Stereo & Electronics - My system off the stock Monsoon... awesome! Thanks Kee

Just installed the CDT comp's in the doors and thought I would share since I am not changing a thing. Kind of an audio head so anything compared to my Honda Civic with everything it has in it I thought would be a disappointment. Glad to report that is not so and I am going to be real happy staying with the stock Monsoon/stock HU in my car. I started out about a week ago replacing blown sails with Kee Bazooka 6.5's:

Bazooka 6.5" subwoofer
6.5" replacement subwoofer
100watts RMS/200watts Peak Power
available in single or dual 4ohm 1.5" voice coils
100dB Sensitivity
Frequency Response: 39-1500Hz
20oz magnet
Price: $119.00 per pair

Fixed a big problem and they had good bass and output for what they are meant to do.

My car has a set of Infinity plates in the hatch area. I can't remember the stamping they have on them and don't even know if they are stock. It is a 4" with a like small tweet. They sounded kind of harsh until I installed the door comp's today. I don't know if it was the EQ tuning or if adding the doors corrected some power or other problems but happy to report they are also staying!

I had bad window motors so I figured while I was there I would do the door speakers with comp's. I kind of figured someone had taken out the tweets and when I pulled the panels it was confirmed that nothing in there. So I ordered a set of open box TW-25 1" Silk CDT tweets just like I have in my Civic (I have two sets running four-way) from Woofersetc for $50.00:

(non-sponsor link removed)

Their tweeters are hard to equal! Very natural sound that isn't harsh or hard on the ear to listen to up. I just stayed with the factory setup/ x-over and they sound just awesome. Damn near as good as my Honda which uses a CDT x-over so real happy about that. I mean they play damn good! No need to change a thing.

To replace the stock door speakers I got the Kee CL-62 6.75" mid-bass drivers since they had the best dB rating:

CL-62 6.75" midbass driver
6.75" stamped red frame
Carbon treated cone structure
14.6oz. magnet
Rubber butyl surround
Power Handling: 80watts RMS/ 110watts Peak Power
Impedance: 4ohms
Frequency Response: 50 ~ 5000 hZ
http://www.cdtaudio.com/pdf/CL-6.pdf
Price: $129.99

I also got a set of MDF speaker plates from Kee to put them in which made for a great install and easy fit. I use silicone for the MDF plate to the door and also silicone on the speaker to MDF. I went around the speaker plate where it attaches to the door with a layer of Second Skin sound deadener. This was just about a 1" strip just to kill a little of the vibration, etc... and about all you can fit in that area. These things play real nice off the stock Monsoon setup. The plastic on my doors were moving pretty good! If the Monsoon had more power I may have tried the HD-62's but I am real impressed with these (like all CDT stuff).

After everything was going and I tuned the EQ I had neighbors stopping by to see my subs. I don't have any! At least not in the car yet but they were amazed out how much bass it seemed to put out without. Just this setup to this point will satisfy just about any audio/bass head without adding a sub. Trust me! My GF doesn't like the Civic... can't play it up, etc... This setup to this point she will be borderline with not liking it :D

So Thursday I am taking it by my audio shop to add the SubThump driver's side box for $112.00:

http://www.subthump.com/acamarostealth.htm

with a 10" Resonant Engineering SE D4 in it I got off E-Bay for $150.00:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RE-AUDIO-SE10-10-SE-SUB-WOOFER-RESONANT-ENGINEERING-D4_W0QQitemZ360031320648QQihZ023QQcategoryZ3291QQr dZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q 2em118Q2el1247

Hifonics 1606D to power it off a guy on CarAudio.Com brand new for $175.00:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-HIFONICS-BXi1606D-MONO-CH-CAR-AMPLIFIER-BXi-1606D_W0QQitemZ160241273062QQihZ006QQcategoryZ6457 0QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

and an "S" amp rack to mount it on from SubThump for $70.00:

http://www.subthump.com/acamarorack2.htm

and a PIE X3/GM9 so I can hook up the XM (Monsoon tuner will remain crappy so got to do what you got to do) off E-Bay for $60.00:

http://cgi.ebay.com/PIE-X3-X3-GM9-TRIPLE-INPUT-AUXILIARY-INTERFACE-COMBO_W0QQitemZ140137529023QQihZ004QQcategoryZ1498 QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp16 38Q2em118Q2el1247

At that point I think it will be damn close to my Civic for a ton less (minus subs).

