Blown front speakers in SS Convertible

**IronBird** · 04-08-2007, 08:19 AM

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Ya, I never turn it up loud enough to hurt anything anyway, even with the top down. They were blown from the previous original owner and I got some paperwork showing replacement under warranty,,,both door speakers.
I always adjust the sound more towards the larger speakers as well to take the strain off of the smaller ones.
I'm old, and don't care for loud radios anyway, I grew up before all this booming stuff came into play. I am pretty confident my factory GM speakers will last my lifetime. It only needs to be loud enough to hear it,,,for me that is. Larry.

**fredmr85** · 04-08-2007, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by jigger1166

Sorry to get off the topic, but, can someone tell me where the Monsoon system amp is supposed to be, and where the CD changer was mounted, in a Vert.?
I just bought a SS which came with the Monsoon system, and CD changer (according to the RPO codes), but doesn't have the Monsoon logo on the faceplate, and there isn't a CD changer. I'm assuming the head unit was replaced with a regular CD/radio. I'd like to get the factory system back to original. Because it's a 2000 Arctic White SS Vert., with Black top, Leather int. So I think it's worth keeping original.

Amp I believe is in the same place as coupes..? In the rear, remove the panel covering the spare tire and on the reverse side of a black plastic panel, you will find the amp. The HU without the Monsoon sticker is probably the same that came with the car. I know earlier models in '97, and '98 (the first years of Monsoon) most did not have the Monsoon sticker. I do not know when they (or if they) consistently began putting the sticker on, but either way....exact same HU. Also, Monsoon system does not = CD changer, so again - that is probably original.

**jigger1166** · 04-08-2007, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by fredmr85

Amp I believe is in the same place as coupes..? In the rear, remove the panel covering the spare tire and on the reverse side of a black plastic panel, you will find the amp. The HU without the Monsoon sticker is probably the same that came with the car. I know earlier models in '97, and '98 (the first years of Monsoon) most did not have the Monsoon sticker. I do not know when they (or if they) consistently began putting the sticker on, but either way....exact same HU. Also, Monsoon system does not = CD changer, so again - that is probably original.

Thanks for the info.
I know by the RPO codes, that the car came with a CD changer. But I want to know where it's supposed to be mounted, for when I pick-up a replacement.

**fredmr85** · 04-08-2007, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by jigger1166

I know by the RPO codes

ahh - sorry, I think I missed that part.

**Firebirdjones** · 04-08-2007, 05:55 PM

The factory 12 disc cd changer, (if equipped) will be located in the trunk on the driver side just behind the wheel tub. It's mounted right to the floor. IF it's factory equipped with the CD changer, and it's missing, you can tell for sure buy looking at the floor covering (panel) where it's mounted.
You will see a threaded stud on one end, and another piece of sheetmetal sticking up on the other end with a hole in it. Both of these peices are spot welded to the trunk panel from the factory and should still be there,,,unless the previous owner went through the trouble of drilling the spot welds to remove the brackets. These brackets serve as mounts for the other brackets that are attached to the cd changer.

As far as the head unit is concerned,,,,on my 02 with the monsoon stereo, the word "monsoon" is actually engraved into the face of the head unit.
Not sure who had problems with distortion on the factory head units but I think mine sounds absolutely great, one of the best sounding factory systems I have heard to date. Mine is a convertable too, so it has the monsoon head unit but it doesn't come with the monsoon style speakers with extra tweaters and such,,,,but I find the sound quality excellent still even with the more common "standard" speakers.
I also like the ease of operation of the factory head unit, with large easy to read buttons (great for old guys like me) I can't really stand the new stereos made nowadays, it seems their idea is to make the radio as small as possible and then cram as many buttons as they can on the face of it

and the manual to work the thing is thicker than the car manual

I'll pass on that.
Hey does anyone know when GM came out with new updated replacement speakers? Since mine were replaced under warranty and I have the paperwork I might check for the date of replacement. Larry.

**daveinstl** · 04-11-2007, 07:05 PM

The bottom line - I bought the "factory upgrades" from thepartsladi store on Ebay. They came today and I put them in. They look just like the factory speakers so the wires plug right in and they go in with 3 screws in the factory holes so installation is a piece of cake. To me, they look and sound exactly like the factory speakers, so they will probably blow again at some point. Then I will probably buy the Infinitys. On the web site they say that they are better than the factory speakers but they look exactly the same to me. Maybe the price is better than the dealer though - $70 + $7 shipping for both.

**Firebirdjones** · 04-12-2007, 08:06 AM

Thanks for the feedback. Thats good info to know. Larry.

**IronBird** · 04-12-2007, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by daveinstl

The bottom line - I bought the "factory upgrades" from thepartsladi store on Ebay. They came today and I put them in. They look just like the factory speakers so the wires plug right in and they go in with 3 screws in the factory holes so installation is a piece of cake. To me, they look and sound exactly like the factory speakers, so they will probably blow again at some point. Then I will probably buy the Infinitys. On the web site they say that they are better than the factory speakers but they look exactly the same to me. Maybe the price is better than the dealer though - $70 + $7 shipping for both.

Was the cone/driver still paper? And was the surrounding cone material still plain ol' foam rubber vs butyl rubber?

**Firebirdjones** · 04-12-2007, 05:18 PM

sheeeesh, you guys must be stereo finatics or something. Now you are breaking down the construction of the speakers? This is where you start losing an old guy like me

**daveinstl** · 04-12-2007, 05:22 PM

Yes, they looked to me like paper and foam rubber. If these are upgraded, I can't tell the difference. I hoped that they would be constructed better than the old ones, but I don't think that's the case.

