[rubibluejay]

Originally Posted by gcrv01tj

i think they usually do but since this head unit is made for boats than i dont think they include it. i could be wrong. i will definitely ask when i order it though.

I put your Jeep in the system, and they didn't list the free install stuff. Let them know you're installing it in your Jeep and they might include it.

If this is your first purchase from Crutchfield, and you're spending over $200, here's my referral code for $20 off of your first purchase.

Referral Code
pispw-9ui6k-4qxa9


Jay

[gcrv01tj]

Originally Posted by rubibluejay

I put your Jeep in the system, and they didn't list the free install stuff. Let them know you're installing it in your Jeep and they might include it.

If this is your first purchase from Crutchfield, and you're spending over $200, here's my referral code for $20 off of your first purchase.

Referral Code
pispw-9ui6k-4qxa9


Jay

it is my first purchase
this helps a lot bro.

[rubibluejay]

It's not a lot, but $20 saved is $20 that you can put towards something else. Anyone else that reads this thread, and is planning on buying from Crutchfield (must be $200 or more) for the first time...feel free to use my referral code.


Jay

[gcrv01tj]

Originally Posted by rubibluejay

It's not a lot, but $20 saved is $20 that you can put towards something else. Anyone else that reads this thread, and is planning on buying from Crutchfield (must be $200 or more) for the first time...feel free to use my referral code.


Jay

so this can be used more than once?
like my friends can use this code?
Sweet!

[rubibluejay]

Originally Posted by gcrv01tj

so this can be used more than once?
like my friends can use this code?
Sweet!

Yes, it can be used by anyone who is a first time customer at Crutchfield that is spending $200 or more.


Jay

[rubibluejay]

I just noticed that you are in Virginia. Crutchfield's business is in Charlottesville, Va. The referral code might not work for you, but it can't hurt to try.

Crutchfield Electronics: Save $20 when you send a friend to Crutchfield

I figured I would post the info so everyone knows that I get a store credit if you use my referral code.


Mods, please delete my posts in this thread if it's against JF policy.


Jay

[gcrv01tj]

I have a new question...go figure.
I was showing my parents the setup I wanted to go with in my Wrangler and just about ready to order it for my Christmas present but then during my daily forum reading I found out some new information. I read that you don't want to mix and match speakers for the dash and the sound bar because one will get drained out because of the different frequency ranges or something. Is this really true? I am not trying to win and sound contests or anything but I don't want to waist my money on a set of speakers if I wont hear them. So should I stick with the original plan and get this for the headunit and sound bar speakers this
and this for the dash speakers this.
or should I go a different route?
I was searching the crutchfield website and I found this

[SirGCal]

To make it simple;

You should stick to the same model, if not exact same speakers all the way around for best voice matching and least likely chance of cancellation.

That said; with a TJ, if you're going to run a sub, I'd stick with 5.25" speakers, all matching, in all four corners. Properly powered.

If you're not going to run a sub, then you might opt for a 6.5" in the soundbar just for a touch of extra bass.

However, your idea and existing plan is really not very well thought out. I'll explain why.

You're mixing Sony and Alpine. Not bad alone but not the best mixed. Plus, those Alpine speakers will not work as well without a real amplifier getting them closer to their 50W RMS range.

So you have to decide; are you going to amp them, or not. If not, then stick with speakers rated for NO MORE THAN 35W RMS for use off the head unit. An example, That head unit you were thinking of is only 17W RMS. It won't properly control a high-power capable speaker at volume.

ALSO remember, marine grade simply means; corrosion resistant. NOT water proof in any way. There are some exceptions but that is not what get's them the marine grade stamp. On the flip side, I've had my non-marine grade equipment submerged multiple times. With proper precautions (power removal/drying time), it isn't usually a problem.

And personally, I'd stay away from Sony (and Kenwood), but that's just my personal preference and many people instead choose to use them with much success... But I have my reasons. For head units, Alpine is hard to beat. Plus with their now available power-pack giving you an easily addable 45W RMS x4 true amp with out all of the wiring hassles or large amp to hide, it allows for an easy upgrade path (add the speakers now, the Alpine SPG-13C2 would be a great canidate, head unit later, amp latest; for example. All good as long as the end goal everything is balanced.) Eclipse head are also tops on my list. Everything else follows.

Use the same brand of speaker all the way around. Same model also. And if you're using a sub (or plan to down the road) use the same exact 5.25" speakers all the way around.

That should get you off to a good start.

[gcrv01tj]

Originally Posted by SirGCal

That said; with a TJ, if you're going to run a sub, I'd stick with 5.25" speakers, all matching, in all four corners. Properly powered.

I wasn't planning on running a sub until later but I guess I should go this route to make sure that I keep a balanced sound. Also, you said that I shouldn't get the Alpine speakers because I wouldn't be using them in the RMS range unless I plan on using a amp. I am not planning on buying a amp because I am a poor college student and funds are limited .

