Stereo & Electronics - What do you think about the stock Monsoon (500 watt)?

Just taking a poll here. The 1st LS1 Z I owned was a 99 and had the 250 watt Monsoon. I really think it sucked ass. Especially when my 94 Z had the Bose system. Now i have a 01 SS with the 500 watt Monsoon. Still not impressed. It sounds decent but the cheap speakers are starting to rattle and i think it will be time for a change soon. What are you guys thoughts? Thanks

I dont like it but its ok for factory

I dont like it but its ok for factory
I agree......... :judge:

I was alright and depends on what you are accustomed too. Since ripping everything out and installing new equipment, sounds 1000x better.

Yea...what Blacker said :rock: !! If you listen to talk radio the Monsoon does fine. If its played at low volume!! Otherwise the voices start to distort. I hate that. Compared to the stock system that are coming out now..new Eclipse, and Toyota truck=rockfordfosgate, GTO=Blaupunkt, and as I understand it Dodge is teaming up with Boston Acoustic. Some moderately descent systems are starting to emerge.

My SS is that only vehicle I've had with a "Premium" factory sound system. So it is the best sound system I've ever had in a vehicle. Music is just not that important to me.

ok i know this thread is if you like it or not and i didnt think it sounded bad i just like after market stuff better and have totally redone my whole system but what curious how much you guys think i can get for all my factory speakers

For a stock system....I think it can jam out pretty good. Almost as good as the monsoon in my 2002 grand am. But, the speakers do take a downfall rather quickly.

unhook the back speakers add a mono amp and a stealthbox and turn the bass 80 percent down on the deck, it'll be decent.

For a stock system, it's pretty good.

I like it for a stock system. I'd like to upgrade, but I think it is better stock than the stock performance stuff...so I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.

I think it was ok for a stock system in it's day. I mean it was developed for a '98 application, so you have to keep that in perspective, and a good portion of those dealing with issues are working with speakers that have been in service for an average of 6-7 years by now.

My only true complaint is I think someone should have been fired for the gain settings on the amplifier (why require a signal level that's all distorted from the h/u to get full amp power?).

The weak tweeters and low durability of the speakers plague many factory systems so I can't really hold them against it.

The Monsoon 500 watt system is Jones! I have 53,000 miles in my crab and they haven't rattled at all. It's the best car stereo system I've ever heard and it's even comparable to the Bose stereo system in my Mom's S500 Mercedes. Carlton, just replace that speaker with a used one. Use Fred's or something.

I didn't like the stock Monsoon system. After adding a kenwood hu I liked it better and after a adding 2 10inch subwoofers I liked it. I even like it more now that I replaced the stock speakers with Infinity 62.7i's. I have no future plans to upgrade the stock amp, sound really good with a aftermarket hu and the 62.7i's.

I think the stock Monsoon system is fine.

Then again I'm not big into audio equipment.

The Monsoon 500 watt system is Jones! I have 53,000 miles in my crab and they haven't rattled at all. It's the best car stereo system I've ever heard and it's even comparable to the Bose stereo system in my Mom's S500 Mercedes. Carlton, just replace that speaker with a used one. Use Fred's or something.

Maybe within the next 2 years or so when i take it out i'll save it for ya when yours starts to rattle and distort :jest:

Maybe within the next 2 years or so when i take it out i'll save it for ya when yours starts to rattle and distort :jest:

Carlton, you just have bad luck with Monsoons. That's all. Either get a new Monsoon speaker or a used one and the Monsoon system should last you forever.

i like the system a lot. however my CD player doesnt work anymore. it stopped playing CDs about 2 weeks ago. I'm really pissed. I dont want to put an aftermarket headunit in, because the steering wheel controls wont work. I dont want buttons in my car, especially on my steering wheel, that dont do anything. If there was a way to hard wire an aftermarket headunit into those controls, I would. But for now, im stuck with just the radio on my Monsoon system.

i took delivery of my SS on may 22 of 2001......the stereo was completely replaced may 23 2001. That is how i feel about the monsuck

i like the system a lot. however my CD player doesnt work anymore. it stopped playing CDs about 2 weeks ago. I'm really pissed. I dont want to put an aftermarket headunit in, because the steering wheel controls wont work. I dont want buttons in my car, especially on my steering wheel, that dont do anything. If there was a way to hard wire an aftermarket headunit into those controls, I would. But for now, im stuck with just the radio on my Monsoon system.


