amekaji87

Hey ClubLexus,

I'm not new to the forum, but this is my first thread. I'm on my second Lexus now - SC430. I purchased this from Lexus for ~ $20,000.00 with 34,000 miles on it. I previously owned an RX300 and my fiance has an RX350. I recently have been making changes to my audio system and, as always, I spent a great deal of time researching (not my first install, but always treat it that way). What prompted this was the fact that the passenger 6x9 was deteriorated and driving me out of my mind.

Big thanks to the forum and to all those who contribute with their experiences. There have been many questions around audio installs and what fits, etc. I'd like to debunk some of those myths now and perhaps when I get home post pictures.

To begin with, I decided to use the head unit I already had in my RX300 (cheaper this way) -- a single DIN Kenwood Excelon KVT-696 with navigation. I mounted this in the bottom of the DIN and maintained the use of the wood grain door over the receiver. This is powering the factory/OEM tweeter and mid-range in the door (I may swap them with polk's in the future, but for now they sound great). The 6x9's were replaced with polk audio db690's (3 ways) and powered by a Boss Audio 4 channel amp supplying them with 100 watts each. These are direct fit and I utilized the factory 6x9 housing. The rear quarter panels remain factory with the Boss 4 channel amp sending power to them. Keep in mind, the factory speakers are 8 ohms thus only receiving half the power. This is safe on the amp and the speakers in general (granted I don't know the specs on the factory speakers, but an 8 ohm speaker with a 4 ohm amp will not cause issues for either appliance/component). The 8" woofer is being removed and replaced with a JL Audio W3v3 subwoofer and powered by my Apline MRP-M500. This will be fitting the factory cutout and I will update everyone this week as it arrives today on whether or not a spacer is needed (based on the measurements I took - - it will).

Next on my list of to dos for the car is tinting and wheels. I'm riding the run flats out before I replace the wheels though. I have no factory navigation and if I can find the matching wood trim with the cut out, I will insert a monitor there and install a gaming system for the one passenger I can carry to play games while I drive (probably silly, but we'll see -- too many ideas/options thanks to Beat Sonic!!).

I will aim to post pics in the coming weeks.

Cheers!

mandyfig

amekaji87, finally your 1st post, congrats!

Post some pics.

Looking forward to seeing your valuable contribution to this forum. And hope you get 1 or 2 good tips from here.

amekaji87

I'm securing the 8" woofer tonight -- drilled holes and mounted it -- tested the connections and it sounds good. I'm considering ordering the grille for it, but we'll see. The head unit is all that remains after this -- I'm making the cover for it as I don't like pockets. Once I have that cut out, I'll wrap it in leather to match the interior and it'll be finished.

As stated in the initial post; I will debunk some myths:

1) You can mount a 6x9 in the factory cut out of the doors with no fabrication with a mounting depth greater than 3".

2) You can fit a 8" woofer in the factory cutout with a mounting depth greater than 4" and magnet diameter greater than 4".

More to come!

mandyfig

Looking good....keep it coming.

amekaji87

I have pics I want to post but only now realized they're on my fiance's phone In the meantime, for those who haven't already seen the pathetic excuse of a 8" Mark Levinson (ML) woofer -- here it is. As you can see, this was also deteriorated (I have pics of the 6x9's in the same condition). I have a video of the JL in action -- this is an amazing 8" woofer -- excursion = 20mm! Anyway -- I ran all the power (including remote turn on for the amps down the passenger side under the carpet and through the opposite end of the firewall apart from the speaker and signal (RCA) wires. I've posted a pic of the driver rear quarter panel removed -- the wiring you see isn't how it actually was run -- this was early on I'm going back down to hometown in VA and will post pics when I return.

amekaji87

More pics -- tried keeping cargo/luggage area as clean as possible -- the wires looping around are to show where I ended up running them (under the trim PAST the loom carrying power).

mandyfig

You are tearing it! Keep the pics and tips coming.

bacardi

I also upgraded my system today also. used the stock head unit, stock amp but add a focal1 sub amp with a polk db 840 8" sub. I thought I had a all new system. I can't believe the sound. it sound like a concert hall. just adding an amp and sub. I also use the dc gold fronts woofers.

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

....keep up the good work guys...next week I'm adding a Stage-2 Rockford Fosgate Punch 10inch sub. Haven't made up my mind on amp just yet, I have 2 mono amps ( kenwood/alpine) from previous stereos that I've owned,but may buy something new. I've already installed Boston Acoustic SX95 (6x9) & SE45 (4in) with the factory ML head unit. Love the sound now, but needing a little more "bump" out back...lol

amekaji87

So here's the only pic I have so far of the headunit (I'll take more and post them when I get the chance). This is no longer where the receiver sits -- I lowered it. Once I pick up the leather, I'll finish this up. I also need to ground my parking wire from the receiver harness so my passenger can watch DVD's/Videos while not in park The door functions perfectly -- though at first, it kept hitting the climate control box No more though! I'm going to place dynamat on the rear firewall around the 8" JL and that'll be a wrap!

I like the idea of having the 10" -- I'm concerned though with vibrations (there's a lot of trim in the cargo area and with the top down I can't imagine how it would sound (vented or sealed). How'd that work out for everyone else? Does it sound good in the car and outside of the car (i.e., no "farting" outside when volume is turned up)?

Thanks!