Audiophiles...need help with radio

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

After spending nearly three hours searching, I can't seem to find out any real information on the 10-speaker systems installed from the factory in Firebirds. Some call them Monsoon (although the name didn't appear until 1997), others call them Delco and others Bose. What the heck is it?

Second, as far as I know, the only speakers that are powered by the amp (located in the passenger side sail area) are the subwoofers, which are also mounted in the sail panel area. So, if I'm correct, the other speakers area all powered off of the H/U. Right?

I've seen countless posts talking about how bad this system is supposed to sound, but to be honest, at 3/4 volume, I've never been disappointed in the stock system. The subs are tight and vibrate the car fine for me.

Anyway, after 12 years, I believe one of the front speakers (driver side kick panel) is torn. It's the mid/bass. I want to replace the speakers only because I feel the stock H/U has more than enough power for my listening tastes. I believe it's a 2-ohm speaker, but not really sure as the information is so 'all over the place". I can probably get away with simply replacing just the door speakers with 2-ohm Infinity speakers.

Anybody have any definitive information? Rewiring the car and adding amps is out of the question as I don't want to add any more weight to the car. As long as I get speakers with similar efficiencies and ohm ratings, I can't imagine I'll be disappointed.


Also, I've come to realize that the 1.5 DIN size is all but dead. Pioneer still makes the DEH-P77DH, and I like the fact that I won't have to use a "filler" plate. But, being old technology (still newer than my 1996 radio), is it an improvement worth doing? Can I keep the stock subs and simply add 4-speakers to improve the sound?

I used to be into car stereos years ago, but don't know much about what's out there now.

[Christopherrr]

Personally, I love the sound of my system...Delco or Monsoon or whatever you call it. For whatever reason, people hate em...? Monsoon is on my HU. Never has an issues what so ever except tearing my door speakers a lot...after replacing them with two way Infitnities never has any more issues.

I actually pulled out the sail-panel woofers and now running an Infinity Basslink in the sparewell.

To the bass-junkie, it won't hit hard enough...but for the casual listener that likes good full sound...well, everyone that has ever sat in my car, loves the sound and want to know how much I spent making it sound so amazing.



I like the stock look...hate the complexity of din HUs and the look. When my HU decides to croak...it's another OEM.

To answer your question, no...the HU is only the signal. The "amp" in the sparewell is the crossover for your tweeters mids and powers the subs.

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

Thanks Chris...but that's what I'm trying to find out. I'm in the camp that does not believe the Monsoon systems are the same as the 1996 system. I've read enough conflicting information to not know for sure though.

In 1996, the 10-speaker system was not called "Monsoon". As a matter of fact, I believe it was rated less then the 1997+ systems.

I just don't know...

[Trans Am]

I ve replaced the ones in the door with some jbl gto ones, and they sound great. Just get the same ohm# , it should be on the stock ones.

I like the stock system , i mean the speakers/amp system, i dont think there s need for any more bass , the subwoofers in the sail panels dothe job just fine. I ve replaced the headunit with a pioneer avic n2 and i love it..i needed to replace the stock headunit because the radio frequencies are different over here, and i needed something that has an input for am mp3 player, i use my psp hooked up to the pioneer headunit.
i find the psp with a 4gb memory card a lot better than a hard drive mp3 player because when you want to go to the next track it does it straight away , as compared to the hard drive based ones that a bit slower.

Depends on what you are listening to , if you are happy with radio and cd s , i d keep the sock radio, but if you want more, i d go for a headunit that plays mp3 s ( i m not sure if the newer ones can play mp3 from dvd discs- that way you d have 4.5 gb of music on one disc) and has a line-in so you can play any mp3 player like ipods through the car s speakers

[Trans Am]

Thanks Chris...but that's what I'm trying to find out. I'm in the camp that does not believe the Monsoon systems are the same as the 1996 system. I've read enough conflicting information to not know for sure though.

In 1996, the 10-speaker system was not called "Monsoon". As a matter of fact, I believe it was rated less then the 1997+ systems.

I just don't know...

i m pretty much sure the 96 10 speaker system isn not a monsoon and not a bose either. looks like the front and rear speakers are powered by the headunit, and the subs are powered by the amp that gets the 'on' and music signals from the headunit. so if you want to replace the headunit you have to connect the front and rear speakers , and then find out which wires go to the amp , a pink one i think, i ll look how i connected mine if you want)

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

i m pretty much sure the 96 10 speaker system isn not a monsoon and not a bose either. looks like the front and rear speakers are powered by the headunit, and the subs are powered by the amp that gets the 'on' and music signals from the headunit. so if you want to replace the headunit you have to connect the front and rear speakers , and then find out which wires go to the amp , a pink one i think, i ll look how i connected mine if you want)

Finally...some solid info. When you say " looks like the front and rear are powered by the headunit", how did you deduce this? Are you looking at a wiring schematic?

[Trans Am]

i have a schematic somewhere, but it was more like trial and error when i installed the first one, with the use of some info i found on the internet.. i ll dig out the service manual and i ll let you know which wire goes where
If you want to replace the headunit its really easy, and eveneasier just the front speakers

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

If I decide to replace the headunit with something like this: Pioneer DEH-P77DH, will I be able to retain the use of the stock subwoofers and amp> I'm looking at replacing the fronts (definitely) as the speaker is shot, but not sure what to do with the weird size of the hatch speakers. I read some people have place 6.5" in the front doors, scrapped the subs, and placed 6.5" in the their place. They simply ignored the hatch area speakers. If I did this, I would have to add an amp and external sub to the trunk area to make up for the loss of the sail panel subs.

I just don't know if replacing the H/U is worth it. It's rated at 45 x 4 (22 x 4 RMS). I don't know if this is more/less than the stocker....so confusing.

[Trans Am]

most likely the pioneer headunit is more powerful than the stock one. I think the small speakersin the hatch area are fine, i kept the originals and they sound ok, you could just replace the front ones .
You can keep the stock speakers and amp and install a new headunit , let me know if youdo that and i ll find the connection diagram
( ..why not get an avic n1 , n2 or d1 d2.. they are touch screen a lot of features , very good sound ..even if you get a used one off ebay , they not so expensive anymore )

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

Aren't they double DIN (or single?) I didn't want to have to deal with the filler plate issue.

[Christopherrr]

Aren't they double DIN (or single?) I didn't want to have to deal with the filler plate issue.

GM HU size isn't Double DIN...I can't recall the size...EF or something. Our sized aftermarket HU support is non exsistant...you'll probably have to go with DIN and a plate.

[Injuneer]

The Pioneer unit Al mentioned is in fact a "GM" size, that fits the F-Body opening.

[Christopherrr]

1.5 DIN...should fill it perfectly.

I was acutally interested in the this HU but opted out for the colors...Al, lets see the install pics when you get it in.

[Christopherrr]

The Pioneer unit Al mentioned is in fact a "GM" size, that fits the F-Body opening.

Sorry Fred, didn't mean to have discrepencies in sizes, I was referring to the touch screens.

[Al 96 Ram Air T/A]

Thanks everyone... I knew this board wouldn't let me down.

Now that I know it fits, I guess the real question is: is this Pioneer unit plug and play? I don't want to lose the subwoofers as I think they work just fine.