Advise me in setup w/o 4ch amp
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Advise me in setup w/o 4ch amp
I went home over break and finally realized that the monsoon sounds like absolute ****.
So far i have a class D amp and 2 jl 12w6s in a trunk box.
I have a 250$ gift card to bestbuy so I would like to fix up my stereo in a good price vs. performance trade off.
I just want a clean good sounding setup that gets fairly loud. Doesn't have to be competition quality and i think I can do a good setup.
I am thinking about getting a new headunit and some nice 2 or 3-ways. I don't want to get composite speakers because they will cost more and I will need a new amp.
Will a new headunit improve my bass output? The monsoon doesnt seem to have a clean signal anywhere. (currently tapped into rear pillar speakers.)
What do you guys recommend?
My headunit requirements:
must look clean in the trans am interior, have support for steering wheel buttons, and have an input for audio.
Then the speakers must be loud as possible on a headunit output.
So far i have a class D amp and 2 jl 12w6s in a trunk box.
I have a 250$ gift card to bestbuy so I would like to fix up my stereo in a good price vs. performance trade off.
I just want a clean good sounding setup that gets fairly loud. Doesn't have to be competition quality and i think I can do a good setup.
I am thinking about getting a new headunit and some nice 2 or 3-ways. I don't want to get composite speakers because they will cost more and I will need a new amp.
Will a new headunit improve my bass output? The monsoon doesnt seem to have a clean signal anywhere. (currently tapped into rear pillar speakers.)
What do you guys recommend?
My headunit requirements:
must look clean in the trans am interior, have support for steering wheel buttons, and have an input for audio.
Then the speakers must be loud as possible on a headunit output.
#2
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You have the Monsoon system - so you are best off with 2 way components (you meant components, not composite) up front. Many options out there...
New HU is a must -- the stock unit is the primary source of distortion.
Really not much else to say. Because you have $250 towards BB, find some HUs you like there and components you like within your budget, and post here for advice before any final purchases if you think you need it.
New HU is a must -- the stock unit is the primary source of distortion.
Really not much else to say. Because you have $250 towards BB, find some HUs you like there and components you like within your budget, and post here for advice before any final purchases if you think you need it.
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You wont get much for 250 dollar at best buy, sorry, BUT you could get a pretty good radio with it atleast. I would upgrade the stereo 1st and formost. Then do the speakers when the money permits. I would go with Pioneer or Alpine as far as the radio and I would go with Alpine type r component speakers for up front since best buy doesnt sell really great stuff. STAY AWAY FROM ROCKFORD aka COMPLETE GARBAGE imo
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Agreed - if you do want to do it right, go for a new HU first.
Not a very nice selection on component speakers from BB, but you can at least put that money towards a nicer HU since there is a better selection in those.
Not a very nice selection on component speakers from BB, but you can at least put that money towards a nicer HU since there is a better selection in those.
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Replacing the HU is not going to get you much of an improvement in sound. It will still be under powered and the sound will still be comming from the stock speakers. I would replace the speakers first, then a good four channel amp, and finally the HU.
Also...The stock Monsoon HU is not as bad as many think. In my car it is the center of a totally invisable competition level system that has clarity and punch you wouldn't beleive. If you are looking for a clean active input for your amp, tap into the input signal for the monsoon amp.
Re'
Also...The stock Monsoon HU is not as bad as many think. In my car it is the center of a totally invisable competition level system that has clarity and punch you wouldn't beleive. If you are looking for a clean active input for your amp, tap into the input signal for the monsoon amp.
Re'
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Replacing the HU is not going to get you much of an improvement in sound. It will still be under powered and the sound will still be comming from the stock speakers. I would replace the speakers first, then a good four channel amp, and finally the HU.
Also...The stock Monsoon HU is not as bad as many think. In my car it is the center of a totally invisable competition level system that has clarity and punch you wouldn't beleive. If you are looking for a clean active input for your amp, tap into the input signal for the monsoon amp.
Re'
Also...The stock Monsoon HU is not as bad as many think. In my car it is the center of a totally invisable competition level system that has clarity and punch you wouldn't beleive. If you are looking for a clean active input for your amp, tap into the input signal for the monsoon amp.
