Well its time to ditch the Monsoon system for something nicer.. Here is what im looking at getting installed:

Alpine CD-A7893 head unit
Alpine 5 channel V12 amp (4x60W + 1x200W)
Boston Acoustics 6.5" 2 way system in doors (seperates)
Boston Acoustics 6.5" 2 way in the sail panels
Rockford Fosgate 10" Punch HE Woofer (in custom box)

How does this sound? I was thinking of getting the 1.5 din Pioneer unit but the Alpine is so much nicer..

Suggestions??????? TIA

 

Steve I've been into car stereo for a long time, and have listened to many show winning systems. The most important part of a system is the instalation, second is speakers, then amps, then source. Truth is, most of todays car audio stuff is VERY good. For your application almost any top name will be good enough. Alpine makes excellent source units, you can't go wrong with them. Speakers are more of an individual choice. You need to really sit down and listen to several different models before you choose. As far as amps, I'm a Rockford guy, but in your case I would recomend JL. They make very good amps, and they would look great in your silver car. Oh and their W7 sub is bad ***. I read you post on LS1.com and you said you don't plan to show the system. I think thats a mistake. Your car is one of the nicest 4th gens around. If you just throw a system in there It won't look right. It just won't mach the attention to detail in the rest of the system. IMHO.

JL Audio

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Reaper:
<strong>Steve I've been into car stereo for a long time, and have listened to many show winning systems. The most important part of a system is the instalation, second is speakers, then amps, then source. Truth is, most of todays car audio stuff is VERY good. For your application almost any top name will be good enough. Alpine makes excellent source units, you can't go wrong with them. Speakers are more of an individual choice. You need to really sit down and listen to several different models before you choose. As far as amps, I'm a Rockford guy, but in your case I would recomend JL. They make very good amps, and they would look great in your silver car. Oh and their W7 sub is bad ***. I read you post on LS1.com and you said you don't plan to show the system. I think thats a mistake. Your car is one of the nicest 4th gens around. If you just throw a system in there It won't look right. It just won't mach the attention to detail in the rest of the system. IMHO.

JL Audio</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks Reaper.. but when I said im not going to show the system I meant the sound part of it (ie. stereo competitions, etc.).. I plan on being as **** about the detail in the instal as I am about the rest of the car (the main power to the battery will be ran inside the fender with the rest of the wires, etc)

Is the new Alpine 5 channel amp not good? Ive hear it makes good clean power and it fits perfect where im going to mount it.. its black and silver so even the color looks good <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Ive ran Bostons in my Jeep for the last 5 years and they give a very "true" sound.. Im currenly searching the net for a JL stealthbox at a decent price (10") rather than have a custom one made..

 

Im partial to Infinity Kappa speakers. To me, they sound the best. Boston Acustic and Polk Audio are also awesome choices.

Would you want to sell that stock monsoon deck? If it is a CD unit, and part of the 500watt monsoon system, id be more than happy to take it off your hands... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Email me...

 

Alpine makes good amps Steve, and it doesn't sound like you are going to be pushing it much. I don't think stealthboxes have enough output, but then again I like lots of base. A guy on LS1.com made a custom pasenger side stealth box with a W7, very nice. DJsexy I think? I also like to use separate amps for my bass, but again It doesn't sound like you want an all out system. Where do you plan to mount the amp? Are going to have custom trim piece made for the H/U? Whats your plan for the tweeters? In our cars they tend to sound best mounted in the a pillers. Oh, and I wouldn't use speakers in the rear. It won't sound good. Just use the 5-channel amp to Bi-amp your separates.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Reaper:
<strong>Alpine makes good amps Steve, and it doesn't sound like you are going to be pushing it much. I don't think stealthboxes have enough output, but then again I like lots of base. A guy on LS1.com made a custom pasenger side stealth box with a W7, very nice. DJsexy I think? I also like to use separate amps for my bass, but again It doesn't sound like you want an all out system. Where do you plan to mount the amp? Are going to have custom trim piece made for the H/U? Whats your plan for the tweeters? In our cars they tend to sound best mounted in the a pillers. Oh, and I wouldn't use speakers in the rear. It won't sound good. Just use the 5-channel amp to Bi-amp your separates.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">No, not an all out system.. I just like nice clean relativly loud music with the proper amount of base <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> -- Was looking at mounting the amp vertically in the t-top well against the BACK wall facing forward.. its the most out of the way area.. Tweeters were going to be mounted in the door panel up near the handle (where the radio controls are).. in not going to run speakers in the hatch area as it seemed a waste to me. As far as the radio trim piece, im leaving that up to the stereo shop.. any suggestions on whats the best looing "1 din to 1.5 din" plate? Oh, here is the amp I was considering:

