Aftermarket sound in an 05 with monsoon stock?

[jscherf92]

K so i have an '05 vibe with the 6 speaker monsoon and the rear sub woofer. My main goal is to get better sound with an aftermarket head unit (Sony CDX-GT930ui). My thoughts were to replace the sub with a Kicker 6.5" CVT but i didn't know if the amplifier under the passenger seat was a mono or if it was for all the speakers as well. What i would like to avoid is having to rewire every speaker and the sub on new aftermarket amplifiers.Also if anyone knows more information on the monsoon system, speaker wattage, subwoofer wattage, factory amp and head unit, ect.

[L5K]

If you're getting an aftermarket sub you should get an aftermarket amplifier for it as the stock amp doesn't supply what I would consider a good amount of power for a subwoofer. The factory amp is also designed to feed 2 ohm speakers and almost all aftermarket subs you'll find are going to be 4 ohm, so it will do an even worse job of powering them. If you are replacing all speakers and you don't want to track down 2 ohm speakers, then what you could do is just eliminate the factory amplifier by unplugging and wiring together the correct wires from the plugs in it, then it would be just like using the Head Unit (which is most likely 4 ohms @ 50w per four directions) to power the doors, and wire up the aftermarket sub with it's own amplifier like in normal situations. Or if you're keeping the door speakers the same, you should get one of these things from this thread http://forums.genvibe.com/zerothread?id=37490 That way it takes the amplified signals from your Head Unit and lets you adjust them to where they need to be for them to go into your amplifier. Then just wire up the sub and new amp to the head unit as usual.

[jscherf92]

Thanks for the reply L5K, I really wanted to learn a bit more before i started replacing wires and whatnot.So basically...If i wanted a new sub i would need a new amp.If i kept the speakers i should keep the amp.The stock amp is for all speakers and the sub?and replacing the speakers would be difficult because they are 2 ohm.is all of that correct? i really dont wanna spend hundreds on a 4 or 5 channel amplifier and the 40 dollars a pair on decent speakers plus however much on a sub... i might just keep the speakers, add my sony head unit and wire up a pair of kicker cvr's...

[L5K]

I would look for better 2 ohm speakers if I was you, and wire a sub to a completely different amplifier. HOWEVER, my Vibe is an 03, and does not have a factory subwoofer, it just has the amplifier. Yes your amplifier is for all the speakers and the factory sub. It really doesn't matter as it's going to be about the same amount of work no matter what route you choose to go. What I have so far is my head unit installed, with that Scosche converter that makes it work with the factory amplifier without whining or anything. I have replaced two of my four door speakers with 2 ohm speakers. I have done all the wiring for the amplifier for the sub, but I am waiting to get more cash before I buy the amp and sub. So, as it sits I have the head unit, and scosche line level converter feeding the amplifier which is powering the speakers. It's not difficult to install at all if you take your time and prepare the wiring before you dig into the dash. That's the route I went. I know on here there is a diagram here somewhere that you could use to eliminate the factory amplifier. That wouldn't be difficult either I don't think although I have never done it.

[Sublimewind]

I could possibly find you a 5ch amp cheap that would run the whole system, you could wire it to the factory amp location and pick up the factory wires and not have to run much at all...

[L5K]

Sublime do you know if anyone makes any wiring plugs for the factory amps so that if you want to change or eliminate it you don't have to cut your car's harness up?

[audiovibe]

Quote, originally posted by L5K »Sublime do you know if anyone makes any wiring plugs for the factory amps so that if you want to change or eliminate it you don't have to cut your car's harness up?Metra and Best Kits make Amp bypass kits for the Vibe allowing you to plug into the the factory amps harness.Aron

[L5K]

Awesome thanks. I might pick one up just in case for future possibilities.

[jscherf92]

Thanks for the help L5K, ill probably try and find some 2 ohm speakers as you suggested and buy the amp and sub at a later date.

[L5K]

That's what I decided to do with mine. My old amp and subs were in the trunk of my last car but with the Vibe I wanted to take advantage of the extra space in the back so I need to save up for new equipment. The plan is to stuff a slim 10" Fosgate P3 inside the tub above the spare tire, and put the amp under the floor somewhere. Hopefully it'll still give good sound, but retain all my cargo space and be completely invisible. It's a tradeoff, but worth it IMO.