Putting a '05 subwoofer in a '03/'04

[lazytiger]

I know this topic has been covered before, but I figured a good synopsis of what is known so far was in order.NOTE: I will continue to revise this post with any pertinent information that comes to light in this thread, so that you can see everything in one concise spot.So, here we go:The enclosure and plastic panel from the '05 theoretically fits in the '03/'04, but this has not been confirmed. The closest we've come is when Bocaj77 bought the parts (see 2005 Subwoofer in a 2003 and 2005 Subwoofer in a 2003 Didn't work!), but all we learned from that was the aftermarket sub he wanted to use wouldn't fit. No word on whether it would have worked as-is, if it might work with a different aftermarket sub, or what became of the parts (he ended up using a Q-Logic box, not using the GM parts at all). Please fill us in, Bocaj77!We know some things:The part numbers are #88973453 (panel - picture) and #88973324 (enclosure - picture). You can get them from GM Parts Direct for roughly $300, including S&H. The subwoofer is an 8" Monsoon. According to '05 Vibe owners, it sounds just as you might expect: a big improvement over having no sub, but definitely not in the same league as most any good aftermarket sub.But many questions remain unanswered:Monsoon's internet presence is mysteriously absent. Their website, monsoonaudio.com, has been "coming soon" for a ridiculously long time. What are the specs on this sub? What's the wattage? Is it self-powered, or does it rely on the M&T amp? Does the enclosure include all the necessary wiring? How is it wired into the system? Is the '05 M&T amp different than the '03/'04? More power/channels? Or is it just a matter of splicing the wires into the existing harness? Is it possible to hook it up to the base system (no external M&T amp)? Is the "enclosure" actually enclosed, or is it just a glorified free-air sub? If it is enclosed, what's the internal volume? Is it ported or sealed? If it's not enclosed, should we be praying to the MTX Thunderform and/or JL Audio gods for a custom-fit enclosure? Perhaps it could even be designed to go behind the GM panel, bought separately. Although, I don't know if it's really the greatest design to begin with. Is it really that important to keep a little cubby hole on that side? If that was done away with, I'm sure a 10" sub could fit in there. And it looks as though it changes the shape of the floor slightly, so now your $70 Vibe cargo mat won't fit properly.Hopefully now that some time has passed since this was last discussed, there will be more info out there. The '05 Vibe has been on the road for a couple months now, and the parts for the sub have been available as well. If you own a '05 Vibe with the sub, how does it sound? Are you willing to dissect it for the good of the Gen Vibe community?

[cspmeinkc]

I have a 2005 GT, and the system sounds good.i came from a Dodge Neon R/T with 2-12 inch subs, soon to be installed in the Vibe.I have really never liked stock stereos in cars, but this one is above average. The sub is not suited for heavy bass music, but is you set the tone settigns just right, it has a plesant, flat sound quality to it.It is a 8 inch Monsoon sub.hope this helps you.

[spoonman]

Quote, originally posted by lazytiger »I know this topic has been covered before, but I figured a good synopsis of what is known so far was in order. BUMP!!! But really...... VERY well summerized!! I too am VERY interested to see where this goes. I know that there are "better" solutions out there using aftermarket products however, I would REALLY like to keep the most cargo space I can. I would LOVE to see how this works for others. Unfortunately, my funds are just too limited right now to be able to buy all the parts are start to experiment right now......

[ebslopp]

I am also very interested in adding the OEM subwoofer. I use the Vibe's cargo space regularly. In previous cars, I've just taken the subs out of the trunk when I needed the space. But I'm sick of doing that. I wish qlogic would come out with an aftermarket solution for this. It's difficult for me to justify $300 on something that I'm not sure whether or not it will fit. Plus it's an 8" woofer which isn't anything special. I'm sure that if an aftermarket company were to make a custom enclosure, they would make it at least a 10".

[Bocaj77]

The 2005 sub woofer would have worked but not like I wanted it to. I heard how the speaker sounded, I had went up to the local Pontiac dealer and took a 2005 out for a test drive mainly 2 listen to the stereo system and did not like it. So when my plan to swap out the stock woofer with my Rockford didnt work I sent everthing back but it will work in older Vibe's.

