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Problem with stock monsoon amp

C

caseconcar

New member
I recently bought a 2004 grand prix gtp knowing that none of the speakers worked as the previous owner had discontented lots of stuff removing his subs from it before selling. However While digging into the speaker wiring to see what was wrong I discovered a major hack job. The previous owner had replaced the HU with a kenwood deck and replaced all the speakers, but while removing his subs had completely cut up the wiring harness to and from the monsoon amp. I was curious if its worth my time trying to fix there hack job or should I just run new wires from the HU to the speakers thus completely bypassing the monsoon as that would take a fraction of the time. I would think doing that would sound fine but I dont want my audio to sound terrible.
 
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What head unit are you using, a stock one?

The monsoon has a real funny ground/signal system to turn the amp off and on. I can't remember the specifics offhand. I do know that it sounds like a real PIA to hook up, and the amps go bad after a while anyways.

If you don't like the sound coming from an aftermarket HU, adding an aftermarket amp would be much easier. I'd take the monsoon amp out of the car, personally.
 
It has a really fancy kenwood deck in it, After looking at the wiring more it looks like the person before me had some different amp in place of the monsoon so he had cut the pluggin that would go into the monsoon amp and when he took his stuff out had shrink wrapped all the wires on the original plug and put the monsoon amp back in. So im sure my wiring issues probably has to do with the 30ish wires that are half assed shrink wrapped back together.
 
I don't believe you can just take the amp out without having the security system and chimes not work. I may be wrong but regardless I hate the monsoon setup in the 04 G. I'm glad the 07 doesn't have it
 
rickisrad said:
I don't believe you can just take the amp out without having the security system and chimes not work. I may be wrong but regardless I hate the monsoon setup in the 04 G. I'm glad the 07 doesn't have it
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04 had the chimes separate from the Radio iirc. The chimes are attached to the radio not the amp from 05-08.

OP. How much experience or skill do you have? Did they properly adapt the radio in or hack it in? I see you describe the amp as a hack job but that is easily repaired if you know what you are doing.

All this being said, if you have to essentially rewire the whole thing anyway, and you have the funds, go new. The Monsoon system is a pretty good system from the factory, but limited and mediocre at best when trying to customize it.

If you want an amp, look into reviews for a good 4 or 5 channel amp. I prefer component systems but you can get passable/great sound out of specific coaxial sets. I recommend Infinity REF 9623 or Infinity Kappa 693.11i. If you go this route, I would also get a sub. A single 12 or dual 10s is more than enough for a pleasurable experience without shaking the car apart. Also, DYNOMAT too many people who do this job themselves do not properly mat their trunk/rear deck and doors and the car sounds like garbage due to reverb in those areas.

Also keep in mind, an amplified system can and often will require the use of capacitors or at least a better alternator depending on your current output.


Estimated costs based on current crutchfield without misc. Stuff.:
AMP (5channel) Soundstream Picasso Nano- 200$
Front speakers 120-200
Rear speakers 120-200
Subwoofer and box Rockford P1-1x12 140

Total: 580-740

If no amp, I would still run new wires. If your head is a good unit get some good speakers and and wire them in. Monsoon systems come with a center channel, you can either wire it in, or delete it. You can also start here and prep for future upgrades.

No Amp cost:
240-400.

Disclaimer: if you don't have experience rewiring speaker systems, find a friend who does or bring it to a professional. Learning is great, but electrical gremlins are the stuff of nightmares and a bad splice or ground can cause hours/days/weeks/months/years of frustration and troubleshooting.



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