12 speaker stereo vs. 18 speaker stereo...

[Martin]

This may have been beaten to death already, but I can't seen to find any definitive answers.

I know that there is a $2k upgrade from the standard 3 speaker ACR stereo to the 18 speaker high performance audio, and that seems like a really good deal. My question is around the upgrade from the 12 speaker GTC ACR system to the 18 speaker system. Looks like the price is the same - is it really worth it? What do you get with those extra six speakers? The option price is still $2k, and that seems steep for what appears to be a six speaker upgrade kit...

Thanks!

[esm_viper]

If you're building a GTC, you might as well add it. I've seen several guys on the forum that upgraded the 12 speaker system on TA's and said it was worth it.

I have the 18 speaker system but I've never heard the base system so can't compare the two.

Did you see this thread?

http://driveviper.com/forums/threads...mp-18-Speakers

And this one...

http://driveviper.com/forums/threads...n-Viper-ACR-16

[Martin]

Thanks - I did read those threads. I guess the missing piece of information I need is whether it's possible to order the 18 speaker system on the non-GTC ACR. From what I've researched, it looks like that's not possible, so I think I've answered part of my question.

Now I'm trying to figure out if the 12 to 18 speaker upgrade kit is all that's needed for the 12 speaker system that comes standard with the GTC ACR. That seems to be a much less expensive way to get all 18 speakers - it looks to me like all the other hardware is there, and the 12 speaker system uses the same amp as the 18 speaker system. Not trying to be super cheap, but paying $2k for just six speakers seems excessive... If it comes with a specialized 18 speaker amp, then that's another story - but everything I've researched seems to indicate that the amps are the same, and all the wiring is there and ready to go. All you need to go from 12 speaker to 18 speaker is the upgrade kit that can be bought from Dodge. I have a feeling that kit is probably on the order of $400 - which is a lot less than spending $2k on the factory option.

EDIT: After doing a Google search on the part number for the speaker upgrade kit, I answered my question. Looks like all you need is the upgrade kit to turn the 12 speaker base system into the 18 speaker high-performance system. Instructions do say that you need to have the computer reprogrammed to work with the new speakers - it's a dealer installed option apparently. So, for $500 or less, you can get the same 18 speaker system that costs $2k when ordered through the GTC program. Seems like a good deal to me - save $1500 and put that towards tires or something.

[ViperPete]

For 2k you can put a BOOMIN system in a Viper.

Rockford Fosgate, MB Quart, JL audio.... you name it. My GTS has the 12 speaker stereo and it doesn't sound good to my ears at all.

IMO of course.

[bkrone]

The only thing I wish they would do is swap the UConnect 8.4 for the one that comes in the 2017 Chrysler 300. That one has a higher definition screen allowing for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

[Terminator02]

18 speaker is a giant leap in sound from 12. Had both.

[Martin]

18 speaker is a giant leap in sound from 12. Had both.

The install instructions for the upgrade kit look pretty easy - so I think I'll order the 12 speaker system and pony up the $450 at mopartsonline for the upgrade kit. They say it is the exact same dealer installed option that makes up the Premium Audio package. Since I'll be ripping out the seats anyhow, I may as well pop in the speaker upgrade kit and save the $1500 for something else. Not sure why they'd charge $2k for something that isn't that much different functionally from what comes standard. I was hoping there was a better amp involved, but nope - same amp goes in both systems. It's just a software update to make all 18 speakers work.

[apeas2]

I upgraded my SRT from 12 to 18 and its amazing. Basically plug and play.

[wrh3]

18 is a big upgrade from the 12, I took some pics and have some links here that may help in regard to what is required outside the upgrade "kit": http://billswebspace.com/viper.html#...SpeakerUpgrade

[Martin]

18 is a big upgrade from the 12, I took some pics and have some links here that may help in regard to what is required outside the upgrade "kit": http://billswebspace.com/viper.html#...SpeakerUpgrade

Thanks for this! Very helpful!!! So, aside from the speaker upgrade kit, I'll need to get three of the enclosures/baffles for the subs? All in all, looks like a pretty easy install.

[wrh3]

Thanks for this! Very helpful!!! So, aside from the speaker upgrade kit, I'll need to get three of the enclosures/baffles for the subs? All in all, looks like a pretty easy install.

