Believe me I been reading thru all threads regarding the replacement of HU, Speakers, Subs, etc. for the last couple of days ...
I already ordered the following: Infinity Reference 6010cs 6-1/2" (front) and Blaupunkt GTx352 3-1/2" (rear) ... I know that some think that changing the rear speakers is a waste of money, but there are some that think it was worth it
Here is where I need your advise (specially from all that have changed their speakers, and if it was on a Monsoon system will be better).
1. Is there any way to keep the original grill cover for the tweeters??? .... I saw some pictures and those were removed. I prefer to keep the originals so there will be no sign that the speakers were changed; according to previous posts, keeping the grills on the doors and panels is no problem.
2. I'm only changing the speakers (according to the posts I'll get an improvement on the sound), I'm not sure about the Sub (it's okay to me), but if I decide to change it for another 8" or 10"; Do I have to change the amp??? ... I'm trying not to spend a lot (I think that a Sub and Amp will be at least another $600). Do you think I'll be okay with my Monsoon Sub???
3. After reading all posts and looking at the pictures to remove panels, etc. I feel confident that I won't screw up (knock on wood) ... is there any other advise to make this installation easy??? ... like, best place to install crossover, new wiring, tools, etc.
I think I'll get the speakers next week, and maybe I will change them next weekend ....Thank You in advance for your advise
Last edited by salvasol : 08-30-2007 at 08:06 PM.
Reason: words add
The only way I believe to keep your stock grill cover on the tweets are to make sure you find a very shallow tweeter, as well as one with a flat front, as most come with a dome shape. You don't have very much room at all back there, even when taking the grill out...so good luck.
I didn't have Monsoon, but I assume that it doesn't cost much to get an amp and a sub to fit, you have plenty of room on the other side behind the driver seat to throw an amp in. If you're keeping the stock head unit, the sub will still work, if not...she won't...so think about that.
I rewired my entire car with better sprk wire, and it was a pain getting to the front doors, but well worth the effort....if you need anything else, forum members are a really good source
Sorry I didn't post before ... I'm spending more time in HT
I installed this speakers Infinity Reference 6010cs 6-1/2" (front) and Blaupunkt GTx352 3-1/2" (rear); but I had a problem installing the crossover for the 6010cs ... I ended up using Polk tweeters (they have a separate crossover) and Blaupunk woofers for the front doors ... the sound is better now
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Sounds like your off to a good start, to answer your question about the switching the sub. You can get an 8" Sub that hits hard but the Stock Monsoon amplifier does not have the power to drive these types of Speakers. We recently did a Subwoofer Upgrade for a member of the Phoenix Chapter. He bought a Solstice with out the Monsoon system and was looking to add a Sub to his Base System. So we built him a 600watt Almost plug N' Play system that he loves!
So in short you will have to go with a second Amplifier to drive the new larger Sub….
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Martin
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Sounds like your off to a good start, to answer your question about the switching the sub. You can get an 8" Sub that hits hard but the Stock Monsoon amplifier does not have the power to drive these types of Speakers. We recently did a Subwoofer Upgrade for a member of the Phoenix Chapter. He bought a Solstice with out the Monsoon system and was looking to add a Sub to his Base System. So we built him a 600watt Almost plug N' Play system that he loves!
So in short you will have to go with a second Amplifier to drive the new larger Sub….
Please let me know if you have any questions,
Martin
Martin,
When I upgraded my Monsoon with Sony Xplode 8" sub, new door speakers and tweeters, a JL amp for the tweeters & speakers and a backfire for the sub; I replaced the rear panel speakers with the 3.5" Blaupunkts. I like them at first but I think that I may have blown at least one of them. Are you aware of anyone putting larger speakers in the back panels or does everyone that ups the power just bypass them?
Also, my two amps in the trunk are not fairing too well in the growing TX heat, so I am thinking of putting my replacement JBL GTO 755.6II (the first died within 24 hours) behind the drivers seat. Would I be better off investing in a 4 or 5 channel Alpine PDX amp?
__________________
Regards,
Bodean
(North TX, 2007 "Cool" GXP Automatic with Monsoon System, Escort 9500ic, Custom Wind Restrictor, K&N air filter, Hahn BSR Tune & Hahn IC, Dual Horns, Kappasphere luggage rack (when needed), Flash2Pass, MagnaFlow muffler, JLe430 amp with Pioneer Components & Blaupunkt rear, Crossfire amp with Sony Xplode Sub, DDR ProBeam, ADR Propulsion Wheels, Solo Hi-Flow CAT, Halo Demon Eyes), Hide-Away plates, Cherry dashboard
Forget those rear speakers--waste of money. All you should care about is your front stage and the sub. Never going to get any kind of decent sound out of such a small speaker mounted where they are--especially in a convertible. They fall apart with any power and volume.
Yes to mounting the amp behind the drivers seat--not sure why people mount amps in the truck--it is like putting the amp in the oven. Also why give up what little trunk you already have so little of???
__________________ GXP--Cool / 5-Spd.
TSW Nogaro 19" Rims, 245/40ZR-19 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx XL Tires, M/F 3" Exhaust, Side Cowl Panels, Side Skirts, Gentex Rear View Mirror, Stubby Antenna, Little Chromies, Momo Shift Knob, Hand Brake, & Floor Plates, Full Interior Reupholstery.
