Amp 2002
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Both Firebirds and Camaros were available with either the base audio system (4 speakers) or the premium Monsoon audio system (8 speakers in Camaro, 10 speakers in Firebird). If the vehicle didn't come with the Monsoon system from the factory then there is no harness preinstalled and no easy way to add the amp and other equipment. Besides, there's a lot more to the Monsoon system than just the amp and there are much better options available in the aftermarket.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
There are numerous upgrades that can be made to the Monsoon system for better sound but first you should check that your 15-year-old speakers aren't just toast. Then look at replacing the head unit and speakers to improve sound without losing the amp or doing any rewiring. A sub can be added for more bass. Or you can get rid of the Monsoon and replace with a good aftermarket system. It all depends on what you want and how big a budget you have.
Those kinds of upgrades have been discussed thousands of times in this section - that's most of what the section is about - so you should be able to find something you like by browsing.
Those kinds of upgrades have been discussed thousands of times in this section - that's most of what the section is about - so you should be able to find something you like by browsing.
several posters mention kee audio packages. i went a different rout. kenwood deck ; alpine mini amp : 4 alpine R speakers w/dynamat. $400 parts but also $400 labor (ouch!) next time i would match alpine deck w alpine mini amp (had to rewire) cost to bypass my factory amp. just giving you my (kinda budget) idea. cheers!
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The Monsoon amp is almost never the source of poor sound despite a number of people talking about bypassing it. The amp is not particularly powerful but it does produce clean output into eight channels when given a clean input signal. The biggest source of distortion is the terrible Delco head unit followed by fairly cheap speakers that are now quite old. Lots of people have been quite pleasantly surprised by the sound they get from updating a Monsoon system with a good aftermarket HU and decent speakers such as the Kee Audio packages (retaining the factory amp).
Of course, you can always do even better with a full aftermarket system but then you should be completely rewiring, not just bypassing the factory amp. That's why Dan's installation labor was so expensive - rewiring takes time - but the results can be great if you want to spend the time and/or money.
Of course, you can always do even better with a full aftermarket system but then you should be completely rewiring, not just bypassing the factory amp. That's why Dan's installation labor was so expensive - rewiring takes time - but the results can be great if you want to spend the time and/or money.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2012
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Upgrade I want to keep it pretty much stock, ie no sub in trunk or head unit. I agree the speakers have to go. They are in good shape, just cheap junk. What I was thinking is using a good woofer that can push alot of air and then use a lo pass filter, 2000 hz or less. Keep the coax mid range and tweeters in front and woofers in the rear. Only problem is the clearance in the rear. Its a convert and the speakers cant be too deep. I need a 6.5" 4ohm woofer, dont think I want it to be coax, not sure it matters.
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fyi i replaced my front door speaker twice then gave up guessing the problem was either the hu or factory amp.(speaker sounded blown). if your worried about how an after mkt hu looks in the dash i could send you a txt pic of mine. pm me. cheers.
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The door speakers are not coaxial - they're separate components that just happen to have the tweeter mounted in the middle of the woofer. So you need two channels in each door to drive them. You might be able to find a crossover that would match the speaker characteristics but you would probably do better with coaxial replacement speakers there.
You're not going to find a 6.5" woofer that pushes a lot of air. The size and the shallow mounting depth in a convertible just makes that physically impossible. Even the solutions popular in f-body coupes (Bazooka, CDT and Audiopipe) won't work because they are too deep to mount in the rear of a convertible. Your best bet is a separate sub if you want more bass.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2012
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System I have a boss 3700w amp that i will mount to an amp rack board at the rear of the trunk well. 6 3/4 kicker brand 200a speakers are installed by rear seats. I just need front speakers and a tube sub woofer or single mounted on drivers side. I might install a transam hu, they seem to be better with the equilizer. Any thoughts whitebird
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Boss (and Pyle) equipment is on the very low end and is normally avoided by anyone who is looking for quality. However, it is small, has speaker level input, and a reasonable level of power (if you can believe their specs) so it might work for you.
I'm not familiar with a 200A model of Kicker speakers but Kicker generally makes a decent product although some people don't like the brightness of their output... some people love them and others complain that they make their ears bleed. It's all a matter of personal taste.
The Trans Am head unit has no better sound quality than a Camaro unit. The reason a Firebird Monsoon system sounds better is the type and distribution of speakers... dual voice coil subs in the sail panels, independent tweeters both front and rear, and a better balance of amplified speakers (the tweeters are run directly off the head unit rather than from the amp like a Camaro). Swapping your existing factory HU with a Pontiac one will give you the same muddled sound while switching the display color to red and giving up speed compensated volume just for slightly better tone controls. If you are determined to use a factory head unit for stock appearance then just stick with the one you have.
I'm not familiar with a 200A model of Kicker speakers but Kicker generally makes a decent product although some people don't like the brightness of their output... some people love them and others complain that they make their ears bleed. It's all a matter of personal taste.
The Trans Am head unit has no better sound quality than a Camaro unit. The reason a Firebird Monsoon system sounds better is the type and distribution of speakers... dual voice coil subs in the sail panels, independent tweeters both front and rear, and a better balance of amplified speakers (the tweeters are run directly off the head unit rather than from the amp like a Camaro). Swapping your existing factory HU with a Pontiac one will give you the same muddled sound while switching the display color to red and giving up speed compensated volume just for slightly better tone controls. If you are determined to use a factory head unit for stock appearance then just stick with the one you have.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 369
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Location Do you think the 17x10 boss would fit in tge original quarter panel location or is that a bad idea. I need all tge room i can get in the trunk being a vert.
P.s. 200a is not model its amps. Model is ksc670
P.s. 200a is not model its amps. Model is ksc670
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Sorry, can't say... I don't know how much space is available there in a convertible.
I've never seen a speaker rated by amps before but those Kickers seem like a good fit for where you want to install them.
I've never seen a speaker rated by amps before but those Kickers seem like a good fit for where you want to install them.