okay, these damn papercone speakers have to go. i have a monsoon system, the speakers are blown, and the the head unit is worn out. i know what speakers i want. im still deciding on a headunit(gonna get one with at least 2 preouts). i was wondering what i can do about wiring it up. I would like to have the front component speakers and the back 6x9s on an amp. the 5 1/4s in the rear doors arent a big priority, can i just wire it to the headunit'* rear channel directly? or would that not get a signal because an amp is hooked up to it? Or i guess, if i get a head unit with 3 preouts, i can put a 2- and 4- channel amp for front/rear(probly the 2 channel dedicated to the 6x9s i guess)and eventually get an amp/subs for the 3rd preout. any opinions on setting this up?

Are you aware that the 2000+ models have the warning chimes, Retained Accessory Power (RAP) and OnStar connections in the OEM head unit? Changing to an aftermarket HU will have these features go away unless you get an adapter for $100 or more. Here is an example that 'GXP_Vince' pointed me to:

http://bicostereo.com/index.php?act=...productId=3150

Also, the Monsoon system has an amplifier in the trunk behind the back seat. You will need to allow for this in the wiring of your new system - you don't have direct access to the wires to the speakers from the radio bay. If you add your own amps and put them in the trunk, you can use the existing wire harness, but you need to know the pinouts, etc.

2000+ Bonnevilles are weird ducks when it comes to audio system changes...

The adapter above will connect the new HU to the existing Monsoon amp. You may want to do that along with replacing the speakers as a preliminary step. This will help you get familiar with your system before going to the expense and trouble of adding other amps.

Ryno, just so you know, you have a 02 that means that you have the Bose System, according to GM

can you go in the trunk and check the amp, and see if it says BOSE or Monsoon, just so we get the correct stuff

I remember a few weeks back that Darcy (ddalder) mentioned that the FSM and sales brochures had conflicting indication'* as to what premium system was in '02. I believe he reported the FSM says Monsoon but the sales brochure says Bose.

The best thing to do is (as 1993 SLE says) look on the amp itself.

hmm....interesting. somebody before mentioned that the HUD is related to the radio, i wasnt sure. thanks for the info on that. when i start my car, the headunit says "MONSOON" on the display. on my firebird, i was told that normal speakers wouldnt work because of the DVC speakers it comes with. is it different on these?

ok then if the HU says Monsoon then that is what you have....you must have a late production 02

and yes the HU sends messages thru the Data Bus system to relay the info to the HUD and multiple other things in the car

I believe the Monsoon system uses "normal" speakers but the Bose system uses 2 ohm speakers. I don't have either system so I am just going from memory and I could be off...

(I have a great memory, it'* just short)

if that is the case, i will just replace the speakers for now. ill check into it. im wondering about the component speakers up front. would i wire it directly to the existing wires, or somehow use the crossover box they come with? ive only put in coaxial speakers before, havent messed with components before.

I understand the Monsoon system wires the tweeter in parallel with the woofer in the front doors. I suspect using a crossover will yield better sound.

I don't know much about component speakers or wiring crossovers either. I doubt it is complicated though.

yep 110.00 bucks for that adapter, i had to buy one :(