I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to audio stuff . I basically just want to try to equal the stock monsoon systems in 98-up convertible firebirds . Could I possibly achieve this by upgrading to a 5 1/4 component system in the doors and a 6 1/2 component system in the sail panels . Would I need to power both systems with an amp ? Run them both off the same amp ? I do want to keep the factory head unit , it is the one with the EQ and given the nature and purpose of my TA I absolutely do not want to add any Subs . With the great acoustics of the convertibles and my requirements what would you do .

 

I too have a 1995 Trans Am convertible, and let me tell you, subs are almost a necessity to get any bass with the top down. You lose sound quality, not so much SPL when the top is down. I only have two MTX 6104's running in parallel off of an MTX 6500D (625W RMS x 1 @ 2ohms), and with the top down, the 6000's POUND. Easily outperforms any Monsoon system.

If you want to save money and run no subs, then your best bet is to get decent components for the front and something decent for rear fill. Maybe try some Alpine SPR176A's (6.5" components) for the fronts. You will want to amplify them. Find and amp to suit your needs and go with that. If you need help in that area, feel free to ask


Oh, and if you do plan on keeping your stock HU, be sure to change out the rear speakers. I was surprised to find they were 10 ohms each! That means that stock HU was maybe getting 5 watts to the rear speakers.

 

ok heres what i did, i put some RF fanatic Q compenets I had up front, which give a very nice sound, and i filled the rear with some crappy sonys, i blew the sonys in 2 days, so i suggest no rear fill, its pretty useless. i dropped in 2 10" JL w3s, i suggest you go with something else though, you'll be out a monsoon EASY with my setup, but with the top down i got nothing. and I like the JLs but i personally think MTX makes better subs... The JLs are on an MTX2150x amp (old school POUNDER BABY).

 

I was rather disappointed with the MTX 6000's I got. I had two 6104's, and they were good, but not good enough. Especially since I had 1 Infinity 1020W hooked up to the same amp, that would destroy them. I would suggest looking into Infinity Reference series subs. I have been nothing but happy with them. And for the price (85$ NEW ea.), they cannot be beaten.

I just switched to 1220W's, and they are loud. Very loud. But I tuned them so that when you put the top down, there is still plenty of room to crank them up so you keep all the bass you had with the top up. And I don't find that they over power the co-ax speakers I have running off the deck. It really pays to tune your system properly.

 

As far as MTX subs and JL subs...I am in a rare position...I have both. In my Jeep, I have MTX subs...in the Camaro, JLAudio. Before I got the Camaro, I used to think MTX subs where simply the best. The rubber surround was THICK and let them move around A LOT!(which they did) Great for those big hits. Then...I bought a camaro...and thought I'd give the JL subs a try. They are SOOOO freakin loud and tight. And they don't even have to move that much. I couldn't believe it. To me, I was totally impressed with those JLs. I'd probably buy those again rather than the MTX. (NOT that the MTX's aren't good, but man...those JLs are SWEET)

-Mike

 

depends on when u bought the MTXs... their older series subs were much better than any of their new stuff (esp. the 4000s/6000s)

 

When I got mine, I bought the MTX Blue Thunder Extremes. They are just plain awesome subs. The surrounds on those things are SO thick you can actually grab some between your fingers and pull it and not worry about damaging anything. You can even punch the damn thing and not worry about it. The ruggedness of those subs is one of the main reasons they are in my Jeep and the JL's are in the Camaro. The JL's don't seem like they'd be nearly as rugged, but good God they sound awesome. (the JL's) I haven't bought any other MTX'x other than that one set, so I can't really be an 'authority' on them...I just know these were fantastic.