03 Jetta - Non-Monsoon radio question

kru · 08-29-2006, 02:28 PM

Has anyone tried putting the non-Monsoon version of the CD/Cass radio in a car originally equipped with the Monsoon version? (Original head unit died.) It appears to be identical and I know the GM Monsoon radios were no different than the non-Monsoon version. I was just wondering if this VW radio was the same way.

Thanks in advance.

Shadow · 08-29-2006, 03:33 PM

If you've got one to test, go for it.

jblythe · 08-29-2006, 03:39 PM

Assuming same year(I think the plugs are different from 99.5-02 & 02.5-04ish)they are plug and play however.....

You are dealing with 2 different types of signal. If you put a non-monsoon HU into a Monsoon car you will be sending speaker level signal(already amplified) to an amplifier thus amplifying again! It will work, it will be louder, and it will blow all of you speakers sooner than later. And no turning the the volume down will not help that much!

kru · 08-29-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jblythe

Assuming same year(I think the plugs are different from 99.5-02 & 02.5-04ish)they are plug and play however.....

You are dealing with 2 different types of signal. If you put a non-monsoon HU into a Monsoon car you will be sending speaker level signal(already amplified) to an amplifier thus amplifying again! It will work, it will be louder, and it will blow all of you speakers sooner than later. And no turning the the volume down will not help that much!

Yes, I'm speaking about the same year. As I mentioned, they seem to be identical other than the logos. But I don't want to make an assumption.

In regards to the Monsoon HU being amplified or not, if it works like the Monsoon system in GM vehicles, the Monsoon radio IS amplified and, in fact, is basically the exact same radio as the non-Monsoon unit. (This is contrary to popular belief that the GM Monsoon head units are somehow more powerful. They aren't. It was the secondary amp that made the system better.) The secondary (external Monsoon) amplifier uses high-level inputs so you don't have the typical concerns of sending an amplified signal to an amplifier. I know this from a LOT of first-hand experience with GM products.

However, I don't have much experience with VW stuff, so I don't know if their Monsoon system works the same way. And, as I said, I don't want to assume it's the same just because it looks the same (other than the logo.) I was hoping to find someone who knew from actual first-hand experience that it could or could not be done before money was spent on the HU. I didn't really want to go on speculation or assumption because, again, I know about the common misconception with the GM Monsoon system...

The reason this is even an issue is because the non-Monsoon version is cheaper than the Monsoon version. If anyone cares, the non-Monsoon head unit I'm referring to is this one:

http://replacementradios.com/product...products_id=84

kru · 08-29-2006, 09:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Shadow

If you've got one to test, go for it.

I wish it was that easy. Would definitely go this route if it was possible.

jblythe · 08-29-2006, 10:09 PM

What I am saying is the Non-Monsoon radio uses speaker level outs. This is the reason why there are only 4 speakers in these cars.

The Monsoon types(be it GM or VW) have 8 and sometimes 9 speakers in them, thus the external amplifier, and the line level signal.

So, both radios work the same way and even have the same plugs that go into the back of the radio, but have different types of signal out of the radio. If you send a speaker level signal to an amplifier, without some type of line-output convertor, the wrong signal goes to the amplifier. So as I said before, the radio will work just fine. It will power up and play sound with no modifications to the wiring.(This is different in the GM because youwould need to provide amp turn on to the amp from the radio, the VW version powers from the ignition I believe) The problem will be that it will get very loud at lower volumes and you will probably blow speakers sooner than later.

This problem is comparable to not bypassing the amp in a Ford with the older version of Premium Sound. If you put an aftermarket radio in these cars and just turn on the amp from the harness, sound will play just fine....VARY loud at low volumes and usually speakers will blow after a short time.

kru · 08-31-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by jblythe

What I am saying is the Non-Monsoon radio uses speaker level outs. This is the reason why there are only 4 speakers in these cars.

The Monsoon types(be it GM or VW) have 8 and sometimes 9 speakers in them, thus the external amplifier, and the line level signal.

So, both radios work the same way and even have the same plugs that go into the back of the radio, but have different types of signal out of the radio. If you send a speaker level signal to an amplifier, without some type of line-output convertor, the wrong signal goes to the amplifier. So as I said before, the radio will work just fine. It will power up and play sound with no modifications to the wiring.(This is different in the GM because youwould need to provide amp turn on to the amp from the radio, the VW version powers from the ignition I believe) The problem will be that it will get very loud at lower volumes and you will probably blow speakers sooner than later.