Re'
You are correct - Monsoon system isn't that bad. The two major flaws are: the HU is the main source or distortion, and the speakers are made of poor quality materials that fall apart or deteriorate over time.
If speakers are completely shot, replacing them first is understandable...but other than that, it's best to start with a clean source. There WILL be an improvement in sound.
---
About your "competition" system though -- do you have external amps? You kind of make it sound like stock equipment does it all, since you say it "punches" like you wouldn't believe... Since I assume a/m amps, of course any system can "punch" if aftermarket amps are added with a sub... But how does it sound? Turning a stock system into an SPL setup by simply adding amps is of course achievable ....but an SQ system is a different story.
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So how would this be for a decent setup:
Alpine 50x4maxwatt HU
Alpine type-r speakers in doors and panels
2 jl audio 12w6's in a trunk box with a class d amp
?
Alpine 50x4maxwatt HU
Alpine type-r speakers in doors and panels
2 jl audio 12w6's in a trunk box with a class d amp
?
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I can assure you the ONLY thing stock in my system is the headunit. All speakers are JL Audio. I have a 12" stealth enclosure in the back with 8" midbases in the sail panels (lots of Dynamatt and fiberglass). I put component set-ups in the front and back and the whole mess is driven by a JL 6 channel amp. The only parts visable are the front tweeters.
I always recomend speakers first because it will make the biggest difference in sound. After that you could go either way. As I usually don't use the amps in the HU I recomend installing an amp next. It's a personal taste thing.
Good luck
Re'
I always recomend speakers first because it will make the biggest difference in sound. After that you could go either way. As I usually don't use the amps in the HU I recomend installing an amp next. It's a personal taste thing.
Good luck
Re'
#9
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Yes, replacing the factory speakers will give some improvement in sound. But if you're looking for the most bang for the buck on an initial upgrade then the head unit is the thing to replace first. The Monsoon amp is actually pretty decent for a low power 8-channel amp. As fredmr39 said, there's nothing really wrong with the factory speakers except that they're made out of cheap materials and they fall apart over time. Part of the reason that the factory subs blow (aside from the cheap materials) is the distortion pumped into them by the factory head unit - especially at higher volume levels. I've seen immediate improvement in sound quality from installation of even a really cheap aftermarket head unit - that's how bad the factory one is.
For those on a budget, I always recommend replacing the head unit then the speakers and leaving the Monsoon amp until they're ready to rewire with aftermarket amp(s). I never recommend running directly from the head unit - why waste a perfectly good amp that's already in the car?
For those on a budget, I always recommend replacing the head unit then the speakers and leaving the Monsoon amp until they're ready to rewire with aftermarket amp(s). I never recommend running directly from the head unit - why waste a perfectly good amp that's already in the car?
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I believe you just have the HU stock....just not the best your system can be, IMO. Why run a nice setup off of a distorting source, and using LOCs? Just because you don't use the internal HU amp doesn't mean that you won't benefit from one of higher quality, RCAs, etc.
#12
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No, the speakers are MUCH more important and introduce MUCH more distortion. Even GREAT speakers like Scan-speak will introduce more distortion than even our crappy HUs. Definitely go with front speakers unless you don't mind buying those elsewhere, because BB doesn't carry much great for those. In which case, get a HU as they said.
#14
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Because the distortion from the HU, even if it's a crappy HU, is a mere drop in the bucket. I replaced the HU in my car first and it didn't improve the SQ. Same thing with my sister's 2000 WS6. We had them replaced because our CD players didn't work all that well and we needed pre-outs.
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Ok quit arguing about whether I need speakers or not. I plan on doing a head unit AND speakers. Now, say i get the 9884, can anyone recommend me a decent set of speakers that will match with that and won't require a 4channel amp or can utilize the monsoon amp to sound good and loud.
In my Z for example, I have some infinity kappas on an older alpine w/ 4x40 internal amp. They lack a tiny bit of power for my tastes. I feel like turning the volume up one more click would be ideal.
In my Z for example, I have some infinity kappas on an older alpine w/ 4x40 internal amp. They lack a tiny bit of power for my tastes. I feel like turning the volume up one more click would be ideal.