Radio sounds like crap - options

[JBDive]

Found a low mileage 07 Sport which the base RBQ radio. The sound quality of the system ***** compared to my 02 Limited. Opinions on is it the radio or speakers that makes the difference between the two?

Staying stock what options are there for upgrading the radio, just the 6 CD changer radio?

Not overly interested in doing a lot to this right now other than improving the muffled sound I'm currently getting. If just replacing the speakers with a set out of a Limited will do it or with a junkyard $60 different radio is about where I am at right now. Long term this is for my son so once he starts driving he will likely want something more personal with iphone connectivity so no sense putting the money in it right now.

 

[LibertyTC]

Some of the Kj's had the premium system, that had an amplified speaker set up.
Difference in speakers I can not say, but you could try upgrading the front door speakers & see if that improves quality of sound for starters.
The OEM radios were only around 13 watts, & simply replacing the radio to an after market more powerful head unit is best, with USB & input jacks.

 

[JBDive]

Some of the Kj's had the premium system, that had an amplified speaker set up.
Difference in speakers I can not say, but you could try upgrading the front door speakers & see if that improves quality of sound for starters.
The OEM radios were only around 13 watts, & simply replacing the radio to an after market more powerful head unit is best, with USB & input jacks.

So doing some reading it appears the front "Infinity" speakers which I have, have an onboard amp and this makes all the difference in the stock radios.

 

[JasonJ]

So doing some reading it appears the front "Infinity" speakers which I have, have an onboard amp and this makes all the difference in the stock radios.

To answer your original question, is it the speakers are the head unit/radio that makes the difference: yes.

Both. But the Infinity amp for the front doors is a huge part of that, agreed. Leaving that be, just replacing the radio with an aftermarket HU with more power (make sure to connect the remote power wire to the wire to power the amps, otherwise you get silence), is a big upgrade as well. Certainly upgraded speakers can be had as well, you'll have to deal with the factory amps then, but you have a lot of options.

For a KJ without the Infinity amps and a regular radio, I'd just replace the radio with a better aftermarket one (which is pretty much anything), provided the door speakers are in good shape. Very common for the foam surrounds to go bad (mine are) but that can be repaired/replaced.