upgrading factory system
upgrading factory system Im sure this has been gone over a dozen times but well here goes, have a 98' factory ws6 and id like to replace all the factory speakers as they've seen better days. My past f body's ive always mounted a single 10'' sub in the back in a sealed box and had that setup but this time around im not sure if ill do that yet or not. in the meantime id like to replace all my factory speakers with a better quality speaker that will drop right in place and wire right up with little fuss but still sound good. i listen to mostly rock/alternative with techno every now and then. my daily is a 14 5.0 and has the bose shaker sound system and i really like how it sounds, no complaints and no need for a subwoofer IMO. What are most people doing nowadays for audio upgrades from factory speakers? looking for some advice
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
You're right... this has been discussed dozens (if not hundreds) of times. A quick search will bring up lots of opinions and options.
The first question is: do you have a Monsoon system? The second question is: do you want to keep it? And finally: how much do you want to spend?
Assuming it's a Monsoon system, you can replace the speakers with packages from our sponsors Kee Audio or Double D Mods. They provide speaker sets in different price ranges that are matched to the somewhat unique needs of a Monsoon system. That still leaves you with the option to add a 10" sub later if you want more bass. Then you should consider replacing the factory head unit because it is the primary source of distortion and poor sound quality (especially at higher volume). A popular choice is to install a double DIN touch screen head unit with modern features like Bluetooth and USB input. Installation of a replacement speaker package and an aftermarket head unit is fairly simple (requires no rewiring) and is usually enough to please most of our members.
On the other hand, if you really want to see vast improvements in your sound and especially in the amount of audio power, you should consider replacing the entire system with good aftermarket pieces. The cost will be higher and there is a lot more work involved but you will be able to get the sound you want without having to work around the design of the Monsoon system.
BTW, the Shaker (and Shaker Pro) systems from Ford aren't Bose.
The first question is: do you have a Monsoon system? The second question is: do you want to keep it? And finally: how much do you want to spend?
Assuming it's a Monsoon system, you can replace the speakers with packages from our sponsors Kee Audio or Double D Mods. They provide speaker sets in different price ranges that are matched to the somewhat unique needs of a Monsoon system. That still leaves you with the option to add a 10" sub later if you want more bass. Then you should consider replacing the factory head unit because it is the primary source of distortion and poor sound quality (especially at higher volume). A popular choice is to install a double DIN touch screen head unit with modern features like Bluetooth and USB input. Installation of a replacement speaker package and an aftermarket head unit is fairly simple (requires no rewiring) and is usually enough to please most of our members.
On the other hand, if you really want to see vast improvements in your sound and especially in the amount of audio power, you should consider replacing the entire system with good aftermarket pieces. The cost will be higher and there is a lot more work involved but you will be able to get the sound you want without having to work around the design of the Monsoon system.
BTW, the Shaker (and Shaker Pro) systems from Ford aren't Bose.
You're right... this has been discussed dozens (if not hundreds) of times. A quick search will bring up lots of opinions and options.
The first question is: do you have a Monsoon system? The second question is: do you want to keep it? And finally: how much do you want to spend?
Assuming it's a Monsoon system, you can replace the speakers with packages from our sponsors Kee Audio or Double D Mods. They provide speaker sets in different price ranges that are matched to the somewhat unique needs of a Monsoon system. That still leaves you with the option to add a 10" sub later if you want more bass. Then you should consider replacing the factory head unit because it is the primary source of distortion and poor sound quality (especially at higher volume). A popular choice is to install a double DIN touch screen head unit with modern features like Bluetooth and USB input. Installation of a replacement speaker package and an aftermarket head unit is fairly simple (requires no rewiring) and is usually enough to please most of our members.
On the other hand, if you really want to see vast improvements in your sound and especially in the amount of audio power, you should consider replacing the entire system with good aftermarket pieces. The cost will be higher and there is a lot more work involved but you will be able to get the sound you want without having to work around the design of the Monsoon system.
BTW, the Shaker (and Shaker Pro) systems from Ford aren't Bose.
The first question is: do you have a Monsoon system? The second question is: do you want to keep it? And finally: how much do you want to spend?
Assuming it's a Monsoon system, you can replace the speakers with packages from our sponsors Kee Audio or Double D Mods. They provide speaker sets in different price ranges that are matched to the somewhat unique needs of a Monsoon system. That still leaves you with the option to add a 10" sub later if you want more bass. Then you should consider replacing the factory head unit because it is the primary source of distortion and poor sound quality (especially at higher volume). A popular choice is to install a double DIN touch screen head unit with modern features like Bluetooth and USB input. Installation of a replacement speaker package and an aftermarket head unit is fairly simple (requires no rewiring) and is usually enough to please most of our members.
