Thread: Adding Aftermarket HU and KEEPING factory HU question.

Hey, I have a 2005 GTP with a Monsoon 6-disc with XM so I'm not looking to get rid of it. However running amp and sub with LOC does sound like ****.

I'm installing the JVC unit I had in my last car, into the cubby under the climate controls. It has a Line Input, and dedicated RCA sub outputs so I'm gonna run the signal from the stock HU into it and use it to control just the amp/subs. It makes the bass very very noticeably clearer.

QUESTION is: the monsoon DECK is reported to have very low signal speaker output, before going trough the amp. Can anyone confirm that?

I want to just run the speaker output from the monsoon to the Line Input for the jvc WITHOUT using a LOC.

Would it not be easier and sound the same to just run the aftermarket head unit?

I say just find a deck you'd be willing to completely replace stock with..

Ok, I have an XM subscription, I'm not dropping $500+ on a new HU+XM adapters, that won't work with the HUD or the steering wheel controls, especially when I have everything I need in the garage to install a 2nd unit without spending a dime.

All I need to know if anyone here can verify the monsoon decks are low signal before the amp as seems to be the thoughts on teh web.

You're basically referring to signal level matching. The amplifier in your head unit is probably the same as any aftermarket head unit except that you have 'monsoon' attached to it. I really have never looked into what is added or taken away to a monsoon system in terms of signal processing.

At that point I don't know what to tell you.

But addressing your specific question on head unit output vs. amplifier output...I think that's a no brainer. First and foremost the head unit line level output is only as good as the amplifier pushing it. Second, the signal strength going into the amp is only as good as the gain/level matching coming out of the LOC.

I don't have a lot of faith in another's ability to set those up appropriately let alone provide a proper review.

Well, after a heck of a lot of digging, the Monsoon HU and the regular Delphi HU are exactly the same, the difference is the Monsoon system has an additional amp (which we all knew).

So no, despite having an amp in the trunk, the Monsoon HU still puts out speaker level signal, and cannot not be used without an LOC.

Originally Posted by industrialfish

Well, after a heck of a lot of digging, the Monsoon HU and the regular Delphi HU are exactly the same, the difference is the Monsoon system has an additional amp (which we all knew).

...the Monsoon HU still puts out speaker level signal, and CAN be used with a LOC.

That's pretty much the definition of a LOC. You just need to match the gain appropriately.

line output converter, do i need it?? -

Line Output Converters at Crutchfield.com