98 Firebird Upgrade
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Teching In
Joined: Aug 2023
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98 Firebird Upgrade What’s up guys. I’m looking to upgrade the
Speaker system in my Firebird.
1998 Firebird with Monsoon Factory system.
I read the Monsoon stickies but couldn’t get any clear ideas that pertain to my specific issue.
Right now, sound clarity as far as voices is good. Some of the bass sounds good, but when songs have deep bass, it just sounds loud. When you turn the music up, speakers sound distorted. As far as bass is concerned, It’s not bass that actually hits or is clear.
So far, I have had an installer put in
Pioneer TS-G1620F 600 Watts Max Power front door (coax)
No tweeter in front door
Kenwood - Road Series 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speakers with Cloth Cones (Pair) - Black 300 W sail panel (coax)
ILX W650 Alpine head unit
The car still has Factory hatch speakers and a Factory monsoon amp.
The hatch speakers sound pretty good. I just need suggestions on what I should do next. I don’t necessarily need a sub because I don’t want car rattling bass. What I do want is a good sound set up that is clear, and that I can hear highs, mids, and lows through.
I have heard about Kee Audio, and honestly am looking for other options outside of that.
Speaker system in my Firebird.
1998 Firebird with Monsoon Factory system.
I read the Monsoon stickies but couldn’t get any clear ideas that pertain to my specific issue.
Right now, sound clarity as far as voices is good. Some of the bass sounds good, but when songs have deep bass, it just sounds loud. When you turn the music up, speakers sound distorted. As far as bass is concerned, It’s not bass that actually hits or is clear.
So far, I have had an installer put in
Pioneer TS-G1620F 600 Watts Max Power front door (coax)
No tweeter in front door
Kenwood - Road Series 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speakers with Cloth Cones (Pair) - Black 300 W sail panel (coax)
ILX W650 Alpine head unit
The car still has Factory hatch speakers and a Factory monsoon amp.
The hatch speakers sound pretty good. I just need suggestions on what I should do next. I don’t necessarily need a sub because I don’t want car rattling bass. What I do want is a good sound set up that is clear, and that I can hear highs, mids, and lows through.
I have heard about Kee Audio, and honestly am looking for other options outside of that.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
First, do you have any idea how your installer set up your new speakers? If they are wired directly to the head unit then you have many options. If they were connected to the factory wiring that runs off the Monsoon amp then they were installed incorrectly... or rather, they are the wrong types of speakers and will not sound very good - especially the sail panels. I suspect that is why your sound quality is not to your liking. The reason so many people go to Kee Audio for Monsoon systems is because he is intimately familiar with the system and sells speakers that are a good match for the amp.
The factory door speakers are individual components with the 6.5" mids connected to the Monsoon amp and separate tweeters connected directly to the head unit (Firebird only - Camaros have all speakers connected to the amp). Installing coaxial speakers in the doors will usually sound worse than components unless you rewire straight to the head unit or to a separate aftermarket amp.
The factory sail panel speakers are subwoofers although their range is more mid-bass than true sub. They are also dual voice coil - two channels from the Monsoon amp power each side. The audio signal is low pass filtered. Installing coaxial speakers in the sail panels is far worse than doing so in the doors. Coaxials are not designed to handle just low frequency signal so they will not provide clean output and will distort easily as the volume increases. Also, you lose power because only one of the two amp channels on each side can be connected to the coax speakers.
So, the thing you should do next is replace the speakers you recently installed with ones which match the Monsoon amp output or else eliminate the Monsoon amp and rewire the speakers properly - either to the head unit or to an aftermarket amp. Using speakers which match the Monsoon output will produce clean sound with decent bass (although not window shaking bass) and many people are very happy with that setup. Going with an aftermarket amp gives you all kinds of options limited only by your budget.
The factory door speakers are individual components with the 6.5" mids connected to the Monsoon amp and separate tweeters connected directly to the head unit (Firebird only - Camaros have all speakers connected to the amp). Installing coaxial speakers in the doors will usually sound worse than components unless you rewire straight to the head unit or to a separate aftermarket amp.
The factory sail panel speakers are subwoofers although their range is more mid-bass than true sub. They are also dual voice coil - two channels from the Monsoon amp power each side. The audio signal is low pass filtered. Installing coaxial speakers in the sail panels is far worse than doing so in the doors. Coaxials are not designed to handle just low frequency signal so they will not provide clean output and will distort easily as the volume increases. Also, you lose power because only one of the two amp channels on each side can be connected to the coax speakers.
