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Hello I just installed a new speaker in my driver door while I had to panel off to replace the window motor and repair the cracked panel. The speaker seems way quieter than stock. I know it has a amp, new head unit, and sub (were in the car when purchased. I'm assuming to fix it I would need to direct wire them to the amp but I also have no idea. It's a 2000 trans am
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Does the car have a factory Monsoon system or an aftermarket amp? If it's a Monsoon system then you have the wrong kind of speaker. Check the Monsoon FAQ sticky linked at the top of this section for more information.
If it's an aftermarket amp then you may just have the speaker out of phase (wired in reverse of the other speakers). Switch the positive and negative wires and see if the sound improves.
Does the car have a factory Monsoon system or an aftermarket amp? If it's a Monsoon system then you have the wrong kind of speaker. Check the Monsoon FAQ sticky linked at the top of this section for more information.
If it's an aftermarket amp then you may just have the speaker out of phase (wired in reverse of the other speakers). Switch the positive and negative wires and see if the sound improves.
It's got a after market amp. I'll read it thank you. Probably should have started there lol
So for what it's worth I flipped the wiring and it sounds better but the other side (only have done driver side) still sounds a lot louder but it's blown. I think it's because these are not the right speakers so a 2ohm? Speaker would be better. It has a jx500/1d amp
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Actually no... the difference between 2-ohm and 4-ohm speakers is noticeable but not a lot. It's only 3dB which is equivalent to about one click of the volume ****.
You don't have the wrong speakers - you have the wrong amp. The JX500/1D is a class D subwoofer amp. It is low pass filtered to produce a frequency range of only 10Hz - 150Hz so you'll only get bass to your full range door speakers. Without the higher frequencies, the speakers will appear to be much quieter even though they are getting the same power (it takes a lot more power to produce the same volume in lower frequencies than it does in higher frequencies). That amp would be more suitable for the sail panel subs that came with the Monsoon system (if you still have them), but it is definitely not for the doors.
Actually no... the difference between 2-ohm and 4-ohm speakers is noticeable but not a lot. It's only 3dB which is equivalent to about one click of the volume ****.
You don't have the wrong speakers - you have the wrong amp. The JX500/1D is a class D subwoofer amp. It is low pass filtered to produce a frequency range of only 10Hz - 150Hz so you'll only get bass to your full range door speakers. Without the higher frequencies, the speakers will appear to be much quieter even though they are getting the same power (it takes a lot more power to produce the same volume in lower frequencies than it does in higher frequencies). That amp would be more suitable for the sail panel subs that came with the Monsoon system (if you still have them), but it is definitely not for the doors.
thanks for replying. I've been reading on the sticky and there is some good stuff I'm trying to retain. The amp from what I've read is only a one channel and I'm assuming it's powering the sub that's in there. I guessing then the stock speakers are running off the stock amp. Where they are 2ohm could I just replace with new two ohms and have similar volume as the stock speakers? Or do I need to just get either a new amp to power all or just an extra amp for the speakers?
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
So I guess you have a separate sub somewhere (like a stealth box in the hatch cubby area) which is being powered by the JL Audio amp while the rest of the system is pretty much original Monsoon? That should work fine with the speakers you bought. The 2-ohm vs 4-ohm issue is not significant enough to make that much difference although I suppose it would noticeable. I would recommend installing the matching speaker on the other side and see if that balances the sound before I'd look at replacing stuff. You might end up with too much treble (high frequency) sound because you are adding tweeters (in the middle of the Pioneer speakers) to the factory tweeters which I assume are still mounted in the door. That will be a matter of personal taste... some like more treble for a "bright" sound or you can always disconnect the factory tweeters if it's too much for you.
So I guess you have a separate sub somewhere (like a stealth box in the hatch cubby area) which is being powered by the JL Audio amp while the rest of the system is pretty much original Monsoon? That should work fine with the speakers you bought. The 2-ohm vs 4-ohm issue is not significant enough to make that much difference although I suppose it would noticeable. I would recommend installing the matching speaker on the other side and see if that balances the sound before I'd look at replacing stuff. You might end up with too much treble (high frequency) sound because you are adding tweeters (in the middle of the Pioneer speakers) to the factory tweeters which I assume are still mounted in the door. That will be a matter of personal taste... some like more treble for a "bright" sound or you can always disconnect the factory tweeters if it's too much for you.
Yes exactly on the sub and I would assume the rest is the OEM system minus the head unit. Okay I'll give that a go. I wish I would have bought different speakers. If later down the road I bought another set of speakers for the front could I move these to the rear?
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
There's nothing wrong with the speakers you got even though they don't match the specs for the Monsoon system. They're close enough that they should work fine. If you had a Camaro, there would be more of a concern because the factory tweeter is mounted in the middle of the speaker rather than separately like in Firebirds.
No, you could not move those speakers to the back later (well, technically you could but they would sound worse than they do in the door). They won't fit in the hatch area and the sail panels are designed to have subwoofers rather than the full range speakers you bought. Plus the Firebird has dual voice coil subs in the sail panel, so there are two pair of wires while your speakers only accept one pair.
There's nothing wrong with the speakers you got even though they don't match the specs for the Monsoon system. They're close enough that they should work fine. If you had a Camaro, there would be more of a concern because the factory tweeter is mounted in the middle of the speaker rather than separately like in Firebirds.
No, you could not move those speakers to the back later (well, technically you could but they would sound worse than they do in the door). They won't fit in the hatch area and the sail panels are designed to have subwoofers rather than the full range speakers you bought. Plus the Firebird has dual voice coil subs in the sail panel, so there are two pair of wires while your speakers only accept one pair.
