RB4 W/Infinity speakers and crappy sound question

[BWickson]

I have an RB4 with the Infinity speaker system in my 2004. 5 3500 dually. I also have the U-connect phone system too. Like many of you, I would say that the overall sound system is very poor in audio quality. My 96 ram factory Infinity system was far superior. I have tried replacing front door speakers but there was basically no improvement. Yes, I know I could replace the head unit and put in a nice 400 watt amp and some killer speakers and it would make a world of difference. But, I like my RB4 with the steering wheel controls and the U-connect system. I would prefer to do nothing than change out the RB4. So here is my question. It is my understanding that the RB4 plugs into a separate factory amp that has the crossover for the front speakers built into it(dash highs and door very muddy lows). I was thinking of removing the factory amp, installing an aftermarket one, new front and rear speakers with a separate crossover for the front speakers. Has anyone tried this rout to improve the overall sound quality with any success? Thanks for reading my post and have a great day.



P. S. my speakers do not have amps or crossovers on the back of them.

 

[ENafziger]

I'd like to do the same as well... My first thoughts were to just replace the factory speakers with some infinity perfects and leave the stock amp. From your post, I gathered that you tried just replacing the speakers with no improvement in sound quality? You may have seen other posts, but check out JL Audio's Clean Sweep line for adding aftermarket amps/speakers to factory head units. Model numbers are CL441 dps, and CL-SSI. Hope this helps... Eric

 

[p-Bar]

Ya aftermarket is best, Too much hype with this so called name brand overpriced junk the factory sells you on. My brother just bought a Ford GT 40 and it has a Macintosh system, what a pile of junk, The car is great.

 

[Bob4x4]

I have an RB4 with the Infinity speaker system in my 2004. 5 3500 dually. I also have the U-connect phone system too. Like many of you, I would say that the overall sound system is very poor in audio quality. My 96 ram factory Infinity system was far superior. I have tried replacing front door speakers but there was basically no improvement. Yes, I know I could replace the head unit and put in a nice 400 watt amp and some killer speakers and it would make a world of difference. But, I like my RB4 with the steering wheel controls and the U-connect system. I would prefer to do nothing than change out the RB4. So here is my question. It is my understanding that the RB4 plugs into a separate factory amp that has the crossover for the front speakers built into it(dash highs and door very muddy lows). I was thinking of removing the factory amp, installing an aftermarket one, new front and rear speakers with a separate crossover for the front speakers. Has anyone tried this rout to improve the overall sound quality with any success? Thanks for reading my post and have a great day.



P. S. my speakers do not have amps or crossovers on the back of them.

ck your speaker wires at the radio there were some that got assembled incorrectly,see tsb 08 011 04



Bob

 

[madmax4688]

Ok here goes... ... . first the factory amp is located behind the passenger airbag and, unless Gumby is your father, human fingers dont fit very well where the amp is. There is NO room to work with the wires even after you get the plugs out and pull the hell out of the wires. The amp has built in crossovers so you have high and low speaker outputs. The center channel is actually the left and right high outputs bridged together and out of phase. Now for those of you who have replaced the radio in an infinity system without bypassing the amp good job. However the later trucks like 04. 5 to present the radio is computer controlled to the amp and just replacing the radio sometimes doesnt work correctly. Buzzing in dash speakers is common. You can retain the steering wheel controls by using an interface adaptor (SWIX) and it will work with almost any new radio (remote needed). The Uconnect I do not know if that will still work for I havent done one yet that had it. I tell me customers that if you have the infinity system its "all or nothing". Take the whole thing out or live with it because it will cost you more to try and save one piece that will be removed after it doesnt work correctly anyways. I have built many many systems in our dodge trucks and I am doing 4 06's in the next few weeks. All different systems to accomplish different things. You can email me directly at -- email address removed --. Thanks, JD.

 

[BWickson]

As of yet, I have done nothing about the stock stereo. I have heard that switching to an RB1 makes a big difference with upgraded speakers. I still think the amp is the big stumbling block in the whole process.

 

[LarryLuana]

madmax-

I just bought a 04 a couple of months ago, and have a question. My unit is the 6 CD changer model with the controls in the steering wheel, etc.

Anyway I have a sometimes buzz in the right front speaker, and viberation in the left door from bass so have to fade to the back speakers to help BUT when I play a CD the radio works great with non of these problems... ... ... any ideas??

Thanks.



Larry

 

[madmax4688]

Hi Larry I sent you an email about you questions. If your stereo is still stock and you have the Infinity system then it sounds like the stereo is having issues communicating with the factory amp. This happens a lot when the radio is replaced without removing the factory amp. Email me back when you get a chance.

 

[LarryLuana]

madmax-

Email sent.

Thanks.



Larry