I recently got a 2001 Monte Carlo LS. It has the factory system currently with the RDS radio and the factory amp in the trunk. I eventually plan on upgrading the entire sound system, but due to cost, I'm looking to upgrade one thing at a time. I'm thinking that upgrading the stock speakers would be the best first step. Are 2-ohm speakers the way to go?
I'm thinking Infinity Reference 2-ways due to cost. Anyone had experience with these with the factory amp and deck?

 

Use the search function, this topic has been discussed many times, due to a few things.

If you're planning on going with new speakers on the stock stereo people generally have bad results, since you want to go 2 ohm you may have a little bit better experience, if you keep the wattage down.

I would assume if you're going to be upgrading the entire sound system you will be wanting to do a little bit higher wattage speakers, if this is the case, I think you should find some decent wattage 4 ohm speakers and wait to install them when you get a headunit and amp.

This will at least give you some decent highs and mids until you save enough to get another amp and subwoofer (if you plan to go this route).

There's been far too many bad experiences with speakers in these cars, and if you're looking to upgrade other parts in the future I would say that your best bet is to just wait and do it all at once to get best results.

 

What would I need if I went with an aftermarket stereo and speakers and just bypassed the factory amp for now? I'd like to retain my steering wheel controls and door chimes. Could I do all this for under $300? Any suggestions on a good double din stereo and speakers that would sound good without an external amp?

 

You would still need just about everything that you would have needed before, you would just have to remove the amp and wire it to bypass it.

With an aftermarket headunit, you'll need the wiring harness and to keep the steering wheel buttons, you'll need to get an additional harness for that.

The wiring harness is anywhere from $20-150 depending on which one you get, which depends on onstar and other options.

A good double-din is usually over $150-200 and the wiring harness to keep the steering wheel controls is around $50 I believe.

Then you still have to get speakers and the sound quality is dependent on the headunit wattage output (more watts = more money) and the speaker quality or wattage (less wattage = better for only headunit power, more wattage = better in the long run if you upgrade).

So I don't think it's really possible to get a 'quality' system for under $300, but if you can find the right deals it may be possible.

 

^^^ Summed up nicely

 

Not really possible for < $300 ...

Probably not even $400 - 500.

 

And if you are going to look into Infinity, take a good look at the Kappa Perfect 5.1 or 6.1's ... I am running 6.1's.

 

Kappa's all the way.

 

Kappa's OVER Kappa Perfect's ?!?!?

 

Kappa's would be for factory replacement only. You would need an amp to still power them up. He is not looking into a component set or at least the way he wrote it.