Q: Specs on stock complete stereo system for my car... including speaker specs.. etc etc.. I am not very knowledgeable about car audio or speakers/subwoofers and am trying to learn more and what it might take to make some more power out of my sound system. Specifically I would like to know what the specs are for the speakers/sub etc.
Not to mention.. every Camaro I've had I end up killing my speakers cause I play it too loud.. huh.. whats that you say? I can't hear you!
Also, if anyone has recommendations on clean ways to swap head units out.. and still make the car look neat.. etc.
posted
Yeah, that is basically it. Basically, i want to eventually "gut" my entire system and replace everything. anyone ever done that? what speakers did you use, amp, sub, etc...
posted
You can do a lot of improving to your factory system. The Monsoon is a great factory system but it just can't compete with aftermarket components. I like the stock/stealth look so I opted for keeping my head unit and upgrading the amps and speakers and adding a sub. It sounds great although the stock head unit does have its limitations and I would benefit even more from swapping it out. Crutchfield now carries head units that fit into stock locations - most head units are smaller than stock and require a plate to mount it in.
To answer a few questions, yes, you can still use your steering wheel controls but youneed an adapter - no worries thought it's plug and play. There are a few different adapters available.
As for replacing just speakers....you can but they may not sound the best or even as good as the stock speakers. The woofers in the Monsoon setup are all 2ohms (Firebird subs have dual 4ohm voice coils that are run in parallel as a 2ohm load). Replacing the factory 2ohm woofers with 4ohm woofers, the industry standard, will cause you to lose about half of the available power and really isn't recommended. If you replace speakers you are best off replacing the amp too to get full potential. You can also replace just the head unit and that seems to work well for a lot of people who don't want to spend a lot but want a little better sound.
Also go to the electronics forums on the LS1tech and LS1.com boards. There are FAQ's that answer a lot of questions there and more people to help!
-------------------- Mark H.
Whoever said you couldn't run away from your problems obviously wasn't driving an SS. Posts: 942 | From: Santa Barbara and Ventura, CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
I used an alpine din and a half head unit # CDA-7998. Replaces the factory unit with no brackets. Will need a wire harness,easy to wire . Speakers, I like Boston Acoustics 6.5 ProSeries for front and rear. Again bolt in factory location. For amplifier go with a 5 channel to run the hole system. Alpine MRV-F450 or JL audio JL 500/5 will power everything. ALways use good cables, sound is only as good as what carys it. www.alpine1.com www.bostonacoustics.com
quote:Originally posted by USA-1: I used an alpine din and a half head unit # CDA-7998. Replaces the factory unit with no brackets. Will need a wire harness,easy to wire . Speakers, I like Boston Acoustics 6.5 ProSeries for front and rear. Again bolt in factory location. For amplifier go with a 5 channel to run the hole system. Alpine MRV-F450 or JL audio JL 500/5 will power everything. ALways use good cables, sound is only as good as what carys it. www.alpine1.com www.bostonacoustics.com
6.5 for the front doors? i thought they were 4.5 or so in the front doors. the speakers behind the front seats are Bass speakers, right? does that mean you have to replace them with Bass speakers? or are there other alternatives? i too want my aftermarket system to look close to stock or at least descrete looking, to help minimize the appeal of someone wanting to steal it.
posted
SSOA member, Ron Welker, is the guy to talk to for sound stuff.
Be prepared, it's spendy to change out the whole system, and if your car is parked where people can get to it, it's like putting a big "steal the cool audio stuff in here" sign on the car.
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
The front and sail panel speakers are 6.5", the ones in the rear hatch are apparently 4 or 4.5" (not sure since my convertible doesn't have them.) There is no best speaker - go to the local stores and listen for yourself. Everyone has a different ear for music and different tastes.
