First post, been trolling for a couple weeks

Just bought a new 2011 and love almost everything so far. The big disappointment is the sound quality of the audio system. The 430N (RHB) head unit is ok, other than still waiting on the code update to fix the BT and USB issues with newer iPhone OS's, but I wish the equalizer was a bit more robust. One setting for low, mid and high just isn't cutting it, which leads me into my question...

Does anyone have REAL specs on the actual speakers and amp? I'm looking for details, like how many watts each speaker can push, dimensions, any rotary controls the amp might have (without ripping open the quarter panel), etc. Everything just sounds muffled with barely any mids highs and I'm trying to figure out if there's anything I can do without having to go after-market. It just sounds......

I've been scouring forums, manufacturer's sites, owner and service manuals and even called Dodge and Alpine, and neither one knew anything more than "9-speakers, 506W". Literally. Dodge didn't even know it was Alpine (branded) stuff. The Alpine person told me to go to the Dodge forums to see if anyone else knew about it...

So, for future reference, here are the details I've been able to dig up, most of which is taken from the original press release from January (just Google it, it's all over the place):

12-channel surround sound amplifier with 506 watts of power
Two 25mm silk dome tweeters in the A pillar
3.5” center channel speaker (center of front dash)
Two 6x9” front door speakers
Two 6.5” rear door surround speakers
Two 2.5” surround speakers in the D pillar
8” DVC subwoofer in dedicated enclosure under the load floor

The extra bits I dug up are from www.ExperienceAlpine.com:

The front center channel is listed as the only "mid" speaker.
The two front 6x9's and the rear 6.5's are all listed as "woofers".
The amp is located in the rear driver's side quarter panel (driver's side of 3rd row seats).

And that's it. What's missing are technical specs. Speaker wattage, 2-way, 3-way, crossovers, etc. My guess is that the 4 door speakers are all 2-way, but in my limited knowledge, doesn't anyone see a problem with having 4 lows and only 1 mid? And I don't understand the "12-channel amp". Aren't car amps usually mono, 2, 4 or 5 channel? The only 12-channel amps I've seen are for home audio systems. Do you think it's really a 4-channel amp with multiple speakers spliced into each channel, so they did like 4x3 and called it "12" to make it sound better in a press release?

Anyway, I'm no audio expert, so I may not really know what I'm talking about, and that's why I'm here. I'm hoping that someone out there has some experience with this new system and can help us out. If anyone has any additional information, please feel free to share.

Thanks for reading!

 

I'd love to know this as well as I was thinking of modding the sub with something that has a higher sensitivity.

 

This is my first post but I may have a simple solution for better sound quality and eq controls. I am currently waiting for mine to be built but I plan on installing this product when it gets here. It is called a JBL MS-8 and it integrates with the stock system to give more control. Audison and Rockford Fosgate make a similar product. Here are the links and youtube has some videos on them.

MS-8
http://www.jbl.com/EN-US/Products/Pa....aspx?PID=MS-8

Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.3
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/produ...3&locale=en_US

Audison Bit One
http://www.audison.eu/index_main.php?Section=BITONE

Hopefully this helps.

 

I am pretty sure the amp has no adjustments available. Also I am sure the 506w rating is pretty inflated not to mention you have 9 speakers so 506 watts is not that much.

I am sure the front center is just a full range speaker but I could be wrong.

I am a car audio psycho so my vehicle will not stay stock for long. The head unit is ok because it has the built in HD. But with the products listed above you can add after market amps and speakers without replacing your head unit or losing its functionality or you can just make it to where you can fine tune the OEM set up.

 

Thanks, I'll have to check that out. I haven't put them in yet, but I got a set of Polk db651s's to replace the 4 door speakers. Pretty inexpensive from Crutchfield and they had a buy one, get 50% off another set going on at the time, so I figured I'd give that a shot to see what happens. I have a feeling most of the "weakness" we're all going to find is trying to drive 9 speakers with only 506 watts. Worse case scenario though is that I'd at least have better speakers to take another step later.

Thanks again. I'll let you know how the speaker change goes.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the only upgrade for purchasing one of these units is just to have more control over the equalizer portion of the audio system?

Thanks.

 

Yes, it helps fine tune the stock system. It makes a huge difference not power wise but efficiency. It also enables you to use a factory head unit with after market amps. You tube one of the products and you can see what they can do. I will be adding one so I can add after market equipment without having to remove my head unit.

 

i would have to agree that the 506 watt system is not what i was hoping for. System is some what weak in alot of areas, mainly with a single dvc 8 inch sub.

 

12 channel amp is likely marketing hype, and only refers to the 12 total speaker drivers (2-ways in the doors).

 

Did anyone try that MS-8?

Pricey but if it works as describes, nice!

IndyD