Just got an amp... Whats Next?

[bobgto65]

The 2 speakers on the rear deck are subwoofers so you can disconnect them if you put in subs. You want to connect to the speaker wires going in to the amp from the HU. You can do that at the amp. There are 4 sets of inputs to the monsoon, 2 front channel and 2 rear. Tap into one of the rear channel ones. Then bridge your amp. Your amp probably has 2 sets on inputs, low level that use RCA pin plugs and speaker level that connect to regular wires. The low level inputs should work OK without the Sosche adaptor but you will have to make cables with RCA plugs on the end going to the amp and strip off the RCA connectors from the other end to connect to the existing wiring. If the level is too high, you can trim it with the level adjustments on the amp. You also have to find the wire running to the monsoon that is only powered on when the radio is on to use as your REM wire for turning on your amp so it is only on when the radio is on. Then run a 4 gauge wire from the rear fuse block (under the back seat) positive cable wire bolt and nut with a in line 40 amp fuse for the power to your amp and 4 gauge wire ground - run the ground wire under the rear seat seat where the battery ground is bolted to the floorpan near the battery. You can but the 4ga wire with in-line fuse on eBay for about $20 bucks and use the extra wire for the ground. When you are ready to upgrade your speakers, replace the 6 x 9 with triaxials in the deck, connect them to the rear door speaker outputs, and leave the speakers in the rear door disconnected. You can't use the speaker wires to the rear deck as the signal is filtered by the monsoon for bass only. Keep in mind the factory speakers are 2 ohms impedence when you replace them. If you put in 4 ohm speakers in the back, you will have to turn the fade more towards the rear to get good balance. Replacing the front door speaker and tweeter with a component set (tweeter and mid range) is a bolt in job and will improve the sound immensely.

[FINN444]

Ok sounds good...thanks for the write up of the whole procedure! As soon as I pick out a sub I will get the wires and stuff and get it all put in... thanks so much!

[nos4blood70]

Honestly, when you're ready, disconnect all speakers except front door woofer and tweeter. Everything else messes with the soundstage.

[FINN444]

Ya I was going to put triaxial 6x9s in the rear deck and just wire them into the rear doors wires. And then get a component speaker set for the front doors. And I'm going to look for around a 175 watt power handling sub that I will hook up to my new amp...does that sound like a good plan?

[nos4blood70]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Should be nice, with the sub especially. 175rms is enough to add some depth.

[FINN444]

Ok perfect! I'm going to be ordering a kit with 4 gauge wire for the power and ground and an in line fuse and some other stuff... do I still need to get the line out converter to hook up my new amp to the wires from the HU?

[bobgto65]

This is the set-up I have in my '04 GXP and it is awesome. I used JBL GTO components and triaxials that cost under $100 per set and the sound blows away the factory sound. I have two 12" subs in the trunk. I did ditch the monsoon amp so I have a 4 channel amp for the speakers and a separate amp for the subs.

[FINN444]

This is the set-up I have in my '04 GXP and it is awesome. I used JBL GTO components and triaxials that cost under $100 per set and the sound blows away the factory sound. I have two 12" subs in the trunk. I did ditch the monsoon amp so I have a 4 channel amp for the speakers and a separate amp for the subs.

Ok, ya I will probably leave the Monsoon amp in for now, but sometime I may upgrade that too.

So I've been researching subs with close to 175 watts RMS and I have found a few that I think will work, but would somebody please approve of one of the choices to make sure I am choosing the right one. Thanks

Kicker 12" Comp Series dual 4ohm voice coils - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_20610C12D4 ... tml?tp=111
Kicker 12" Comp Series single 4ohm voice coil - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_20610C124/ ... tml?tp=111
MTX 12" Road Thunder Series single 4ohm voice coil - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_236RTL1204 ... tml?tp=111
MTX 12" Terminator Series single 4ohm voice coil - http://www.crutchfield.com/p_236TN1204/ ... tml?tp=111

I really like the Kickers, but I do like that both MTX subs have a 5 year warranty, while the Kickers only have 1 year... So right now my top choice is probably the MTX Road Thunder, but does anyone think that there is something else that is better? I am trying to keep it as far below $100 as I can, but I don't want to get some junk sub that won't last very long... Any suggestions or agrees with any of these subs is greatly appreciated!

[nos4blood70]

Crutchfield is an expensive place to shop, go look around at Sonic Electronix.

[FINN444]

Ok, do you have any recommendations as to a certain brand that is better or just a good brand?

[nos4blood70]

I'm a Pioneer fan boy, I like the sound to price ratio all their products have. But I wouldn't buy a sub that costs less than 75 bucks. I feel like part of that is just asking for trouble.

[FINN444]

Ok, and will I want a single or dual voice coil amp? What is the difference between the two?

[nos4blood70]

Since you will be running only one sub, do not worry about the amount of voice coils.

[burger]

If you want to run your amp at 4 oms than you will probably want 4 ohm SVC

[FINN444]

Ok, cool. Sounds good thanks for the help!