http://ecominet2.alpine-usa.com/pls/...=130&p_main=10

I think at the power levels im looking at a 5 channel will be fine.. plus its one less item taking up space (trying to keep system as hidden as possible) -- I wish they made more NICE 1.5 din units.. the pioneer is a good unit but im not crazy about how it looks..

Do you have any pics of your system? (where your tweeters are mounted, etc) Thanks for all the help <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Steve

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by RTCamaroSS:
<strong>Would you want to sell that stock monsoon deck? If it is a CD unit, and part of the 500watt monsoon system, id be more than happy to take it off your hands... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Email me...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yep, the stock deck will be put up for sale.. whats a fair price? I will also be selling my 12 disc CD changer.. will probley ask for $140 for it.. let me know <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

My vert is still stock, I have my amps/subs/processors sitting in my garage. I can't decide on how to mount the subs. I also need to get a different H/U. Have them mount the tweeters in the a pillers, trust me. All of the aftermarket mounting and trim kits I've seen suck. They don't integrate very well. I'm going to buy a spare trim piece from GM and have it filled in so that a single din unit will look flush.

 

My only input would be to not put the 2 ways in the sail panels. You don't really want sound coming from behind you, it throws off the stage. You should dump the sail panel speakers and use the money saved to upgrade the door speakers or to add kickpanel speakers. I'm not saying the Boston's are bad, but you might find something you like better at a little bit higher price.

Russ

 

I bought a monsoon pontiac deck a while back for 75 bucks... so i dunno what you want to ask for your deck... All i need is the deck, dont need the changer.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by RTCamaroSS:
<strong>I bought a monsoon pontiac deck a while back for 75 bucks... so i dunno what you want to ask for your deck... All i need is the deck, dont need the changer.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">How about $65 shipped? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

77-Vette - I was thinking of some midbass in the sail panels.. the front speakers (BA) i was looking at were their top of the line $500 (retail) speakers.. so when you say better for a little more, how much $$ are you talking? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by RTCamaroSS:
<strong>I bought a monsoon pontiac deck a while back for 75 bucks... so i dunno what you want to ask for your deck... All i need is the deck, dont need the changer.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">How about $65 shipped? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

77-Vette - I was thinking of some midbass in the sail panels.. the front speakers (BA) i was looking at were their top of the line $500 (retail) speakers.. so when you say better for a little more, how much $$ are you talking? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

 

The 5- channel Alpine T-Class amp is what I'm using, and it is really a clean amp. The factory birth certificate reads 135 watts x 4 and 253 watts to the sub at 4 ohms. I close my T-top cover in summer and get no thermals as well. It's just a heavy peice, because it uses the same chassis as a regular V-12 5-channel. I'm attempting to keep my Z as lightweight as possible, so i'll try the new Blaupunkt 7-channel T-class as soon as they are available. I run a couple of 2-channel Blauhs in my Supra, and the things must only weigh 3-lbs. apeice <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" /> max. Oh yeah, clean power as well...Will

 

Well Steve, I can only speculate on the performance of that amp, but she sure is purdy! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />