Whether you’re cruising down country backroads or scaling rocky trails, having great sound in your Jeep Wrangler makes every journey more epic. But can you really upgrade the audio in your Wrangler? The short answer is yes – with the right speakers and gear, you can easily enhance your Jeep’s sound for a more immersive listening experience on and off the road.

In this detailed guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about upgrading your Wrangler’s sound system. You’ll learn how to choose the optimal speakers for different locations in your Jeep, from door speakers to sound bars and subwoofers. We’ll also provide specific product recommendations, tips for installing new speakers yourself or hiring a pro, and answer frequently asked questions about Jeep Wrangler speaker upgrades.

Let’s start by looking at why upgrading your stock speakers is worth the investment.

Why Upgrade the Speakers in Your Jeep Wrangler?

The factory speakers in most Jeep Wrangler models leave much to be desired in terms of sound quality and volume. The paper cone speakers lack bass and clarity, quickly distort at higher volumes, and offer an underwhelming audio experience overall. Upgrading provides several benefits:

• Improved Audio Quality: Aftermarket speakers with polypropylene, molded plastic, or metal speaker cones deliver clearer, crisper sound across the frequency range.
• Increased Volume and Bass: More powerful speakers with greater power handling deliver louder audio with enhanced bass you can feel.
• Bluetooth Connectivity: Many aftermarket speakers have built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming and hands-free calling.
• Weather Resistance: Upgraded speakers are designed to withstand weather elements like rain and snow better than factory units.
• Customizable Experience: You can craft an audio system tailored to your needs and style, from subtle enhancements to complete immersive surround sound.
• Greater Enjoyment: Whether commuting or off-roading, upgraded sound helps you get the most out of your time behind the wheel.

Now that you know the benefits, let’s explore how to select the optimal speakers to transform your Jeep Wrangler’s audio.

How to Choose the Best Speakers for Your Jeep Wrangler?

With so many speaker options on the market, it can be tricky determining which ones fit your Wrangler and audio preferences best. Follow these tips for choosing the right speaker upgrades:

Match the Factory Speaker Size

For a straightforward install, choose new speakers that match the sizing of your factory units. Consult your owner’s manual or an online guide for your Jeep model year to verify sizes. Most Wranglers use the following sizes:

• Front Doors: 6.5″ or 5.25″ round two-way component speakers
• Sound Bar: 4″ or 5.25″ round full-range speakers
• Rear: 6×9″ or 6.5″ coaxial speakers

You can go slightly smaller but avoid significantly larger speakers that require custom mounting.

Consider Speaker Location and Orientation

Are you upgrading the front door speakers, sound bar speakers, or rear speakers? Each location has different size constraints and audio roles.

Front door speakers are the most crucial for overall balance, clarity and staging. Look at component systems with separate tweeters and woofers for the best quality.

Sound bar speakers fill in the midrange frequencies. Full-range coaxial speakers work well here.

For deep bass, adding a powered subwoofer is recommended.

Choose an Appropriate Power Handling Range

Higher power handling lets speakers play louder without distortion. For most upgraded Jeep systems, look for:

• Front doors: 50 to 200 watts per speaker
• Sound bar: 150 to 200 watts total
• Subwoofer: At least 500 watts RMS

Also ensure the speaker impedance matches your stereo – typically 4 ohms.

Consider Sensitivity Rating

Speaker sensitivity indicates how efficiently they convert power from the stereo into acoustic volume. Look for ratings of 90 dB or higher for loud, clear playback.

Seek Durable, Weather-Resistant Speakers

Jeep speakers get subjected to water, dirt, and temperature extremes. Seek out waterproof speakers with sealed designs, protective coatings, metal grilles, and UV-resistant materials so they can handle the elements.

Set a Budget

Component sets for the front doors that include tweeters and crossovers generally provide the best quality but cost more. Full-range coaxial speakers often work well for rear fill and the sound bar at a lower budget. Expect to spend $150+ for a significant upgrade.

