Okay, I have 2006 H3 with Monsoon. I was looking to upgrade to a new headunit, nothing fancy, just want a single CD with AUX plug so i can play my iPOD. Maybe a $100 Pioneer http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1197678618405 . what else do I need to buy? Harness, plastic kit? Bestbuy told me the "special harness" was $140 alone. Is this right? Please post links for the parts I need if you can. Thanks!

 

When guys like Circuit City bail or go banktrupt, it give the comapanies remaining a bit more edge for raising prices. With that said, you have a few options left. Since your stereo has the monsoon system, and you want to keep your factory amp and aren't looking to rip out the entire sytem and start over, (very costly by the way). A good harness will be the most exspensive portion of your stereo upgrade after the head unit itself. The reason for this is the new module is designed to work with the factory OnStar system. Even if you do not us OnStar, I would still recommened using the adapter. mainly because the integration will allow the chimes to continue to work allong with the BCM ability to monitor your electronics.

Do not cut wires. this will lead to some serious issues down the road! If you don't mind waiting for a delivery, call your Best Buy installer and ask hime for the manufacturer of the recommended parts, then check ebay. You will definately find Metra, Pac, or Assexx, at a fraction of the cost in retail stores! The dash kit can be found just about anywhere depending on whether or not you want a single or double din head unit!

Good luck!

 

So I guess its true. I guess I'll google Merc and the brands you recommended. Thanks, another question, will the stereo still sound as good or better with the $100 deck? I didn't know the Monsoon had an amp. I just thought the sub had a built in amp. so if i change the deck, I'll still have the Factory amp?

 

You are correct that the sub should be the only amplifier. This is one of the reasons to purchase the adapter. I looked on ebay and you can find them ranging from 45 and up. As for the 100.00 head unit, well honestly, you may end up getting what you pay for. Even a company such as Pioneer will have low end base models, and claim higher speaker wattage output than is actually availible. Most named brand units will produce a better sound than would a factory unit.

In order to make sure you getting the best bang for your buck, replacing the head unit, and the four door speakers will give you a much richer cleaner sound. Adding subs, or more than the factory provides for bass, will get costly quick.

Do things in stages will help keep things afordable, plus you will be happier with the outcome. A good head unit is the best start. Focus on your needs, stick with named brands, and purchase the best you can afford. Even if it means saving a bit first, you would hate to place a lesser quality unit in your rig and then want to change it in a month or so!

After the head unit, work on swaping the door speakers. they are 6.5 inches and will make a serious difference in sound quality once they are combined with your new deck! Those upgrades will give you a louder cleanier sound. If you decide you want to go with amps and subs down the road. Deffinately buy a better head unit than you have asked about. Most lower end stereos simply do not have the capacity to sepperate sound properly. A dedicated sub out line with its own variable control is a must when you are adding subs!

 

Thanks man! I must be tone deaf or something, cuz I think the Stock Monsoon sound great! I just want it a little bit lounder, and have an AUX input for iPOD. So I'm happy with speakers, bass, clarity, but not volume. I hope a $150 52watt deck will have a least a little bit more volume than the stock Monsoon deck. Thats all I'm really looking for. So, how much should I pay for everything? Deck+kit+harness?

 

The deck is a personal choice. The kit and other items are worth finding on the cheep. One is just about as good as the other. Remember that louder may not always be accomplished with a higher out put radio. The trick lies in the bass pushed through regular speakers. The door speakers on any factory system will be allowed the same bass tones the sub receives. The higher you adjust the bass, the more distortion you will get when turning up the radio. Try turning the bass all the way down and see high much higher you can crank your sound system before it starts to distort. There will be a difference. Finding the balance that suits your needs is the key!

The newer radio wil leasily make things louder as they have more power. Stock radios are about 14-24 watts per channel. once you have your new head unit installed, play with the EQ so you can see what type of bass you can push through factory speakers without a big issue. The next step would be swapping the door speakers.

These are considered mid range type cones. They do not play highs well, nor do they work well with high base. This is the reason the monsoon has the A-pillar tweeters for the highs, and the factory sub for the lows. Most guys I speak with that own a H3 and are not interested in extreme changes in sound, will usually swap out the head unit as you are. then down the road swap the door speakers. Newer speakers are higher power rated so they will go loader, cleaner, and have a bit more bass.

If your like me and crank your stuff load as hell, then be prepared to pay for it! I spend a good hour or more in my truck per day minimum. sometimes up to ten hours. So a killer stereo and the ability to watch movies was a must. I probable have about 2300.00 wrapped up in sound and video. Sounds like a bunch, but like yourself, I didn't do it all at once. I bought the best radio I could get, then installed a four channel high output amp for the door speakers. Later I added a sub amp and a box. The wiring and power capacitors along with video and PC equipment can add to the cost as well.

Best advice, plan on buying what work for you. Fits your needs. And will make you happy. Take the time to lay out a plan of mods and stick to what you think you want your system to do. You can get a much better sound out of your car by changing the radio. you can maximize that sound by changing door speakers. Bass can be added later via many different amp sub options if you decide you want more thump.

 

Dont **** you money away if your happy w/ the headunit. You can easily add you ipod and a second audio source into the factory system. Search for "Auxiliary Input". PAC audio makes a few. Their like $50.

You basically just unplug your factory radio from the harness, plug the adapter into the radio and the harness to the adapter. Then mount the toggle switch, to switch between deck/aux1/aux2.