I have a 2001 Alero with the cd player in it. It has the amplifier in the trunk. How do i know if it is the Monsoon system though. I didn't buy the car new so i dont know how to tell. The headunit says it has the rds on it i dont know if that helps. I have the tweeters in the front also.

The monsoon sound system features eight speakers and is the only system that came with an amp.


2001 Oldsmobile Alero Specs
ebay monsoon auctions
Monsoon FAQ

Sorry to correct you havik but there was an upgrade option that wasn't the monsoon that had an amp for the rear speakers.

correct me if i'm wrong but I belive that theMonson stereo's say Monson on the face of the radio.

No need to apologize. I haven't been able to find info on this upgrade option so please post to help out Oldz Alero


That's true, it should have monsoon in plain text or the monsoon logo.

mine had six speakers and had an amp also

According to Oldsmobile.com at the time the monsoon system was an 8 speaker system that featured a 200 watt amp, I guess each dealership can offer beyond that if they wish.

So what should we tell Oldz Alero then?? If it is the monsoon system, it should explicity state it on the head unit. All the head units I've seen thus far have the monsoon text or logo on it, but if there's any other way to help out Oldz then post it here. :thumbsup:

i agree with that..my roommate works for GM and says that a monsoon system is always marked "monsoon"

Thanks guys for all the replies

It must just be the upgraded system because it doesn't say monsoon anywhere on the headunit. Oh well it still sounds pretty good for stock though.

if it doesnt say monsoon then odds are it isnt, mine had the amp and wasnt monsoon

I actually had to run out to the car to look...

2001 GLS coupe, sun & sound package...no markings on the headunit to indicate the monsoon system, but if you pull the carpet in the trunk away, on the side of the amp it says "monsoon".

Are there any systems that have the dual-coil 6x9s with the woofer and tweeter? The four wires going to the 6x9s would be easy to see. But if that's not monsoon-specific, then that might not help either. [shrug]

Sometimes I wonder if when people say they have six speakers, they may really have eight and not realize that the two coils in the 6x9s are considered to be two speakers.

Yes, the aleros, with up level, non-monsoon stereo do have 4 wires going to each 6X9. It my be the monsoon amp, but it isn't the actual monsoon stereo. I think they called it the bass package or something likethat. I'll have to see if Lindsey still has her window sticker cause her car has that option.

I've got a 2001 Alero with some upgrade packages. My HU doesn't say Monsoon on it but I have an amp in the trunk that has Monsoon on it. It powers eight speakers, so I've been saying that I have the Monsoon system. I think the only difference is the little Monsoon logo on the HU (which I have never seen before BTW).

How does the monsoon system, or the upgraded bass package, sound in relation to just the normal stock system that most people have? Is there a pretty noticable difference?

All I know is I like mine. :) I added some more boom (900W to one 12"), but the bass was pretty loud even before I did that. I don't have a problem with the stock speakers or HU yet either. But I get migraines a lot, so I don't always listen to it loud. If I did, I might replace the tweeters. I've seen the Monsoon in a Grand Prix, I think, and it definately said Monsoon on the HU. What I've got was a $200 option, I think.

my friends mom owned a grand prix gtp.. and what ever sounds system was in there definently sounded badass... i believe it was bose though