socal28

Wondering if this is possible.

Can the Levinson amp from a 2014-15 IS350 ML package be a direct swap to a standard basic system to get more power to the existing standard speaker system?
I know the number of speakers and most of the speakers themselves are different, but if the speaker lines are all separate anyways at the plug, would it work? Looks like the plugs on both amps at least look the same.
Goal is basically get more cleaner power to all speakers in the base stereo.

Thoughts? Anyone thoroughly investigated this yet?

Loe

I believe the harness is the same for both the standard and the ML amp. Keep in mind that the standard system's speakers are lower in ohm rating (by approx half per speaker) so that may result in the ML amp overheating.

socal28

Interesting.
Do you know if the front speakers are a direct swap from standard to ML? I know the ML has 2-in-1 speakers in the front top corners, are there speaker wirings already setup in the standard for ML (just not used in the standard setup)?

kamauxx

The highs and miss are already decent in the base system. Your time and money would be better spent on a prepowered woofer.

I spent $170 to upgrade my cars lows. Now the system sounds like a high end audio system in a top tier car (think LS/S class/7 series, etc).

Crystal clear highs, deep, non-trunk rattling lows. Perfect!

rgonza1

If you were looking to replace the factory amplifier spend the $$ on a much better quality system than the standard ML amp.

ral2531

Kamauxx - could you share some details on what you did for the upgrade? Thanks.

vangl76

Yes- I would be interested in this as well.

kamauxx

I simply bought a prepowered, 10" 150 watt RMS sub.





I went with something on the low side of the power game because I've had plenty of high powered systems and I didn't want that much thump in this particular car. My goal was to make it sound like an expensive stock system.

I found a sub called Lynx Audio SW616 for the job. I've never heard of this company before and couldn't even find any reviews of the sub but at that price point I was willing to take a gamble. I installed it a week ago and so far I'm not disappointed.

Since it is an unknown company I made sure it had a decent warranty before purchasing because I honestly don't expect it to last for years and years at the price I paid.

If it does blow, though, at least the car is now wired for a sub. I'd simply replace it with a more well known system when that day comes.

If you guys don't mind the $170 gamble of going with a comapny with no name recognition I'd say check it out. Otherwise I'd suggest checking with crutchfield.com's prepowered woofer section and picking one with good reviews/high ratings and add in a wiring kit. It might cost a bit more but crutch field is known for their customer service and they actually have technicians who will help you over the phone with the install.

Any more questions just ask.

wthrman2

^^ How much work was involved in doing the wiring?

kamauxx

It took me about 4 hours. I got the power wire stuck at one point and had to enlist the help of my wife's small hands though, so that ordeal added about an hour to the install. I also spent about 30 minutes inside the trunk trying to find the speakers in the rear deck before realizing it was just the stock sub up there.

If I had to do it over I think I could do it in less than 3 hrs. The shop I bought it from were going to charge me for just 1 hour of labor to install it so its pretty easy ( I wanted to save $65 on the install, so did it myself).

daobn24

You can spend about the same for a Rockford Fosgate P300-10 powered sub with 300 watt RMS.

kamauxx - what are your current settings to get better highs and mids?

kamauxx

Damn you're right! Well when I blow this speaker I know what I'll be replacing it with. I'll just have to keep the gain down bit.

I have my highs all the way up and Im one to the right of the halfway point. Also have turned off the auto volume feature-or whatever it's called.