Upgrading audio

[Kpetrone]

so I find the factory sound in my 15 express to be lacking. I’m not a sub guy I’m more of a super loud clean no distortion kind of guy. I’m not an audio guy by any means so any recommendations would be helpful. Is an amp required? Or will better quality speakers do the trick alone? Thank you.

 

[CincyCuda68]

so I find the factory sound in my 15 express to be lacking. I’m not a sub guy I’m more of a super loud clean no distortion kind of guy. I’m not an audio guy by any means so any recommendations would be helpful. Is an amp required? Or will better quality speakers do the trick alone? Thank you.

I changed all my speakers in my 2018 to kicker added a small sub under the seat and it made a world of difference, all together I had less than $500 in it. I bought it all on amazon with the connectors that connect to factory wiring. Imo the small sub was needed to give it a little low end but by no means is my truck “booming”.

Rockville RW10CA 10" 800 Watt... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019Z3R582?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Kicker 41DSC693 D-Series Coaxial 3-Way Speaker with 1/2" Tweeter & 2" Mid Metra 72-6514 Speaker Harness for Select Chrysler/Dodge Vehicles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C35LFY7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TC2OCb2VR4EF8

Pair Kicker 40CS354 3.5" 3-1/2"... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGRMED2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[Kpetrone]

I changed all my speakers in my 2018 to kicker added a small sub under the seat and it made a world of difference, all together I had less than $500 in it. I bought it all on amazon with the connectors that connect to factory wiring. Imo the small sub was needed to give it a little low end but by no means is my truck “booming”.

Rockville RW10CA 10" 800 Watt... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019Z3R582?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Kicker 41DSC693 D-Series Coaxial 3-Way Speaker with 1/2" Tweeter & 2" Mid Metra 72-6514 Speaker Harness for Select Chrysler/Dodge Vehicles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C35LFY7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TC2OCb2VR4EF8

Pair Kicker 40CS354 3.5" 3-1/2"... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGRMED2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Sweet thanks for the info! Is it much louder than compared to stock setup? I’m looking for that clean loud sound

 

[CincyCuda68]

Sweet thanks for the info! Is it much louder than compared to stock setup? I’m looking for that clean loud sound

Yes, the whole reason I did it was that factory speakers I couldn’t hear with windows down. The kickers are more clear at higher volume and the sub gave it a little punch.

 

[Kpetrone]

Just out of curiosity why is the stock system so weak?

 

[ErnieBoling]

Just out of curiosity why is the stock system so weak?

Low end trucks have low end systems. They put in just enough to say it has a stereo. Keeps costs down for entry level truck buyers who just need a basic truck for basic functions. But that is not to say the "Premium" systems are any better. I replaced every speaker in my "Alpine" system in my Laramie Longhorn.

 

[6speedcummins]

I have the 5.0 radio with non-Apline system. I replaced all of my speakers with the Kicker-Mopar upgrades. Night and day sound difference. They are very clear, great highs and good low end in the 6"x9"s.

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215414.html (Front)

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215415.html (Rear)

All together you're looking at about $250, plug and play.

 

[Silverfish]

I changed all my speakers in my 2018 to kicker added a small sub under the seat and it made a world of difference, all together I had less than $500 in it. I bought it all on amazon with the connectors that connect to factory wiring. Imo the small sub was needed to give it a little low end but by no means is my truck “booming”.

Rockville RW10CA 10" 800 Watt... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019Z3R582?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Kicker 41DSC693 D-Series Coaxial 3-Way Speaker with 1/2" Tweeter & 2" Mid Metra 72-6514 Speaker Harness for Select Chrysler/Dodge Vehicles https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07C35LFY7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_TC2OCb2VR4EF8

Pair Kicker 40CS354 3.5" 3-1/2"... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGRMED2?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

How do you like that Rockville sub setup? Did you just tap the rear door speaker wires for it or did you ad a LOC? What seat did you put it under?

 

[Graygoose]

@6speedcummins system outlined will add a much better sound, simple plug in. And you can always add a smaller amp to power them, but even off the radio will be an upgrade.

 

[McBroom]

Following. I’ve got the 5.0 RA2 radio and want to upgrade the sound also but I’m not an automotive electrician by no means.
I’d prefer not buying an aftermarket head unit. Although if they made it with apple car play it would be F***N awesome.
What’s the best and cheapest options. (Fixed income)


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 4x4 C/C
Tradesman Power Wagon

 

[Graygoose]

swapping to an 8.4 with carplay, a 2018/2019 old body style radio?

 

[nathan_h]

I have the 5.0 radio with non-Apline system. I replaced all of my speakers with the Kicker-Mopar upgrades. Night and day sound difference. They are very clear, great highs and good low end in the 6"x9"s.

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215414.html (Front)

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215415.html (Rear)

All together you're looking at about $250, plug and play.

Those front speakers look worthwhile.

They also seem to imply there is already a crossover either at the factory headunit or somewhere else, so that the dash speakers don't get bass and the door speakers don't get high frequencies?

(I have the uConnect 4C system / 8" screen / six speakers base setup.)

 

[Graygoose]

@nathan_h correct, plug and play.

 

[stimpy433]

I have the 5.0 radio with non-Apline system. I replaced all of my speakers with the Kicker-Mopar upgrades. Night and day sound difference. They are very clear, great highs and good low end in the 6"x9"s.

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215414.html (Front)

https://www.allmoparparts.com/sku/82215415.html (Rear)

All together you're looking at about $250, plug and play.

I just in the process of installing these speakers... so far I have the tweeters and doors speakers in and boy does it make a big difference!!!! I'm going to install the read speakers tonight after work. Everything is plug n play and is worth the upgrade for someone wanting better sound without going all crazy.

 

[nathan_h]

Very interesting. I'm so tempted to get something off Crutchfield, thinking it will be better, but at the very least I know I'd need to account for the factory expectation that the tweeter is 8ohm but just about every after market speaker in the world is 4ohms or less.

 

[stimpy433]

Very interesting. I'm so tempted to get something off Crutchfield, thinking it will be better, but at the very least I know I'd need to account for the factory expectation that the tweeter is 8ohm but just about every after market speaker in the world is 4ohms or less.

Yeah, I debated back and forward to get these or order something off Crutchfield.... I finally decided these are made to work with the goofy 8ohm setup. I've heard people say aftermarket 3.5" speakers are so overpowering, so then you need to wire in a resistor.... didn't want the hassle to OEM Kicker for me. I had the OEM Kicker upgrade in my Challenger along with the factory sub and it was a nice upgrade.

 

[abouttobeglue]

I put the kicker mopar speakers in shortly after I got my truck, huge improvement. Ordered me a new kenwood head unit from crutchfield. Should be here in a few days. Here's what I ordered, thought about touch screen and GPS, but I like buttons.

 

[nathan_h]

I'm pretty okay with the head unit (on mine, it's the 8" screen) but suspect it might benefit from the addition of an amp, if I go with aftermarket speakers. I'm assuming it is directly driving the six OEM speakers with its own amplification, at present.

Im thinking that if I cannot find some examples of aftermarket upgrade best practices that retain the OEM head unit I may follow the path of the Kicker MOPAR approach.

 

[stimpy433]

Just finished my 6 speaker oem kicker upgrade and it sounds great!!!

 

[HuskerRam]

Just finished my 6 speaker oem kicker upgrade and it sounds great!!!

Hate to resurrect an old post...

Does the Mopar/Kicker upgrade make a big difference? Are you still happy with the results?