Paid extra for this so called Premium Beats Audio System and it sounds like a child's radio. So I thought I would wait until I got home with the vehicle and play with the settings but wow was I in for a treat. Only settings I saw was treble, bass and fade in which none of those helped at all. Seriously Fiat/Chrysler, what the hell are you people doing? I call the dealer to ask about if there is a TSB for the audio system and you would think that I was an alien from outer space asking ET to phone home or something. I don't like being talked to like I am an idiot. I want what I paid for and that should not be asking too much. Fiat/Chrysler needs to get a fix/TSB and then notify all the dealers that there is a TSB out there for this. Don't make the consumer beg.

I'm so glad I found this forum. I just brought home my 2016 Renegade with the speaker upgrade and it's literally the worst sound I've ever heard. There is def a problem here. I'm not a speaker expert and everything the comments are saying is true. There is no surrond sound and these are Beats speakers. All the sound is in the front and virtually no sound comes from the back of car. I have the 9 speaker system and this should sound as good as a club. I see there have been a lot of complaints and it seems there has been an issued factory upgrade. I'm calling my dealer to fix or requesting my upgrade money back! I need good sound!!!

My BEATS premium audio in my 2016 TH sounds horrible! It doesn't sound like anything comes from the rear speakers, just the front speakers. It is really just sad, especially for the $695 premium I paid to have "premium" sound. My standard factory sound on my last VW sounded better than this! There is an entire user forum dedicated to this issue. People are quoting sound experts are saying that the amp is either faulty or cross-wired. This makes perfect sense!!! Please FIX IT!

http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/forum/65-electronics-audio-lights/45434-2016-beats-audio-disappointment-thread-update-fix-now-available-9.html

The 'beats' premium audio system sounds very poor. It is not as good as the standard audio system, the subwoofer has barely any bass output even with the equalizer at full bass and the rear door speakers just don't sound right. It's a complete waste $695. I have a call into the dealer to explain, but to date no return call.

Update from Jul 30, 2016: I read on-line that TSB 08-065-16 from Chrysler addressed and fixed the Beats Audio System’s subpar performance in the MY 2016 Jeep Renegade. So I made an appointment with my local Chrysler/Jeep dealer and took the Renegade in for the update. They verified that the rear speakers and subwoofer had very little volume when compared to the front speakers. I have a different opinion, but that’s what they stated verbally. Also, in the dealer’s opinion the AMP was putting out to little power to the rear speakers and subwoofer. With that said, they refused to perform the TSB 08-065-16 update. Per my dealer, that update is intended for a Fiat 500 and would have unpredictable results on the Renegade. Bottom line, the dealer stated in writing that the “Beats Audio System is working as designed by Chrysler”.

My recommendation is don’t waste your money on the Beats Audio System. It’s a $695 upgrade that is a total waste of money. The standard audio system sounds just as good or better.

Update from Nov 5, 2016: I took the Jeep in for a safety recall on the trailer hitch and while there they performed 5 software/firmware updates to various modules. One was for the Audio Amp, that fixed the poor performance from the Beats Audio System. I am now satisfied with the Beats audio performance.

I paid $695 for a premium Beats sound system and it is not "premium" by any measure. I am not exaggerating when I say it is the worst sound system I have had on any vehicle I have ever owned. The fact that it is considered an upgrade is a false claim, it is a downgrade. I find it difficult to believe that anyone would have listened to this sound system and approved it for release to the public.

It seems to me like the wrong frequencies are being sent at the wrong levels to the wrong speakers. If you use the fader to isolate individual speakers you can clearly hear that not all of the frequencies are going to the rear speakers. Also the front speakers are way louder than the rear speakers causing the sound to be unbalanced. Lastly, the sub woofer cross over frequency is completely wrong as the sub does not activate on 90% of the music I listen to.

I have tried the following sources... Bluetooth, USB Flash Drive, FM Radio, and Satellite Radio. The same source music sounds fine in other vehicles I own in a side by side comparison. No amount of EQ seems to make a difference.

I am so disappointed I am actually considering taking the car back, which is a shame because I love every other aspect of this vehicle. It sure would be nice to know if a fix is on the way or if I am expected to live with this. If this will not be addressed I would like my $695 back unless I do decide to return the vehicle.

Beats audio system sounds awful for any type of music other than rap. Rock music just sound empty..like a cheap 1960s transistor radio. Also, all mids and tweets seem to be channelled through the small 3.5inch dash speakers with only muffled muddy bass through the front 6*9 door speakers and nothing much from the sub. Jeep need to issue a software update option (if this is possible) to reset the EQ on the amp to be 'not Beats' ie no artificial selective treble and bass frequency boosts, and suggest they adjust the crossover frequencies so all or more mids go to the front door speakers. If this is not possible they should replace with a new amp programmed with a 'normal' EQ set-up like you get in the 2014 Grand Cherokee and all other Jeeps I have owned.. Beats was an expensive option so is a massive disappointment

Update from Jun 19, 2016: Update: 19th June 2016. Jeep have issued a TSB 08-065-16 that re-programmes the amp and largely solves the poor audio problem...I am now able to enjoy listening to music.

The $695 Premium Beats Audio System is TERRIBLE. According to Jeep, it's working as designed, but how is that possible? It sounds only "ok" if you are playing a high quality .mp4 IF you are tethered with a USB cable. It doesn't sound great over bluetooth. If you are listening to the radio, satellite, or .mp3, the sound is completely unacceptable. Most of the sound is directed to the front dash speakers and is very tinny, and only muffled sounds come from the door speakers. The subwoofer has very low sound. You can't hear the your music at all if you have the windows down because the volume maxes out when it isn't even loud enough to hear. The equalizer has very little impact on the sound quality, and you can play with your fade to get the sound more balanced to the back, but then you can't hear it well because of the maxed out volume issue. Something is wrong with this - it seems as if the wrong signals are being passed to the speakers. This is all very well documented here:

http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/forum/65-electronics-audio-lights/45434-2016-beats-audio-disappointment-thread.html

I thought it was just me until I found this thread. Spending $700 for upgraded audio and being given this product is super disappointing. I don't even want my money back - I want a real premium system as this was advertised. I LOVE my new car otherwise - but they sound system is just bumming me out.

http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/forum/65-electronics-audio-lights/45434-2016-beats-audio-disappointment-thread.html

There is a link to the complaints an the jeep renegade forum. There are other threads related.

Basically the sound system sounds like it is out of phase or the amp send the wrong signals to the speakers. The equalizer has very little effect on the sound. The subwoofer has very low volume. The dealer says its normal. But admitted it sounded bad. There is no tsb or bulletin on the issue but once someone sits in the vehicle and fiddles with the radio they admit it's very poor. I'm sure jeep can do a software update to have the crossover points adjusted and re map the amplifier to send the right signals to the right speakers.