Mark Levinson vs Aftermarket Upgrade
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 1
From: Texas
If you are so concerned about staging, imaging and sound quality, upgrading the factory ML system to aftermarket would be something you should seriously consider. No matter how good the ML system is, it can't beat a full blown aftermarket hi-end audio system designed for imaging, staging, and sound quality. Pick up any car stereo magazine (Car Audio comes to mind) and see what people are doing in terms of upgrades. Go to car stereo competitions and ask the competitors if you can listen to their system. Learn and listen to what makes a good sounding system compared to a bad sounding one. Then you will understand how a "real" audio system should sound like. Good luck! 
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
The ML system was designed to provide the best sound quality, imaging, and sound stage based on the usage of stock speakers, stock speaker location, etc. When you insert an aftermarket component, you change the stock ML audio dynamics. Will it be for the better or worse? Hard to tell until you actually do the install. For example, you can have a good speaker installed, but if the source (stock headunit) is crappy, you will have poor sound quality, no matter how good your speakers are.
That's what I meant when I said "It is difficult to say whether changing stock speakers to aftermarket will affect staging and imaging." It should improve sound quality as you pointed out, but it may (or may not) be the optimal speaker to use if the OP is concerned about staging & imaging, because the optimal stock dynamics has changed. It could be for the better or for the worse. That's why I commented about upgrading to aftermarket audio system, as that is the only way to make sure you get the proper staging and imaging.
I hope this clarifies my previous post.
Last edited by Stormforge; Aug 8, 2008 at 01:00 PM.
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Another thing most people don't take into consideration when swapping factory speakers but keeping an OEM HU is the fact that most factory speakers have a much higher OHM rating than aftermarket speakers (which are typically 4 ohm). This can make it very hard to get your sound correct. It can also lead to a premature failure of your factory amp. Also, the THD is generally higher while the SNR is also higher, this means that you are likely to hear more unwanted noise.
I've seen the Mark Levinson speakers they install OEM. They are generally well built and have most of the modern materials a quality set of aftermarket speakers would have. You would be challenged to find anything at Bestbuy or Circuit city that would compare. (I am talking about the 06+ yr ML equipment).
Also, if it makes you feel any better, people are actually taking ML Speakers from Lexus' and installing them in other cars as aftermarket speakers.
http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/audio...hellshock.html
I've seen the Mark Levinson speakers they install OEM. They are generally well built and have most of the modern materials a quality set of aftermarket speakers would have. You would be challenged to find anything at Bestbuy or Circuit city that would compare. (I am talking about the 06+ yr ML equipment).
Also, if it makes you feel any better, people are actually taking ML Speakers from Lexus' and installing them in other cars as aftermarket speakers.
http://www.8thcivic.com/forums/audio...hellshock.html
Last edited by IronCobra; Aug 8, 2008 at 03:39 PM.
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
Another thing most people don't take into consideration when swapping factory speakers but keeping an OEM HU is the fact that most factory speakers have a much higher OHM rating than aftermarket speakers (which are typically 4 ohm). This can make it very hard to get your sound correct. It can also lead to a premature failure of your factory amp. Also, the THD is generally higher while the SNR is also higher, this means that you are likely to hear more unwanted noise.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: CA
Thanks for the input, I really appreciated it. I know that if I spend $$$$ plus a good installer, I will have a great system, but I don't plan on modifying any interior cosmetics, and therefore custom molds, new head units, or anything else for that matter is out.
The most I plan on doing is to change the speakers, but it looks like it may not help all that much and so I will probably just keep it stock.
The most I plan on doing is to change the speakers, but it looks like it may not help all that much and so I will probably just keep it stock.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,804
Likes: 139
From: MA
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executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
Nope, sold the Merc and the system together at a loss (unfortunately). When you got a baby and wifey nagging at you for your expensive hobby, priorities change. But I had a good alarm system: alpine alarm with backup sirens, pain generators, pager, and hood lock (only other thing I didn't get was the mobile tracking device). The only way someone would be able to steal my ride and the system was if they towed my car.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
alright guys, i decided on what i did and purchase.
i am going to keep all the factory ml speakers. i will be disconnecting my factory sub and hooking on a 15" kicker l7 and power by a kicker mono 1000.1
i did purchase a box which is 1" thick mdf. basically, my trunk is going to be filled.
setup: kicker 15" L7, kicker mono 1000, power acoustic 10 farad, kicker amp kit 0/1 awg, pac signal converter, monster rca cables (freebie from friend).
