for car makers is the same and audio equipment makers certainly make multipe lines at various price points, each with different levels of quality. Alpine has, what, 3 or 4 consumer grades? Nothing to think they have an OEM grade under the consumer grade.

That is probably the case. I just find it curious that nobody actually knows. There is no definitive answer. The Alpine system seems to be shrouded in mystery for some reason.

 

[Phillyrube]

The only thing I could find that says Alpine is the amp.

 

[Riccochet]

I'd be interested to see what a speaker looks like out of a non-Alpine ram. I know what the speakers look like from the Alpine Ram's and could tell immediately if there is a difference.

 

[Tray Burge]

Mine say Alpine? Mines an 03 too, but I'm sure mine are made in china as well?

 

[FL-RAM]

Mine say Alpine? Mines an 03 too, but I'm sure mine are made in china as well?

Yeah, pretty much all speakers are made in China. But the ones in the current Alpine system are unbranded. They just say "Assembled in China".

 

[FL-RAM]

HEre's what they look like. I looked up the part number and this came up in the MOPAR catelog

2009-2022 Mopar Speaker, Right Rear, B-Pillar 5064358AB | Mopar Estores

2009-2022 Mopar Speaker, Right Rear, B-Pillar 5064358AB

store.mopar.com

Look to be just a generic MOPAR speaker that they put in a whole bunch of vehicles.

 

[Riccochet]

Exactly. There is nothing "Alpine" about the speakers.

 

[IDSandman]

Mine say Alpine? Mines an 03 too, but I'm sure mine are made in china as well?

On the speaker itself? My 03 Alpine speakers just had Mopar insignia on the magnet. Only place it said Alpine was on the placard for the grill. God I hated those speakers, way better sound with the infinity speakers that replaced them.

 

[RamDiver]

I'm quite intrigued by the volume of dissatisfied owners of the Alpine OEM systems in various Ram trucks. My '21 Warlock sounds pretty good and better than the JBL in my Tundra Limited.

Also, many users mention the lack of bass performance & yet I've had to tweak mine in the settings to reduce the bass by a notch or two because I don't like it booming.

I'm often surprised while listening to one of my old favourites and being able to hear a background instrument or vocal that I don't recall hearing before.

So, the question is; are the speakers included with my Alpine fitted '21 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock any better or different than the speakers that have been annoying all these users?

Am I experiencing some early stage of delirium where the truck speakers just sound better to me?

I wish I could transfer this perception to my home surround system which often annoys me with its poor audio performance while listening to certain television series DVDs.

.

 

[Tray Burge]

On the speaker itself? My 03 Alpine speakers just had Mopar insignia on the magnet. Only place it said Alpine was on the placard for the grill. God I hated those speakers, way better sound with the infinity speakers that replaced them.

Dude, you're so right, I'm so wrong!
Mine say Infinity on the speaker grill too, but I'm sure they're made in china, huh?

 

[FL-RAM]

I'm quite intrigued by the volume of dissatisfied owners of the Alpine OEM systems in various Ram trucks. My '21 Warlock sounds pretty good and better than the JBL in my Tundra Limited.

Also, many users mention the lack of bass performance & yet I've had to tweak mine in the settings to reduce the bass by a notch or two because I don't like it booming.

I'm often surprised while listening to one of my old favourites and being able to hear a background instrument or vocal that I don't recall hearing before.

So, the question is; are the speakers included with my Alpine fitted '21 Ram 1500 Classic Warlock any better or different than the speakers that have been annoying all these users?

Am I experiencing some early stage of delirium where the truck speakers just sound better to me?

I wish I could transfer this perception to my home surround system which often annoys me with its poor audio performance while listening to certain television series DVDs.

.

There is nothing "wrong" with the Alpine system (other than they aren't actualy Alpine speakers). Some people are very happy with it. If you aren't a stereo guy it will be more than enough. However, if you are a stereo guy and you paid an extra $1000 to get an "Alpine" system, you will be disappointed. Would be better to just get a base 6-speaker system and spend $1000 to upgrade on your own. Just changing out the MOPAR speakers with Infinity or Kenwoood or whatever brand does make a huge difference. But again, it's really kind of being picky. I assume your Warlock has the same blue MOPAR generic speakers as everyone else. If you are satisfied with your current stereo system, it would be a waste of money to mess with it.

 

[Riccochet]

There is nothing "wrong" with the Alpine system (other than they aren't actualy Alpine speakers). Some people are very happy with it. If you aren't a stereo guy it will be more than enough. However, if you are a stereo guy and you paid an extra $1000 to get an "Alpine" system, you will be disappointed. Would be better to just get a base 6-speaker system and spend $1000 to upgrade on your own. Just changing out the MOPAR speakers with Infinity or Kenwoood or whatever brand does make a huge difference. But again, it's really kind of being picky. I assume your Warlock has the same blue MOPAR generic speakers as everyone else. If you are satisfied with your current stereo system, it would be a waste of money to mess with it.

It's not an option in the Laramie and above. I believe the HarmonKardon system is the option at that point.

 

[Mister Luck]

Mitsubishi electric make more sense the ZF isn’t Bavarian why would the speaker's be ?

 

[FL-RAM]

It's not an option in the Laramie and above. I believe the HarmonKardon system is the option at that point.

How much is the HK system option?

 

[Mister Luck]

How much is the HK system option?

All these years and I just remembered why their name is HK. ( Harmon Kardon )

 

[RamDiver]

There is nothing "wrong" with the Alpine system (other than they aren't actualy Alpine speakers). Some people are very happy with it. If you aren't a stereo guy it will be more than enough. However, if you are a stereo guy and you paid an extra $1000 to get an "Alpine" system, you will be disappointed. Would be better to just get a base 6-speaker system and spend $1000 to upgrade on your own. Just changing out the MOPAR speakers with Infinity or Kenwoood or whatever brand does make a huge difference. But again, it's really kind of being picky. I assume your Warlock has the same blue MOPAR generic speakers as everyone else. If you are satisfied with your current stereo system, it would be a waste of money to mess with it.

Having worked in television & IT for several decades, I'm pretty picky about most things relating to audio & video in my life especially if they're not free.

Also, there weren't too many options in January 2022 when I suddenly decided I wanted a new Ram Truck. The discounts on the '21 trucks in January '22 helped ease the expense anxiety.

I did have the Alpine option on my search criteria, however; there were many other more important options on my list that produced this truck.

Upgrading the sound will definitely be long after many other options including leather seats, if ever. That was my point in posting. I don't believe it sounds so bad and I'm surprised at the number of users that sound very dissatisfied.

.

 

[Oliver Closehauf]

Harman is who makes Harmon Kardon, Infinity and JBL, well they are the parent company and own the brands. Kind of like Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth.

You guys have me wondering. I saved the infinity's that came out of my 05, I thought I remember seeing Infinity on them, but I'm going to have to go look...in the morning. I busted my a-s-s all day ripping out a front porch and I'm in my a-s-s groove on the couch now. The only reason I'm getting up is to make another drink.