[redlava]

I am interested in doing that as well, just because I use the backend of the Vibe so much, it would be really inconvienent to get a box with subs in it. But $300 for a 8" sub is a little pricy, plus the money to have it installed because I am not very electronics savy. If you can find something bigger that would fit in the same spot it might actually be cheaper to go with something more aftermarket. More investigation on my part is needed I guess.

[Celos]

Hey all,I've been following this discussion with some interest, as like a lot of others I wanted a stealth install that didn't take a lot of cargo space. Putting one in the main cargo area is a non-starter for me, and I really didn't want one under the seat as I'm always storing crap under there. So....I just bought an '05 rear panel for the Monsoon subwoofer off of eBay (just the panel, not the sub itself). Once I get it, I'll post some detailed measurements and observations. I am particularly interested to see how much volume exists between the panel and the outer skin (at least as near as I can measure it). My plan is to install an aftermarket subwoofer (likely an Elemental Designs 7kV.2 or 9kV.2) rather than use the GM part. I'm sure it's a decent (but not great) sub, but it's way too expensive for what it is.I'm not sure yet how exactly I'll go with the sub itself. My two choices are to run a subwoofer infinite baffle using the airspace behind the panel as the resonant chamber or, barring that, build a fiberglass enclosure to fit back there. Running IB means I don't have to build an enclosure, and I've already sound deadened the crap out of that area so it's pretty well sealed. I'd have to add deadening to the new woofer panel.On the other hand, if I build an enclosure, since the enclosure would be hidden by the panel, all the detailed finish work that makes fiberglass a lengthy process would be unnecessary.And, of course, I'll post whether it actually fits the '03 mounting clip locations. Bocaj77's comments seem to indicate that he did try this and it fit, but it's not 100% clear to me that he ever installed it to be sure. One thing that would be very helpful is if someone who has the 2005 or later Monsoon package could take some pictures of how the sub is mounted to the body of the car. From the picture that lazytiger linked to, there look to be five spots where it bolts to the body of the car. I'm not sure that any of those bolt to the panel, but I suspect not. I'd like to know where they actually bolt on so I can potentially use the same spots (though my 2003 wouldn't have the body panel bolt holes, since the rear sub wasn't actually available in 2003). Oh and I'll also post up some pictures of my overly obsessive sound deadening project when I get a little further along.

[Vibr8tr]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...ZWD1VFor any one thinking of trying this.... total cost is around $70 shipped

[DarkSpork]

Did anybody find out anything conclusive about this? I like the sound system I have (6 stock speakers with aftermarket head unit with sub-output). Does anybody know if it will work with this set-up? I like how the system sounds, I just think the sub-woofer would make it that much better. In any event it beats the hell out of my 92' S-10s stock stereo system.

[rocket9005]

I have a 05 with the moon & tunes. I has a 200 watt total 6 channel amp under the passenger seat. 1 pair of channels for the speakers in the front doors, and the tweeters in the sail panel. A second pair of channels for the speakers in the back doors. a third pair s for the sub woofer in the trunk. The sub has a dual voice coil, so it's like running both channels into the one speaker, base is mostly mono anyway, so both channels just gets added in the sub. there is no crossover in the amps, all the speakers run full range, and there is some mid-range and highs coming out of the sub (not a lot !)the sound deadening would make a big difference, With the car parked and the engine off the stereo sounds really good, It sounds like a "natural" sounding home stereo. Not too colored or bright, just neutral. The factory default settings were too base heavy for my taste. I had to increase the the mid-range about 3db, and the highs about 6db to please my 50 year old ears. The Moon & Tunes isn't bad for a factory stereo. I'm happy with it, and I don't plan on replacing until somethings breaks. ( If the head unit is the first to go, I'll get an Alpine with a I-pod cable)

[vibolista]

I have and 08, and was a little disappointed with the Monsoon, its ok, but just ok. The bass is a little muddy for my ear and the tweeters are weak, even with the high range boosted a bit. A friend of mine has factory Infinity sys in his 90s Caravan and it is brilliant. The bass is very deep and smooth when it has to be and has punch when needed. Doesn't matter what the music type is. Probably a matter of power, speaker quality and sound insulation.I hope that those of you that are changing speakers or adding a sub w/factory enclosures, find a speaker and power combination that will help this system's performance. Anyone with experience and positive results that enhance our Monsoon should pitch in with their suggestions!