Subwoofer Swap

[klipper]

I've spent some time searching through the forums for upgraded audio options.
(I have the single disk monsoon system right now and it's kinda...sad )

A lot of folks have torn out their head unit and replaced it (I can't blame them) but I really am not interested in tearing it out and replacing it with a high performer (yet aesthetically terrible head-unit) I'm also not looking to swap out amplifiers or anything. I can live with the midranges / tweeters that come with the vehicle (they aren't terrible) but I do want to swap out the monsoon subwoofer.

Has anyone attempted this? I'd like to fit one right in the factory enclosure. From what I've read, it is an 8" sub but I don't have any details on Power Handling / Sensitivity / Impedance, (interior box dimensons if someone has them) etc. Question 1 is for the stats of the sub if anyone has them.

Question 2 would be if anyone has attempted to just swap the subwoofer out, and if so what sub did you go with?

With factory amplifcation, and the assumption that the current subwoofer is a fairly run of the mill 87 spl or so on a standard 4 Ohm Impedance. I could upgrade it to a pro-audio class subwoofer with a sensitivity of 94 or so and blow that 'ol monsoon out of the water.

That being said, I'd probably drop a few 'bass stoppers' to the fronts and rears (as I can really feel those move when the bass is turned up and I'd prefer to cross those over and let the sub handle the lows)

Anywho, if anyone has any insight it would be GREATLY appreciated. Don't worry about scaring me with math mumbo jumbo..I've been designing custom home theaters and car audio systems professionally for about 6 years now. (Yes I could figure out all my questions myself by tearing into my car but if someone already has the numbers I'd much rather not re-invent the wheel)


Thanks!

[BSRL]

The stock sub is 2+2 Ohms. I replaced mine but not in factory enclosure. Here is a thread of what I did with mine:

Speaker Upgrade/Custom Subwoofer Enclosure

From what I understand, the factory amp runs power to all the speakers, not just the sub. I don't know how much power it runs for the sub. I'm sure others here might know.

I have to say the component speakers really aren't as good as you might think but if your satisfied with them then so be it.

Good luck and be sure to post up what you do.

[cfjara]

you're not going to see any "blow out of the water" improvement by just swapping the sub.
You'll need to work back and swap the amp out as well. From my years of experience , when it comes to audio, you get what you pay for. BSRL has a great thread above .

On an experimental note, per BSRL , the stock sub is a 2+2, my guess is that they are running the voice coils serially for a total of 4 ohms. I would think running the 2+2 in parallel would be too much of a load on the on a "factory" amp. If you want to fool around , wire the 2 voice coils in parallel to drop it down to 1 ohm . You'll get a lot more punch from the woofer at the cost of overheating or power tripping the amp. It's something to try if you ar going to replace the stock system anyways.

[JPM]

I doubt you'll see much improvement by swapping the sub and not upgrading the amp at the same time.

Also, keep in mind that more speakers are blown from not enough power than with too much. Distortion is your enemy.

[GM Roadster Club]

Joe is Correct...This is why we include a 600 watt Digital amplifier with our Subwoofer kits.

Click here to view the system

[scorpio22]

Originally Posted by GM Roadster Club

Joe is Correct...This is why we include a 600 watt Digital amplifier with our Subwoofer kits.

Click here to view the system

Interesting - maybe.

Could you please show pricing on products - as I'm not willing to pay $36 just to see pricing listed. I'm interested in a number of things you offer - but as I said; it's not fair to charge people to view available pricing.

[fr0stb1t3]

Not only that, but it looks like you're using Sony XPLOD stuff

We used to blow those up for fun at work. All you had to do was turn the volume knob up a bit and watch the amp clip without protecting the sub, then POP. Looked a bit like this ->

Their subs may be "ok," but their amps are not. Go find one of the new JL shallow mounts on a JL Slash series amp if you want crisp bass with lots of power. Personally I don't care for any of the audio system in our cars, but it's not worth it to pull it out to me, I listen to the turbo more than the audio.

