This is topic Question - factory Head Unit and Audio in forum SSOA: "Back Porch" at www.chirpthird.com.


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Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
 
Ok, stupid question since i've had my car goign on 2 years now:

When I bought my SS, it had a casette player in it, and before I bought the car, I told them I wanted a CD play, so they installed the 'factory cd player. And yes, I plaid a whopping 400 bucks to get it installed. All the SS's came with the 500 watt Monsoon system. I've noticed that the cd player says "Delco Electronics on it". Is there a difference in the monsoon HU and the Delco HU? Sacrifice in performance?

One more question (that i probably already know my decision to):

My driver's door speaker is pretty much shot. No bass or anything. Should I just get this fixed under warranty? I was going to get better speakers, but have read that upgraded speakers wont do much bc of the type of system (and the speakers as well [2 ohm]).

Thanks a million in advance!
 

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Posted by NiravSS (Member # 778) on :
 
I'm not sure about the Delco Electronics vs. Monsoon. I think that they are probably the same. My roommate has a V6 Camaro with the delco CD player and looks and sounds the same as mind. I haven't done hard core testing of it, nor do I know it's specs, but probably the exact same POS.

Regarding the speaker; you might as well get it replaced under warranty, at least for now. If you are going to replace the speaker, it's probably better (in fact, almost required) that you replace everything, the key component being the usless Monsoon AMP, which is the limiting factor in the SS's factory system.

One thing that I've noticed is that the amp makes more of a difference than the speakers do. My brother replaced the headunit, added an amp, and a sub to his toyota avalon and the stock speakers that he left in suddenly, and very noticably sounded WAY better....better bass handling, and sharper highs. Just a random example to keep in mind.

Anyway, I got no money to spend on mods now, so I haven't replaced my system yet. Eventually I will, and there are others on the board that have that can give you better advice than I.

N.
 

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Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
 
Thanks Nirav...that's what I figured (about the speaker problem). No money here as well. I figured it would be best to replace the head unit AND amp...but that's way downt eh road if I keep the SS. Thanks

Dan
 

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Posted by NiravSS (Member # 778) on :
 
Ya, you and I both have the $$$ prob. I too am struggling to keep the SS. I know from your other post the probs that you've been facing.

Good luck with everything! If you do get anything done, make sure you post!

Oh, also, if you have some free time, go down to the SLP board and search through old posts about this...they may have some info.

N.
 

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Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
 
Thanks. It's tough being a college kid (hah), but hey, I know it will work out in the end for the better. Actually, i found a forum called www.fbodyaudio.com Got a lot of info there. I also sifted through the stuff on SLP as well. Still dont exactly know if the HU's are different between the two.
 

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Posted by NATESS (Member # 982) on :
 
Hey Dan.

I have been looking at replacing my factory system for a while now, but also facing a $ issue. if you are going to replace your system, gut the whole thing. i will eventually replace the head unit, speakers, amp., and had a 10" sub. if you have steering wheel controls, you will need to get a special infrared unit to retain their function, cant remember the name of it though.

Crutchfield is a great place to look, but a little spendy.

what i did is type in "Car audio" in yahoo.

this is what i am going to go with:

-Alpine CDA-9815 Head unit
-MTX 6304 4-Channel 300watt Amp.
-JBL audio 10" Stealbox sub.
Have not yet decided on what kind of speakers i want, maybe Focal or Alpine
 

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Posted by NiravSS (Member # 778) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by NATESS:

this is what i am going to go with:

-Alpine CDA-9815 Head unit
-MTX 6304 4-Channel 300watt Amp.
-JBL audio 10" Stealbox sub.
Have not yet decided on what kind of speakers i want, maybe Focal or Alpine

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Seems like a phat system! How much is that going to cost you, approximately?

Also, be careful about ordering from some of those Yahoo places....some are a bit shady or totally rip you off on shipping. Also, see if you can get some local guy to match online prices...most will.

N.
 

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Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
 
I wont be getting a new system for quite sometime. I guess it's best to get it fixed under warranty. Anyonw know if there is a difference with the Monsoon cd player and the Delco Electronics cd player? Thanks!

P.S. For speakers Nate, MTX(subs), Infinity, and Polk make awesome ones
 

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Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on :
 

quote:

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Anyonw know if there is a difference with the Monsoon cd player and the Delco Electronics cd player?

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quote:

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Originally posted by NATESS:
.....

this is what i am going to go with:

-Alpine CDA-9815 Head unit
-MTX 6304 4-Channel 300watt Amp.
-JBL audio 10" Stealbox sub.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Jim Mac:

quote:

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Originally posted by NATESS:
.....

this is what i am going to go with:

-Alpine CDA-9815 Head unit
-MTX 6304 4-Channel 300watt Amp.
-JBL audio 10" Stealbox sub.