pick up a pac-swix steering wheel control interface. www.pac-audio.com

for a stock system is pretty good I work on car audio everyday and pretty much i hear the bm's and the mercede's..lexus etc ... it's not SO bad compared to some prices you pay for some higher model cars and you get somewhat a little bit better sound.. but if your into the sound of your car definetly switch it out when the time is right... i was happy with mines till the driver side speaker started to go out... (this is refering to the 500w monsoon.. )

bad stereos could be a result of abuse by other owners...mine sounds really good, no rattles. maybe some people's rattles were just caused by stupidity

bad stereos could be a result of abuse by other owners...mine sounds really good, no rattles. maybe some people's rattles were just caused by stupidity

Maybe not everyone listens to Folk Music:rolleyes: Its no question that over time paper speakers will give way. Broken rear ends or uneven tire wear due to excessive burnouts are more what i associate with owners stupidity

i like the system a lot. however my CD player doesnt work anymore. it stopped playing CDs about 2 weeks ago. I'm really pissed. I dont want to put an aftermarket headunit in, because the steering wheel controls wont work. I dont want buttons in my car, especially on my steering wheel, that dont do anything. If there was a way to hard wire an aftermarket headunit into those controls, I would. But for now, im stuck with just the radio on my Monsoon system.

The Pac swi-x like said in earlier post is simple to put in and works great to keep the steering wheel controls. I just bought a aftermarket Kenwood x790 hu for $190 off ebay(new) and even has the plug in the back to connect the pac swi-alp that doesn't even need the eye to work, just a 3 wire hookup and program it like a universal remote.

hmm. I listen to mostly rap, never a blown monsoon speaker,turn the bass left instead of right. it helps

I think its sounds really good for a factory system without using an amplifier but reliability SUCKS ASS! I'm on my 3rd monsoon head unit here :bang: . I wish I knew how to fix 'em.

I think its sounds really good for a factory system without using an amplifier but reliability SUCKS ASS! I'm on my 3rd monsoon head unit here :bang: . I wish I knew how to fix 'em.

??????? The monsoon does use a amp dude.

??????? The monsoon does use a amp dude.
Your right. It does use an amp for your car. But I have a 95 that didn't come with the monsoon system. Therefore, I don't have an amp. I put the head unit in becuase my old delco quit putting out bass. The head unit alone (without the amp) sounds pretty good in my car. I looked into adding the amp but it seemed that it was more trouble than its worth. I've gone through 3 Monsoon HU's since christmas. The first one had problems with the CD player. The second one would not work with my GM9-AUX adapter, and the 3rd one developed volume surges. I now have a fourth one in that seems to be working very well right now. Oh yeah, 3 out of 4 of them I had to replace the display bulb. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this unit lasts for a while. If not, I might actually go to an aftermarker HU. I just don't think any after market HU matches the interior like the stock one does (not that the interior is anything to look at anyway).

When I got mine in 99 the monsoon was nice but compared to the cars today it is not. I did not replace my stereo system until my factory head unit started to go crazy.

Option #3 cause sooner or later you'll have issues

LCD burnout, blown speakers due to high EQ gains/volume, etc.

If you ever strip out the OEM system, you'll see there isn't much too to the Monsoon system.

Your right. It does use an amp for your car. But I have a 95 that didn't come with the monsoon system. Therefore, I don't have an amp. I put the head unit in becuase my old delco quit putting out bass. The head unit alone (without the amp) sounds pretty good in my car. I looked into adding the amp but it seemed that it was more trouble than its worth. I've gone through 3 Monsoon HU's since christmas. The first one had problems with the CD player. The second one would not work with my GM9-AUX adapter, and the 3rd one developed volume surges. I now have a fourth one in that seems to be working very well right now. Oh yeah, 3 out of 4 of them I had to replace the display bulb. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this unit lasts for a while. If not, I might actually go to an aftermarker HU. I just don't think any after market HU matches the interior like the stock one does (not that the interior is anything to look at anyway).

Oh i didnt notice you put that into your LT1 powered TA:) The Bose I had in my 94 Z28 was the shit! Too bad it went bad and had to replace with aftermarket.

