So... Started doing more work on the Jeep audio system. The Wrangler at that time didn't have Bluetooth, so I was using a Bluetooth FM transmitter, which was as bad as it sounds. I figured I needed a new head unit. And since the Jeep lives topless essentially 100% of the time, figured that a HU with higher power output would help with that too.
But as I did more and more research, I realized that because I have the Wrangler Rubicon with the "premium" Infinity audio system, this is a lot more complex. Part of the issue is that the speakers/amp in the premium system are all 2 ohm. When I replaced my dash and roll bar speakers, I replaced them with 4 ohm. So that's a problem.
Then, the existing amp is an 8-channel amp and sound processor, driving all 4 mains, 2 tweeters, and bridged to a dual voice coil sub. It requires active communication with the head unit for fade control, so if you replace the HU, you lose fade. And the existing amp is really underpowered to begin with, so I'm not even getting close to driving my main speakers properly.
Worse, the amp uses speaker-level inputs instead of line level, so it's amplifying an already-amplified signal.
So... I replaced the head unit. It did make some difference, because the output of the new head unit is higher. So I can run it loud enough to hear on the freeway without pushing the HU into the distortion zone.
But now I'm stuck with a need to upgrade literally everything else.
I'm planning on getting an
Alpine PDX-V9 to complete replace the factory amp. That will drive my Kicker mains without a problem (they're 75W @ 4 ohm each), and I'll have to put passive crossovers on the front channel to drive the tweeters in parallel.
But with an amp like that, I'll need to upgrade my sub. I've found a number of good-looking 8" shallow mount subs that should fit in the factory location. And if I'm upgrading those, I might as well do the tweeters next too.
So the $150 HU install I did is now turning into somewhere in the $700-800 total system rebuild cost. But the stereo in the car I rarely drive will finally be done right!