What's up guys? I'm new to this forum. Just want to say hi

Here is my concern. I have a 07 gs350 awd with ml. I want to upgrade my sound system to aftermarket speakers. So far, I figure my speaker sizes are:
6-1/2"(component), 1" (tweeter), 2.5" (possible add on bracket from factory, which should hold a 3-1/2" aftermarket speaker?), and 10" (sub)

Correct me if I'm wrong with the above mention sizes.

I want to use my factory nav system, but with the upgraded aftermarket speakers. What convertor would I use to change the system to run RCA lines? Also, will removing the ml amp cause any function problems with the nav functions?

Basically, I want to gut out all the ml speakers and then add aftermarket speakers. I would be replacing the rear deck sub with an aftermarket sub and 2 more 10" subs in the trunk.

Any ideas and recommendation would be great

thanks
Dave

You may not be able to match the sound you are looking for. The ML system sounds better than most aftermarket systems you can build. I use to be a SQ+ judge and have had a really hard time hearing an aftermarket system reproduce the quality.

iron cobra,

would i be better off just getting subs with an amp and just use the factory speakers?

dave

hi dave

i would say adding sub with amp will be the way to go, thats what i did and am extremely happy with the results

cheers

hi dave

i recently bought an '07 gs350 with ml but to my surprise there's no sub in the trunk. i'll buy the sub from you if you still have it. let me know.

That's what I would recommend. Just be careful how you mount the sub. Most often when you replace the factory sub with an aftermarket sub you get quite a bit of trunk rattle and interior panel rattle.

I plan on just keeping the factory sub intact, but it will disconnected.

Here is my setup....
alpine 12" x-type
alpine pdx 1000w amp
Tsunami Lite Wave Capacitor
4080 enclosure (hopefully the sub will fit)
jl audio 2 channel male rca convertor

it should have a nice thump to it. I understand it will cause some rattling from the interior.

any suggestions on the setup?

also, I dont plan on using the fuse to connect my acc source, any suggestion on the connection?

dave

the GS ML sub is a 10" cast basket built into the rear deck, the trunk only has the amp

I assume your comment does not include competition systems - if it does, then I respectfully disagree with this comment.

I have built an IASCA competition system many years ago, featuring Audison amps, USD waveguides, Focal mids and subs. The soundstage, imaging, and clarity of my old aftermarket system (IMHO) is way better than what you get in a stock system. In the days that I competed, the competition was extremely fierce, with a lot of high end systems going head to head. If you believe that the ML system is superior, I would like to see you take it all the way to the Finals without any modifications. I would be extremely surprised if you were able to place in the top 20.

One recommendation would be the liberal use of dynamat or other vibration "deadening" material. That should minimize the rattles.

Stormforge, I would agree if you are talking about any system that would rank in the top 20 for sq+, shoot for that matter, even the top 50. For what he is refering to is replacing the stock speakers with aftermarket speakers in their stock locations. For this setup, then you really can't beat the factory system. If you were talking about building kick panels, and building fiberglass door pods then of course it would sound better to replace (assuming he had the skills needed to properly image and stage his system).

He would be hard pressed to build a better system by replacing only the factory speakers.

I know what you mean though. Back in the day when I was running Dynaudio mids&highs, McIntosh amps, Diamand Audio subs, and a nakamichi HU, all professionally staged and imaged, then yes, I could easily beat a ML system. That was along time ago..when I had my 93 GS300....wow, like 10 years ago.

I don't know though.. I've been so impressed with the Lexus factory systems that I really haven't felt the erge to replace them (except for my GS back in the day). Perhaps I'm just getting old and don't care to blow the money anylonger.

LOL! I know exactly what you mean! After I sold my last car (M-B 300E 2.6) with the competition system, I had audiophile withdrawal for like a few months. After that listening to lo-fi stock system didn't suck as bad, when all you are listening to is the traffic report and daily news on the radio on your daily commute to/from work. Now I just don't have the energy or enthusiasm to do any stero mods. Yup, it's an age thing I guess.

My question is, even if I keep the stock head unit and AMP, just upgrading the speakers (assuming not modifying locations), the staging and imaging will be off?

The factory ML system was designed to provide its current staging, imaging, and sound quality with the stock speakers (what you current hear now). By changing speakers, you are changing the variables that the ML system was initially designed for. It is difficult to say whether changing stock speakers to aftermarket will affect staging and imaging. My guess will be minimal, but IronCobra will probably know for sure as he has more experience in this than I do.

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!

The speakers is where the rubber meets the road, if you change your tires, you think your handling will be different?