Retain t-top holder, jack and all. Can't wait to get the sub in and running because that will mesh the whole system together... I just know it! Don't take my word for it though LOL!

So using the stock Monsoon head unit and amp I am $865 or $1,000 by the time the sub/amp is in with breaker and including deadener. That's about what it runs to do any car or a little more for a decent system.

I need to replace my sails and door speakers too..Good write up and very informative..Thanks Intercooler.. :)

I need to replace my sails and door speakers too..Good write up and very informative..Thanks Intercooler.. :)Welcome! If I wasn't excited I wouldn't have said anything.

Choice is obvious on the sails. Other mid driver's may work the same but I love me some CDT mid's :nod:

The head unit has to go..I think I'm going with the Kenwood 512..

Just finished up listening some more... about an hour. It sounds amazing really. Only thing my Civic has on it is some more output, little cleaner and the subs. I think 90% of people would be extremely happy with it! I have just been spoiled with systems and still love it!

You are going to dump the Monsoon HU? If you were nearby I would show you. I'm not saying a HU change may help a LITTLE but I don't see the need. Full functionality of the SW controls, right match to the interior, correct lighting and it fits the bill.

This upcoming weekend I will make a video of it playing with the sub. Maybe I should do one before?

I just played Sisqo, Cold Play and Live. Give me a selection?

A video would be sweet man I am going to use my stock hu as well with two 12" RF HX2 punches & punch amp.

Where did you find the 6.5" bazooka's?

Ah, I found them on Kee Audio :) I'm guessing you used the PAC-OEM1 and PAC-AMP-GM2 (or will be using) to connect your amp and sub?

They are going to use a line out in the back. That part isn't in yet. I will try to get a video tomorrow before the amp/sub goes in.

I want ipod functionality and I'm a sucker for a cool looking stereo. I want the Kenwood DDX 512 :) lol I'm going to order the bazooka's soon also..The front and the sails on the left are blown..

Hook your ipod up no problem.

Okay. So videos are with my digital camera. It echoes and botches most of the SQ but I think you can hear the highs and the bass. I used Live and Cold Play since they both have both. More to follow!

http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff100/Intercooler2/?action=view&current=MVI_0080.flv

Photobucket and Myspace are both taking forever but did get one more. Can't wait until it is nice so I can take the car out and listen.


http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff100/Intercooler2/?action=view&current=MVI_0085.flv


Turn up your sound!

ok, I need to do this soon, so how do you take the door panel off without breaking anything?

I am not the door panel King and I did it. Just start at the handle and take all the screws out. It is cake and a guide for doing "window motors" is floating around in a search here. After you have all the screws and handle out it is held in by hooks at the bottom so just lift it up and off. Has to be about the most simple panel out there. Don't forget to take the corner piece by the mirror off to ease the panel up.

Got the 10 and amp in. Sounds awesome

Took the car to the Ocean yesterday and it was just an amazing ride. Ton of volume left to overcome noise from having the T-Tops out and traffic. The SQ is really amazing. If anyone goes with this setup and isn't floored please post up because I doubt even a hardcore audiophile will not like it.

I also know what rear speakers I have now and they blend to perfection! I have these Infinity 42.7i Kappa speakers which get top marks on every review I could find:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?i=108427I&tp=102&tab=review#tab

Clip of the SE playing with the other stuff. Video doesn't do justice at all!

http://s236.photobucket.com/albums/ff100/Intercooler2/?action=view&current=MVI_0103.flv

so those infinitys are the best ones for the rear?

I love mine! Some people try Coax 5x7's but I think it would be some work. I always heard a round speaker is better and components are best.

this is what i get from crutchfield
Infinity Kappa 42.7i 4" 2-way Speakers

This item is NOT recommended for your vehicle.

Crutchfield is often wrong in their sizing recommendations.