The wires can make quite a difference in sound quality. However, like everything else you pay for it. Car audio can be VERY expensive but it depends on what you want. You can have a good sound system for a few hundred dollars. It won't be competition class but like I said it's all about what you are after. For $1500 you can replace your entire system and have a very nice setup. Or you can spend a boatload of money and go all out.
As for the "bass speakers" - depends on your setup. The stock system has the bass speakers in the sail panels.
It can also be very stealth - my setup looks stock except for the SubSolutions sub in between the back seats - but it just looks like an arm rest.
Posts: 942 | From: Santa Barbara and Ventura, CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
I never changed the stereo on my Hawk, but a good place to reasearch what fits where is http://www.crutchfield.com
I have done swaps on two other cars. Not a big hassle. Just be patient. As was stated, they have plug n play adapters for the radio and speakers if needed.
[ 23. January 2003, 07:36 PM: Message edited by: chrisL ]
Posts: 2441 | From: Chester, NY | Registered: Feb 2000
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posted
I jacked this off of the SLP board a long time ago...unfortunately, I don't know who wrote this so I can't really give the proper credit. I hope that whomever it is forgives me. Also, I haven't confirmed the accuracy of this info...I'm just passing it along:
Front speakers: The front's are 6.75" DVC's and the head unit powers the mid/highs while the amp pushes the 6.75" woofer. It practically impossible to swap out speakers. Luckily I think I found the perfect replacement. Blaupunkt has a line of speakers with DVC. The one set of leads powers the woofer and the other leads powers the mids/highs! Perfect but will this work?
Side speakers: These are 6.75" woofers/subs with no mids or highs. I also believe they are 2 ohm but not sure. I haven't found a pair of replacements but Crutchfield has a set of Rockford Fosgate Fanatic X mid-bass speakers that just may fit the bill.
Rear hatch: These are 4" full range speaker and any brand replacement should work fine. I found a pair of Blaupunkts(sp?) to match the fronts.
*Note: DVC=Dual Voice Coil*
Posts: 156 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Oct 2000
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I haven't done any stereo work on my car, but I plan on doing it soon. I think that the BIGGEST drawback to this system is the Amp. It uses non-standard output (as noted earlier), and is overall, very poor quality (look at it and I think you'll agree). Replace the amp, whatever you do. And, while I believe the amp is the limiting agent in this system, you are going to have to replace the speakers too because they are designed for this amp and would not work well at a higher resistance (as noted earlier as well).
My brother replaced the headunit in his Toyota Avalon, added an amp and sub, and kept his stock speakers. Well, as soon as we fired up the system, the highs were crisper, the lows weren't distorting (even after we unplugged the sub and turned it up), and the mids were noticably better sounding. Overall better amplification made all of the difference in his rig, even with the STOCK speakers.
Also, while I'm at it, I'd have to throw in a plug for the JL Audio 12W6, which is one PHAT sub. Other JL's aren't as good, based on what I hear from other people, but this one rocks. They are hard to find now though
NiravSS
Posts: 156 | From: Los Angeles, CA | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
I'm not familiar with what the Monsoon system includes, but factory systems are just that systems, made to work together. You can reuse the head unit, but you should change the amplifiers and speakers, you shouldn't just add to the system cause it will never sound great.
Rob
[ 24. January 2003, 08:21 AM: Message edited by: White Lightning ]
Posts: 191 | From: Worcester, MA | Registered: Mar 2000
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posted
I put a custom in my SS. See my sig for the components. Check out this FAQ from the LS1.com Electronics forum, very good FAQ. Additionaly, Enigma, I EAT Z28, and SShevy from there are all real helpful and knowledgeable guys.
quote:Originally posted by White Lightning: I'm not familiar with what the Monsoon system includes, but factory systems are just that systems, made to work together. You can reuse the head unit, but you should change the amplifiers and speakers, you shouldn't just add to the system cause it will never sound great.
Rob
You should know!!! Is that car driveable yet? I want my ride!
Posts: 5946 | From: Litchfield, NH, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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