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Just out of curiousity, where are you buying your Stealthbox from? I've been interested in getting that for a while, along with a single channel amp to drive it.

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quote:

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Originally posted by NiravSS:

quote:

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Originally posted by NATESS:

this is what i am going to go with:

-Alpine CDA-9815 Head unit
-MTX 6304 4-Channel 300watt Amp.
-JBL audio 10" Stealbox sub.
Have not yet decided on what kind of speakers i want, maybe Focal or Alpine

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Seems like a phat system! How much is that going to cost you, approximately?

Also, be careful about ordering from some of those Yahoo places....some are a bit shady or totally rip you off on shipping. Also, see if you can get some local guy to match online prices...most will.

N.

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The whole system is going to run me about $1200.00
could be a little bit more if they have to do some custom work. (tweeters)

it is going to be a very nice system when i'm done.
i am very cautious when buying items online. i make sure i research the web site very carefully before i make a purchase.

I already talked to Magnolia Hi-Fi about the Alpine head unit, and they would not completely match the price, but did say they would take $100.00 off the list price. it would be about the same price as online including the shipping. another cool thing is that the MTX amp, is last years model so it is more than 1/2 price off at crutchfield.
 

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Posted by Jim Mac (Member # 113) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by NATESS:
I've been having trouble locating an online company that sells the Stealthbox. anytime i type that word into a search engine, it comes up with install sites, and the such. Car toys sells it, but it is something like $400.00. if any one knows where to get this for cheaper please let me know.

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Nate, just wanted to pop this to the top and see if you had found anyone for this yet.
 

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Posted by HTWLSS (Member # 117) on :
 
Nate: SSOA member, Ron Welker, is the person to talk to regarding audio. Don't waste your money at the local stereo shops. They'll take too much of your money and hack your factory electric system all to heck. Between our audio expert, Ron, and our Resident Electrical Experts, Steve da Wrench and Troy, you're covered.
 

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Posted by NATESS (Member # 982) on :
 
Thanks Teri.

And thanks Jim for putting this post to the top. i'm sure Dan thanks you too.
 

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Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
 
I forgot about this post actually, hehe. On another board, I was told there was no difference in the two head units for anyone else that wants to know.

I also am thinking about investing in a adapter cable to plug in my phone/mp3 player. I'll post a link of it when I get home.
 

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Posted by Fbodfather (Member # 1119) on :
 
The Audio Head units between base and Monsoon are identical other than we put the 'Monsoon' logo on the readout crystal for branding purposes. The Monsoon is actually the amplifier in the back of the car and in the speaker system...not in the radio head.

I'm thinking we dropped the old "base radio" cassette head (without all the buttons) at the end of either 1999 or 2000....can't remember off the top of my head.
 

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Posted by DanPazich (Member # 1352) on :
 
Thanks Scott for reassuring that fact. That's what I thought, I just dont have the 'monsoon' logo on the HU.
 

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Posted by mhayman (Member # 146) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Fbodfather:
The Audio Head units between base and Monsoon are identical other than we put the 'Monsoon' logo on the readout crystal for branding purposes. The Monsoon is actually the amplifier in the back of the car and in the speaker system...not in the radio head.

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Yep. I found out when dealer replaced the head unit in my 98 because the clock wasn't keeping time. They put in the Delco unit and I made them change it so it said Monsoon. I wanted the logo there so when I sold the car, the new owner would know it had the Monsoon. Side note - the dealer had first ordered and installed a BUICK head unit!! I laughed when I went to pick up the car.

Now I have the factory head unit with everything else new. Speakers, amps, sub, wires. I like the factory look and the system sounds great even though an aftermarket head unit would probably make it sound a little cleaner.

Jim, what kind of box are you looking for? Check out www.subthump.com for the stealthboxes that are around $100 and add your favotie sub. The "new rage" seems to be the JBL GT's.
 

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Posted by Sizzle (Member # 503) on :
 
Do the whole thing. I knew going into buying my SS I was going to get a aftermarket system so I got the lowest stereo I could in the SS.

This is what I'm currently running:
Eclipse 56050 HU (6 disc in dash changer/receiver)
Orion 5 channel amp
10 inch Eclipse sub in the JL Audio stealthbox
Infiniti 6.5's in the sail panels
Nakamichi comps in the doors and I have the custom tweeter pods from SShevy on LS1.com
I also have the steering wheel control interface, the SWI-X.

Good luck, it can be addicting. I'm planning on replacing my amp next year. I've had a MTX amp, and a ADS amp already. I also had a Nakamichi HU and a Alpine HU.
 

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