With these factors in mind, let’s look at some top speaker recommendations by location.

The Best Door Speakers for Jeep Wrangler

Kick your Jeep’s audio up a notch by upgrading the crucial front door speakers. Here are some top picks:

Kicker 43DSC504 D-Series 4″ Speakers

Power Handling: 4-40 watts RMS
Sensitivity: 92dB

Kicker’s affordable 4-inch speakers deliver surprising audio quality in a super compact size. The polypropylene woofer cones reproduce clean mids and highs, while a PEI dome tweeter handles the high frequencies up to 20kHz. They feature a durable injection-molded design able to withstand Jeep elements. The 4-ohm impedance matches factory systems. While bass is limited due to the smaller size, they provide full, balanced sound for the doors.

Pros: Compact size, 4-ohm impedance, rugged build, balanced sound

Cons: Lack sub-bass frequencies

Infinity REF-6522EX 6.5″ Speakers

Power Handling: 5-100 watts RMS
Sensitivity: 94dB

The Infinity REF-6522EX 6.5-inch speakers are a popular, powerful upgrade choice. A plus-one woofer cone design delivers excellent mid-bass punch and clarity, while the textile dome tweeters reproduce crisp highs up to 35kHz. The durable rubber surrounds withstand vibration and weathering. At 94dB sensitivity, they can get loud on modest amp power. The price is higher but delivers an impressive listening experience.

Pros: Full, nuanced sound, higher sensitivity and volume, good build quality

Cons: More expensive, deeper install depth

JBL GTO609C Premium 6.5-Inch Component Speakers

Power Handling: 50-200 watts RMS
Sensitivity: 93dB

For premium sound, check out JBL’s GTO609C component speaker set. A carbon-injected woofer cone and soft dome tweeter deliver loud, bright, distortion-free audio. The customizable crossover lets you tune the speakers to your taste. The integrated mesh grilles and UV-resistant materials hold up well in rugged Jeep duty. They cost more but deliver exceptional clarity and volume.

Pros: Loud, clear audio, durable materials, customizable sound

Cons: Higher price point, less bass than a component set with dedicated midbass

Best Sound Bar Speakers for Jeep Wrangler

A new set of speakers in the sound bar opening of Jeep Wrangler models like the JK and JL can make a big difference in sound quality. Here are top sound bar speaker options:

Kicker 47KSC3504 4″ Sound Bar Speakers

Power Handling: 5-50 watts RMS per speaker
Sensitivity: 89dB

For Wranglers with 4-inch sound bar speaker openings, Kicker’s 47KSC3504s are a perfect factory replacement. The polypropylene cones and PEI balanced dome tweeters reproduce strong, balanced sound across the frequency spectrum. At 50 watts RMS power handling, they play plenty loud for the midrange frequencies. The durable injection-molded polyethylene construction stands up to harsh Jeep conditions. You can’t go wrong with these for a straightforward OEM upgrade.

Pros: Direct fit, good sound quality, rugged build

Cons: Lacks bass of larger aftermarket options

Polk Audio DB522 5.25″ Sound Bar Speakers

Power Handling: 5-100 watts RMS per speaker
Sensitivity: 92dB

The Polk Audio DB522s are a popular sound bar upgrade choice, with 5.25-inch woofers that deliver significantly better bass than the stock speakers. Polk’s signature Dynamic Balance technology provides clearer, more natural sound across mids and highs as well. With higher 100 watts RMS power handling, these speakers get loud and stay clean. The slick look and marine-grade materials stand up to the elements too. Just note they may require some trimming of the surrounds to fit 4-inch openings.