i am planning to run my 12v wire from the factory amp, basically splicing into it or repin the connector with the 12v wire. any thought on this guys?
any suggestion as to setup ?
dave
i am going to keep all the factory ml speakers. i will be disconnecting my factory sub and hooking on a 15" kicker l7 and power by a kicker mono 1000.1
i did purchase a box which is 1" thick mdf. basically, my trunk is going to be filled.
setup: kicker 15" L7, kicker mono 1000, power acoustic 10 farad, kicker amp kit 0/1 awg, pac signal converter, monster rca cables (freebie from friend).
i am planning to run my 12v wire from the factory amp, basically splicing into it or repin the connector with the 12v wire. any thought on this guys?
any suggestion as to setup ?
dave
executive matchup
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,771
Likes: 13
From: BC
alright guys, i decided on what i did and purchase.
i am going to keep all the factory ml speakers. i will be disconnecting my factory sub and hooking on a 15" kicker l7 and power by a kicker mono 1000.1
i did purchase a box which is 1" thick mdf. basically, my trunk is going to be filled.
setup: kicker 15" L7, kicker mono 1000, power acoustic 10 farad, kicker amp kit 0/1 awg, pac signal converter, monster rca cables (freebie from friend).
i am planning to run my 12v wire from the factory amp, basically splicing into it or repin the connector with the 12v wire. any thought on this guys?
any suggestion as to setup ?
dave
i am going to keep all the factory ml speakers. i will be disconnecting my factory sub and hooking on a 15" kicker l7 and power by a kicker mono 1000.1
i did purchase a box which is 1" thick mdf. basically, my trunk is going to be filled.
setup: kicker 15" L7, kicker mono 1000, power acoustic 10 farad, kicker amp kit 0/1 awg, pac signal converter, monster rca cables (freebie from friend).
i am planning to run my 12v wire from the factory amp, basically splicing into it or repin the connector with the 12v wire. any thought on this guys?
any suggestion as to setup ?
dave
I didnt read much, but coming from a car that use to have high end audio equipment and so on... I prefer stock system now and the ML fit the bill. With some minor modding, u get a DVD player while driving. Everything seems to sound good, sometimes I wish I couldnt turn the volume up more but its whatever... only when I drive alone.
Best of all, its STOCK and I don't have to put anymore money into my car.
Best of all, its STOCK and I don't have to put anymore money into my car.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 1
From: Texas
alright guys, i decided on what i did and purchase.
i am going to keep all the factory ml speakers. i will be disconnecting my factory sub and hooking on a 15" kicker l7 and power by a kicker mono 1000.1
i did purchase a box which is 1" thick mdf. basically, my trunk is going to be filled.
setup: kicker 15" L7, kicker mono 1000, power acoustic 10 farad, kicker amp kit 0/1 awg, pac signal converter, monster rca cables (freebie from friend).
i am planning to run my 12v wire from the factory amp, basically splicing into it or repin the connector with the 12v wire. any thought on this guys?
any suggestion as to setup ?
dave
i am going to keep all the factory ml speakers. i will be disconnecting my factory sub and hooking on a 15" kicker l7 and power by a kicker mono 1000.1
i did purchase a box which is 1" thick mdf. basically, my trunk is going to be filled.
setup: kicker 15" L7, kicker mono 1000, power acoustic 10 farad, kicker amp kit 0/1 awg, pac signal converter, monster rca cables (freebie from friend).
i am planning to run my 12v wire from the factory amp, basically splicing into it or repin the connector with the 12v wire. any thought on this guys?
any suggestion as to setup ?
dave
I would recommend against the 15" sub as well. You will pick up, enhance, and create major rattles in your car. Also, 15" subs are more designed for bass than HF (high fidelity). I would go with a 12" or replace your factory ML sub with a high quality 10". Also, I would HIGHLY recommend NOT using your factory 12vt wire to your amp. I haven't seen it but I would suspect that it is not of the awg you would need to run to a 1000.1 Monoblock Kicker amp. You need to run at LEAST 4 or 6 AWG wire to that amp or you risk blowing fuses or worse. Honestly though, what exactly are you looking to accomplish? Are you looking for base? are you looking for high fidelity? You will end up rattling your car to death any Lexus cars are always difficult to get bass through the back seat. You will end up having to run it pretty hard and it will defeat the purpose.
Brother, if you have a ML system, I would honestly keep it stock unless you have the budget to dump the money into it to keep it sounding good. I know the erge is there to have a huge system, but you will end up taking away from the sounds rather than adding anything good to it.
Last edited by IronCobra; Aug 26, 2008 at 11:25 PM.