Premium Sound Dilemma

[misuracaf10]

Hey guys, New member here! just have a few questions about the premium sound system. i am buying a 2014 1500, would like the premium sound and in a few years eventually add more wattage and better aftermarket speakers. but i talked to an audio mechanic and he told me that there is not much you can do to upgrade the premium sound because of how the factory amps are setup. Does anyone know anymore about this and what my limitations will be?
also how much power are going to those speakers and sub anyways? all i know is that it is an alpine setup.
appreciate all the help guys!
Frank

 

[Etroze86]

You will more than likely end up gutting the whole system if you are getting serious about audio.

 

[baum]

keep in mind that the alpine setup from the factory is nothing like an alpine setup you can by aftermarket. IMO i would opt out of the factory alpine and save that money and down the road upgrade the stereo then.

 

[kris319]

Upgrading is basically limited to just better speakers. The front door speakers aren't full range and I believe the center speaker is a combination of the left and right audio signal.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using Tapatalk

 

[smiley]

I could be wrong but I feel the Alpine and the standard sound about the same anyway. My Dad has a Big Horn with standard and it sounds nice. I have Laramie with Alpine it sounds okay but not as good as Infinity sounds like nearly all my vehicles I had in the past. To each there own but to me the Alpine was just part of the package I would not care if I did not have it.

 

[Etroze86]

I personally thought the Infinity was many steps above the Alpine upgrade as well.

 

[smiley]

It is a hollow sound with Alpine I can't really explain. Not as loud either I have to turn up more to compare to the old infinity golds. I am not sure why Dodge has experimented with so many brands. Boston, Kicker, no label, Beats and my classic favorite Infinity. There could be more I lost track. Reality is if you get one if the more loaded trims such as Laramie or above you will have Alpine wether you want them or not.

 

[Etroze86]

Right I know back in the day we used to pull the infinity 6x9s out of junked vehicles for cheap upgrades and they worked great.

 

[RyanJM]

I was looking around when I bought my 13 and the alpine didn't impress me enough to pay the extra money. I would rather spend the $1100 for the new kicker power stage with that mounts in the back with a sub and a 4 channel amp for the rest of the truck.

 

[Badger203]

The way the system is designed in the new trucks integrates the HU for a lot of functions. And it is hard to remove and even harder to add aftermarket equipment.

The issues you will encounter with the Premium System are as follows:

1. The system uses a CanBus signal between the HU and the amp. That means when you turn the volume knob, the signal from the HU to the amp doesn't change; rather a signal goes over the CanBus to the amp telling it to increase volume. If you are planning to add aftermarket equipment you will not be able to get full frequency signal from between the HU and AMP. The signal is fixed and does not increase or decrease with the volume knob. No one has come up with module yet to capture the HU signal and CanBus data.

2. There are no full signal speakers in the truck. There appears to be a crossover built in to the amp; so you get mids from the door and tweets from the dash. The rear doors appear to be close to full signal; but, to prevent customers from blowing speakers; anything below about 50hz is attenuated. (That's my guess; some folks have done RTA graphs and there appears to be a big fall off around 50hz.)

3. The Premium System has 2ohm speakers on the end. So, if you get the Premium System and decide to "upgrade" the speakers; if you get 4 ohm speakers (most common) you will see a decrease in volume. Many users report changing the speakers and having good results; but, depending on what you are going for; just be aware of the load change.

4. Removing the factory HU will require getting the truck flashed since the CanBus will be missing the factory HU. I suppose if you don't mind replacing the head you can go this route; but, I didn't want to lose the factory HU and my build will have to address the problems I just mentioned; plus the ones I haven't found yet.

I am not familiar with "non premium" system characteristics; but, if you are planning on "upgrading" the premium system; plan on getting your wallet out and doing a full install that includes a DSP that will rebuild a flat full signal and then going out to amps etc.

 

[ncgatorram]

I think the only way to get good sound out of the factory head unit would be to add a digital signal processor (i.e. JL AUDIO Cleansweep or Kicker front row) to all channels, upgrade to component speakers and subs (w/ good enclosure) and add amps to power all the new after market speakers.

I almost went that route but decided to get a high end pioneer HU instead of adding muliple DSPs. I'm glad I did because the new HU has a ton more functionality than factory HU. You have more control over the frequencies and better integration with mobile phone.

Either way you will have to spend a good amount of money, $2,000 plus on the equipment to get a sound that

 

[rpr]

I almost went that route but decided to get a high end pioneer HU instead of adding muliple DSPs. I'm glad I did because the new HU has a ton more functionality than factory HU. You have more control over the frequencies and better integration with mobile phone.

Did you lose any control over the integrated functions in the stock HU (i.e.: seat and ventilation controls), or were they not present on the 2011 models.

I believe you will lose those controls on the 2014's.

 

[14hemiexpress]

If you are going to do some serious upgrades like amplified door speakers and multiple subs save your money and don't get the alpine. If you just simple upgrades door speakers or components I say go with the alpine. There is no reason to get rid of the 8.4 head unit in my opinion the aftermarket has done a good job at adapting aftermarket amps to the factory systems IMO.

 

[ncgatorram]

Did you lose any control over the integrated functions in the stock HU (i.e.: seat and ventilation controls), or were they not present on the 2011 models.

I believe you will lose those controls on the 2014's.

2011 doesn't have those controls with stock head unit

 

[THETANK]

I must be a freak as the Alpine in my 2 door Sport sounds just fine, I do not turn it up over 25 though.