Stock stereo upgrade in 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
07-26-2004, 10:22 PM
#1
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Join Date: Jul 2004
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Hello,
I not too long ago bought a 2004 Sunfire GT. It came with the upgraded 200 Watt Monsoon Stereo head unit and speakers with MP3 player and sounds pretty good. However, it just doesn't have as much bass as I would like to have. I am just looking to add a 12inch sub (Rockford) and amp, roughly handling 250 watts or so. Thing is, I don't want to loose the stock head unit. It's a pretty good stereo and I like the info and stuff that GM has in their Pontiac stereos. I have heard that I can add an amp and sub keeping the old head unit, but I will have to purchase some kind of RCA converter as the stock units don't have RCA outputs. Also, I have heard of Bazooka "tubes" and what is your experience with these. Would you recommend the sub/amp/box (only want 1 sub) or Bazooka "tube?"
Also, has anyone any experience hooking up a sub and amp to a stock unit (not necessarly Monsoon) and what is this converter that I hear of? I can't find any info on the net, but I'm probably just searching for the wrong thing. I won't do the install myself, I will have a professional do it. I just would like to know if it's worth the upgrade (w/o changing the head unit) and just how much power will I loose to my stock speakers by spliting and adding the RCA converter?
If anyone can help me out with this, and tell about their experience adding a sub and amp to their existing stereo would be helpful. I don't want to loose my trunk space and I don't need a pounding system to draw attention, just want to add a little more bass to what I already have. To keep trunk space, that is why I'm going with a single 12 inch sub and ported box.
Also one more thing. Where should I be looking for car audio. Should I go to the big guys (i.e Best Buy, Future shop) or more specialized dealers in car audio. I'm looking in the Richmond Hill area (where I work) or in the Whitby/Oshawa area (where I live).
Thanks for your help!
I not too long ago bought a 2004 Sunfire GT. It came with the upgraded 200 Watt Monsoon Stereo head unit and speakers with MP3 player and sounds pretty good. However, it just doesn't have as much bass as I would like to have. I am just looking to add a 12inch sub (Rockford) and amp, roughly handling 250 watts or so. Thing is, I don't want to loose the stock head unit. It's a pretty good stereo and I like the info and stuff that GM has in their Pontiac stereos. I have heard that I can add an amp and sub keeping the old head unit, but I will have to purchase some kind of RCA converter as the stock units don't have RCA outputs. Also, I have heard of Bazooka "tubes" and what is your experience with these. Would you recommend the sub/amp/box (only want 1 sub) or Bazooka "tube?"
Also, has anyone any experience hooking up a sub and amp to a stock unit (not necessarly Monsoon) and what is this converter that I hear of? I can't find any info on the net, but I'm probably just searching for the wrong thing. I won't do the install myself, I will have a professional do it. I just would like to know if it's worth the upgrade (w/o changing the head unit) and just how much power will I loose to my stock speakers by spliting and adding the RCA converter?
If anyone can help me out with this, and tell about their experience adding a sub and amp to their existing stereo would be helpful. I don't want to loose my trunk space and I don't need a pounding system to draw attention, just want to add a little more bass to what I already have. To keep trunk space, that is why I'm going with a single 12 inch sub and ported box.
Also one more thing. Where should I be looking for car audio. Should I go to the big guys (i.e Best Buy, Future shop) or more specialized dealers in car audio. I'm looking in the Richmond Hill area (where I work) or in the Whitby/Oshawa area (where I live).
Thanks for your help!
07-26-2004, 10:30 PM
#2
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What you need is called a line out converter, any shop should sell it. I would stay away from Bazooka Tubes and get a nice 12 inch sub, a custom built ported box, and a good reliable amp. I am not sure about installer in your area but check around with people you know that have had their installs done and ask their opinion. Also check out shops photo books, they should have one if they do good work. Also make sure the bays are not a pigsty, if they can't keep their bay clean how will they treat your car? You can find good and bad installers in both chains and independants, but it isn't too hard of an install, so most shops that have been in business for a while shoulfd be able to handle it relatively quickly.
07-26-2004, 11:01 PM
#3
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So do you think that just adding a sub and amp to my stock stereo will work out alright? I currently have the upgrades stock 200 watt Monsoon 8 speaker system in the car. It sounds really good, clear when turned right up but lacks the bass that I desire to fill out the sound. I'm just looking to add a single 10 or 12 inch sub in a ported box. How much power do you presume I will loose to my other speakers in the car by adding the Line Out Converter? Now that I know what the name of the jadget is, I have looked it up.
All info and personal experiences/opinions are greatly appreciated.
Thank you. Just don't want to get ripped off since I don't have experience in car audio. This is my first car, but not looking to break the bank, just a small upgrade to fill out the Monsoon system.
Also, what speakers will this line converter cut into, or how many does it have to be done with? 2,4 all 6? The stock Monsoon has 8 speakers (actually 6 with rear dual voice coil speakers). Will I then loose any balance/fade settings with the stereo. Exactly, how does it work?
[ July 27, 2004, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: Schumi ]
All info and personal experiences/opinions are greatly appreciated.
Thank you. Just don't want to get ripped off since I don't have experience in car audio. This is my first car, but not looking to break the bank, just a small upgrade to fill out the Monsoon system.
Also, what speakers will this line converter cut into, or how many does it have to be done with? 2,4 all 6? The stock Monsoon has 8 speakers (actually 6 with rear dual voice coil speakers). Will I then loose any balance/fade settings with the stereo. Exactly, how does it work?
