Infinity Audio System

[Joe_theboob]

I recently baught a 99 GC limited w/ the Infinity audion system. Six speakers, amp under the back seat and CD changer in the back. Here is my problem, any advice is appreciated... It seems like the front speakers (Door & Dash) do not work, especially at lower volume. If I turn the fader to only front and crank the volume, I can here sound but it's mostly bass nearly in-listenable. The back seem to work just fine.

Now here's the real issue - when I crank the volume (with the fader in the middle) the system sounds great - most of the sound is coming out of the back speakers and the front seem to be performing like subs... Is this Normal??? I am used to bass in the back and mid range in the front - this Jeep is backwards?? Also, the tweeters on the dash don't seem to be working at all which tells me it's not normal. Any thoughts from someone who is familiar w/ this system?

[dcx96]

The dash speakers are simple to replace, the door speakers may be wired backwards I'd say replace and see. good luck.

[bloodyprice]

it is very possible someone played with it and wired it up wrong, so just take a look. all the speakers are easy to replace, just in the doors youll need to buy new clips before removing the panels, and make sure to plug all the power option in before putting the panel on too. its pretty agrivating finding out u did that, and have to buy new clips all over again.

[msdz]

Sounds to me like you need new speakers for the front. They are the same speakers for the front and back(or should be). My '94 stock Infinity speakers were all the same for the doors. It will be costly buying Infinity speakers again, even just for the front, almost $150 unless you find them somewhere at a bargain price. Also the tweeters in the dash can be hard to find replacements for and can be costly as well. Most speakers usually sound the same when wired up wrong and most people can not tell the difference when they are. They suck in instead of blowing out which causes strain on the cone and eventually blow, even at low volume and the appearance of the speaker looks as if nothing is wrong with it.
I replaced all my door speakers with Wal-Mart cheap brand of the Sony Xplodes or something like that and they sound decent, far from the best though.

[Bob D.]

The previous owner probably disconnected the dash speakers after they went bad. The dash speakers usually separate at the foam surround. Other than that all seems normal.
Use a trim tool and pry up and remove the dash trim piece, the one that covers the speakers, starting from one end to the other.
The speakers can then be removed.
If they aren't too bad, you can easily repair them with Latex speaker glue - it dries pliable and works.

If they aren't repairable, don't replace them with aftermarkets, you won't be happy with the way they sound and there is no direct aftermarket available that I know of. (including 12 positive)
Treat the new ones with speaker glue around the foam surround and they will last.
You can get them from an online dealership cheaper than a walk in.

[Joe_theboob]

Bob - Thanks for the advice on the tweeters. So you think the front door speakers shouldn't make much sound at lower volumes? The rear are the primary?

[Bob D.]

There are really no primary speakers in good sounding set ups. All the speakers work together to create a nice balance and sound.
I could disconnect the dash speakers on my '01 and it would sound the same - the front door speakers are very muddy sounding by themselves.
Chrysler sometimes refers to them as sub woofers, but I believe there is a low pass filter on them or in the head unit.
This year I've driven a '07 Dodge Dakota, Nissan Exterra and a PT Cruiser - none have sounded near as good as my Grand.

Get those dash speakers fixed and you will be pleasantly surprised.

[joerope67]

Originally Posted by Joe_theboob

I recently baught a 99 GC limited w/ the Infinity audion system. Six speakers, amp under the back seat and CD changer in the back. Here is my problem, any advice is appreciated... It seems like the front speakers (Door & Dash) do not work, especially at lower volume. If I turn the fader to only front and crank the volume, I can here sound but it's mostly bass nearly in-listenable. The back seem to work just fine.

Now here's the real issue - when I crank the volume (with the fader in the middle) the system sounds great - most of the sound is coming out of the back speakers and the front seem to be performing like subs... Is this Normal??? I am used to bass in the back and mid range in the front - this Jeep is backwards?? Also, the tweeters on the dash don't seem to be working at all which tells me it's not normal. Any thoughts from someone who is familiar w/ this system?

The front dash speakers are where all the mid to highs come from for the front area. If you crank full volume all the time they have a tendency to blow due to lack of low freq crossover and are fairly expensive. they sound really annoying when there shot. So if you didnt want to replace them like if ur selling it, then you unplug them.
Pull off the dash panel that covers them, no tools needed. check the wire connection at the speakers.