Just (2) of the sub enclosures/baffles is all you need. And, pretty easy, definitely beats the dealership upgrade cost

[Martin]

Just (2) of the sub enclosures/baffles is all you need. And, pretty easy, definitely beats the dealership upgrade cost

That's for sure! I was trying to figure out how they could justify a $2k price tag for six extra speakers, and just couldn't fathom it. I figure $2k is a fair price to upgrade from the 3 speaker ACR system, but the 12 speaker system already has the proper head unit, external amp, wiring, and openings. Just didn't seem to make sense that it would cost $2k...

Of course, if my GTC order gets kicked back because I need to order some other option, I may end up having to pony up the coin (or choose another option that I don't want), but at least there are good alternatives out there.

Thanks again for your help!!!

[ACRucrazy]

I am going to be doing the 18 speaker upgrade after the car gets here for less. Not worth the $2,000 option check box.

[bkrone]

I am going to be doing the 18 speaker upgrade after the car gets here for less. Not worth the $2,000 option check box.

I've gotten lazy...I did the check box

[SilveRT8]

So, if I understand correctly, if you order a basic ACR, it comes with the 3 speaker radio with no option to upgrade.
But if you order a 1 of 1 GTC - ACR the 12 speaker system is standard with a 2K option for the 18 speakers system.
Can someone confirm ?

[Martin]

So, if I understand correctly, if you order a basic ACR, it comes with the 3 speaker radio with no option to upgrade.
But if you order a 1 of 1 GTC - ACR the 12 speaker system is standard with a 2K option for the 18 speakers system.
Can someone confirm ?

That's how I see it. You can do the full 18 speaker upgrade by following the instructions listed in the thread above with the standard ACR, and that has a total price tag of about $1800 in parts depending on where you buy stuff online. Or, you can go with the GTC option and you get the 12 speaker system as part of the package and then spend about $500 on the speaker upgrade kit. Either way will get the same result, but starting with the 12 speaker system seems to be much easier. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be an option to get the factory 12 or 18 speaker system with the standard ACR - all you can get is the three speaker system in the stock unit.

Personally, I wish they just had a whole stereo/nav/touchscreen delete option - but I think that thing is so deeply tied into the brains of the car that it's not possible to do away with it. So, as long as I've got to have the thing, I may as well get the best sound out of it possible.

[ACRucrazy]

So, if I understand correctly, if you order a basic ACR, it comes with the 3 speaker radio with no option to upgrade.
But if you order a 1 of 1 GTC - ACR the 12 speaker system is standard with a 2K option for the 18 speakers system.
Can someone confirm ?

Exactly.

[ek1]

So, if I understand correctly, if you order a basic ACR, it comes with the 3 speaker radio with no option to upgrade.
But if you order a 1 of 1 GTC - ACR the 12 speaker system is standard with a 2K option for the 18 speakers system.
Can someone confirm ?

I have a 1 of 1 ACR and it has an option code RCA (Harman Kardon High Performance Audio) for $1,995. This is the 18-speaker system.

I dont mean to hijack this thread, but one thing I can definitely confirm is that the 18-speaker system is shit. What I mean is - it sounds like shit. Of course, its loud, very powerful, etc. but the music sounds tinny and artificial (no, I am NOT using Bluetooth streaming) compared to other high-end systems I listened to and while there is plenty of bass available due to subwoofers, adding more bass seems to drown out the mids. I dont know how to describe this well, but the music has no depth. I spent several hours playing with settings and trying different types of music, but could not get it to produce good sound.

The weird thing is one of my other cars has a 17-speaker Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system and it's night and day compared to the Viper's. That system has great, crisp, deep sound and it's a pleasure to listen to.

I have no idea what the the 12-speaker system sounds like, but check out a Harman Kardon web page for more info on the Viper's 18-speaker system: http://www.harmankardon.com/content?ContentID=viper-srt

[ViperGeorge]

I have a 1 of 1 ACR and it has an option code RCA (Harman Kardon High Performance Audio) for $1,995. This is the 18-speaker system.

