Hey, I'm looking into installing new speakers and possibly a sub into my 99 Cherokee and honestly know nothing about it. Im trying to keep things under a tight budget (sound doesn’t need to be the absolute best), just something that is much better than stock. I've been looking on Crutchfield, but how do I know whats good on there/how much better they will be than stock? Also I don't want to take up a huge amount of room with a sub. Any suggestions? Thanks for the help!

 

Do you have an aftermarket HU?

 

I only recently purchase the vehicle and am not sure. How can I check this?

 

What brand is your stereo.

 

Like I said, i want to take up at little room as possible so would probably go for something like . What all else would I need? Amplifier, stereo, etc?

 

everything is stock. looks like this
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_...0011_large.jpg

 

Decent replacement 5.25" speakers are usually pretty cheap, if you want something to easily replace the stock speakers with better sound. I personally like a little better sound quality, I usually put 6.5" components in my vehicles with a 200 watt amp.
For the subwoofer, a single 10-12" speaker with a 500+ watt amp would be fine in an XJ.
As far as brands, I like Phoenix Gold, Kicker, Alpine, and RE Audio (I usually buy RE subwoofers, Kickers are good too), and for amps, I prefer Kicker and Rockford Fosgate (although I haven't used a newer Fosgate, last one I had was a Punch 700S, but it was a great amp).

As for the sub not taking up much room, I have seen boxes for I think a 10", that fit in that little cubby hole in the passenger side right by the hatch in the cargo area. Didnt really take up any useable space, and just seemed like a good compact setup to me.

And fwiw, I usually buy audio stuff from Amazon, or local stores (Wal Mart, and Best Buy mostly, Wal Mart has Kicker speakers, and I usually get head units from Best Buy)

 

Upgrade that first. I recommend alpine or clarion, eclipse also makes good head units, although I haven't seen anything from them in a while. The stock unit sucks ***.

 

so you need an amp for both the sub and speakers? haha sorry i'm clearly new to this. Never bought/installed any audio equipment before.

 

No, you do not need an amp for the speakers, especially if you buy a stereo (head unit) on a budget. However, An amp, when paired with the right speakers will sound much better than the speakers running off the smaller integrated head unit amp.

You head unit will only have subwoofer pre-outs, which is a very lower power signal, so you will need an amp for that. Also be sure to factor in the cost of a wiring kit for that amp.

 

No, you don't need amps for everything. You will need one for the sub. And you will need a HU with RCA outputs for the amp to go to the sub. And a wiring kit for the amp (which will have a power cable to go to the battery with an inline fuse, a ground cable, speaker wire, remote wire, and RCA cables).
The advantage to running an amp for the mids and highs as well, is a better cleaner sound. But its definitely not a requirement, and best to do if you have multiple RCA outputs on the HU to hook up multiple amps (that was the biggest reason I bought the HU I ended up with, enough RCAs to hook up 4 amps to it if I want).

 

I have 2 tens in a huge box lol I would suggest the Rockford Fosgates shallow mount 10 with a 400watt Power Acoustic Gothic series amp. I have a lil 150watt amp and mine hit nicely. I also have a write up on how to install the sub and amp in my signature if you want to see how I did mine. Granted it you run one 10 on a 400watt amp I would just bridge it. Makes it hit harder if you do.

 

For a great sounding system on a budget, you can do what I did. Mine has been in place for about 2 years and still works great. No issues.

Check out this link for details:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/i-...0/#post1794994

Also, if you look through some of my older posts you'll find a bunch of technical info related to automotive electrical, audio electrical, acoustic math, etc.

I know there are some that will disagree with some of my suggestions, but I worked at a car stereo shop for a few years, and I know a bit about weaving around all the marketing BS and focusing on what matters, especially if you're on a tight budget.

 

How would something like this setup work?

Speakers: MTX TN502 speakers in front and back, 4 total
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_236TN50...er-reviews-tab

Head Unit:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-no2Uxqt...EH-4400HD.html
or
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500HD13...d137bt&tp=5684
or
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DR106-MP3-USB-FM-Receiver-In-Dash-car-stereo-by-DP-Audio-/171029983737?pt=Car_Audio_In_Dash_Receivers&hash=item27d22e71f9
Sub:
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-HbsRpMl...-XW1025dB.html

Amp:
?


Also, when people say they are selling a car stereo "receiver" like that ebay page does, does that mean just the faceplate or the entire device?

 

I would stay clear of pioneer go with a quality head unit like kenwood or Power Acoustic has a really cheap one that does pretty good