Tweet
ok i need some opinions here for a replacement. I have the monsoon system so the whole thing is a *****, having to rewire the harness and bypass the amp. but once i get done with that what should I do? my options are an alpine fantomface, most likely the higher one which means i need to get another 4 channel amp, get a flip up monitor and hook it up to navigation(I can get the parts cheap straight from alpine). if I get the monitor it would probably be touchscreen and total on that setup would be around 2,000. total on the fantomface would be... 800-900? the prices also bring into consideration.... should I just spend the money on engine mods? hmmm please respond with ideas/suggestions.
-
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
Originally posted by Upperguy
Let me tell you, dealing with the monsoon system is seriously a pain in the ass.
If all you want is a moderate increase in sound quality, it is possible to only replace the head unit. The VW stock head unit sucks, and a decent aftermarket head unit will make the whole thing sound clearer and better (and a little louder). Lots of people just do this and are happy with the results. You can run it right through the Monsoon amp using speaker level outs (the Monsoon amp is not driven by line level inputs but something closer to speaker level).
Do you plan to bypass the Monsoon amp but retain the stock speakers? This will not work very well. I think those speakers need that amp since the monsoon amp has built in x-overs for the mids/tweets. So if you bypass the monsoon amp you will *need* to buy crossovers for each speaker. The monsoon amp and speakers are actually pretty good unlike most OEM junk. The headunit is the weak link, you won't get distortion from the Monsoon amp.
If you want to add a subwoofer or aftermarket speakers, then you are best to replace EVERYTHING. I tried just adding a subwoofer, and my problem is that the levels of the front speakers end up being boosted really high (by the Monsoon amp being powered by speaker level outputs), so it is very tough to level-match the subwoofer (even with a good amp). When it gets warm and I get the car-modding-bug again, I will try a level booster to the sub to even things out a bit more.
Aftermarket speakers are not compatible with the Monsoon amp or deck because of the levels they are driven at, plus the built in crossovers will make them sound like crap.
Tearing out the whole system is in my opinion only worth it if you get really high quality stuff. Simon L aka Boy Racer re-wired his car, with new speakers and a new amp and head unit. It sounds awesome.
--
KorLast edited by Kor; 02-10-2004, 12:02 PM.KR
Porsche 991 Carrera S -
Re: aftermarket head unit
it really depends on this, if I get the fantomface it doesnt have an internal amp so I would need to run another 4 channel in the place of it, being that the factory amp most likely wouldnt hook up(or wouldnt really be worth hooking up) in that case I would probably hook up infinty kappa components in the front and base line infinity components in the rear, the only reason i am reconsidering the navi system is the price...Comment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
plus I work at the road shop in circuit city so basicly whatever i plan to do will get done when the store is dead and i bring in a bunch of food for the installers to eat
Comment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
Yup if you get the deck with no internal amp then you basically need to replace the entire system including amp and all speakers.
I've heard the Infinity stuff is pretty good.KR
Porsche 991 Carrera SComment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
yeah i love the infinity stuff to, my friend had a complete infinity setup, components and 2 kappa perfect DVC 12's. all I could say is wowComment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
i have a sony cdxmp80 its a top end deck and it works awesome although I dont' have the monsoon originally.. although there is this new alpine 9835 that just came out that can do 512 colors on the screen and like 8 for the buttons so i might swap to that if i can get it to exact match blue on the screen but i dunno yet its pricey like 700cdn +Comment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
One more thing to keep in mind about the whole Monsoon setup: the rear woofers (Monsoon calls them "subs", but I beg to differ) are a 2 ohm load and not 4 ohms like the rest of the setup. So that's another wrench in the gears as far as replacing the amp and not the speakers. Basically I agree with Kor, you need to replace the amp and speakers to have a really good setup.Last edited by Billip; 02-10-2004, 12:28 PM.billip
2013 Audi RS 5Comment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
it has subs? i didnt even notice wow, do they mean the rear component woofers or is there something i need to check out. ill be back in a bit i need to check out the back half of my car, havent been there yet 
Comment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
Yeah, just the rear component woofers. Apparently they're supposed to be "subs". That's hillarious. In any event, they're 2 ohms.Originally posted by Upperguy it has subs? i didnt even notice wow, do they mean the rear component woofers or is there something i need to check out. ill be back in a bit i need to check out the back half of my car, havent been there yet billip
2013 Audi RS 5Comment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
Originally posted by Middleton
yeah either way my last option is to keep what i have right now with the monsoon system, the guy that owned the car before me worked at tweeter and had the car wired up for a sub through a soundgate, luckily for me he left the top of the line monster RCA's and 8 gauge power wire(Not rated high enough for me unfortunatly ). I plan to take out the 8 and put in 4 then run it to my Polk-Momo 12" and the amp I am working on getting... ay yi yi. either way I might just leave the current setup and put in the amp/sub then get a nice suspension.
Comment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
Damn doing the speakers costs so much, I don't like to think about it because then I am tempted to do it... 4 tweeters and 4 woofers ughKR
Porsche 991 Carrera SComment
-
Re: aftermarket head unit
Well I am about to change out the last stock speakers
Going to be a little nuts but sould sound sweet.
Originally posted by KorName: Brent
His: '04 TDI Golf Mods: None
If it's smoken it ain't broken
Family: '15 Jetta Sportwagon
Fun car: '92 Blue Karmann Crabby Cabby Mods: Coils, front and rear swaybars, LED interior lights and some other old things.Comment
Comment