Your right. It does use an amp for your car. But I have a 95 that didn't come with the monsoon system. Therefore, I don't have an amp. I put the head unit in becuase my old delco quit putting out bass. The head unit alone (without the amp) sounds pretty good in my car. I looked into adding the amp but it seemed that it was more trouble than its worth. I've gone through 3 Monsoon HU's since christmas. The first one had problems with the CD player. The second one would not work with my GM9-AUX adapter, and the 3rd one developed volume surges. I now have a fourth one in that seems to be working very well right now. Oh yeah, 3 out of 4 of them I had to replace the display bulb. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this unit lasts for a while. If not, I might actually go to an aftermarker HU. I just don't think any after market HU matches the interior like the stock one does (not that the interior is anything to look at anyway).
Then basically you don't have a Monsoon. The "Monsoon" head unit is just an ordinary Delco radio with a Monsoon sticker on it. There is absolutely nothing special about the head unit - the Monsoon system is all in the amp and low-impedance speakers.

Not that that is a bad thing :) - the head unit is no better or worse than any other GM radio and the Monsoon speakers aren't known for their quality. The amp isn't too bad for what it does but it's what we used to call a "booster" because it takes speaker-level input rather than line-level. So it amplifies all the distortion as well as the signal. As you've found out, you can get pretty decent sound (for a factory system) from just the head unit (too bad they're not more reliable).

Then basically you don't have a Monsoon. The "Monsoon" head unit is just an ordinary Delco radio with a Monsoon sticker on it. There is absolutely nothing special about the head unit - the Monsoon system is all in the amp and low-impedance speakers.

I often wondered about that. Thanks for that info. But I can tell you for sure that the new "Delco" radios (with the monsoon sticker on) have more output power and more capability. By capability, I mean that I can hook up the GM9-AUX for my own Auxilliary input or the CD changer. My old Delco couldn't do that but it did last me 8 good years. These new delco's have been giving me nothing but problems.

Sounds to me like the "amp" is more of an impedance transformer rather than an amplifier. Are all of the speakers hooked to the amp or just a few?

I often wondered about that. Thanks for that info. But I can tell you for sure that the new "Delco" radios (with the monsoon sticker on) have more output power and more capability. By capability, I mean that I can hook up the GM9-AUX for my own Auxilliary input or the CD changer. My old Delco couldn't do that but it did last me 8 good years. These new delco's have been giving me nothing but problems.

Sounds to me like the "amp" is more of an impedance transformer rather than an amplifier. Are all of the speakers hooked to the amp or just a few?
Yes, you're right - I should have said that the Monsoon head unit is no different than any other upscale Delco radio (such as the so-called "extended range" systems). It has more power and features than the typical base model GM radio so it makes a pretty good stand-alone radio.

The ability to use the GM9-AUX adapter was based on whether the head unit could control an external CD changer. All of the Monsoon cassette head units could do that but the single CD head units didn't get that capability until the middle of the 99 model year.

The amp powers the subs and woofers in a Monsoon system - the tweeters are powered directly by the head unit (coupes only - convertibles are wired differently).

The amp powers the subs and woofers in a Monsoon system - the tweeters are powered directly by the head unit (coupes only - convertibles are wired differently).
So...
I guess becuase the Delco unit does not have pre-amp level outputs, there was no choice but to run the amp off of signal level outputs. But if they would have given the amps more gain and a higher P1dB compression, they could have at least amplified a less distorted incoming signal. I guess I had to be there when they designed the thing to understand why they did what they did.
IMHO, they came up with a really good sounding system from stock. In my older cars, I could never get sound like that until I added all kinds of crap. Too bad they weren't built to last :violin:

Oh i didnt notice you put that into your LT1 powered TA:) The Bose I had in my 94 Z28 was the shit! Too bad it went bad and had to replace with aftermarket.
Yeah my bro had a 95 z28 with the bose cd player. It sounded good for a stock system, most any vehicle I got in that was around the mid 90's year model sounded like shit compared to the bose system in the z28's. At high volumes, the mids and highs were good, but the bass wasent because of the small mid bass speakers in the sail panels. My brother has since sold the Z because of a blown motor not to mention 232,000 miles on it, he now has a 92 Ford Ranger and a 2004 Dodge Dakota quad cab, the Dakota has the standard 4 speaker system with a cassette player (why couldn't car makers get rid of those damn things, no one uses them anymore!!) and the Z's bose system still sounded better :jest:

Should be replaced sooner or later. I liked it for about a month.
I dont know where they get 400 watts from. I replaced the whole system and i have 1 five channel amp (35w x 4 & 160 x 1) and it sounds 3 times louder.
If your into audio, even a little, you know that stock systems are a joke- always was, always will be.

The Bose I had in my 94 Z28 was the shit! Too bad it went bad and had to replace with aftermarket.

