Setup Help

[nhlhawks7]

First off I would like to say, I have read through the FAQ and went through about 20 pages of posts using the Search feature. What my problem is consists of my rear speakers being blown, I have a monsoon system. Apparently, you can either get a monsoon replacement or end up just getting an entirely new setup. I am a complete noob when it comes to audio installation so I would be letting Bestbuy do all the work cut me some slack. So Far I came up with:

Front Speakers: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7652612&type=product&id=1134701298078
Rear Speakers: for bass
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8210982&type=product&id=1166234894575
And Dash: mainly for Ipod Interface
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8207932&type=product&id=1166840026727
Any opinions or objections?
Honestly, I just want a setup that has better quality than my old monsoon. I really don't feel like getting the monsoon rear speakers mainly because I am worried about this happening again. With a new setup I can just replace any speaker with any other speaker, not worrying about it being monsoon.
My questions to you are First is it necessary to have rear speakers or should I just get subs/amp? Should I have component speakers(Speakers with amps right?) up front? I have a budget for about 450-500$ too. Am I better off installing this myself, it'll be my first installation. Thanks for ANY help, I really appreciate anything you can give me.

[Grandam1999V6]

alrite...ill give u my view after upgrading my audio system.

As you probably know, the front stock speakers are 4x6"s, and you are doing the right thing by upgrading to round speakers. I have Alpine 6.5" comps up front and 6x9"s in the rear, both type S, in my car for about 8 months now, and i have to say that they are very good speakers for the price...good quality and the rear bass is really good on the 6x9"s. So the type-Ss in my opinion would b a great choice. However, if you are just looking for bass and not a whole lot of treble, then you would be a lot better off with looking into a set of 2-way 6x9"s b/c that would give you a better/more bass response and less trebble. I dont think its necessary to buy subs IMO...my 6x9s give me plenty of bass when i neeed it.

...I've heard on the site (if im wrong here, someone correct me) that if you want to upgrade speakers, that you will have to re-wire your system b/c of the funky wiring of the monsoon system and problems w/ the speakers. so you probably have to do that when you upgrade.

to clear this up...components dont have amps in them...they consist of 3 parts...the speaker on the bottom for bass/mids, and ANOTHER speaker- a 1" or so tweeter for the highs, as well as a crossover for the freqs between the two. you can tell if u have a comp stock system if the plastic piece by ur window has a hole in it and a little black thing inside it (which would b the tweeter).

...well, class is out now, but ill get on after to share more w/ u. this should get u started 4 now. hope this helps.

-Nick

[350F]

If you don't run an amp your car probably will sound worse than the monsoon. I just had the cheapy cd player, 6x9s in rear and 4x6's with tweeters in the sail panels, stock on car.

I upgraded the headunit to a Panasonic CQ-C8303U and then got some Alpine type S 6x9s for the rear. I ran them straight without an amp and they sounded like shit. Maybe it was just the Alpines, but there was no bass at all, it was worse than the factory speakers. I took back the Alpines and bought a Pioneer 5300T (125w RMS 2 channel) amp and got some Infinity 3 way 6x9s instead. I couldn't be happier now with my set up. The factory 4x6s are still going to get upgraded soon I just haven't gotten around to buying any.

[nhlhawks7]

Alright thanks for all help so far given. Is it necassary to have an amp for your speakers in order for them to sound better than the monsoon setup?

[350F]

Alright thanks for all help so far given. Is it necassary to have an amp for your speakers in order for them to sound better than the monsoon setup?

Its been a long time since I've been in a Grand Am with the monsoon setup, but an aftermarket headunit is only going to push ~20w RMS to each speaker without an amp. The factory monsoon has an amp in the trunk and just from my experience without running an amp....it sucked without one.

[kutchers_ga]

I'd buy decent fronts and a 4 channel amp, grab okay 6x9's for the back, and a 10" or 12" sub. Wire the fronts with 2 channels and bridge the other 2 channels for your sub. Will give you better bass response and an overall better sounding setup. And leave you with the option of an easy upgrade in the future.

Basically any cheapy sub and amp combo is gonna give you better bass than 6x9's with an amp.

[DFizzle]

As someone who has done the Monsoon swap out let me say that the base Monsoon setup is really decent as far as stock systems go. While "better" is subjective, I didn't see an improvement over my stock system until I had all my speakers replaced, new head unit, 12" sub and amp. Without the sub (which is where I was at for a few weeks) is was really empty on the low end and I missed the stock amp/speakers. The sound quality was nice but until I got my sub in I wasn't happy with the overall sound. For it to really be done and far better than the stock system I still need to amp my front comps. If you're not going to run a sub you'll definitely want to amp your speakers and as has already been said, components in the front and two-way 6x9s would probably suit you better.

[nhlhawks7]

Do you think it is overall possible for me to install all this by following directions on stickies and instructions or am I better off just spending the money for bestbuy to do it?

[tubpub11]

if you have any friends that know how to install, then i would suggest getting them there with you and walk you threw it. basic installs aren't really difficult, you probably could do it by just reading off the forums, thats how i learned how to fibreglass. but I think the friend thing is the best way to go, thats how I learned anyway. if you don't have any friends that know how to, then you could try if you want too, we are always here if you get stuck. i like doing stuff myself, makes me feel good when i finish something and it works the way its supposed to.