So, the thing you should do next is replace the speakers you recently installed with ones which match the Monsoon amp output or else eliminate the Monsoon amp and rewire the speakers properly - either to the head unit or to an aftermarket amp. Using speakers which match the Monsoon output will produce clean sound with decent bass (although not window shaking bass) and many people are very happy with that setup. Going with an aftermarket amp gives you all kinds of options limited only by your budget.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
First, do you have any idea how your installer set up your new speakers? If they are wired directly to the head unit then you have many options. If they were connected to the factory wiring that runs off the Monsoon amp then they were installed incorrectly... or rather, they are the wrong types of speakers and will not sound very good - especially the sail panels. I suspect that is why your sound quality is not to your liking. The reason so many people go to Kee Audio for Monsoon systems is because he is intimately familiar with the system and sells speakers that are a good match for the amp.
The factory door speakers are individual components with the 6.5" mids connected to the Monsoon amp and separate tweeters connected directly to the head unit (Firebird only - Camaros have all speakers connected to the amp). Installing coaxial speakers in the doors will usually sound worse than components unless you rewire straight to the head unit or to a separate aftermarket amp.
The factory sail panel speakers are subwoofers although their range is more mid-bass than true sub. They are also dual voice coil - two channels from the Monsoon amp power each side. The audio signal is low pass filtered. Installing coaxial speakers in the sail panels is far worse than doing so in the doors. Coaxials are not designed to handle just low frequency signal so they will not provide clean output and will distort easily as the volume increases. Also, you lose power because only one of the two amp channels on each side can be connected to the coax speakers.
So, the thing you should do next is replace the speakers you recently installed with ones which match the Monsoon amp output or else eliminate the Monsoon amp and rewire the speakers properly - either to the head unit or to an aftermarket amp. Using speakers which match the Monsoon output will produce clean sound with decent bass (although not window shaking bass) and many people are very happy with that setup. Going with an aftermarket amp gives you all kinds of options limited only by your budget.
The factory door speakers are individual components with the 6.5" mids connected to the Monsoon amp and separate tweeters connected directly to the head unit (Firebird only - Camaros have all speakers connected to the amp). Installing coaxial speakers in the doors will usually sound worse than components unless you rewire straight to the head unit or to a separate aftermarket amp.
The factory sail panel speakers are subwoofers although their range is more mid-bass than true sub. They are also dual voice coil - two channels from the Monsoon amp power each side. The audio signal is low pass filtered. Installing coaxial speakers in the sail panels is far worse than doing so in the doors. Coaxials are not designed to handle just low frequency signal so they will not provide clean output and will distort easily as the volume increases. Also, you lose power because only one of the two amp channels on each side can be connected to the coax speakers.
So, the thing you should do next is replace the speakers you recently installed with ones which match the Monsoon amp output or else eliminate the Monsoon amp and rewire the speakers properly - either to the head unit or to an aftermarket amp. Using speakers which match the Monsoon output will produce clean sound with decent bass (although not window shaking bass) and many people are very happy with that setup. Going with an aftermarket amp gives you all kinds of options limited only by your budget.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The most popular option for the sail panels are the Bazooka DVC subs which run about $100 for a pair - Kee Audio has them as do a number of other vendors... I think you can even find them on Amazon. There are any number of 6.5" 4-ohm DVC subs if you want to spend more money although it sounds to me like you're looking for good sound without spending a fortune. Avoid cheap brands like Pyle and Boss or those no-name ones you can find for $20 on electronics sites.
As far as the doors go, there are lots of options for 6.5" mid range speakers. You don't have to get components - just leave the factory tweeters connected and you'll essentially have a component system. This is much easier than Camaros which are components that look like coaxials because the tweeter is mounted in the center of the mid. I can tell you from personal experience that the CDT speakers which Kee offers are excellent although they are little pricey. I know of a number of people who have had good results with Skar Audio FSX65-4 for only $25 each on Amazon. You'd be amazed at how expensive you can go if you want the absolute best - Crutchfield has 6.5" mid components as high as $4,000 per pair... probably more than you're looking to spend. Of course you can always buy component sets for far less and just discard the tweeters. Crutchfield has JBL, Rockford Fosgate, Sound Ordnance, and MB Quart sets for under $100. Read the reviews and choose what best suits your needs. For example, reviews will tell you whether the speakers have a warm, mellow sound or maybe greater clarity.
I would go for the sail panel subs first because the difference between coax and subs there will be far greater than the difference between coax and components in the doors. Try the subs first and see if the door speakers you have are good enough for you.