[ July 27, 2004, 12:12 AM: Message edited by: Schumi ]
07-26-2004, 11:23 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jan 2004
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When i first bought my cutlass,, i used a line out adapter , hooked directly off my rear 6x9's to my amp to run my sub, sounded great for a factory add on.. My Factory sound system was the GM high end in 97, components in the doors, 6x9's in the rear deck with the double clips,, one being the woofer area and one going to the tweeter.
The only reason i replaced my factory head unit was because my cd player had quit on the factory unit.
The only reason i replaced my factory head unit was because my cd player had quit on the factory unit.
07-26-2004, 11:23 PM
#5
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I would recommend to disconnect the factory woofers(subwoofer) when you add the new sub.
BTW a line out converter doesn't take power, or lose power, it simply "looks" at the given signal and converts it to a pre-amp level that an amplifier can handle.
If the installer can, he should connect the lineout converter(LOC) to the factory woofer speaker leads, and replace it with the woofer you want to put in, along with the amplifier, rather a simple procedure, but can be somewhat time consuming, building the box, passing the power wire through the firewall using a rubber grommet, then finding a remote on lead for the amplifier, and then connecting the works, I'd estimate between $150-300 for the cabinet, depending on how "custom" it is, and approximatly 2 hours to connect the amplifier with the LOC .
BTW a line out converter doesn't take power, or lose power, it simply "looks" at the given signal and converts it to a pre-amp level that an amplifier can handle.
If the installer can, he should connect the lineout converter(LOC) to the factory woofer speaker leads, and replace it with the woofer you want to put in, along with the amplifier, rather a simple procedure, but can be somewhat time consuming, building the box, passing the power wire through the firewall using a rubber grommet, then finding a remote on lead for the amplifier, and then connecting the works, I'd estimate between $150-300 for the cabinet, depending on how "custom" it is, and approximatly 2 hours to connect the amplifier with the LOC .
07-27-2004, 06:38 AM
#6
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Thanks for the info. I currently do not have a sub installed in my car. I only have the factory upgraded Monsoon system. It has 2 tweets in the front, 2 mids in the front, and 4 in the rear, but they are rear dual voice coil speakers so only 2 input leads. So you are saying to disconnect these speakers all together and run them to the LOC? The wires should not be split and wired back up to the stock speakers in the rear and to the LOC?
I have not had a system in a car before but will this sound good disconnecting the rear speakers all together? This will only have the music from the front. What is your input on this. Maybe it's the way it's supposed to be, I do not know.
Also, how will I control the level of bass on the sub/amp? With the LOC, will I still be able to use the Bass control on my stereo or will I have to go directly to the amp?
Thank you.
I have not had a system in a car before but will this sound good disconnecting the rear speakers all together? This will only have the music from the front. What is your input on this. Maybe it's the way it's supposed to be, I do not know.
Also, how will I control the level of bass on the sub/amp? With the LOC, will I still be able to use the Bass control on my stereo or will I have to go directly to the amp?
Thank you.
07-27-2004, 07:49 AM
#7
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i have use the bazooka systems for years and they work very well so long a s you dont plan on a bunch of dj magic mike on a regular basis, if you are planning on really getting on the volume i would suggest a separate amp and box. if you look around you will find many amps with loc's in them already and save yourself a few $$$. beware on your car there is a circuit built into the factory cd player that limits the amount of bass the deck will put out at higher volumes, this is dome to protect the smaller factory speakers from exploding, so as long a s plan on keeping the factory unit you will be stuck with this drawback. this isnt unique to your car many cars come stock like that. btw it is very easy to do a cd player upgrade in that car that will not affect the daily operation of it, good luck
07-27-2004, 07:57 AM
#8
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Originally posted by Schumi:
-- and 4 in the rear, but they are rear dual voice coil speakers so only 2 input leads. So you are saying to disconnect these speakers all together and run them to the LOC?
-- and 4 in the rear, but they are rear dual voice coil speakers so only 2 input leads. So you are saying to disconnect these speakers all together and run them to the LOC?
When in doubt have a professional install it. It does cost to have it installed but then its done right.. You have a new car, i would do nothing but have a professional put it in.
07-27-2004, 08:03 AM
#9
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Originally posted by Rockney:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Schumi:
-- and 4 in the rear, but they are rear dual voice coil speakers so only 2 input leads. So you are saying to disconnect these speakers all together and run them to the LOC?
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Schumi:
-- and 4 in the rear, but they are rear dual voice coil speakers so only 2 input leads. So you are saying to disconnect these speakers all together and run them to the LOC?
When in doubt have a professional install it. It does cost to have it installed but then its done right.. You have a new car, i would do nothing but have a professional put it in. </font>[/QUOTE]Oh I plan to have a professional install it. I will however inquire with them what you have all suggested. That is why I would like to go in with some knowledge, so thanks for that. I like the idea of having the speakers in the rear that produce the highs still hooked up if possible, but I don't know how the leads/wires look. I will talk to the tech about this. I think it would sound better but I don't know if people just put the subs in the rear and forget about any other speakers back there and keep the ones in the front.
Thank you.
[ July 27, 2004, 09:05 AM: Message edited by: Schumi ]
07-27-2004, 09:23 PM
#10
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While out looking around today, a salesman had mentioned that if I ever do plan on upgrading my stereo HU, it will cost a lot. It appears that for my car 2004 Pontiac (and other GM cars) that a special harness must be installed and the stock stereo mounted in the trunk or something b/c the chimes, airbad and other stuff is connected through it. You cannot just take it out of the car. Anyone heard of this or know what is involved in an upgrade? I am keeping my HU in this upgrade, but I found this interesting. I do know that the chimes for lights, seatbelt, etc do come out of the front left speaker.