**fredmr85** · 04-12-2007, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by daveinstl

Yes, they looked to me like paper and foam rubber. If these are upgraded, I can't tell the difference. I hoped that they would be constructed better than the old ones, but I don't think that's the case.

Well, most all factory speakers are made of materials that degrade over time. This may or may not hurt the reproduction of sound in the early stages. Of course the cone material is probably the same (nothing wrong with that really) and the suspension is still more foam than anything (can't expect anything better from factory speakers....plus - they aren't getting all that much power). I wonder though if anything with the voice coil structure itself has been improved at least in some very slight way. The changes might not be physically visible (obviously since you can't visually see a blown speaker without dissecting it -- you can see material degradation, etc.).

Ratdaddy07 · 04-13-2007, 06:43 AM

In a reasonably low power application like this the only thing of real importance to be upgraded is the voice coil like fredmr85 said and like he said you probably won't tell that by looking unless A) you are really skilled or B) the difference is great. Probably just be a time will tell thing. Or you know what the factory speakers did bottom about 3/4 volume on the heavy stuff see if these do or not.

**IronBird** · 04-13-2007, 06:53 AM

Thanx Dave.

**IronBird** · 04-13-2007, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

sheeeesh, you guys must be stereo finatics or something. Now you are breaking down the construction of the speakers? This is where you start losing an old guy like me

Lol....now you're sounding like the wife, who constantly accuses me of just that...you should see my den...THX would be proud!!

I'm a half-assed musician (bass player), and tho' not an authority on speaker construction....though we're know for ripping 'em apart!!

I only mentioned the construction because you will find with your premium car speakers, most opt for polycone/butyl rubber surround materials because they tend to hold up better in the harsh enviroment of a car interior and thought the "General" would know the same...wishfull thinking on my part....!

**IronBird** · 04-13-2007, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by fredmr85

Well, most all factory speakers are made of materials that degrade over time. This may or may not hurt the reproduction of sound in the early stages. Of course the cone material is probably the same (nothing wrong with that really) and the suspension is still more foam than anything (can't expect anything better from factory speakers....plus - they aren't getting all that much power). I wonder though if anything with the voice coil structure itself has been improved at least in some very slight way. The changes might not be physically visible (obviously since you can't visually see a blown speaker without dissecting it -- you can see material degradation, etc.).

No argument here. Nothing wrong with paper cone 'n foam so far as the sound imho, but in the harsh enviroment of a car...it doesn't hold up very long. Lol...besides, wasn't our systems advertised as a "premium" sound system...!

**IronBird** · 04-13-2007, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by fredmr85

Well, most all factory speakers are made of materials that degrade over time. This may or may not hurt the reproduction of sound in the early stages. Of course the cone material is probably the same (nothing wrong with that really) and the suspension is still more foam than anything (can't expect anything better from factory speakers....plus - they aren't getting all that much power). I wonder though if anything with the voice coil structure itself has been improved at least in some very slight way. The changes might not be physically visible (obviously since you can't visually see a blown speaker without dissecting it -- you can see material degradation, etc.).

You would have thought though, if the factory had come out with a "upgrade" they would have addressed the shortcomings of the old. Even if they charged more it would be worht it. When I swapped out my front which were original factory for the Alpines, the cone itself was okay...but the foam suspention...3/4 of it was gone...dried out and crumbling...on both speakers. With an "upgrade"...I just thought the General would have done better...!

**Firebirdjones** · 04-13-2007, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by IronBird

Lol....now you're sounding like the wife, who constantly accuses me of just that...you should see my den...THX would be proud!!

I'm a half-assed musician (bass player), and tho' not an authority on speaker construction....though we're know for ripping 'em apart!!

I only mentioned the construction because you will find with your premium car speakers, most opt for polycone/butyl rubber surround materials because they tend to hold up better in the harsh enviroment of a car interior and thought the "General" would know the same...wishfull thinking on my part....!

Thats hillarious

I must get it from my wife. I spend so much money on speed parts spread over 7 cars that I never put much emphasis on radios, (actually one of my cars is radio delete) wouldn't have much money left for that stuff anyway. I only turn them on when my son wants to hear something. I'm perfectly happy with the top down listening to exhaust noise.

Larry.

**Eugenio_SS** · 04-18-2007, 08:49 AM

i had a blown front speaker and the monsoon lights started dying on me... so i changed everything... lol
change hu and put some good front speakers... you'll love it.

**IronBird** · 04-18-2007, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Thats hillarious

I must get it from my wife. I spend so much money on speed parts spread over 7 cars that I never put much emphasis on radios, (actually one of my cars is radio delete) wouldn't have much money left for that stuff anyway. I only turn them on when my son wants to hear something. I'm perfectly happy with the top down listening to exhaust noise.

Larry.

**SSTribull** · 04-18-2007, 09:29 AM

Being a Mobile Installer Tech at Best Buy, I recommend stopping by your local Best Buy and talking to them. You can get a pair of 4 ohm speakers and be perfectly fine. It will actually be a little easier on your factory amplifier. I personally am running Alpine Type R's in the front doors and back seat panels, and I modded for Infinity Reference 6x8's in the back hatch. Sounds awesome while I'm watching DVD's. Oh yeah, I have a flip out in it too.