This problem is comparable to not bypassing the amp in a Ford with the older version of Premium Sound. If you put an aftermarket radio in these cars and just turn on the amp from the harness, sound will play just fine....VARY loud at low volumes and usually speakers will blow after a short time.

GM Monsoon radios have the exact same signal coming out of them as the non-Monsoon versions. There is absolutely no difference in the type/power/level of the signal. The amplifiers that are used in Monsoon-equipped Camaros and Firebirds are different from typical amplifiers. I work for a car audio company that specializes in domestic factory radios so I know this for a fact. I can guarantee that you can put a late GM Monsoon radio (Camaro or Firebird) in a non-Monsoon GM car and the sound will be identical. Likewise, you can put a GM non-Monsoon unit in a Camaro or Firebird that HAS the Monsoon sound system and it too functions perfectly. No hint of excessive volume. (Incidentally, this is the same for Chrysler Infinity systems from the latter part of the 90s to the early 00s. They were completely interchangeable with the non-Infinity versions.) There is a common misconception that this is not the case but, again, I can verify it personally from experience with hundreds of vehicles with and without the Monsoon (and Infinity, in the case of Chrysler) system. (We do a large volume of business in factory radios.)

I'm trying to find out if the VW Monsoon system is the same way. No offense, but when you've got the wrong information about GM, I don't know that I can trust your statement about VW. I was hoping to hear from someone who had actually tried this and could tell me from real experience whether it did or did not work. Not an opinion of what could or couldn't be done based on some information (possibly mis-information) that has been passed across the web. Most of the GM Bose systems use low-level outputs to the amps, so you would be right if we were talking Bose, but not Monsoon.

You mention the Ford Premium Sound system. On that system, you've got your facts straight. There is a difference in the signal from the radio between the Premiun and non-Premium radios. Of course, in their case, it's impossible to hook a non-Premium radio up the the Premium Sound plugs (or at least to the plug that goes to the amp), so it's not really the same situation.

jblythe · 08-31-2006, 12:06 PM

No offense taken but I am right about the VW system since it is currently running in my car and I have blown a tweeter and woofer in the last 3 weeks(guess thats what I get for buying a used car and looking too much into the technical side and not enough into the audio of a car).

And I also think you are right about the Bose radio. I was absolutely thinking of this system and not the monsoon. And I was also thinking of aftermarket applications and not factory. Sorry.

christmaspie · 09-26-2006, 05:18 PM

Most newer VWs (01/02 - up) that have a factory amplified Monsoon system use current-sensing to turn on. Installing a non-monsoon deck will be louder because the signal will be amplified twice but I've done it plenty with aftermarket decks and it usually isn't an issue.

STARCHIEF56 · 09-27-2006, 05:58 PM

When I Purchased My Jetta I Was Able To Play Cdr/w On My Stereo,it Recently Malfunctioned And Was Replaced By The Dealer.but Now I Am Not Able To Play Cdr/w On My System.the Dealer Says It Should Have Never Been Able To.does Anyone Know If That System Is Able To Play These Cd Options Or Can I Have It Programmed.thanks

kru · 10-05-2006, 10:02 AM

It should definitely be able to play CDRs. They're feeding you a line of bull because something is still wrong and they don't want to replace it. It doesn't have anything to do with programming though. Something is wrong with the drive.

nschroe420 · 10-05-2006, 11:20 PM

Ok, Im new to this and I dont know a whole lot, you guys seem to know what youre talkin about so maybe you can help. I have a 2003 Jetta with Monsoon sound system. I found Alpine 45W x 4 iPod™-Ready CD Deck with MP3 Playback and Flip-Down Faceplate in the Best Buy paper which comes with an attachable wire called iPod Full Speed. Im sick of using the ****ty RF devices that sould like ****. The guy told me this is straight up digital but they would have to rewire the whole system, plus new speakers unless I could find a monsoon harness(?). I want to keep the speaker system, I just want the new face plate with the ipod wire. So is this harness thing all I need or would this end up costing a ****-ton in extra parts and labor. Again, Im pretty clueless about this ****, since you guys are the experts I figured this would be the best place to ask. Id really appreciate any help.