As a first step for upgrading my 2014 Jeep Patriot’s audio
system, I decided to start by replacing the door speakers and deciding on a
subwoofer. I prefer to start any install by selecting speakers so I can
determine the best combination of equipment, within my budget, to properly
power them. In this article, I will reveal the speaker line-up I selected,
discuss the installation process, and give my initial impressions of my
selection. I will also provide links to products from major online retailers. I
have found it is worth shopping around as car audio prices fluctuate constantly
and also vary from retailer to retailer for the same exact SKU.
Speaker Line Up
Front Speakers
My goal for the front speakers was to task them with
focusing on midrange vocals. I also wanted brilliant highs without the
screaming shrill sound you get from some tweeters. To keep installation simple,
I passed on component speakers and went with a pair of two-way speakers from Rockford
Fosgate’s Prime series, the 6 x 9 model R169X2.
These speakers sounded great…eventually. Honestly, the stock radio just did not
produce enough wattage to power these speakers properly. At times, the sound
was worse than the stock speakers. More on the sound test in a bit.
On the first installation attempt only 3 of the mounting
holes lined up perfectly. With a little patience, I got all four to fit by
getting all four screws started before tightening. This may have caused one or
two screws to go in at a slight angle, but I tested reinstalling the factory
speakers and had no problem with the original screw holes. Another option would
be drilling an additional hole for one of the screws. It is important to pay
attention to where each screw came from. The 2014 Patriot uses 2 different size
screws for each speaker and where you reinstall them matters. Mounting depth
and tweeter protrusion are not an issue. Other than one mounting hole being
slightly off, the R129X2 fit like a glove in the Patriot.
Rear Speakers
For the rear doors, I picked up a pair of Kicker CS series speakers model 43CSC6934. I
wanted a little more bass and mids than the Rockford Fosgates in the front in
order to get the full concert sound I was looking for and to make a smooth
transition to the subwoofer I eventually install in the cargo area. The
materials used are far superior to stock speakers. Looking at the metal basket
the first thing that comes to mind is heavy-duty, cast-iron skillet. Here are
images of the Kicker next to a stock speaker and the contents of the Kicker box.
According to Crutchfield this speaker does not fit in the
Patriot while Kicker’s website stated it does. On the first attempt only 2
mounting holes fit perfectly. As with the front speakers, I was able to use all
four factory screws by getting them all started before tightening. The fit is
very snug in the factory speaker cavity, but they did fit. These speakers seat
just fine and the large magnet in the rear did not cause a mounting depth
problem.
Kicker
| Amazon
| Best
Buy | Crutchfield
Subwoofer
To round out my speaker selection, I chose the Kicker CompC
12” subwoofer. This speaker is new for 2017 and will be my first personal
experience with a Kicker subwoofer and also a single subwoofer setup. Since the
patriot is already limited on space and I would prefer to have access to the
cargo area without needing to remove the subwoofer. I also took into
consideration that the cargo and seating area share the same air space so a
second subwoofer may not be necessary to achieve my goal.
Installation
Factory Speaker Grill
Installation of speakers in both the front and rear are
relatively easy as it is not necessary to disassemble the entire door panel.
Simply loosen and remove the factory speaker grill/cover then remove the four
screws holding the factory speaker in place. The factory grill cover snaps back
into place easily and allows some room for speakers that may have protruding
tweeters.
Factory Speaker Harness
One of the first considerations I had to make when
installing the door speakers was how to deal with the factory speaker harness.
I initially considered preserving the factory connector by using Metra speaker
harnesses. I found these harnesses impossible to find locally in my area. I
tried to buy a set at a local car audio shop and the staff seemed offended that
I considered installing speakers using any method other than soldering. I was
eventually sold a large fist full of assorted T-Taps for $5 and sent on my way.
The T-Taps got everything up and running, as shown below, and even preserved
the factory harness, but may not be the best option.
After being in use for a few weeks, I noticed the left front
speaker sounded a little off and also produced a rattle that wasn’t there when
the factory speakers were in place. I took the speaker out and found one of the
T-Tap connections had become loose. Considering I never plan on going back to
factory speakers, and if I ever sold the Jeep I would sell the speakers along
with it, I decided to cut the factory harness off and solder the wires
together. I left enough wire on the connector to reinstall if choose to do so.
The end result was a better connection (better sound) and no rattling
connectors behind the speakers. Whatever connection method you decide on, be
sure to ensure the wires are secured well enough to prevent touching other
wires or metal.
Factory Mounting/Screw Holes
As already mentioned, the factory mounting holes and the
holes on both the Rockford Fosgate are slightly off. This can be simply
resolved by starting all four of the screws on each speaker before tightening down.
If you prefer to not risk a screw going in at an angle, there is enough room to
drill new holes to accommodate your new speakers.
First Impressions
For my first sound test with all four door speakers
connected I installed a Kenwood head unit that outputs 55 watts max. The
factory radio just does not have enough power on board to properly power the
speakers. I must admit, when I first connected the aftermarket stereo to power
the Rockford Fosgate and Kicker 6X9s, I did not expect much since each of these
speakers have much higher RMS power. I was in my garage and started by testing Open Up My Heart by Yolanda Adams. The
highs and natural voice tones of this track sent chills through my body. My 10-year-old
daughter, who was also in the garage, had a look of awe after the first measure
of the song. I followed this test by listening to a few intensive bass tracks
where the Kicker speakers really held their own and at times sounded like
subwoofers. Overall, I was very pleased with the door speaker’s performance and
expect amplification will really allow these speakers to shine. I was also
impressed with how well the Rockford Fosgate and Kicker speakers play well together.
After the test in the garage, I took the Patriot out for a
road test. The sound I experienced in the garage quickly diminished when I hit
the open highway. The sound is still far better than stock, but additional
amplification, sound deadening of the doors, and installation of the subwoofer
should greatly improve sound performance and volume.
No comments:
Post a Comment