Jeep Wrangler Audio Upgrades And More For Westminster Client

A repeat client from Westminster, Maryland, came to Westminster Speed & Sound with his new 2015 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, looking for a complete audio upgrade. We had done his previous Jeep, so we already had some ideas about what he was going to want. This new Jeep had the exterior completely Rhino coated, giving it a sinister, all-business look. After spending significant time listening to his goals and ideas, we worked up a solution for the client. He liked our idea, so we set up an installation appointment to do the work.

Smartphone Integration Update With Pioneer Radio

The factory radio was lacking in features the client was looking for.

We swapped the limited factory radio for a full featured Pioneer touch screen radio.

In addition to being able to use a backup camera the Pioneer also gives the client full smartphone integration.

While we don’t often change the stereo system in the dash of a vehicle any more, this particular Jeep had the base model radio that was sorely lacking in smartphone integration. This was very important to our client. We opted to install a Pioneer AVH4100NEX unit in the dash because it does a great job of integrating with either an iPhone or Android phone. We integrated the steering wheel controls with the Pioneer unit and reused the factory SiriusXM antenna as well.

USB And Subwoofer Level Control At Fingertip Convenience

Whenever we are doing an installation at Westminster Speed & Sound, our design focus is making the integration easy to operate. For this reason, we installed the USB port on the front of the console, flushing it into a convenient spot. We also mounted the bass level control knob for the amplifier in the same area, so the client could easily adjust the amount of bass in the music.

Jeep Wrangler Backup Camera Solution

Almost invisible from a distance, the backup camera enhances the backing safety of this Jeep.

A closer look reveals the backup camera mounted between the spokes of the spare tire!

As this Jeep sat noticeably higher than a stock one, blind spots were surely an issue, so a backup camera was in order. As you can see in the pictures, we installed a rearview camera on a custom mount behind the spare tire for a clean, stealth look.

Audison Speakers For A Great Sounding Front Stage In Our Jeep Wrangler Audio Upgrade

A comparison between the old factory speaker and the new Audison Midrange. What a difference!!

Our technicians careful angled the front tweeters for optimal accousitc benefits.

With the factory grill installed the tweeters still sound great, but are now safely concealed.

We wanted to keep the interior looking as stock as possible, so we used the original speaker locations and kept the stock grills intact. For the front of the vehicle, we chose Audison APK165 components, which use a 6.5” woofer and a 1” tweeter. We installed the woofer in the factory locations in the lower dash, and the tweeters behind the grills on top of the dash. Our installation team spent time on aiming the tweeters up and in to improve the imaging of the sound.  This is an example of a simple modification we do that pays off significantly in sound quality.

Rear Seat Passengers Now Enjoy Better Sound With Audison Coaxial Speakers

Audison Coaxial speakers take the place of the anemic factory speaker.

In keeping with the stock look, the OEM grill was again utilized.

When it came time for rear speakers, we went back to Audison, choosing the APX65 6.5” coaxial speakers, and installed them in the overhead sound bar. And just as with the front speakers, we used the stock speaker grills.

Dual JL Audio Stealthboxes Provide LOTS Of Bass

The JL Audio Stealthboxes sit on the wheel arch and take up virtually no useable storage space.

Dueling JL Audio Stealthboxes each contain a 10″ subwoofer and fill the Jeep cabin with plenty of bass.

Any great-sounding car audio system needs bass, and this particular client is a drummer, so we had to deliver hard-hitting, accurate bass, or we knew he wouldn’t be happy. JL Audio makes a Stealthbox for the Wrangler Unlimited that can be bought as a single unit or a pair can be used for maximum output,. Of course, for this application, we used the pair. The Stealthboxes get installed on top of the wheel wells, right behind the rear seat, so there is no loss of cargo capacity. Each unit comes equipped with a JL Audio 10TW1 10” subwoofer, with an integrated grill for protection.

JL Audio Amplifier Provides Massive Power In A Compact Chassis

The storage space under the cargo tray in the Jeep floor provides plenty of room for the JL Audio amplifier

This JL Audio amplifier powers the whole system in a package not much bigger than a Bible.

The modern Jeep has a storage well under the rear floor that is perfect for amplifiers. We chose a JL Audio XD1000/5v2 amplifier for its combination of power, size and clarity. The subwoofers get 600 watts of clean power, while each of the front and rear speakers gets 75 watts of power. The technology inside this amplifier makes it a very efficient design, allowing for lots of power while not overloading the charging system.

Dark Matter Film And Towing Accessories Round Out This Total Package

While the vehicle was in our shop, we added a hitch and trailer wiring plug so he could use his bike rack, or tow anything he desired. We also tinted the front windows in our Dark Matter film to match the rest of the windows in the Jeep.

When the client came to pick up his Wrangler, he was speechless. He loved how well everything was integrated, looking like Jeep made it that way. But the sound was what sold him. The bass was hard-hitting and tight, just like a kickdrum should be. The vocals came shining through as if the band was right in front of him. We spent lots of time on fine-tuning the sound system to bring out all of the nuances of the music. We figure if you are going to pay good money for an audio upgrade, you should get every last ounce of sound quality possible. That is the Westminster Speed & Sound way.

If you own a vehicle and are unhappy with the way it sounds, we invite you to stop by our facility and get to know us better. We will work one on one with you to design and build an audio system that will fit your unique needs.

You can also contact us here for more information about any of our products and services.