I think I am going to try and go with a alpine headunit since you obviously know what you are talking about so what would you get if you were given $250 to spend? Is the "power-pack giving you an easily addable 45W RMS x4 true amp with out all of the wiring hassles or large amp to hide" something affordable? I want to get a balanced sound that is loud enough that I will be able to hear it with the top down. I really don't care if I have hard bass or anything.

[gcrv01tj]

So I have narrowed it down to these two headunits. The only difference I can see is that the more expensive one has Bluetooth and I don't need it for $70 more. Is that really the only difference though? Alpines

[gcrv01tj]

Did some more research and now I think I have narrowed it down to these two different speakers. As long as there is nothing different between these two headunits, besides the Bluetooth, then I am going to get the cheaper one.
Will the Alpine speakers be better with the cheaper headunit or the kickers? I guess it all depends on if the Alpine headunit has that power pack amp thing. I am really just trying to get the best deal for the price.
Thanks again for all of the help. Obviously yall have saved me many hours of research and heartache, not to mention money, with yalls advice.

[rubibluejay]

Two questions...

Do you have to purchase from Crutchfield?

Is the $250 you have to spend for head unit & speakers?

Don't let SirGCal's personal opinions steer you away from Kenwood. Just the same, don't let my personal opinions of Kenwood steer you away from Alpine, Eclipse, Pioneer, etc. Do some research on the equipment. Find out what they offer for their price point. Ask questions if/when you need clarification of the options between different brands.

Jay

[gcrv01tj]

Originally Posted by rubibluejay

Two questions...

Do you have to purchase from Crutchfield?

Is the $250 you have to spend for head unit & speakers?

Don't let SirGCal's personal opinions steer you away from Kenwood. Just the same, don't let my personal opinions of Kenwood steer you away from Alpine, Eclipse, Pioneer, etc. Do some research on the equipment. Find out what they offer for their price point. Ask questions if/when you need clarification of the options between different brands.

Jay

I would like to purchase from Crutchfield because his son goes to my college and I would like to support them. If there is a better deal out there than let me know though. I just like how they include everything you need on most of the stuff they sell.
The $250 is for everything but I don't mind purchasing in steps if it is necessary. Like get the more expensive headunit now and then the speakers later.
All the research I have been doing is really just customer reviews and I would say most of the people who leave the reviews are not really qualified to. I figure SirGCal is more qualified than them but I am open for advice and if two people were to have different opinions and they are both qualified then I will flip a coin to decide. Seems to have worked well in the past for me at least.
So are you a Kenwood fan? Pros/cons?

[gcrv01tj]

thanks

[SirGCal]

You can go wood. they can last a lifetime.... Or they can crap out in a week and have a lifetime of poor sound. They get binned cheaper parts. Basically the reason Alpine and others are more expensive for the same options is they pay a premium for top bin parts. Much less likely to fail and more likely to be overbuilt. If you're into computers; you might know that most CPUs are actually the exact same parts through part of the product line. But the best binned parts can run stable at hotter speeds, thus making them more valuable (and considerably more expensive). So two chips, even off the same wafer, can easily be sold as different product in the end, one faster than the other. That's just an example of the process. Similarly, that's why overclockers of computers get varying results. With the exact same setup, one guy might get a whole lot more performance than the next guy can keep it stable at, simply from the luck of the draw during purchasing.

The reason Kenwoods and other similar brands are cheaper with the same features is they take what's left after the top tier companies get their pick of the litter. Same parts but slightly more questionable... I work for a company that makes these parts so I have intimate knowledge of how this binning process works. That's simply why I prefer Alpine and Eclipse. But also why I try to state clearly, people love the others also and many people have great luck with them. Being in the industry for so long though, I've seen the historical failure rate and many of them are far higher up on the list. That's not to say Alpines don't fail too. Everything fails sometimes. It's just what are the chances. I don't want to make a huge post about it so I hope this simple paragraph gives you the idea. It's not really just a name you're buying.

The power block isn't cheaper than an amp; however it is much smaller and FAR easier to wire. However, it also ONLY works on Alpine head units. AND; Just because it's Alpine does NOT mean it has to be expensive. There are $120 Alpines. The power pack is the Alpine KTP-445 retailing for $120 also. You can easily add it later.

An example; recently a guy around here dropped in an Alpine CDE-102 ($130 right now from Crutchfield) and the KTP-445 Power Pack in to his Jeep with those Alpine speakers you first linked. Sounds great! You, for example, could do the head and speakers now, even though they're underpowered for a bit, and add the power pack later when the budget allows. That would be your start for around $250 for head and speakers. Again, just one of tons of examples...

Another popular Jeep option lately is the Alpine iDA-X303 which does not have CD. Digital only. (no skipping, but everyone has MP3's now right...) Bit more expensive but it's catching on great and popular in skip-prone bumpy vehicles like ours (even the best units will skip from time to time playing a CD unless you never go offroad or over a serious speed hump).

You could turn right around and do the same thing with almost any brand; accept for the continence of the power pack as solid, cheap, easy to hide amplification. I hear Panasonic is working on something similar but that's the only one I've heard bout so far and it's not out yet to my knowledge.