If I'm going to spend money on audio I'm going to do it right and spend some money on it. I have never heard one that I really liked to replace the OEM due to the sound staging unless it's high-end done right.


<-- worked at a car audio installation shop

[GM Roadster Club]

Originally Posted by scorpio22

Interesting - maybe.

Could you please show pricing on products - as I'm not willing to pay $36 just to see pricing listed. I'm interested in a number of things you offer - but as I said; it's not fair to charge people to view available pricing.

The cost for the Upgrade kit (no original Monsoon system) is only $499 and the kit if you already have the monsoon system and want a bigger punch is only $419.

Originally Posted by fr0stb1t3

Not only that, but it looks like you're using Sony XPLOD stuff

We used to blow those up for fun at work. All you had to do was turn the volume knob up a bit and watch the amp clip without protecting the sub, then POP. Looked a bit like this ->

Their subs may be "ok," but their amps are not. Go find one of the new JL shallow mounts on a JL Slash series amp if you want crisp bass with lots of power. Personally I don't care for any of the audio system in our cars, but it's not worth it to pull it out to me, I listen to the turbo more than the audio.

If I'm going to spend money on audio I'm going to do it right and spend some money on it. I have never heard one that I really liked to replace the OEM due to the sound staging unless it's high-end done right.


<-- worked at a car audio installation shop

We are not using the Sony Amplifiers....We tried them and did not like them...our kits feature the Alpine Digital PDX line of amplifiers which retail for $550....

Thanks,

Martin

[scorpio22]

Originally Posted by GM Roadster Club

The cost for the Upgrade kit (no original Monsoon system) is only $499 and the kit if you already have the monsoon system and want a bigger punch is only $419.



We are not using the Sony Amplifiers....We tried them and did not like them...our kits feature the Alpine Digital PDX line of amplifiers which retail for $550....

Thanks,

Martin

Thanks for the pricing update.

Can you please PM me pricing on your other items offered (HID's, etc.) as well as shipping prices to ZIP 96825.

Much aloha,

[fr0stb1t3]

Originally Posted by scorpio22

Thanks for the pricing update.

Can you please PM me pricing on your other items offered (HID's, etc.) as well as shipping prices to ZIP 96825.

Much aloha,

Just thought I'd chime in and say the PDX line is one of the better consumer amp lines, so while I still don't necessarily agree with the use of the Sony sub, that amp is quality, and for the price it'd cost you more for that amp then the amp and enclosure. I may have to buy that and throw in a JL if/when I decide to upgrade.

[scorpio22]

Originally Posted by fr0stb1t3

Just thought I'd chime in and say the PDX line is one of the better consumer amp lines, so while I still don't necessarily agree with the use of the Sony sub, that amp is quality, and for the price it'd cost you more for that amp then the amp and enclosure. I may have to buy that and throw in a JL if/when I decide to upgrade.

Agreed.

I was looking at getting the OEM sub enclosure from GM/Saturn @ ~$140.00 + sub ~$100.00 + amp ~$400.00 = savings!

I'd be interested in a enclosure + amp price too (ie. w/o sub).

I too was considering the JL Audio subs. Another sub to consider is the RE Audio RE8. Great sound, power handling, price and are optimized for use in .30-.35 ci enclosures (on target for the OEM enclosure).

I just need to determine the shipping costs from GMRoadster.com to me here in Hawai'i to see if it retains its appeal.

~ Aloha ~

[fr0stb1t3]

Originally Posted by scorpio22

Agreed.

I was looking at getting the OEM sub enclosure from GM/Saturn @ ~$140.00 + sub ~$100.00 + amp ~$400.00 = savings!

I'd be interested in a enclosure + amp price too (ie. w/o sub).

I too was considering the JL Audio subs. Another sub to consider is the RE Audio RE8. Great sound, power handling, price and are optimized for use in .30-.35 ci enclosures (on target for the OEM enclosure).

I just need to determine the shipping costs from GMRoadster.com to me here in Hawai'i to see if it retains its appeal.