I guess I am not sure as to why you dont like the monsoon and liked the bose. I had the bose system in my 94 Z28 and compared to the 500w monsoon it sucked ass. Maybe the Monsoon in the camaro's isnt as good or something being you dont have an equalizer? Cuz my Monsoon in my T/A is great, and makes the bose system in my camaro sound like crap.

I think they sound pretty damn good for a stock system, however, i have looked at several used 00 to 02 Camaros and they all have blown at least front speakers except for one auto that was driven by a female who took care of her stuff. The car i bought is going in for warranty work and im just having them replace all the speakers (every single one is blown except the hatch rear 2) since its covered in my GM warranty anyway. Just dont crank em too much!

randomn...the two far back speakers are full range and the two that are in the middle, by the backseats, are for bass or do i have those flip flopped?

No, your right the set over the back seat are for bass output, and very back ones in the hatch area are full range, or two way speakers.

instead of replacing the same damn factory head unit, upgrade. unless you're getting them free. unless i was doing an old restoration, i.e. 1930 something's, i wouldn't waste money on a factory radio.

How do you know wether you have the 250 watt or the 500 watt

i didnt like mine since it had a blown front right speaker. i liked the steering wheel controls, but i drive with one hand on the shifter and the buttons on my stereo are only about 3 inches away. its more of a pain for me to hit the buttons on the wheel than it is to hit them on the radio itself lol.

hate it. Distorts like crazy and just like above my 01 Z has a blown right front speaker. It completely came unglued from the metal...

Best Buy told me it would be at least $1000 to install new speakers (not including the price of the speakers) because our factor system is supposedly so complex to dismantle.

Considering that, the stock system started to sound a lot better....

What a crock.......I would never, ever go to Best Buy or Circuit City!

Been there, done that!

How do you know wether you have the 250 watt or the 500 watt
still want to know

Best Buy told me it would be at least $1000 to install new speakers (not including the price of the speakers) because our factor system is supposedly so complex to dismantle.

Considering that, the stock system started to sound a lot better....
that is complete BS. the hardest part I had installing mine was getting the panels off and on correctly. best buy will let anyone install a system. go to a car audio shop(try to find a respected one) ask them if they have ever done anything like what you want. the average install is anywhere from 200-400 bucks without the speakers. b/c of wires, fuses, connectors, and the labor.

I just finished returning the system in my 99 z28 back to stock in preparation to sell the car. It's been a long time since I've heard a monsoon system, and it sucks just as bad as I remember. It's not even ok for factory. I have a 2002 Buick Regal with a stock system that sounds much better. Even my 97 Isuzu Trooper's stock setup sounds better then the monsoon.

If you just listen to the radio for background noise, I guess it's ok as long as you don't crank it. But if you like to jam out in the car at all, it needs to be replaced.

mike

Best Buy told me it would be at least $1000 to install new speakers (not including the price of the speakers) because our factor system is supposedly so complex to dismantle.

Considering that, the stock system started to sound a lot better....



Someone had to be pulling your leg on this one. Go to another shop or just do the work yourself. Its not hard at all.

I used an EBay $70 Bazooka powered bass-tube to keep the Monsoon bass distorsion in check. It worked OK for a couple of years, but always sounded muddy... I replaced all the Monsoon stuff with Alpine/Infinity (sold the Monsoon stuff for like $125 to a board member) and the sound is 10X better.

mine sounds kickass now that everything got replaced....under warranty i might add, was a lot cheaper and easier than ripping everything out and replacing everything myself. It sounds badass now I think...then again might just be because I was listening to blown speakers for a couple weeks. Hope these dont need replacing within the next year.

MONSOON SYSTEM = A LARGE PILE OF :turd: :turd: :turd:

the monsoon 500w stock stereo is fine by me, i listen to mainly metal and classic rock, so not really any bass needed(except doublebass, but no bass drops or anything like that) i did replace the front speakers w/ 6.5" infinity refrence, and i think it sounds good

The monsoon was pretty good until I blew out the door speakers. Then I realized I'd have to get all new speakers and a new headunit, plus rewire the whole car to get aftermarket speakers to work in the doors. Kind of pissed me off, but I got over it.

The monsoon was pretty good until I blew out the door speakers. Then I realized I'd have to get all new speakers and a new headunit, plus rewire the whole car to get aftermarket speakers to work in the doors. Kind of pissed me off, but I got over it.

you dont have to rewire the car inorder to get the door speakers to work, you just have to use one set of the wires on aftermarket speakers instead of all 4 of um.....if you put um all together it either crackled or didnt work dont remember exactly, you have to use the mids not the highs

you dont have to rewire the car inorder to get the door speakers to work, you just have to use one set of the wires on aftermarket speakers instead of all 4 of um.....if you put um all together it either crackled or didnt work dont remember exactly, you have to use the mids not the highs

I didn't feel like fucking with it and ran new wires anyways.

