H3 Speakers or Head Unit

[fowlken8]

Hey guys, so I had the factory Monsoon 6 disc radio with the sub and have since changed it out for a cheesy Dual navigation head unit. Admittedly it was cheap, but a Crutchfield TOP pick haha came pre wired and ready to go, easiest install ever.

The radio doesn't get as loud as I'd like it to and the audio controls don't give you much customizable settings.

Do I just need a higher quality head unit? would new speakers do anything....

 

[High Five H2]

i was looking at sony or alpine floating face units. They're pricey, though. Crutchfield is a good place to look. That's where I get all my stereos from. You can get scratch and dent discounts for the sony and alpine units. I was just looking at them yesterday so you should get them before I do

 

[Happy Hummer]

I have a cheesy dual in my Jeep XJ "Blue Balls". There cheap for a reason Lol!
I dont mind in the XJ but for Happy 07 H3 I put a nice JVC in. Still not 100% but its decent.
New head Units do not have the same quality of even 10-20 yrs. ago. They just sound hollow.

 

[alrock]

I have a pretty decent Pioneer unit in mine and I don’t think the sound is as good as it was with the factory unit. However, t’s not enough to bother me to spend hundreds more in search of better sound.

 

[fowlken8]

OK so it's not just me lol the factory radio was much better but no Bluetooth or 3.5mm jack.

I've had pricey radios sound like shit too... Now you need an amp.. Subwoofer... Speakers.

 

[Ghostbuster]

Does anyone know how to upgrade the headunit but still retain the good quality sound from the Monsoon system?

I'd really just like to upgrade the headunit without replacing all the speakers.

 

[Teahead]

maybe get an amp? Like a small 5ch Alpine one. Will require you to do some wiring though.

Most head units don't push out a lot of wattage, so you gotta go w/an external amp.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Sure!
There are lots of ways to add bluetooth to a stock head unit. A popular and elegant method is to tap into the unit and add a bluetooth board to a certain input. The guy who had my H3 before me added a 'wired module' to the LCD/Map GM version head unit (Monsoon) that came with some H3's. He could have just as well added a bluetooth board, but he said he had an older ipod he used so he went with wired. I never had a reason to remove the radio so I never checked into his work. But we had a lengthy conversation about it. And I've seen several videos how guys tie into radio inputs.

He tapped into the XM portion of the stereo. The way it works from a usability standpoint is, you tune to XM1 and then plug the cable into a phone (or iPod, etc), and the module automatically recognizes it's being used and switches over ..bypasses XM, and uses the iPod/phone, etc. If I unhook the cable the board reverts back to XM. Since I don't use XM much that's why he used that input. But there's no sacrifice in my case, I could still use XM if I subscribed. Again my H3 has the Larger LCD stereo with maps & XM, but I'm sure lots of guys add them to Tahoe, pickups and other GM vehicle with the same radio as your H3. It's a real common radio. As I mentioned, the PO could just as well have added a blue-tooth module which would have worked the same way and would have been more convenient actually. There are some y/t videos how to do it. On your GM radio there's probably certain inputs guys commonly use. Do a search.

Here's one board, below. There are others for sale on Amazon/ebay. Try to find a more recent video as these boards have improved in capabilities and technology, ease of use, etc. A video 5-6 or 7 years old might not be as relevant as the new stuff out today. Guys also add these boards to vintage home receivers too for the same reasons. Hope this helps!

https://www.amazon.com/Wixine-Bluetooth-Receiver-Stereo-Module/dp/B08DLWM7V4/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2RVCVWTJULREA&keywords=bluetooth+board+12v&qid=1702449379&sprefix=bluetooth+board+12v%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-3

 

[Jeepwalker]

Here's something else... little easier to install probably. IDK if your Radio has XM or not, or if it works with the older GM radios. I just ran across it. There are also antenna B/T units.

GM Bluetooth Audio Streaming XMBT1 Adapter

Looking for a GM Factory Radio Bluetooth Adapter? Shop from ISS Automotive to get it now. Compatible with Apple and Android Devices. Order now!

issautomotive.com

 

[Jeepwalker]

Also, if you bought different aftermarket speakers, they might be of the same ohms, (or not).... but not close to the same sensitivity, for example, as the OEM speakers and therefore not be as loud as what it came with. Look again at what you took out, on the back of the magnet, should be printed there. Try to match up as close as you possibly can. Matching OEM speakers is often very tricky b/c they often use speakers with somewhat obscure specs to keep costs down ...and finding aftermarket's which will work fine can take some looking.

You still have the Monsoon amp, right?