So is the expectation for 2020/2021 owners that a balanced fader will have balanced sound? I have a 2021 F-Sport ES and it’s still front heavy when the fader is smack in the middle. To get any sound in the back, I have to move the fader a couple notches to the back.

 

Absolutely not. Ive had 22 and 23 loaners and they all had the same mistake... Um, I mean design

 

Looks like this is the new direction for Lexus. I read on NX forums that NX2 Base audio has the exact same issue.

I guess someone at Lexus decided that their cars never have passengers in back seats.

 

I will bring this up at my next service visit, but to set my own expectations did anyone who had the TSB done, did it make a big difference? That is when the fader is on neutral/balanced then sound is actually balanced?

 

The new amplifier is an improvement but it certainly will not be evenly balanced, still. I estimate where it used to be a 90/10 front/rear volume percentage split, it is now a 75/25.
Aside from the inexplicable reasoning behind the sound programming, the speaker setup also contributes to this issue. If you see a layout of the car's speaker system you'll see there are actually no speakers on the rear deck (where the rear brake light is) - there is only a subwoofer back there. The only rear speakers are in the rear passenger doors.

So you can request the TSB be carried out, provided your car is covered by it, but set your expectations now - you will not have an equally balanced sound like you are used to.

 

Thanks F3, that’s definitely a bummer. The TSB is for 2019s , I have a 2021 so perhaps it’s the best that I can hope for. Right now I have the fader 2 notches to the rear and it’s decent for me as the driver, but not sure those in the rear have any improvement (and maybe it doesn’t matter?).

Ah I didn’t know that speakers were only in the rear doors and not on the back deck. I guess that could be why they are pushing the ML systems (I needed a car to replace my broken down minivan so choices and timing were limited)

 

Finally got around to finding the speaker layout I mentioned earlier, if anyone is interested.

 

Hi All. Recently I upgraded the dash speakers with infinity reference and they improved the front stage a lot. I am planning to replace the front lower door speakers as well, but couldn't find the harness. Does anyone here have the Redwolf / Metra part number for the harness? Any help would be appreciated.

 

I have the base 2021 RX350 model the sound system is really low Fi at best . I can hardly hear the rear channels plus I discovered in hard rain the trunk in the corners gets wet just close to rear spkers on the carpeted floor wonder if any damage to rear spkrs due water leak. Dealer said they fixed the water leak but who knows ..

 

Someone told me to checkout the junkyards for Mark Levinson sound system from an accident or totalled 2021 RX350s for a lot less . Now finding some car audio guy to put it in is close to immposible

 

Little to no sound from rear regardless of the system in every RX and ES these days.

 

Question : what's that single speaker in the trunk on the leftside for ?.. Is that subwoofer of some sort ?.

 

Subwoofer, yes

 

Oh boy that sure sound like not even connected. May be I can find a replacement sub for it .

 

Not sure if that would help. I don't think the Amp is feeding much t the rear speakers.

They tuned all the power to the front dash speakers. Small speakers, not allot of power. This way they can get away with a cheap amp.