Cheap, they tend to blow way to easy! Paper cone sucks!!

Well I just removed the Monsoon and installed my system. What a night and day difference. If you like music and still have a stock system, remove it asap. And it was really easy to remove. I used the stock wiring for the front doors. Just spliced into the harness in the hatch. Made the job much easier.

:lurk: :hail:

Totally in agreement........and if anyone doubts it, just go listen to an aftermarket system!

I have kenwood & alpine in my in my other vehicles with 100 watt RMS 4 channels driven & .02 THD . My monsoon sounds just as good if not better,and with the top down the sound gets higher the faster I go with the automatic sound control . I plan on better front speakers soon though. Every once in a while I can hear the fronts rattle but its the grilles not the speaker itself. For now I'm satisfied. :secret2:

I think it's a great system especially for crankin out Metal!
But the V8 sound system is way better!

I think it was ok for a stock system in it's day. I mean it was developed for a '98 application, so you have to keep that in perspective, and a good portion of those dealing with issues are working with speakers that have been in service for an average of 6-7 years by now.

My only true complaint is I think someone should have been fired for the gain settings on the amplifier (why require a signal level that's all distorted from the h/u to get full amp power?).

The weak tweeters and low durability of the speakers plague many factory systems so I can't really hold them against it.

Actually you could get the monsoon 500 watt in the 97's. I think it sounds damn good for a stock system.

:lurk: :hail:

Totally in agreement........and if anyone doubts it, just go listen to an aftermarket system!

MONSOON SYSTEM = A LARGE PILE OF :turd: :turd: :turd:

:eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :eyes: :gay:

Mine is going now with 60k on it. It was ok for stock but now I want to upgrade particularly with the new HD signals coming out. Speakers are taking a dive and the head unit gets a little finicky once in a while.

you guys that say it is crap are comparing it to an aftermarket system, because for a stock system - it no doubt sounds good.

you guys that say it is crap are comparing it to an aftermarket system, because for a stock system - it no doubt sounds good.


Go to the doctor right away and have your ears checked as soon as possible..you obviously can't hear... :jest: ..monsoon= :turd:

It's fine for me. I like the 500 watt.

I notice I drive with my music up loud basically all the time. and i have no beefs with the system for a stock system on a Trans Am (yeah i think they were stock, not an option)


honestly wouldn't mind re-doing the interiors and tossing in 2 JL Audio 10's or so.. I'd just wire it into the head unit, i really like my steering wheel controls.


JMO.

I have a problem with the base in the front speakers only, bought some more front speakers still the same bought another Amp still the same, borrowed another head unit from my mates guess what still the same. Can i get a more powerful after market speaker that will work in the 500 watt monsoon system in my 2001 SS ????
or has someone got a pair of front speakers that are good they want to sell cheap ???
Any ideas chaps??

For a stock system it's good (compared to the stock system in my truck) but I'm definitely going to upgrade soon, just need to round up everything I need and get it done all at once.

I like mine ok. its a prety decent stock setup, of course the aftermarket are way better but thats not stock. the only thing i wuldnt mind adding is a small amp and a 10" sub in the corner of the trunk, just for the filling

How do you know wether you have the 250 watt or the 500 watt

? anyone know

its ok

If you get a subwoofer (a real one) then it is a decent system. By itself it is weak in the bass ranges.

The reason that so many of the stock speakers get blown is because of all the distortion that the POS :turd: monsoon head unit puts out...if you just go to a aftermarket head unit and keep the rest of the system you will be amazed at the difference in the quality of the sound...it was a big improvment .. I did that first and then went a head and replaced the speakers with aftermarket ones and now it sounds great..the monsoon amp is not bad ... that is the only part of the monsoon system that I kept .. but the rest of the system is crap starting with the head unit .. :judge:

? anyone know
There is no difference between the 240W and the 500W Monsoon amps - they are exactly the same amp (same part number) but GM decided to start advertising peak wattage in 2000.

i like it for stock. the stock door speakers sound better than the memphis PR class speakers i put in my ranger. the bass isn't too bad on the stock monsoon, except when hitting real low. other then that, i like it. but upgrading soon. new amps and subs in, i'lll change the speakers eventually.