I dont mean to hijack this thread, but one thing I can definitely confirm is that the 18-speaker system is shit. What I mean is - it sounds like shit. Of course, its loud, very powerful, etc. but the music sounds tinny and artificial (no, I am NOT using Bluetooth streaming) compared to other high-end systems I listened to and while there is plenty of bass available due to subwoofers, adding more bass seems to drown out the mids. I dont know how to describe this well, but the music has no depth. I spent several hours playing with settings and trying different types of music, but could not get it to produce good sound.

The weird thing is one of my other cars has a 17-speaker Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system and it's night and day compared to the Viper's. That system has great, crisp, deep sound and it's a pleasure to listen to.

I have no idea what the the 12-speaker system sounds like, but check out a Harman Kardon web page for more info on the Viper's 18-speaker system: http://www.harmankardon.com/content?ContentID=viper-srt

Exactly. I have the 18 speaker system in my GTS from the factory and I upgraded my TA 2.0 from 12 to 18. Both sound the same and both sound like crap to me. My Grand Cherokee sounds better. If you do upgrade an ACR remember there is a jumper under the dash somewhere that has to be removed or you blow things out. It was posted in one of the threads.

I'm guessing trying to upgrade the head unit would be very difficult in an FCA product now given how integrated their stuff is to the car. But speakers/amps could be upgraded.

[bkrone]

Exactly. I have the 18 speaker system in my GTS from the factory and I upgraded my TA 2.0 from 12 to 18. Both sound the same and both sound like crap to me. My Grand Cherokee sounds better. If you do upgrade an ACR remember there is a jumper under the dash somewhere that has to be removed or you blow things out. It was posted in one of the threads.

I'm guessing trying to upgrade the head unit would be very difficult in an FCA product now given how integrated their stuff is to the car. But speakers/amps could be upgraded.

Yeah major downside to the new infotainment systems. Makes it much hard to swap out to something else. Only thing I would love to do is swap the 8.4 unit with the one they are putting in the 2017 Chrysler 300 as it supports CarPlay.

[ACR]

Thank you for the info, you saved me 2k

[Martin]

Thank you for the info, you saved me 2k

I'm glad some good is coming from all this. I'm just about to order my car, and while I don't want to feel too cheap in the process, paying $2k for something that is easily a "do it yourself" proposition is much more fun in my opinion.

Bummer that the consensus seems to be that the sound still sucks - but it is what it is. I guess it's better than nothing, and the 18 speaker system is definitely better than the 3 speaker system (and doesn't add that much weight, so I can't justify going with the three speakers).

Ironically, I thought the stereo in my Gen II GTS sounded pretty good for what it was at the time (Alpine head unit and amp). That was probably the highest tech item on the whole car back then.

[1Koolasp 16ACR]

Yeh I Did The Same , On My 1OF1,Got The 12, Added The Speakers My Self, And Had The Dealer Update The Soft Ware, Sounds a Lot Better , But It Still Does Suck, For What It Is , The Exhaust Is Better Music Any Way.

[skydeals]

I have had both the 21 speaker kit in my 2013 GTS and now I ordered the 12 speaker in my 1 0f 1 ACR.... could not see the $ 2 k value in the extra speakers... I figured if the 12 speaker sounded that bad I could do the upgrade kit... Well when I got the ACR I was suprised the sound of the 12 speaker, it sounded good.. the only diffrance i noticed was you dont get the bass kikking you in the back...but like others have stated the engine sounds better anyway....save the $ and go for the 12 speaker, you can always upgraded it for $ 500 or $ 600 bucks......Ralph Skydeals

[ViperJon]

As an update on this thread and since I am in the process of doing the 3 to 18 speaker upgrade myself, some information. The integral part of the upgrade is the 12 to 18 upgrade "kit" part number 82213535. This part gives you the speakers you need and most importantly the replacement upper door speaker covers that replace the blanks that are there now. BUT....this kit is totally unavailable. They have been on nationwide backorder for months and there is no end in sight. Very much doubt they will ever be made. So I have sourced all the required speakers, screws and required hardware as separate items. That was not too difficult but there is NO source whatsoever for those replacement upper door speaker covers. They have no part number. Mark J at Woodhouse and Jon B cannot source them so that should tell you how impossible the task is. So I am going to take my blanks and have them fabbed up into speaker covers somehow, either by a custom shop or a metal worker. But that's going to be the issue with anyone doing the upgrade or planning to, those covers. Just a heads up if this is in your plans when ordering a car.