Factory Audio upgrade option questions

8378 Views 10 Replies 6 Participants Last post by TooByFoor, Feb 25, 2016

RAMblinMan

Discussion Starter · Feb 19, 2016

I'm just starting to look at the Rebel and have not test driven one yet. I'm still riding around in my old 04 Hemi Quad Cab where I have replaced the head unit with a double din touch screen feeding the factory Infinity amp and speakers and then added a 10" sub box under the rear seat. I am a big SAT radio user but I just Bluetooth my SAT radio app on my iPhone through the head unit for now. What I'm not a huge fan of is built in navigation systems - mostly because of the costly map updates and the lack of ability to control them when the vehicle is not in Park. But if I have to purchase the Nav option to get the better audio system, I will do it. I did similar on the Honda Accord V6 I bought for my wife.

I'm looking for input on what the Rebels come with standard as far as an audio system and what upgrades/options are available and whether or not they are worth it. It seems like I saw an option for an Alpine speaker setup with a subwoofer. How does it sound? I don't care for ear-bleeding loudness but more for sound quality. Back when head units and dash bezels were less complicated, the easy answer was to just by the standard system and replace it with your system of choice. I suppose that is still an option but perhaps a bit more pricey. And with factory systems often sounding a lot better than the older days, maybe aftermarket is not necessary. Thoughts anyone?

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Circuitjc

· #2 · Feb 19, 2016

As far as I understand you are not going to swap out the head unit in a modern vehicle anymore. They are integrated into the CANBUS system and control a lot more than just your entertainment system. RAM has an upgraded audio option which is the Alpine speakers and sub. A few people have changed the speakers and others have also added a multi-channel EQ/amp/processor to augment the sound.

uConnect has Sirius/XM built in. I don't use it since I don't like the crappy audio quality that the compression in the satellite stream induces. Sirius/XM also doesn't offer the music I usually listen to. They are for mainstream listeners and I hate commercials on something I subscribe to already. I am like you in that I like quality over quantity. For loudness I am happy with being able to hear it on the highway with the windows down. I stream music from my phone using bluetooth and even with the bluetooth compression it sounds much better than anything Sirius/XM can offer.

There are people that have hacked the uConnect software and offer the ability to change the vehicle software to add/change functionality and inputs.

I'm sure someone else will be able to add to this. Opinions on sound quality vary greatly since it's all relative.

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RAMblinMan

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 19, 2016

I should have clarified that I listen to a lot of talk radio and news on SAT radio. For music, I much prefer to play what I choose from my phone. I'm not super happy with what I have in my old truck now but it's way better than what the truck came with originally.

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NOTYALC

· #4 · Feb 19, 2016 (Edited)

I have the Uconnect 5.0 with the alpine system and sub and sounds great! I had a 2014 sport with the 8.4 and I actually like the set up I have now better to be completely honest. And my 5.0 also has Sirius sat radio as well.

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RAMblinMan

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 19, 2016

I went to the Ram website and built my own Rebel. 52 grand and change. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the head units and speakers were all separate options that could be configured individually instead of, for example, having to pay for the Nav to get the 8.4, or to get the speaker upgrade, etc.

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Circuitjc

· #6 · Feb 19, 2016

Yeah. Embedded nav in vehicles has a long way to go to keep up with a constantly updatable system on an internet connected cell phone. I got nav for when I'm in the US with no cell service. I use my phone for everything in my vehicle. Real time traffic info is incredibly useful and I've had Google Navigation reroute me around accidents and traffic automatically more than once.

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QCGuy

· #7 · Feb 20, 2016

A money saving idea.

Just a thought, don't get the 8.4 radio with the maps, buy a Garmin Drive 50 LMT for 169.00 with the sand bag mount for another 24.00 and save yourself a ton of money and you get lifetime map updates.

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RAMblinMan

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 20, 2016

I would probably get the 8.4 without the nav now that I know I can. I already own several Garmin units with LMT and have a sandbag mount as well.

Short of ordering a specific truck, though, my bet is that anything they find that is equipped pretty close to what I want is going to already have the nav option. No big deal. My current truck was ideally equipped for me right on the lot but it had adjustable pedals. I would have never ordered those and never use them. But it was close enough considering alternatives.

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Circuitjc

· #9 · Feb 20, 2016

RAMblinMan said:
Short of ordering a specific truck, though, my bet is that anything they find that is equipped pretty close to what I want is going to already have the nav option.

With the 8.4" uConnect they all come with nav in the software. It is a dealer unlocked feature so it is up to the dealer if they unlock it or not. If they can unlock it they might be able to lock it again and then you save.

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IronRebel

· #10 · Feb 25, 2016

Circuitjc said:
With the 8.4" uConnect they all come with nav in the software. It is a dealer unlocked feature so it is up to the dealer if they unlock it or not. If they can unlock it they might be able to lock it again and then you save.

It is not something that the dealer can just lock it is 8.4A or 8.4AN the N stands for Nav and is actually a different system that allowes 3d maps where just the 8.4A does not. The dealer can download the Nav from Chrysler but it does cost ~$600 that is not up charged from the dealer. You can just not use it if you do not want to and now with the Drag and Drop Feature you can just take it off the menu bar so you do not see it.

Plus if you get the 8.4AN you get a 12 month subscription to U Connect which is worth it to me.

AJ

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TooByFoor

· #11 · Feb 25, 2016

8.4AN also gets you HD radio. If you have NAV unlocked at the dealer on the 8.4A, you do NOT get HD radio. I learned this after I bought mine.

The Alpine is decent, and worth the upgrade IMO. Better than the typical stock, but by no means as good as you'd get from the aftermarket systems we used to be able to put in our vehicles.

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