12 speaker stereo vs. 18 speaker stereo...

[Ggrrady]

I got the 18 speaker upgrade, but the quality is terrible. I didn't get the ACR expecting symphony quality sound, but $2,000 is a waste of money.

First of all, for 18 speakers in such a small cabin, it should shake your kidneys, but it doesn't.

The bass is way to loud compared to the highs and middle. If listening to EDM, i am always at -10.

I would save the $2,000 and get After Market system.

[ViperJon]

You'll lose the UConnect system and integrated connectivity no? No good.

[The_Ruski_Driver]

I got the 18 speaker upgrade, but the quality is terrible. I didn't get the ACR expecting symphony quality sound, but $2,000 is a waste of money.

First of all, for 18 speakers in such a small cabin, it should shake your kidneys, but it doesn't.

The bass is way to loud compared to the highs and middle. If listening to EDM, i am always at -10.

I would save the $2,000 and get After Market system.

I mostly listen to EDM and can agree the bass is way loud and the mids are washed out. I still think the system is AWESOME, regardless.

[98intrigue]

I mostly listen to EDM and can agree the bass is way loud and the mids are washed out. I still think the system is AWESOME, regardless.

I agree. I had the 12-speaker in my TA and compared to the 18-speakers in my current car, I prefer the 18-speaker hands down. Yes, there could be better range in the mids and highs, but I still think it's a great OEM stereo.

[BTR Racing]

I had the 3 speaker factory system in my ACR so I had my dealer do the 18 speaker upgrade. The service was great as always from my dealer but the expense was not worth it IMO. I have a heads and cam car with Ti cat back no cats. I couldn't hear my stereo driving before and still cant. The $2,000 would have been much better spent on an aftermarket speaker system. The 18 speaker has great bass but that's the extent of its talents. I am like most, I am not looking for over the top sound quality but being able to hear the words would be great. Some will say there is something to be said about keeping everything factory from a value standpoint however most of us mod our cars anyways so that point becomes moot. If Doc Brown came by with the time machine, I would probably go back and keep my 2k and take it to a high end aftermarket stereo shop. Only good part of it is that I have a very experienced viper dealer down the street so they made it easy.

[Martin2000GTS]

I got lazy and checked off the 18 speaker as well. This car is way out of my price range as it is, but at that point what was another $2k financed over 7 years.... With my terrible DIY skills, Id probably cause more than $2k in damage trying to self install the $500 system upgrade kit. After market systems are nice but didn't see how it would have worked on this gen 5 with the u connect infotainment thingy. To each their own I guess!

[ViperJon]

I got lazy and checked off the 18 speaker as well. This car is way out of my price range as it is, but at that point what was another $2k financed over 7 years.... With my terrible DIY skills, Id probably cause more than $2k in damage trying to self install the $500 system upgrade kit. After market systems are nice but didn't see how it would have worked on this gen 5 with the u connect infotainment thingy. To each their own I guess!

It wouldn't work with it. Not to mention all the cool gauges and performance monitoring things....so much more is integrated than just music. And you won't get a much better system for 2K installed.

[BTR Racing]

Not to contradict you but I feel the information you posted is incorrect. You can absolutely integrate an aftermarket speaker system with the factory head unit. Not implying that anyone should go out and do it but, for clarity, if they wanted to it is easily possible with a simple line converter and amp. You would have the speakers powered off that amp similar to the factory 18 speaker and all the factory items on the factory head unit are fully functioning.

It wouldn't work with it. Not to mention all the cool gauges and performance monitoring things....so much more is integrated than just music. And you won't get a much better system for 2K installed.

[donb]

I mostly listen to EDM and can agree the bass is way loud and the mids are washed out. I still think the system is AWESOME, regardless.

I was scanning the manual today hoping there was a dedicated fuse to turn off the subs. It thumps so hard I thought there was something wrong with my car.

[Snorman]

I was scanning the manual today hoping there was a dedicated fuse to turn off the subs. It thumps so hard I thought there was something wrong with my car.

Turning down the bass and adjusting the highs and mid with the equalizer works fairly well. Of course, it depends on what type of music you prefer.
I'm fairly happy with the 18-speaker HK in my car. Particularly since the upgrade is getting hard to complete with the kit and speaker grilles being unavailable. But it's nowhere near the sound quality of the Burmester in my 911 Turbo. Not even close.
S.

[USCDOC]

It is the best stock system ever in a Viper. Simply installing the $500-600 upgrade from 12 to 18 will not change the sound. It's more complicated than that. Dealer has to reset the car to think it is a stock item so it'll work. Best $500 upgrade IMO.

[ViperJon]

It is the best stock system ever in a Viper. Simply installing the $500-600 upgrade from 12 to 18 will not change the sound. It's more complicated than that. Dealer has to reset the car to think it is a stock item so it'll work. Best $500 upgrade IMO.

Well aware of that. The dealer has to change the sales code to RCA Amplifier to recognize the 18 speaker system. It's been all detailed in previous threads. My point was mainly about the unavailability of the upgrade kit to anyone thinking about doing it in the future. I am going to follow up with a thread listing the exact parts and numbers required to purchase the items separately. Which by the way comes in well under 2K. in parts.