When I upgraded my Monsoon with Sony Xplode 8" sub, new door speakers and tweeters, a JL amp for the tweeters & speakers and a backfire for the sub; I replaced the rear panel speakers with the 3.5" Blaupunkts. I like them at first but I think that I may have blown at least one of them. Are you aware of anyone putting larger speakers in the back panels or does everyone that ups the power just bypass them?
Also, my two amps in the trunk are not fairing too well in the growing TX heat, so I am thinking of putting my replacement JBL GTO 755.6II (the first died within 24 hours) behind the drivers seat. Would I be better off investing in a 4 or 5 channel Alpine PDX amp?
Jeff,
It sounds like you have a good grasp on the situation, in the Texas heat (Like Arizona) I would not put your amps in the trunk. I don’t know that Alpine makes a 5 Chanel in the PDX line. I am personally running an Eclipse 5Ch that fits perfectly behind the driver’s seat. The PDX Amp’s are phenomenal though, we just finished up the Sub Woofer Upgrade kit and we are including a 600 Watt Mono Block Digital PDX Amplifier with each kit.
Another option would be to run two PDX amps behind the Drivers Seat, one 4ch to drive the Fronts & rear, the other a Mono Block to Push the Sub.
Let me know if you need anything for your build.
Martin
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It sounds like you have a good grasp on the situation, in the Texas heat (Like Arizona) I would not put your amps in the trunk. I don’t know that Alpine makes a 5 Chanel in the PDX line. I am personally running an Eclipse 5Ch that fits perfectly behind the driver’s seat. The PDX Amp’s are phenomenal though, we just finished up the Sub Woofer Upgrade kit and we are including a 600 Watt Mono Block Digital PDX Amplifier with each kit.
Another option would be to run two PDX amps behind the Drivers Seat, one 4ch to drive the Fronts & rear, the other a Mono Block to Push the Sub.
Let me know if you need anything for your build.
Martin
The Alpine PDX 4.150 is rated at 150 watts rms per channel--far too much power for any small 3.5" rear speaker.. Have you done this and it works without blowing these small speakers voice coil??
I had the two rear channels bridged to drive my 8" JL Audio sub and it blew the voice coil. Replaced the sub with a Boston model and it is holding up far better with this much power. Point again, if you are planning on the same Alpine PDX amp I used it is too much power to drive the little small rear speakers as I have already posted that in my opinion is a waste of time and money.
__________________ GXP--Cool / 5-Spd.
TSW Nogaro 19" Rims, 245/40ZR-19 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx XL Tires, M/F 3" Exhaust, Side Cowl Panels, Side Skirts, Gentex Rear View Mirror, Stubby Antenna, Little Chromies, Momo Shift Knob, Hand Brake, & Floor Plates, Full Interior Reupholstery.
The Alpine PDX 4.150 is rated at 150 watts rms per channel--far too much power for any small 3.5" rear speaker.. Have you done this and it works without blowing these small speakers voice coil??
I had the two rear channels bridged to drive my 8" JL Audio sub and it blew the voice coil. Replaced the sub with a Boston model and it is holding up far better with this much power. Point again, if you are planning on the same Alpine PDX amp I used it is too much power to drive the little small rear speakers as I have already posted that in my opinion is a waste of time and money.
Yep, it's just too difficult to protect those itty-bitty rear speakers if you upgrade amps. By the way, how did you get such a smooth install on your PDX. It looks awesome!
__________________
Regards,
Bodean
(North TX, 2007 "Cool" GXP Automatic with Monsoon System, Escort 9500ic, Custom Wind Restrictor, K&N air filter, Hahn BSR Tune & Hahn IC, Dual Horns, Kappasphere luggage rack (when needed), Flash2Pass, MagnaFlow muffler, JLe430 amp with Pioneer Components & Blaupunkt rear, Crossfire amp with Sony Xplode Sub, DDR ProBeam, ADR Propulsion Wheels, Solo Hi-Flow CAT, Halo Demon Eyes), Hide-Away plates, Cherry dashboard
Had the full interior of my GXP redone here in So Cal by the folks that do the interior work for the TV show Overhauling. All plastic removed, covered by a thin layer of semi rigid foam, edges sanded smooth for nicely rounded corners, then covered with a high quality vinyl--way too expensive for leather and there are inherent problems with getting leather to smoothly wrap around corners. The photos do not show it but had the dash and rear fascia behind the driver & passenger seats overlaid with a fake carbon fiber.
Before the interior redo we had the full interior covered in Dynamat Extreme and sound system installed. See signature line for components. Still have to install the speaker grills but why do today that you can put off till tomorrow?
__________________ GXP--Cool / 5-Spd.
TSW Nogaro 19" Rims, 245/40ZR-19 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx XL Tires, M/F 3" Exhaust, Side Cowl Panels, Side Skirts, Gentex Rear View Mirror, Stubby Antenna, Little Chromies, Momo Shift Knob, Hand Brake, & Floor Plates, Full Interior Reupholstery.
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