Installing 6.5" components - do I need...
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Launching!
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Freehold, NJ
Installing 6.5" components - do I need... If I keep the monsoon amp (for now at least), do I need to install the passive crossover which comes with the component set or can I just rely on the frequency being sent from the stock amp?
Thx.
Thx.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
You can't install the crossover. Crossovers are designed to split a single audio channel into high and low frequencies for the components. The door speakers are already separate channels for wiring to each speaker element. You will need to retain the factory inline high-pass filter for the tweeters (which are powered by the head unit in a Firebird). Or you could use the crossover as a simple filter by just installing it inline for the tweeters (leave the woofer side unused).
So the stock unit is just a high-pass filter and not a crossover?
So just leave the stock filter and not use the crossover that comes with the new components - got it.
So just leave the stock filter and not use the crossover that comes with the new components - got it.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
In Firebirds the tweeters are powered by the head unit rather than the Monsoon amp. There are inline high-pass filters in the wiring close to each tweeter.
For all the other speakers (and all speakers in Camaros) the individual channels are filtered internally in the Monsoon amp.
For all the other speakers (and all speakers in Camaros) the individual channels are filtered internally in the Monsoon amp.
For the CDT's and some other comp sets I do recommend using the aftermarket xover for the tweeters and bypass the factory xovers as they are not as good. Most aftermarket crossovers will be better than the Monsoon xovers. They are the foam covered rectangles clipped onto the plastic factory mounts with the red and black wires going to the tweeter.
The other thing about aftermarket xovers is that the frequency ranges are usually matched to the tweeter they come with so that you get optimal sound quality and power handling. Aftermarket crossovers are also in some cases adjustable as well. The factory xover will work with the aftermarket tweeter because it is filtering the signal but IMO an aftermarket xover will sound better overall.
In order to use the aftermarket xover you would need to bypass the factory crossover so keep this in mind. Again...this is just my $.02.
The other thing about aftermarket xovers is that the frequency ranges are usually matched to the tweeter they come with so that you get optimal sound quality and power handling. Aftermarket crossovers are also in some cases adjustable as well. The factory xover will work with the aftermarket tweeter because it is filtering the signal but IMO an aftermarket xover will sound better overall.
In order to use the aftermarket xover you would need to bypass the factory crossover so keep this in mind. Again...this is just my $.02.