As far as the doors go, there are lots of options for 6.5" mid range speakers. You don't have to get components - just leave the factory tweeters connected and you'll essentially have a component system. This is much easier than Camaros which are components that look like coaxials because the tweeter is mounted in the center of the mid. I can tell you from personal experience that the CDT speakers which Kee offers are excellent although they are little pricey. I know of a number of people who have had good results with Skar Audio FSX65-4 for only $25 each on Amazon. You'd be amazed at how expensive you can go if you want the absolute best - Crutchfield has 6.5" mid components as high as $4,000 per pair... probably more than you're looking to spend. Of course you can always buy component sets for far less and just discard the tweeters. Crutchfield has JBL, Rockford Fosgate, Sound Ordnance, and MB Quart sets for under $100. Read the reviews and choose what best suits your needs. For example, reviews will tell you whether the speakers have a warm, mellow sound or maybe greater clarity.
I would go for the sail panel subs first because the difference between coax and subs there will be far greater than the difference between coax and components in the doors. Try the subs first and see if the door speakers you have are good enough for you.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
The most popular option for the sail panels are the Bazooka DVC subs which run about $100 for a pair - Kee Audio has them as do a number of other vendors... I think you can even find them on Amazon. There are any number of 6.5" 4-ohm DVC subs if you want to spend more money although it sounds to me like you're looking for good sound without spending a fortune. Avoid cheap brands like Pyle and Boss or those no-name ones you can find for $20 on electronics sites.
As far as the doors go, there are lots of options for 6.5" mid range speakers. You don't have to get components - just leave the factory tweeters connected and you'll essentially have a component system. This is much easier than Camaros which are components that look like coaxials because the tweeter is mounted in the center of the mid. I can tell you from personal experience that the CDT speakers which Kee offers are excellent although they are little pricey. I know of a number of people who have had good results with Skar Audio FSX65-4 for only $25 each on Amazon. You'd be amazed at how expensive you can go if you want the absolute best - Crutchfield has 6.5" mid components as high as $4,000 per pair... probably more than you're looking to spend. Of course you can always buy component sets for far less and just discard the tweeters. Crutchfield has JBL, Rockford Fosgate, Sound Ordnance, and MB Quart sets for under $100. Read the reviews and choose what best suits your needs. For example, reviews will tell you whether the speakers have a warm, mellow sound or maybe greater clarity.
I would go for the sail panel subs first because the difference between coax and subs there will be far greater than the difference between coax and components in the doors. Try the subs first and see if the door speakers you have are good enough for you.
As far as the doors go, there are lots of options for 6.5" mid range speakers. You don't have to get components - just leave the factory tweeters connected and you'll essentially have a component system. This is much easier than Camaros which are components that look like coaxials because the tweeter is mounted in the center of the mid. I can tell you from personal experience that the CDT speakers which Kee offers are excellent although they are little pricey. I know of a number of people who have had good results with Skar Audio FSX65-4 for only $25 each on Amazon. You'd be amazed at how expensive you can go if you want the absolute best - Crutchfield has 6.5" mid components as high as $4,000 per pair... probably more than you're looking to spend. Of course you can always buy component sets for far less and just discard the tweeters. Crutchfield has JBL, Rockford Fosgate, Sound Ordnance, and MB Quart sets for under $100. Read the reviews and choose what best suits your needs. For example, reviews will tell you whether the speakers have a warm, mellow sound or maybe greater clarity.
I would go for the sail panel subs first because the difference between coax and subs there will be far greater than the difference between coax and components in the doors. Try the subs first and see if the door speakers you have are good enough for you.
What I am thinking about is having an installer wire the speakers directly to the head unit. Do you feel that will change the sound? The only concern that I have Is the sail speakers are so close to my ears.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Wiring your new coaxial speakers directly to the head unit will make full use of the head unit's output if all you want is a typical 4-speaker system. In fact, that is how the factory base audio (non-Monsoon) sytem is set up. You give up the 10 channels, audio filtering, and power boost of the Monsoon amp, but it's an inexpensive way to have decent sound. You'll have to adjust front/rear balance to suit your taste... something that's usually not necessary in a Monsoon system because the bass from the sail panels is not directional so the sound stage is from the doors (in front of you).
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Wiring your new coaxial speakers directly to the head unit will make full use of the head unit's output if all you want is a typical 4-speaker system. In fact, that is how the factory base audio (non-Monsoon) sytem is set up. You give up the 10 channels, audio filtering, and power boost of the Monsoon amp, but it's an inexpensive way to have decent sound. You'll have to adjust front/rear balance to suit your taste... something that's usually not necessary in a Monsoon system because the bass from the sail panels is not directional so the sound stage is from the doors (in front of you).
thank you for answering my questions. I know They are basic but this is my first time doing something like this. Also doing some sound deadening with this install. This is about to be my daily as I start My real estate career so it has to be very comfortable.
Do you have any experience or tips on how to wire a seperate amp and sub while keeping the factory Monsoon amp? I have a stealth box and am contemplating using it.
