some quick audio questions
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Chicago
some quick audio questions Hey guys sorry if this has been asked but I tried checking the monsoon faq, doing a few searches etc.
I have a set of upgraded components in the front that I basically wired into the factory system. I also have an aftermarket head unit but I don't believe it has a built in amp at all.
I'm looking at picking up a new amp/sub and I have heard it's good to just pull all the other speakers besides the components up front.
If I do this and leave the components wired to the monsoon amp, will they receive more power once the other ones are gone? Or is there something that I have to do at the amp to achieve this? I've read the monsoon amp works kind of strange so I wasn't sure if it was just as simple as snipping out the extra speakers and being done with it.
If it's really a big pain in the *** I'll just pull the monsoon and get a smaller amp for the components some time down the line.
I have a set of upgraded components in the front that I basically wired into the factory system. I also have an aftermarket head unit but I don't believe it has a built in amp at all.
I'm looking at picking up a new amp/sub and I have heard it's good to just pull all the other speakers besides the components up front.
If I do this and leave the components wired to the monsoon amp, will they receive more power once the other ones are gone? Or is there something that I have to do at the amp to achieve this? I've read the monsoon amp works kind of strange so I wasn't sure if it was just as simple as snipping out the extra speakers and being done with it.
If it's really a big pain in the *** I'll just pull the monsoon and get a smaller amp for the components some time down the line.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,329
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
First, the subject of going with just front speakers and a sub always seems to start quite a debate. "Audiophiles" say that you want your system to sound like a concert with the sound stage in front of you. Many others really prefer the "surround sound" experience and like having speakers behind them. It's really a matter of personal preference - neither way is right or wrong. If you like sound from all around you, don't let anybody tell you it's the wrong thing to do. It's your car and your sound system - go with what you like best.
That said, unfortunately you won't gain power on the other channels by disconnecting the rear ones. Certainly you can just disconnect the rear speakers without any other modifications but it won't help the fronts.
As long as your head unit has speaker output, it has an internal amp. Almost all head units do. You could rewire the front speakers directly to the HU but it almost certainly doesn't have as much power as the external amp. The Monsoon amp really isn't bad so I would recommend leaving it connected unless you add another external amp. In fact, I would leave everything connected the way it is and just add your sub, then see how you like the sound. You can always disconnect or remove the other speakers later.
That said, unfortunately you won't gain power on the other channels by disconnecting the rear ones. Certainly you can just disconnect the rear speakers without any other modifications but it won't help the fronts.
As long as your head unit has speaker output, it has an internal amp. Almost all head units do. You could rewire the front speakers directly to the HU but it almost certainly doesn't have as much power as the external amp. The Monsoon amp really isn't bad so I would recommend leaving it connected unless you add another external amp. In fact, I would leave everything connected the way it is and just add your sub, then see how you like the sound. You can always disconnect or remove the other speakers later.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
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From: Chicago
Thanks very much for the info. I figured the monsoon amp worked that way but I just wanted to hear it from someone else. That being said, my HU is a few years old so you're probably right in saying I'd be getting the same or more power by just continuing to power the components with the factory amp. When I upgrade to a better set of components I can always pick up another small amp to power them and pull the rest of the monsoon stuff.
That's an interesting point about the "sound stage" vs. the "surround sound" effect. I'll leave the hatch speakers in and just try fading the HU to the front 100% for a little while once the sub is in and see how that sounds. I have a feeling I'll like the sound stage setup more because that's how my home theater is set up basically.
I know I'll be pulling the sail panel speakers for sure. I never quite got the driver's side deadened properly so I get some buzzing from it when it hits real low sustained tones (that's what got me wanting a sub actually). From my understanding, those speakers only put out low-range anyway so a sub would make them redundant in my setup.
That's an interesting point about the "sound stage" vs. the "surround sound" effect. I'll leave the hatch speakers in and just try fading the HU to the front 100% for a little while once the sub is in and see how that sounds. I have a feeling I'll like the sound stage setup more because that's how my home theater is set up basically.
I know I'll be pulling the sail panel speakers for sure. I never quite got the driver's side deadened properly so I get some buzzing from it when it hits real low sustained tones (that's what got me wanting a sub actually). From my understanding, those speakers only put out low-range anyway so a sub would make them redundant in my setup.