~ Aloha ~

The new JL shallow mounts are pretty amazing for their size, but they need some smaller diameter ones. I haven't ever heard the RE Audio stuff before, I'm a big fan of DynAudio though, they have some 8 inchers that will blow you away quality wise.

[GM Roadster Club]

Originally Posted by scorpio22

Agreed.
Another sub to consider is the RE Audio RE8. Great sound, power handling, price and are optimized for use in .30-.35 ci enclosures (on target for the OEM enclosure).


~ Aloha ~

We actually Tested the RE Audio line of Speakers and we did not prefer them...In the Kappa Sub Enclosure the Sony sounded best when comparing a speaker that we could get to fit as well as pricing.

Originally Posted by fr0stb1t3

Just thought I'd chime in and say the PDX line is one of the better consumer amp lines, so while I still don't necessarily agree with the use of the Sony sub, that amp is quality, and for the price it'd cost you more for that amp then the amp and enclosure. I may have to buy that and throw in a JL if/when I decide to upgrade.

I would be willing to put a package together with the JL Subwoofer, obviously the cost would be different. But it can be done.....

Martin

[darrylba]

Originally Posted by fr0stb1t3

The new JL shallow mounts are pretty amazing for their size, but they need some smaller diameter ones. I haven't ever heard the RE Audio stuff before, I'm a big fan of DynAudio though, they have some 8 inchers that will blow you away quality wise.

I read some of you previous accounts about the Sony Sub. Believe it or not, I am actually here to defend the Sony Sub. I can't defend the 8 inch version thats listed here, but I can defend the 12 inch flat sub, that I have had installed in my car for more than a year now. I tried other flat subs and blew them. The Sony was the last one I tried and I have not been dissapointed. The 12 inch flat hits HARD and deep and its not a dual voice. I know for a fact that I have never challenged how loud I can turn it up because it hits so hard and deep that its no need to. I have it installed behind driver's seat. I built my own enclosure and I highly recommend the 12 inch sub. I don' know if this translate in endorsing the 8 inch. But, I wish I went with the Sony flat sub in the first place. I am not using Sony amps, I use an Audiopipe 4 Channel Amp to push the sub and a pair of 200 rms Polk component speakers. Plenty power to push both without distortion, crystal clear. I guess I am here to say you have a Sony fan here. It was my last choice and should have been my first.

[cfjara]

Originally Posted by GM Roadster Club

Joe is Correct...This is why we include a 600 watt Digital amplifier with our Subwoofer kits.

Click here to view the system

Can you send me a wiring diagram as to how this system is integrated with the stock system? Where do the inputs for the new sub amp come from? Do you tap them off the input connectors from the stock amp? Is any new additional power/ground wiring needed to support the new amp? How many channels is the new amp? What is the impedance on the voice coils for the new sony sub. ? Having some sort of spec sheet would help tremendously.

[compdoc777]

Originally Posted by GM Roadster Club

Joe is Correct...This is why we include a 600 watt Digital amplifier with our Subwoofer kits.

Click here to view the system

Interested, but can you use a different sub and AMP setup with this?

[nickcal]

Originally Posted by BSRL

The stock sub is 2+2 Ohms. I replaced mine but not in factory enclosure. Here is a thread of what I did with mine:

Speaker Upgrade/Custom Subwoofer Enclosure

From what I understand, the factory amp runs power to all the speakers, not just the sub. I don't know how much power it runs for the sub. I'm sure others here might know.

I have to say the component speakers really aren't as good as you might think but if your satisfied with them then so be it.

Good luck and be sure to post up what you do.

what's the difference between the stock system and the Monsoon? Not much info from the dealer. If the sub is there without ordering the Monsoon then it seems I should just order the stock system and just use it as a head unit for a power amp and a good replacement set of speakers, including the sub.

[BSRL]

That would probably be a good way to go, just ordering the basic system then upgrading. The Monsoon has the amp and subwoofer as the difference. Not sure if the component speakers are any different. I thought I would be happy with just the Monsoon, that's why I got that but wound up switching it out anyway.