On the other hand, if you really want to see vast improvements in your sound and especially in the amount of audio power, you should consider replacing the entire system with good aftermarket pieces. The cost will be higher and there is a lot more work involved but you will be able to get the sound you want without having to work around the design of the Monsoon system.
BTW, the Shaker (and Shaker Pro) systems from Ford aren't Bose.
I don't need anything spectacular, just something comparable to what I have in my DD. will look into one of the kits you mentioned above.
as far as the shaker got it confused with my GF's Colorado. she has the bose system, don't know what I have but hey it sounds decent.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Do you know if the Monsoon amp is still connected? The speaker kits I mentioned are for replacing factory Monsoon speakers which is different from what you might set up otherwise. The Monsoon amp filters signal output for specific locations - the sail panels are subs while the doors and hatch area are mid-range with the tweeters being run directly from the head unit.
So if the previous owner rewired and eliminated the Monsoon amp then the speaker packages may not be the best choice for your configuration.
So if the previous owner rewired and eliminated the Monsoon amp then the speaker packages may not be the best choice for your configuration.
not sure if it was taken out or not, where is the amp located? I can check after work today. If it has been removed what direction should I take from there? would like to replace all of them.
just saw your in Jax as well. Im in orange park near NAS.
just saw your in Jax as well. Im in orange park near NAS.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The Monsoon amp is under the right quarter trim panel in front of the spare tire. There's a photo in the Monsoon FAQ sticky at the top of this section.
Avoid going to Hurricane Performance on College in OP for your Mustang. They screwed up my MGW shifter installation to the point of having to get it replaced by MGW and now my gear upgrade that they did is starting to make noise. They seem incompetent.
Avoid going to Hurricane Performance on College in OP for your Mustang. They screwed up my MGW shifter installation to the point of having to get it replaced by MGW and now my gear upgrade that they did is starting to make noise. They seem incompetent.
The Monsoon amp is under the right quarter trim panel in front of the spare tire. There's a photo in the Monsoon FAQ sticky at the top of this section.
Avoid going to Hurricane Performance on College in OP for your Mustang. They screwed up my MGW shifter installation to the point of having to get it replaced by MGW and now my gear upgrade that they did is starting to make noise. They seem incompetent.
Avoid going to Hurricane Performance on College in OP for your Mustang. They screwed up my MGW shifter installation to the point of having to get it replaced by MGW and now my gear upgrade that they did is starting to make noise. They seem incompetent.
ive been to hurricane a few times, had a vortech installed there and also removed there after I decided to put the stang up for sale. Chris seems to do good work and knows a lot about f bodies, but ive heard others warn about hurricane before. For this car ill be going back to EFI, went over there with my firehawk when it had an issue not going to WOT and doc sorted it out and then asked to go on a ride along with his laptop to give everything else a free look over. will go again for sure.
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was looking at the keeaudio pakages and they are cheaper than I expected, but even if I still have the monsoon amp will the stage1-4 audio packages he sells still mate up and sound correctly with the kenwood I have? will have to get the P/N and model of the kenwood but say the specs arnt similar wont their be some downfall here?
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
No, the Kenwood head unit (or any quality HU) will be fine. The Monsoon amp is where all of the signal filtering is done so as long as you provide a clean 4-channel input, it will take care of creating the 8-channel output for the speakers.
There is absolutely nothing special about the factory "Monsoon" HU... it's just an ordinary Delco 4-channel radio with a Monsoon label added to the face. That's why it is so easy to replace.
There is absolutely nothing special about the factory "Monsoon" HU... it's just an ordinary Delco 4-channel radio with a Monsoon label added to the face. That's why it is so easy to replace.
No, the Kenwood head unit (or any quality HU) will be fine. The Monsoon amp is where all of the signal filtering is done so as long as you provide a clean 4-channel input, it will take care of creating the 8-channel output for the speakers.
There is absolutely nothing special about the factory "Monsoon" HU... it's just an ordinary Delco 4-channel radio with a Monsoon label added to the face. That's why it is so easy to replace.
There is absolutely nothing special about the factory "Monsoon" HU... it's just an ordinary Delco 4-channel radio with a Monsoon label added to the face. That's why it is so easy to replace.