digger08

iTrader: (1)

OK - so after reading countless threads on the sub woofer - with most recommending a straight out replacement....I removed mine to see what was going on....I have had intermittent crackling over the last few months......

SUB


Part ID


Aha! Moment!


Double Aha Moment!


Any recommendations on a rubberized epoxy to temporarily try to patch this for a while?

After extensive internet searching...I'm going to try the universal speaker cone repair method of toilet paper and Elmer's white glue....can't really hurt the speaker anymore. The paper needs to be fibrous! Lets see what happens!


Digger08

Lucas14

Just curious to how long this took you to investigate and fix and if this was fairly easy? Reason being, my rear speaker is blown (I'm assuming).

digger08

iTrader: (1)

Took about 20 minutes to remove it, being the first time.

I have been listening to it fail on and off for a few months. I checked my warranty for coverage, and then decided to remove it when I discovered I have no coverage on the sub woofer.

I am taking it to a JBL repair specialist tomorrow to see if it can be fixed for less than 50% of the cost of as replacement. If none of that pans out I will try to repair the damages and see what it ends up sounding like..failing all of that..... just replace it next year sometime...

Interesting enough I drove around with the woofer out of the car, and hardly notice it missing


Digger08

invius

Mine was blown when I bought my car, and I made sure they replaced it before I took delivery...seems to be a pretty common issue with it...which sucks since it is the higher end audio component package. Keep us posted on the fix/resolution that you are able to get.

zojirushi

How did you remove the rear deck? I tried to remove the subwoofer but I couldn't get past that step. I was having trouble disconnecting something towards the third brake lights.

digger08

iTrader: (1)

I ended up just holding up the deck lid and removing the 4 bolts on the speaker, as it was getting dark last night and was tired of fiddling with the 3rd brake light.....was very easy. I did release the 3rd brake light harness prong, which gave me a few more inches of cable.

I took it to an Harmon/ JBL expert this morning, he suggested just buying a new one at $300.00 could not justify any repairs.....he surmises that it will probably stress again and tear somewhere else....

So with nothing to loose, I am going to try Weldbond fabric and leather glue (actually curious to see if this will work)....and patch it. I will document the steps, if successful...for others.....

Digger08

MisterSkiz

iTrader: (2)

Do we know the wattage/sensitivy and the Ohm rating of this free air sub?

I'm sure its possible to replace it with other open air subs....

G9N

iTrader: (2)

That sub is by far the weakest part of the ML system the bass response from the door speakers is much better. Honestly I would not waste any effort on repairing that sub and I would look into other alternatives.

digger08

iTrader: (1)

I agree.

Just got a really good price on a new replacement.

The split at the wire loom will not seal up very well either

Its such a weird set up on the rear deck, that not much will fit into the stock opening, and the 8ohm impedance.......The replacement cost for me now is way less than an alternate set up with box and amp tapped in line....not worth my effort.

Digger08

digger08

iTrader: (1)

It can be done, but its lots of work...the deck plate opening for the sub is not round and has some air porting system. The ML sub has some sort of reflex cone that plays off the top one on the bottom.


The half moon shape is an air porting system



It would be easier to mount the sub through the pass through area (which lots of people do)

Digger08

786

I have Mark Levinson in my car and noticed a little crackling towards the rearview mirror? It was quite odd, has anyone heard of this before?

How much do the OEM speakers run if I just replace them all?

Zelfiris

How did you noticed there was a problem? Was the sound different than normal?

786

I believe it was coming from the center speaker on the dash. I just had the radio on and heard a intermittent crackling sound. Car is a few years old so if I need to replace the speakers its no big deal. I was just wondering what you guys (that experienced this) did to either remedy it or replace the speakers.

Are the OEM Mark Levinson speakers considered "good" or should I replace with something else? Any consensus on this issue?

speeddem0n

iTrader: (7)

I have Hertz energy speakers in mine and compared to the stock ML speakers i think mine have more clarity.

dannyk8232

Wow, I never even knew or looked for speakers in the center!

The ML speakers/system are fantastic IMO (except for the lack of thump at the low end). Outstanding balance and very rich sound, especially considering how loud the car's exhaust is. I would prefer to have a great deal more boom-boom, and would set up an amp/sub combo in a heartbeat...except for two reasons:

1. The ML system lowers low frequency volume as the driver raises overall volume to avoid blowing the woofer. The simple 'add an amp/sub with RCA's' will suffer from this as well unless you tap into the source prior to the NAV unit, which I've read is difficult and cumbersome.

2. A box will take up too much trunk space, which I need for golf clubs, luggage and dead bodies. The glory days of my youth with a dual 12" bandpass lunker taking up 3/4 of the trunk are gone...

Anyway, just trying to help. There are lots of threads about various audio system upgrades/installs. I would be more than comfortable keeping the ML speakers, removing the sub, and adding a sub/amp combo. I'm just not motivated to drop the $1000-plus it would take to have it done right.