Redesign sound system in Lexus rx 400h
01-31-11, 04:27 PM
#16
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Arizona
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The MS-8 is an integrated processor and LOC, so it will take the signal from the OEM amp, sum it, process it, and output it to your aftermarket gear. It's not going to improve the signal, since any change in signal (digital to analog to digital to analog) is going to affect it. It will, however, eliminate the need for any additional conversions.
I suggest getting the MS-8, eliminate the extra LOC's that you diagrammed since they will only do part of the job, and commence the build. I didn't really read this before, just skimmed through it, and did not see no one told you the OEM product wouldn't just be able to be bypassed. All of the new systems, IIRC, are CAN-BUS, meaning digital all the way to the amp, and no one makes a processor (yet) that will interrupt it and eliminate the factory DSP/amp. That's a very important distinction - it is not just an amplifier, it is a DSP first and an amp second. This is where the problem is when adding aftermarket gear, too.
Big Mack
02-03-11, 05:58 PM
#17
Rookie
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: -
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Going with Beatsonics MVA-82R kit you will not lose OEM navigation and extra wiring should be minimal. At least from HU.
You will also be able to use the factory amp and all you need would then be a new amp which handle speaker outputs on input or a box in between factory and new amp.
Or simply remove the factory amp and add the one of your liking.
At least according to beatsonics web.
For steering wheel controls I've found that Alpine Japan have a unit called KTX-Y301R which should work on Toyota Harrier and Alpine units. It's only $50-60 but I have no idea if it will work with the Alpine units for US/Europe.
You will also be able to use the factory amp and all you need would then be a new amp which handle speaker outputs on input or a box in between factory and new amp.
Or simply remove the factory amp and add the one of your liking.
At least according to beatsonics web.
For steering wheel controls I've found that Alpine Japan have a unit called KTX-Y301R which should work on Toyota Harrier and Alpine units. It's only $50-60 but I have no idea if it will work with the Alpine units for US/Europe.
I can only think of a couple downsides to adding an aftermarket HU.
1. Loss of steering wheel controls
2. Non flowing look of HU
3. Extra wiring
4. Loss of OEM navigation (you may get this back with an aftermarket HU but not all are all in one, some need extra pieces)
However, there are some HU's that I've heard of that have modules that allow you to keep your steering wheel controls functional with the new HU, I'm just not sure which specific models those are and/or work with.
I just saw a BNIB MS-8 selling for $500. I'm not sure what price you were looking at for it but that's about as cheap as you're going to find BNIB. I have seen some sell for a little less (maybe $450) but still in great condition. Again, if you find that the MS-8 is not working for you you can sell it for almost what you got it for (considering you purchased it at my prices above), then you can go the other route. In the end you at least tried almost all possible options and found which works best to you, which is what it's about.
1. Loss of steering wheel controls
2. Non flowing look of HU
3. Extra wiring
4. Loss of OEM navigation (you may get this back with an aftermarket HU but not all are all in one, some need extra pieces)
However, there are some HU's that I've heard of that have modules that allow you to keep your steering wheel controls functional with the new HU, I'm just not sure which specific models those are and/or work with.
I just saw a BNIB MS-8 selling for $500. I'm not sure what price you were looking at for it but that's about as cheap as you're going to find BNIB. I have seen some sell for a little less (maybe $450) but still in great condition. Again, if you find that the MS-8 is not working for you you can sell it for almost what you got it for (considering you purchased it at my prices above), then you can go the other route. In the end you at least tried almost all possible options and found which works best to you, which is what it's about.
Last edited by petterf; 02-03-11 at 06:12 PM.
02-03-11, 08:26 PM
#18
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Arizona
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Going with Beatsonics MVA-82R kit you will not lose OEM navigation and extra wiring should be minimal. At least from HU.
You will also be able to use the factory amp and all you need would then be a new amp which handle speaker outputs on input or a box in between factory and new amp.
Or simply remove the factory amp and add the one of your liking.
At least according to beatsonics web.
For steering wheel controls I've found that Alpine Japan have a unit called KTX-Y301R which should work on Toyota Harrier and Alpine units. It's only $50-60 but I have no idea if it will work with the Alpine units for US/Europe.
You will also be able to use the factory amp and all you need would then be a new amp which handle speaker outputs on input or a box in between factory and new amp.
Or simply remove the factory amp and add the one of your liking.
At least according to beatsonics web.
For steering wheel controls I've found that Alpine Japan have a unit called KTX-Y301R which should work on Toyota Harrier and Alpine units. It's only $50-60 but I have no idea if it will work with the Alpine units for US/Europe.
Get the MS-8.
Big Mack
02-04-11, 05:31 PM
#19
Rookie
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: -
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The MS-8 is a sweet thing indeed and with a price and performance as well as time to install surpassing a lot of other solutions.
It would fit my ideas as way but as I would like a package with some added options, changing the HU is my only chance. For example I want better working BT handsfree with our iphones, both iphone and USB audio/video playback. Alpine also have a really sweet feature with the DAC in the HU and using it for iphone/ipod playback instead of analog as most others do it.
It would fit my ideas as way but as I would like a package with some added options, changing the HU is my only chance. For example I want better working BT handsfree with our iphones, both iphone and USB audio/video playback. Alpine also have a really sweet feature with the DAC in the HU and using it for iphone/ipod playback instead of analog as most others do it.
02-14-11, 11:35 PM
#20
Registered User
I had a question. On your ML system. How did you keep the OEM controls when using the Beatsonic kit? I lost Navigation and all other controls. And just had the " Check Connection " on the Touch Screen.
03-07-11, 12:15 PM
#21
Just upgraded my 6x9 fronts to Rainbow Audio 6.5" components and added an Image Dynamics amp.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
