Why does everyone here hate the Monsoon system?

**ScrapMaker** · 05-16-2008, 06:49 AM

My friend is in the market for a "new" car, so we visited a few local dealerships.

I got to hear each stereo, and what it had to offer:

2006 Maxima (Bose)
2006 Altima (Bose)
2004 Crossfire (Premium)
2003 Mustang GT (Mach)

Plus I have been in so many cars I won't bother listing them. The ONLY car that comes close our stock systems is the one in my friends Chrysler LHS. It's a massive, luxury vehicle. Has over 16 speakers, I believe. 3-way components up front.

Anyways, picking the BEST stereo out of those "new" cars, (the Maxima,) and putting it in a cage match against my stock Monsoon, would be like putting a kitten up against a pitbull. That Bose system sounded worse than my toilet flushing. No clarity, no fullness either. Definitely no bass. This was the best of the cars we tested.

All I hear on these forums, (and ls1tech,) is that our stock systems are basically trash... I disagree. While our stock headunit is nothing to get excited over, (being older-than-sin,) our amps and speakers are pretty sweet. Combined with ANY aftermarket deck, you can have the features of a new car, and have great sound.

Just saying. Give it some credit.

/rant over.

**MasterEvilAce** · 05-16-2008, 04:08 PM

I get to play with new cars at work, too.

As far as the full range, the Monsoon system is good. Good highs, good bass. It honestly can't get very loud without massive distortion, though. That was my main reason for replacing it. My front speakers blew out and so I replaced them, but then the rest of the system lacked in comparison. I threw it all out and replaced it with quality stuff. No comparison between monsoon and all aftermarket.

A lot of it has to do with whether or not the car has just /audio/ or some sort of /PREMIUM/ audio. Cars with just ok audio suck. My mom's pontiac vibe, a 2004, has the worst sound "system" i've heard. There's no highs, and the bass is muddy as all hell.

A good bit of newer cars though seem to have punchy bass, but that's it. Probably because that's what people think quality is... just bass.

So.. my stock monsoon w/ treble and bass turned up was pretty good compared to other cars.

But compared to what you COULD have.. monsoon is shit.

**sunsetorangess** · 05-16-2008, 04:51 PM

I have no issues with the stock system, only complaints i have is its hard to find a replacement speaker if one decides to go out on ya.
J

**Speedy_Gonzales** · 05-16-2008, 04:54 PM

I LOVE MY MONSOON !!!!!!!!!!!! I got 2 new front speakers at my local chevy dealer........$75 each both well worth it IMO

**sunsetorangess** · 05-16-2008, 04:57 PM

The previous owner of my car had a Cassette deck instailed as an option lol, so i searched a few junk yards and found a cd player headunit and have had it for about 6 years now.
J

**Speedy_Gonzales** · 05-16-2008, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by sunsetorangess

The previous owner of my car had a Cassette deck instailed as an option lol, so i searched a few junk yards and found a cd player headunit and have had it for about 6 years now.
J

my 1st car a 1974 Road Runner had an 8 track

**sunsetorangess** · 05-16-2008, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by SpeedAddict38

my 1st car a 1974 Road Runner had an 8 track

lol Gotta start somewhere
J

**Speedy_Gonzales** · 05-16-2008, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by sunsetorangess

lol Gotta start somewhere
J

then they came out with the cassete adapters lol.........we thought those were awesome

**Y2KPewterSS** · 05-16-2008, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by sunsetorangess

I have no issues with the stock system, only complaints i have is its hard to find a replacement speaker if one decides to go out on ya.
J

Same for me.

**intheclouds1977** · 05-16-2008, 08:49 PM

Monsoon is great for a stock stereo. Doesn't even come close to a quality mid-range aftermarket stereo though.

**Orcus79** · 05-17-2008, 07:45 AM

I have no complaints about mine. Best stereo I have had in a car so far, asides from the one that was in my moms 86 Grandprix, for being old it worked the tunes really good and always clear.

My day job is driving a Yamaha DM2000 sounds desk coupled to a Myer front end and JBL subs (total crap) So I am picky.

**gnomee** · 05-17-2008, 08:20 AM

The monsoon system is a great factory system I agree 100%.

**Speed Psychosis** · 05-24-2008, 01:43 PM

My friend's stock bose system in his rx8 blows the monsoon away. Much clearer and better mid and highs. The bass is weak in that car though. His dad's 6 series is also much better but for obvious reasons. Most monsoon systems suck. We have an 03 Grand Am GT and its terrible. Ours is pretty good for its time but now a new lancer has better quality. The good part of our car's system is that it already has many speakers and an amp so upgrading is much easier.

**IronBird** · 05-27-2008, 02:37 AM

I luv my 'soon! For a stock system, it rules!

rapter34 · 05-27-2008, 02:53 AM

I Love the monsoon when I listen too it usually I just turn the radio off so I can listen to the music coming from under the hood.

**Too Fast** · 05-27-2008, 03:09 AM

I like my Monsoon also. I added an amp and 2 10" subs to add some back massaging bass, left the rest alone. Gets plenty loud to get my ears ringing, people always comment how clear it sounds and can't believe it is stock. Hell, even when it was 100% stock people would compliment it.

**tonyjnjz** · 05-27-2008, 03:15 AM

its decent....dosnt come close the the infinity kappa 6x9s only hooked up to an aftermarket alpine radio though in my DD

**ScrapMaker** · 05-27-2008, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by tonyjnjz

its decent....dosnt come close the the infinity kappa 6x9s only hooked up to an aftermarket alpine radio though in my DD

That's a stretch... I've never heard a set of speakers sound good running straight off the headunit... once any kind of bass is played, you get incredible distortion... and if you get anywhere near 80% output of the deck, you will get distortion without even playing bass...

I'll admit, that the monsoon doesn't exactly have roaring bass, but with a subwoofer, and everything else stock... it's pretty damned good. I felt that it was on par with, or better than my friend's infinity kappa perfect components, running on an Autotek 2x200... decent amp too...

Right now, I am running two eD 13Ov.2 subs in the t-top box from subthump... and the system is amazing... I never listen at the max, but when I get it that high, it doesn't distort...

**tonyjnjz** · 05-27-2008, 11:49 AM

your outta your mind...my kappas are FAR clearer than the monsoon system..it dosnt even have componet tweeters and your comparing it to a 3 piece 6x9????

**ScrapMaker** · 05-27-2008, 12:00 PM

huh? My Monsoon system definitely has component tweeters...

I won't say your kappa SPEAKERS are not of much higher quality, but pushing them with a deck? pshha! you will get distortion out the ying-yang...

but that's not fair, since you can't compare an amplified system versus a non-amplified system... clearly yours would be much better, once amp'd...

Still not much bass though, as those sails just can't handle it... I spent a lot of money trying that in my thirdgen... then I caved and bought two 15s and never looked back...

edit: I just noticed you have a Camaro... they have coaxial tweeters... a big no-no... perhaps your kappas really do sound much better... sorry!