Prior to around the year 2000, most of my friends and I were deep into car audio. It started with the cars that go boom during the mid-80s then branched off into audiophile competition car audio a few years later.
Back then we didn’t have steering wheel controls or rear-view cameras, and it was much more straightforward to install a system in your car. Adding an aftermarket audio system into your car today requires hi-tech modules mounted behind the dashboard. The modules integrate aftermarket amplifiers and digital sound processors (DSP) into your factory head unit. A properly installed system allows you to keep all the conveniences that came with the car while mounting your after-market amplifiers and speakers in a stealth fashion. These modules sell for approximately $150-$200 and you must buy the one made for your car brand, model, and year.
Today’s cars are more challenging, especially for DIYers. After-market head units are harder today because they require an aftermarket kit to maintain a factory look. Kits can be ordered through your local car stereo shop or online stores such as Crutchfield, who is a great resource for the DIYer. Their website will show you items that will fit in your car.
Many modern cars include systems designed by well-known audio companies such as Merk Levenson, Bowers and Wilkens, Bose, JBL and many more. Those systems are designed and tuned specifically for your car and can sound quite good. The parts remain low quality but thanks to the bright engineers, produce a satisfying sound.
My job is 60 miles from my home and passes through Long Island, Queens, Bronx, Westchester, and Southern Connecticut. Every workday I spend four hours in my car and as you probably guessed, I have a great audio system in my car and I enjoy my commute, imagine that. I thought it would be informative and fun to design aftermarket sound systems for today’s popular cars.
2024 + Jeep Wrangler JL
Rockford Fosgate All-in-One 1,800-Watt Audio Kit: $3,500 + Installation
Rockford Fosgate put together a quality complete audio package for the Jeep Wrangler 2024 or newer. We love what Rockford did here by including high-end amplifiers, speakers, and subwoofer custom designed and an easy installation. The 1,800-watt system is powered by two Rockford Fosgate Power Series amplifiers pre-mounted on an under-seat bracket. Each amplifier is purpose built to marine standards.
Four speakers designed to fit into factory locations are included. Two 6.5” high-output coaxial speakers drop into the factory holes beneath the dashboard. There are also two tweeters pre-mounted in a bracket for the top of the dashboard. All speakers are concealed behind the factory grills.
A Rocket Fosgate 12” Power subwoofer already installed in a sealed enclosure and ready to mount to the rear tailgate reserving cargo space.
One key feature is the included DSP comes re-tuned for the Jeep. Usually, an installer spends about four hours tuning the system and typically costs $500. I’d much rather have Rockford do the tuning.
There is a bass-knob ready to install into your dashboard for controlling the bass output. Any installation brackets and wires are included. The components are element-ready, perfect for cruising topless and doorless.
2022 Tesla Model Y
Alpine PSS-TSLA-22Y: $3,600 + Installation
Installing a big system in an EV car is a challenge for professional installers and sometimes gets turned away. Alpine designed an all-in-one audio package installers are excited about.
The Alpine PSS-TSLA-22Y is a big high-end sound system optimized for EV low voltage batteries. The package includes everything your installer needs. Alpine recommends their system be professionally installed.
Starting with the top of the dashboard, there are three four-inch midrange speakers and one one-inch tweeter for the center.
Each door will have a 6.5” midbass speaker along with a one-inch tweeter. For the rear deck, there are two four-inch midranges.
The system includes a 10-inch subwoofer mounted in an enclosure designed to fit perfectly in the trunk’s corner.
With the exception of the tweeters, every speaker uses lightweight blue carbon fiber cones and neodymium magnets for excellent efficiency and reduced weight.
Power comes from a 12-channel amplifier with an integrated DSP that arrives pre-tuned specifically for the Tesla cabin. Alpine also designed the system to operate efficiently with the vehicle’s low-voltage electrical system, making it an excellent choice for EV owners.
2026 Ford Bronco 4-Door with Factory B&O System
Morel System: $6,400 + Installation
I chose the 2026 Ford Bronco because Morel offers a reference-quality speaker package engineered specifically for this vehicle. Morel is a respected high-end home and car audio manufacturer based in Israel, and this kit comes from the company’s Hybrid Series. These speakers are extremely efficient, play loudly with relatively little power, and require no cutting or drilling during installation.
The system’s two 6.5-inch midbass drivers mount directly into the factory kick-panel locations. Morel’s midbass drivers are known for their smooth, tight, and punchy sound.
Each upper corner of the dashboard receives a 4-inch coaxial speaker that comes pre-mounted in a custom bracket. A third 4-inch speaker is installed in the factory center-dash location.
Two additional 4-inch coaxial speakers fit into the Bronco’s rear speaker pods, creating an immersive surround sound experience.
Bass duties are handled by Morel’s IR-BRSUB-PS10 10-inch subwoofer, which comes pre-installed in a custom enclosure that mounts to the Bronco’s swing gate without drilling or permanent modifications.
Power comes from Morel’s MDSP 10/8A amplifier with an integrated DSP for system tuning, while a separate Morel MPD 1.500 mono amplifier delivers approximately 550 watts to the subwoofer. We’ll retain the factory head unit and integrate the aftermarket amplifiers using the PAC Audio AmpPRO AP4-FD32 interface, which is required for adding aftermarket amplifiers while preserving the factory electronics.
Final Thoughts
Each system we listed above were selected because they are all designed specifically for a particular vehicle. The speakers were engineered to fit perfectly into factory locations, requiring no cutting or drilling.
We also included an electric vehicle to show what’s possible. If you’re decide to add a sound system, be careful when choosing amplifiers and avoid power-hungry models. Amplifiers perform at their best only when they have enough juice.
Crutchfield remains my favorite resource for researching car audio and vehicle-specific equipment. When you purchase speakers from them, they include the speaker brackets, wiring harnesses, and detailed installation instructions at no additional charge. Crutchfield is essential for you DIYers.
If you plan on installing multiple amplifiers, pay attention to your vehicle’s electrical system. Factory electric systems are designed with only a modest reserve capacity. I installed 4,000 watts in my Subaru hatchback and added a second battery to keep the amplifiers happy.
My favorite part of car audio has always been the experience you simply can’t duplicate at home. My home stereo sounds more accurate, but it can’t match the pressure and impact created inside my Subaru. I also installed sound-deadening material throughout the car to reduce rattles and keep as much of the music inside the cabin as possible.
If your daily commute is long and you love music, adding a quality sound system in your vehicle will make the traffic disappear.
Take the slow lane… and turn it up.
Our recommendations reflect our personal experience with the equipment reviewed and should be considered alongside your own listening preferences and room acoustics. We encourage readers to audition audio equipment whenever possible. Great sound is personal, and the best component is the one that brings you closer to your music.