Alright replaced both speakers and I'm happy with the sound up front. Now turning it up enough for the front makes the sails sound terrible so debating on killing the power to them or replacing them. It's never ending the things I want to do
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
That's not surprising... the original speakers are at least 20 years old and they weren't the highest quality to start with.
Remember that the Monsoon system used somewhat unique dual voice coil (DVC) subs in the sail panels so you'll want to find equivalent replacements. Disconnecting them will remove most of the bass you get from the system so replacing them will definitely sound better. The most popular DVC 6.5" subs are the Bazookas sold by Kee Audio. They're about $100 for a pair and are good enough that many people have replaced undamaged factory speakers with them to gain better sound and more power handling capability. You can find a couple of cheaper models like Pyle (pyle of crap) for only $17 each. I've heard good things about Skar but I've never heard them myself and they're $60 each. Then there's bigger name brands like Kicker but the price goes up from there.
Just remember that you're looking for 6.5"-6.75" 4-ohm Dual Voice Coil (DVC) subs. The Monsoon amp will not handle DVC 2-ohm subs. And watch out for overall mounting depth - I think there's only 2-7/8" - 3" depth available. Deeper speakers can be installed but only by using a spacer.
That's not surprising... the original speakers are at least 20 years old and they weren't the highest quality to start with.
Remember that the Monsoon system used somewhat unique dual voice coil (DVC) subs in the sail panels so you'll want to find equivalent replacements. Disconnecting them will remove most of the bass you get from the system so replacing them will definitely sound better. The most popular DVC 6.5" subs are the Bazookas sold by Kee Audio. They're about $100 for a pair and are good enough that many people have replaced undamaged factory speakers with them to gain better sound and more power handling capability. You can find a couple of cheaper models like Pyle (pyle of crap) for only $17 each. I've heard good things about Skar but I've never heard them myself and they're $60 each. Then there's bigger name brands like Kicker but the price goes up from there.
Just remember that you're looking for 6.5"-6.75" 4-ohm Dual Voice Coil (DVC) subs. The Monsoon amp will not handle DVC 2-ohm subs. And watch out for overall mounting depth - I think there's only 2-7/8" - 3" depth available. Deeper speakers can be installed but only by using a spacer.
You clearly have a lot of knowledge and I am appreciating all of it. It's already got more base than I like with the sub (have had to turn it down quite a bit) but excuse me if this is a dumb question. If I were to later but another amp in could I swap the sails for regular speakers? Also though I hate fiddling with the sub depending on the song so maybe replacing with said bazookas would help with consistency and then I can just leave the sub down all the time.
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The Monsoon sail panel subs are more mid-bass than a true subwoofer so they tend to fill in the range between a true sub and the full range speakers in the doors. You're right though, if you replace the sail panel subs then you could leave your true sub turned down to produce an overall level of bass that you prefer. There are plenty of people these days who think you can never have too much bass, but I'm with you... I prefer enough bass to give the music depth but not be overpowering. I was always quite happy without an added sub in my Trans Am - Kee Audio provided CDT speakers in the doors and Bazooka subs in the sail panels, along with a Kenwood double DIN head unit provided plenty of volume and well rounded sound.
Yes, if you replace the Monsoon amp with a good aftermarket one then you can also replace the sail panel subs with full range speakers. That will significantly change the overall sound. Subs produce low frequency sound which is much more difficult for the human ear to locate - you hear it but you can't always tell where it's coming from. That fills in the sound with bass but still leaves the primary sound source up front in the doors. Audiophiles will tell you that having a front sound stage is important - it's more like a concert with the stage in front of you. On the other hand, having full range speakers both in front and in the sail panels produces more of that surround sound feeling which many people really like, even if it's not "realistic". It's all a matter of personal preference - it's your car, go with the sound that you like best and don't worry about what the "experts" say (including me).
The Monsoon sail panel subs are more mid-bass than a true subwoofer so they tend to fill in the range between a true sub and the full range speakers in the doors. You're right though, if you replace the sail panel subs then you could leave your true sub turned down to produce an overall level of bass that you prefer. There are plenty of people these days who think you can never have too much bass, but I'm with you... I prefer enough bass to give the music depth but not be overpowering. I was always quite happy without an added sub in my Trans Am - Kee Audio provided CDT speakers in the doors and Bazooka subs in the sail panels, along with a Kenwood double DIN head unit provided plenty of volume and well rounded sound.
Yes, if you replace the Monsoon amp with a good aftermarket one then you can also replace the sail panel subs with full range speakers. That will significantly change the overall sound. Subs produce low frequency sound which is much more difficult for the human ear to locate - you hear it but you can't always tell where it's coming from. That fills in the sound with bass but still leaves the primary sound source up front in the doors. Audiophiles will tell you that having a front sound stage is important - it's more like a concert with the stage in front of you. On the other hand, having full range speakers both in front and in the sail panels produces more of that surround sound feeling which many people really like, even if it's not "realistic". It's all a matter of personal preference - it's your car, go with the sound that you like best and don't worry about what the "experts" say (including me).
Alright well thank you very much I have things to think about and have a decent grasp now from your help. Yeah where I live there are plenty of people who's windows shake from their sub and I just can't see the point. I like a little bass but would much rather have a well rounded clear and high quality sound. I feel like to much bass just overpowers and takes away from the sound.
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Newb with sound systems 