Pros: Great bass for a sound bar speaker, durable, loud and clear sound

Cons: Potential trimming needed for 4″ openings

Best Speaker Upgrade Kits for Jeep Wrangler

For convenience, you can upgrade your Jeep’s entire speaker system in one shot with a pre-packaged bundle. Here are some top full speaker kits:

Kicker JEMSC38 – Weatherproof Speaker Upgrade Kit

This kit by Kicker upgrades the front and rear speakers in your Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator. It includes two 6.5-inch coaxial speakers for the rear and two 3.5-inch coaxials for the sound bar, along with wiring harnesses. The speakers feature lightweight injection-molded polypropylene cones paired with MYLAR balanced dome tweeters for full-range sound. The enclosed speakers and connections withstand wet conditions. Everything fits directly into the factory locations.

Pros: Weather-resistant, easy plug and play install, matches OEM sizes

Cons: Lacks component speakers up front

Infinity Kappa Complete Jeep Wrangler Speaker Upgrade Kit

This premium Infinity system totally transforms your Jeep’s audio with:

• 6.5″ Kappa component speakers for front doors
• 6×9″ Kappa coaxial rear speakers
• 5.25″ Kappa sound bar speakers
• Wiring harnesses

The Kappa speakers deliver some of the best, loudest sound in their class. This is a significant upgrade over stock producing nearly concert-level audio, though it comes at a premium price.

Pros: Top tier audio components front and rear, complete kit

Cons: Expensive

BOSS Audio JE66.3B 600W Complete Speaker Kit

This Jeep speaker kit by BOSS Audio provides big bass and loud sound on a budget. It includes a 10″ 600W powered subwoofer, a pair of 6.5″ 400W 3-way coaxial speakers, and 4″ 120W sound bar speakers. The sub delivers thumping low end for EDM, hip hop, and rock music. While not the highest fidelity, the complete package amps up your audio for less.

Pros: Added subwoofer, very loud sound, affordable price

Cons: Lower quality components

Expert Tips for Installing Jeep Speakers

While skilled installers can tackle a Jeep speaker upgrade in a few hours, here are some tips to make the process easier if you DIY:

• Use speaker wire harness adapters for a quick connect to factory wiring. Metra and Scosche make adapters that plug right in.
• Seal speaker mounting areas with silicone to prevent water and dust intrusion. Foam speaker baffles also isolate sound and block moisture.
• Consider adding an aftermarket amp if you upgrade to high-end speakers. More power makes them shine.
• Get help for sound bar speaker swaps as the awkward angle makes it tough to access bolts.
• Apply dielectric grease on connections to prevent corrosion.
• Secure all loose wiring so it doesn’t rattle around while off-roading.

Getting professional installation at a car audio shop ensures things are done right the first time. Expect to spend around $100+ for basic labor.

FAQs About Upgrading Jeep Wrangler Speakers

Does a new head unit or stereo impact the speaker upgrade?

Replacing your Jeep’s radio can make a big improvement in sound. Many new head units offer built-in amps, digital signal processing, and equalization to get the most out of new speakers. Upgrading both together takes your audio to the next level.

What gauge wire should I use for Jeep speaker installation?

16 or 18 AWG speaker wire works for most Jeep speaker upgrades. Use 14 or 12 AWG for subwoofer wiring to handle the higher power demands. Oxygen-free copper wiring provides maximum conductivity.

How much does it cost to upgrade Jeep Wrangler speakers?

Expect to spend around $150-300 for new front and rear speakers. For high-end component speakers, plan on $400+. Add $200+ if including an aftermarket amplifier. Shop Crutchfield and Best Buy to compare Jeep Wrangler speaker options across budgets.

Can I upgrade just the front speakers or rear speakers?

Yes, you can upgrade just the front door speakers or rear speakers if desired. Replacing the front speakers with higher quality components makes the biggest impact on overall sound quality since they handle most mids and highs.

Conclusion

Upgrading your Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator’s sound system breathes new life into your daily drives and off-road adventures. Follow our guide to select the best speakers for your model’s speaker locations and audio preferences. Consider component speakers for the doors and coaxial speakers for the rear and sound bar. Add a powered sub for thunderous bass if desired. Take care to protect your new speakers from the elements too. Soon you’ll be rocking out to your favorite tunes with quality surround sound wherever you roam in your Jeep.