Crutchfield is often wrong in their sizing recommendations.

coo I guess ill be ordering those speakers this weekend. unless theres something else better out there for almost the same price range

I will try to get a pic

So the auto focus isn't working right but. The 42.7's look to be just the 4" mids with a X-over and the mid-tweet on it is adjustable by turning it +3 or -3 dB. The tweeter on the left that looks yellow has an AC Delco marking on it which I would suspect is factory. But they all play real nice and work together!

Anyone duplicate this or thinking about it yet? I am amazed everytime listening. Let me know if you do.

Anyone duplicate this or thinking about it yet? I am amazed everytime listening. Let me know if you do.

similar to urs I went with the Infintiy 62.7I and cdt's k-61

once i get them i will report back and let u know how they sound :D

What is the K-61's? I have the 62's and they rock. Is the 62.7's for the door? I read here in some spots they are pretty bright. Let us know.

What is the K-61's? I have the 62's and they rock. Is the 62.7's for the door? I read here in some spots they are pretty bright. Let us know.

my bad they are the Kama K KA-61 CDT's

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i13/walking-dead/KamaK-1.jpg

the kappas were going to go on the door but kee said that these cdt's would be better in the door so I would have to put the kappas in the sail panel.

^How much do those run? and where from ?

^How much do those run? and where from ?

the Kama K KA-61? if so I got them from kee for $99 shipped he said it was his last pair but on ebay they are the same price $100 and free shipping

the Kama K KA-61? if so I got them from kee for $99 shipped he said it was his last pair but on ebay they are the same price $100 and free shipping


So are the KA's a step down from the CL series speakers?

So are the KA's a step down from the CL series speakers?

yup they are also the older version of them I believe

Actually, I picked up some clearance CDT's and had been wondering about running them off the Monsoon amp. I have an Alpine amp sitting around doing nothing but thought trying the speakers with the Monsoon would be interesting.

I very much appreciate the thread since the other threads I've read on the subject seemed to say it was possible to just replace the 2ohm door speakers with some 4ohms but I hadn't seen anyone actually posting they'd done this.

So to answer one of your earlier questions, yes, I'll be starting down this road but don't know how it will fork yet.

BTW, I've got some eD V3 that I plan to use on the doors. Money's tight and I have some leftover from doing the trunk so hopefully it will suffice.

ok, I need to do this soon, so how do you take the door panel off without breaking anything?

Door panel removal is actually pretty easy. Here are a couple of good writeups I have found that work well. Once you do one the other is quite easy. I've done it so many times now I can have one off in about 5-10minutes max.
4th gen Firebird:
http://www.lastofthebreed.com/Installs/DoorPanelWriteUp/DoorPanel.htm
4th gen Camaro:
http://shbox.com/page/windowmotor.html
The first couple of pictures (steps 1-6) are the actual removal of the door panel for Firebird and the Camaro pics are 1-9.
Hope this helps!! This question gets asked alot so I figured I'd post these.

I don't know if anyone else has duplicated this but I am real happy everytime I am in the car.

Awesome write up man! I'm so consumed by the performance stuff, I don't often think about stereo stuff like I used to. I believe I'm slowly going to try to get this stuff rolling.

I absolutley love my car to go fast to (98 T/A with many mods), but when I hear a good tune....you gotta have that as well. I agree that when I hear a car with a big cam, headers, etc. it is music in itself! For a street driven car though I like to have at least a decent audio system to go with the performance side as well. Let's face it...you gotta have your tunes. This is of course just my opinion.

I think the aging process did it to me. Those Infinity 4" speakers are coax and come with a xover.

Got the CDT's in, but not without trimming the door panel plastic some. The gray plastic ring around the speaker widened it just enough to be a problem. I also opted to install the tweeters' crossover into the door panels themselves (inside the plastic shield, of course), which made getting the door panels back on a serious challenge, but the're done. Used all the stock wiring and with the new crossovers and clipping of wires I had to do, it was exciting to say the least.

I'm impressed with the sound but haven't taken the car for a drive. Some adjustments like more front-speaker emphasis was required; left the crossovers with the middle setting. At this point I'm not sure if its a mod I would do again. The bass is waaay better than the old speakers, which is important for my wife's love of techno and my extremely low tolerance for distortion. The drive will help sway me one way or the other.

I'm using the other stock speakers and amp. And I did use eDead v3 on the door, inside and outside shells.

Thanks again for the OP!