Kicker Upgrade?

[bluethunder08]

Ok guys, I have an 08 with the Infinity system and it sucks. My Commander with the basic system sounds ten times better. I was thinking of doing the factory Kicker upgrade, (all speakers and amp) and was wondering if anyone else has done this. If so, how did it compare to the Infinity?

 

[Graygoose]

Night an day upgrade. The 4.1 amp and speakers plug directly in, and the 4.1 amp adds TONS of power, while keeping a small chassis. The speakers are very similar to the Kicker KS lineup.

 

[bluethunder08]

So the Infinity amp harness plugs right into the Kicker amp?

 

[Graygoose]

Yes.

 

[FSUNole17]

I don't have the money to do the amp and speakers all at once, if I were to swap the speakers and leave the Infinity amp for a bit, would I notice a difference? I will eventually do both, but will do one or the other first, which would you all recommend?

 

[MADDOG]

You would be better off doing the speakers first.

My experience with the Kicker upgrade amp and speakers in my truck was horrible. As soon as I could afford it, I went another direction. I felt I had wasted the money I spent on the Kicker system.

 

[FSUNole17]

Can you share your experience and why you felt it was a waste? I don't want to spend money on it if it isn't that good. I wish there was a way to hear how they sounded before buying.

Would you say Kicker was a step up from Infinity?

 

[MADDOG]

Surely...

First, let me start off with saying that we all hear a bit differently. What may sound good to me may not sound good to you and vice versa. I enjoy high quality audio and I do realize the limits you will encounter trying to get good sound in a vehicle interior.

The Kicker upgrade sounded weak to me, probably because the amp offered as part of the upgrade is very, very weak compared to what you can get out there on the aftermarket from Kenwood, JL, Audison and others. Now, let's make sure we realize that we are talking about the Kicker MOPAR upgrade and not their other commercially available stuff.

Once I replaced the Kicker amp with a JL Slash Series amp (300/4), it sounded much better but then I realized the speakers were not up to reproducing good sound even though the amp output should have complimented their published specifications.

Bottom line is that aftermarket components available in the mobile audio market sounded a LOT better to me. I gifted the Kicker stuff to a friend who had a base system and no money. Heck, I just had to help her out some.

Would I say the Kicker was a step up form the Infinity? No...it just sounded different but no better. Neither system is what I'd call "quality".

Honestly, I'd recommend you find a good amp to start with. Then build around that.

You can go with speakers first. Just make sure you understand that eventually you are gonna add an amp so don't go cheap on the specs or the speakers. You won't really hear them until you get the amp but it will sound a bit better and that will hold you over until you can afford the amp if ya gotta do this in phases due to finances.

 

[bluethunder08]

HAHA So we have one that says it's great and one for don't do it. Guess I'm back where I started.

 

[MADDOG]

Well, as I said we all hear things differently. The best thing to do is go down to a local audio shop and listen to some speaker and amp combinations. Pick what sounds good to you!

 

[Graygoose]

Well yea, the OEM Mopar kit isnt made to go head to head with aftermarket. It's a small plug and play amp 4.1 that adds more power and you swap out the factory paper wizzed cone speakers. But there is no way you can compare it to an aftermarket JL300.4 amp, that's not comparing apples to apples.
If you want to spend the coin on after market speakers, amp, wiring , interface, subs, sunb box, possible added battery depending on amp draw, then you have a hgher pay out option.

 

[cooltruck]

Anyone know if the stock kicker system can be added to a base audio system? I'm still between just doing the stock kicker stuff or doing a complete aftermarket system. I like the stock head unit is the only reason I would prefer doing the kicker system.

 

[King nothing]

What is the cost on the mopar kicker upgrade? It would seem to me you would spend more on that than aftermarket anyway??

 

[Graygoose]

Anyone know if the stock kicker system can be added to a base audio system? I'm still between just doing the stock kicker stuff or doing a complete aftermarket system. I like the stock head unit is the only reason I would prefer doing the kicker system.

yes it can be added to factory base HU.

 

[cooltruck]

MOPAR

This is the site I was looking for the part numbers and such then I was looking on ebay trying to find it cheaper. It's about the same price but free shipping on ebay on most of it. Otherwise I would go with this setup:

Rear Door: Polk Audio DB651s 6.5in
Front Door: Polk Audio DB691 6x9
Front Dash: Polk Audio DB351 3.5in

I have two amps for the main speakers and I would just run the dash speakers off the head unit which I already have too.

Also it doesn't make sense to me that the base amp costs more than the premium amp on moparsupercenter.com

I think I'm probably going to do the aftermarket setup as it's cheaper and will probably sound better.

Edit:
I would have liked to use my infinity speakers I have from a previous car but they don't fit

 

[Graygoose]

MOPAR

This is the site I was looking for the part numbers and such then I was looking on ebay trying to find it cheaper. It's about the same price but free shipping on ebay on most of it. Otherwise I would go with this setup:

Rear Door: Polk Audio DB651s 6.5in
Front Door: Polk Audio DB691 6x9
Front Dash: Polk Audio DB351 3.5in

I have two amps for the main speakers and I would just run the dash speakers off the head unit which I already have too.

Also it doesn't make sense to me that the base amp costs more than the premium amp on moparsupercenter.com

I think I'm probably going to do the aftermarket setup as it's cheaper and will probably sound better.

Edit:
I would have liked to use my infinity speakers I have from a previous car but they don't fit

Both amps are very similar, one just has different OEM integration features built in the DSP. With aftermarket, you will need amp, wiring, BUS interface, etc. The 4.1 is small and plugs right into factory harness and no issues with warranty.
You may not see it cheap on Ebay, as it's an OEM direct to Mopar dealer, not a mass produced piece.
The 6x9's are very similar to the Kicker KS69's and dash speakers as well. Just small changes to basket/motor to work and be more install friendly.