I got my car (98 Formula, Monsoon CD)a few months ago with 41k miles on it. The sail panel subs were blown (at least, I believe them to have been) so I replaced them with JL 6w0's on the factory Monsoon amp. Well, being of greater resistance, they are quieter than the rest of the system at a given volume level. This has allowed me to hear other problems in the system. The passenger's front speaker has a crackle in it like a loose connection or a blown speaker (probably the latter). Also, some times the left channel will drop to a lower volume, like half or greater. I can fade left to right and the volume is MUCH greater on the right than the left. This is true whether fading the fronts, the backs or both at the same time. Also, my radio reception is pretty crappy.

So here's the deal. I'd like to keep the stoock head unit and eventually replace the front components and run them (and the JL 6's) off of a 4 channel external amp. That would eliminate the stock speakers and amp. I'd also like to find a way to hook up the rears or put a stock sized "fill" speaker in it's place without modifying the car. It's not a 'must have' on my list, but I'd like to. Now, before I go replacing things left and right, what do you think is actually broken? The speakers? The amp? The front left speaker and the amp?

Also, on a related note, where do you pull signal from for the amps? Front left channel?

Thanks all!

 

High to low level converters allow you to convert all 4 channels that way you have stereo. Not just one

The reason for the JLs being quieter is because not only is the resistance to flow of electrons(ohm load) more like you said. But there is also more windings in the coil and bigger magnets allowing them to handle quite a bit more power then the stockers.

My advice. Buy a 4 channel amp, high to low level converter, and get those front door speakers replaced.

 

Well, I'm thinking about pulling my stock head unit and soldering RCA connections to it - hopefully, 4 volts. I'm just trying to determine what is good and bad right now. If I spend a lot of money on speakers, amp and crossover, I could get it all installed only to find out that the head unit took a dump as well. That would change my plans for my system. I have been told that the stock HU's reception is usually very good. However, mine sucks and it has that fading problem. So I don't know what the source of the trouble is. I was hoping someone had a similar problem and could post an answer. But it looks like I'll be spending some quality time with a multimeter and test speakers. Ugh.

 

Sounds like a cold solder joint. Before you go pulling your hair out over this, remember junk yards sell them for 10-15 bucks.