Re: Monsoon
- From: "RG" <rgalbra@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2006 01:15:55 -0400
"Filmophile" <Filmophilia@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1152408784.472427.158990@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Like most factory systems, the Monsson setup uses a proprietary EQ
built into the deck to balance the speakers properly. I replaced my
deck before purchasing new speakers and was surprised at how poor the
sound quality became after the switch despite having a deck worth
almost $600 with an advanced EQ system in it. If you really want to
change the deck for some reason, you're going to want new speakers.
That is exactly the OPPOSITE of what I found in my wife's '03 Jetta. Merely
replacing the Monsoon HU with a Blaupunkt Heidelberg resulted in an
incredible increase in sound quality. So much so that I opted to leave the
Monsoon speakers in place. As far as proprietary EQ in the deck itself, I
kind of doubt it. In fact, I believe that the Monsoon and standard deck are
identical. The outboard Monsoon "amp" uses active crossovers with modest
output wattage, but if wired correctly to an aftermarket deck sounds pretty
good. The non- Monsoon setup, however, does not fare so well as it does not
use the outboard amp/crossover.
There are two primary problems with replacing the speakers in MKIV VWs:
1. The mid-range drivers are installed into the doors using a hard
plastic mounting device that needs to be semi-broken before the
speakers can be removed, so you'd better be sure you want to get rid of
them before you take them out.
You don't have to break them. They are merely riveted in and it is very easy
to just drill out the rivets.
Alpine's Type-S SPS171A speaker system will fit in the front doors
without modification and are nice speakers, get a mtaching pair for the
rear and you'll have pretty decent sound quality without breaking the
bank. Keep in mind that any aftermarket speaker speaker is going to
need an aftermarket amp to be properly driven.
Just about any speaker up to an 8" or so mid will fit. But they should be
mounted to at least a 1.5" MDF spacer as if they are mounted directly to the
door they will be recessed way to far in from the inside door panel,
resulting in degraded sound. The factory Monsoon speakers are already on an
integral spacer some 2" thick.
If I were in your position and not looking to spend a ton of cash, I'd
keep the factory deck. You can send the signal out of the factory unit
to a JL Audio CleanSweep CL441-dsp
(http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_cleansweep_pages.php?page_id=79)
which will neturalize and correct the factory EQ signal. Send the
signal from the CleanSweep to an aftermarket amp to power your new
speakers and you'll have a high-quality sound system. You'll save the
cash the deck would have cost and retain the factory look and easy
control scheme.
Actually, the factory Monsoon deck is by far the weakest link in the system.
IMO, it should be the first to go if one were looking to upgrade sound
quality.
- RG
.
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