[turtlecrxsi]

Like everyone else said the dash speakers are "tweeters" or produce high frequency sounds whereas the door speakers are filtered for lower frequencies (bass) (not "subwoofers"). This set up is often referred to as "components" or "separates" because the frequencies are separate as oppose to "two-way" or "three-way" speakers where the tweeter is incorporated into the cone of the woofer. IMO, separates sound better. I'm sure you can find high frequency tweeters to fit the dash if you look hard enough or easily use regular 1.5-2" tweeters with custom brackets in place.

[Joe_theboob]

Thanks for everyone's help. I just came from Circuit City and can get a pair of Polk "components" w/ the external Tweeter for $150. Or just the tweeters for $45. It sounds like I only need the tweeters. I'll at least pull the top of the dash apart and plug in those old ones tonight just to see what happens.

I expect the prev owner dissconnected them. Assuming their bad, I would probably go w/ the $150 set up just so their matched - maybe even the back speakers if I'm feeling like a big spender.

[Bob D.]

DO NOT use true tweeters in the dash unless you want ear splitting, unbearable, un-listenable highs that can't be cut back even by the equalizer/tone controls on the radio.
I know it sounds simple, but take it from someone who has been there - the OEM "tweeters" are not tweeters, they are full range speakers and were designed around the output frequency of the OEM amp and head unit.
Just trying to save you some time and money.

[msdz]

Maybe the newer JGC have full range speakers in the dash but I am here to say my '94 has TWEETERS. That is where most of my highs come from and they are still the only original Infinity speakers in the jeep as of now. I also have a friend with a '95 and his are the same only difference is he still has the original door speakers as well. There is very little difference in the way our systems sound although his does sound a little better. The dash speaker is a tweeter in both our vehicles. Also, I called Crutchfield audio up and asked them, they confirmed they were tweeters if they are the originals. Try unhooking them and see how much of a difference the highs are in your vehicle.

[Bob D.]

Originally Posted by msdz

Maybe the newer JGC have full range speakers in the dash but I am here to say my '94 has TWEETERS. That is where most of my highs come from and they are still the only original Infinity speakers in the jeep as of now. I also have a friend with a '95 and his are the same only difference is he still has the original door speakers as well. There is very little difference in the way our systems sound although his does sound a little better. The dash speaker is a tweeter in both our vehicles.

None of that applies to the original posters question.
A little Jeep GC history.

The Grand Cherokee sound system remained basically the same until 1999.
Along with the updated body and interior, the stereo system was also redesigned. Among other changes, the speaker type, design and function was revised:

Midrange -
From the 6 1/2" rear door speakers.

Low frequencies -
From the 6x9" front door speakers.

Highs, midrange and even some bass -
From the 2" dash speakers. Which again, are NOT tweeters even though they can reproduce highs.

Also, I called Crutchfield audio up and asked them, they confirmed they were tweeters if they are the originals. Try unhooking them and see how much of a difference the highs are in your vehicle.

Yes, the 1993-'98 Grands used true tweeters, the 1999-'04 Grands do not.

The original poster was asking about his 1999 Grand Cherokee, which happens to have a completely different system than your 1994 Grand.
You CANNOT replace the full range dash speaker with a true tweeter on the 1999-'04 system that was not designed for it and expect it to sound normal, or even acceptable, regardless of what Crutchfield or anyone else says.

[msdz]

Originally Posted by Bob D.

The original poster was asking about his 1999 Grand Cherokee, which happens to have a completely different system than your 1994 Grand.
You CANNOT replace the full range dash speaker with a true tweeter on the 1999-'04 system that was not designed for it and expect it to sound normal, or even acceptable, regardless of what Crutchfield or anyone else says.

I did not know they made such drastic changes in the stereo from '94 to '99 and am sorry for any confusing the riginal poster. Thanks for clearing that up for me and maybe some others Bob D..

[Joe_theboob]

Have learned quite-a-bit thanks to this forum. Has anyone used these aftermarket replacements? The price is good but I question the quality...

http://www.12positive.com/ = $40

http://www.jeeptweeter.com/ =$90

The dealer is probably even more - I'm about ready to go w/ the Mopars for $90. The "jeeptweeter" website sure does hammer on the 12positive quality... Any feedback on the 12positive's ???