Stereo & Electronics - Alright, help me replace my craptastic Monsoon system

Okay. I've had enough of the pile they call the Monsoon. When I bought the car, the rears were bad, the midbasses in BOTH sailpanels didn't work, and the speakers in the kickpanels were going south fast. So I replaced the kick panel speakers with the reccomended Alpines. I know they're 4 ohm and the Monsoon is 2 ohm. I also replaced the tiny speakers in the hatch. Well, low and behold, one of the Alpines in the front has already blown and is making the stereo painful to listen to right now. I've decided that the Monsoon isn't worth it anymore to just keep replacing parts with parts that don't fit specs.

On top of all of that, my CD changer sucks. I mean bad. It takes three or four tries to even get it to read a CD. It's gotta go too.

Now here's my plan. Early last year I had purchased a very nice HU for my '92. Shortly thereafter, I blew the engine. Now I've got this badass Pioneer Premier HU sitting in my '92 not being used. I want to use that as the new HU for my '98. So I've got the headunit problem under control, except for mounting it in the 1.5 DIN hole that GM uses.

The CD changer, it will get replaced with a new Pioneer 12-disc unit in the same place.

But my main concerns are the speakers. They are ALL getting torn out. I just don't know what to replace them with. I want great sound quality, but I dont' want to spend an arm and a leg. I'd like some bass, but I don't want a sub, because quite frankly, I've got nowhere to put a CD changer, sub, amp, spare tire, and T-top in the hatch.

I'm a poor college student, but I've got a good job, so I can pay for fairly decent speakers. Those are my main concerns, as I've not had good luck with them blowing.

I've heard that the hatch speakers aren't even heard. So I've got sail panels and kick panels.

What do I do? componenet? Wouldn't I have to mount the tweeters separately? I'm not keen on putting them in my pillars, I've already got too much obstruction with those. Are there components that have tweeters that mount on them?

Suggestions, flames, complaints, random thoughts about how much the standard link of kielbasa weighs, etc...are all welcome.

I've heard that the hatch speakers aren't even heard. So I've got sail panels and kick panels.

yes you can hear them. I hear mine all the time. Try the fade to the front and see if you can tell the difference.

What do I do? componenet? Wouldn't I have to mount the tweeters separately? I'm not keen on putting them in my pillars, I've already got too much obstruction with those. Are there components that have tweeters that mount on them?

Yes there are components with removable tweeters. So they can be used as coxials or components. I believe audiobahn has a set. I'll see if I can find it for you, or go to www.audiobahninc.com and look through their products page.

I am replacing my panel subs with the audiobahn amd60q. I am just upgrading speakers, not amp or hu. Someone has said that the audiobahn's sound like crap, but I don't believe that. I have had plenty of audiobahn subs and have never had a problem with them nor them sounding like crap.

If you change out the headunit, then your kick panel speakers are limitless, as you don't have to deal with the 2ohm problem.

Youll find better sound by doing seperates as opposed to coaxials. These will cost more money, but you will be able to hear the difference. I sold the Audiobahns (removable tweeter not a true seperate component set up) and well... I would only suggest them if you have a certian buget in mind. I guess you really cant beat them price wise but I really didnt like them.

As far as mounting goes, most seperates have a flush mount for the doors which if installed correctly, look like they were ment to be there. You dont really want the tweeters farther than 8 inches away from the mid, not a huge nono but what ever works in each vehicle goes. Anyways, if you wand a good component set for the money, check out the Infinity Reference components.

If money is a concern than try to shop on Ebay Ive had customers bring in alot of stuff from there because they were buying stuff for cost. (30-50%).

Wait, so I use the components for the sail panels and for the kick panels.....some like the ones I have in there? The ones I have in there are some 2-way Alpines. They'll need to be replaced anyways. Will I need an amp for the components?

I think I'm confised as to exactly what the definition of components are. :/

I'd like some model numbers for the kickpanels and sails.

I guess I just never noticed.

edit: It's just two speakers, correct?

anyone that knows anything about car audio will tell you to first go to a competition and see other's setups. you'll find no one, unless it's a surround system, with speakers behind them unless they are subwoofers. if you buy REALLY nice components (and yes, two speakers with a crossover) and power them well, there is absolutely no need at all for other speakers. i have friends with speakers in their fbodies that are behind them, and they've all faded their music to the front; it really kills the imaging. do that if you want, but you are wasting money, time, and energy doing so.

i have a couple of amps you might be interested in, btw. i'm PM'ing you about them.

IMO, get rid of the far rear comps, you don't need them. I run about 90% front volume and 10% volume on the rear passenger comps just for ambience. Just make sure you provide enough power up front to satisfy your needs. Heck, a sealed 12 sub would be more than enough (Sound quality) powered by at least 200W/4ohm.

Not knowing your personal preferences, hard to tell if your objectives are for SP or SQ. If you like it loud, don't underpower your front comps. I had to build door pods to eliminate rattling, buzz, etc. Then again, I am providing 300+ Watts to a set of MBQ 4 ohm 170W rated components (biamped)

Good luck from an old school "head banger"

Check this thread out: http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236902

Alright. I just want to replace the door panel speakers and the sailpanel speakers. The components go in which location?

sail panel speakers are the subwoofers of the stock system. They are 6.5". If you have coaxial's in there, someone didn't know what the factory system was.

No, they're the original madbass speakers. Neither of them work.

So I should put coaxials in the sail panels and components in the doors? Or the other way around?

replace the sail panel speakers with subs, as the orginal system has. Basically a 6.5" woofer.
Here is the link to the ones I got:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=5751281700&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT
These are the closest I have seen to work with factory amp. BUT these are 3.5" deep. Stock subs are 2.5" deep. I am going to have to do some cutting to get them in there. I plan on doing a write up this weekend as I am installing them. Should have something for you guys next week.
JL Audio makes a good one (6W0) but is discontinued (search internet and you cn probably find some).
I have seen others, do a search on ebay for midbass or mid bass.
You can do components up front or coaxials. Components are more expensive and sound alot nicer. It is up to you.

The monsoon system will be gone. the monsoon amp will be gone. I'm putting in a Pioneer head unit. Monsoon anything = no.

Alright, I think I've got it sorted out. See, I'm a thirdgen owner, and when you guys said kickpanels, I was thinking the panels near the doors. On thirdgens, you can buy replacement kickpanels for a 6.5" speaker that goes by your left foot. Apparently, on 4th gens, they kickpanel is the console?

So, I want components in the doors, and some good 2-ways in the sail panels? I'm not huge on bass. I mean I've got no need for subs for the music I listen too.