I have a 2014 GS, stock sound... and I want to do an experiment. I want to make the front speakers a 3 way component set up. I want to put a 3-1/2 midrange in the dash, and the tweeter in the door panel or sail panel. My question is if anyone knows, do the door speaker wires, do they receive a full range of sound, or is it only a lower frequency? Im just wondering what speaker I would connect the crossover to. The door speakers, or the dash speakers.

Thanks for any info!

 

I suspect that the original Lexus crossover splits into two wires:
1) One for the hi range tweeter.
2) The other for the mid-bass woofer which carries both midrange and bass signals.

Rather than your 2-way component speakers, you can purchase what is called 2-way co-axial mid-bass speakers which consists of:
1) An inner 3.5" mid-range cone, and
2) An outer 6.25" bass cone.
This two-way mid-bass speaker would replace your door speaker.

You can even purchase a 3-way co-axial tweeter mid-bass speaker which is fitted to your front door, with the tweeter in the center, the midrange around that, and then the 6.25" bass around that, but then the hi frequency tweeter is a long way away from your ears.

 

Thanks for the reply. I wanted to have the tweeter out from the dash because I fell the music sounds boxed in with it reflecting off the dash. I’ve been in other cars were tweeter is in the A-pillar, and I like the way it sounds much better. And looking at the pictures, I think the dash speakers are a coaxial midrange and tweeter.

Most component speakers are a 6.5 and a tweeter. Guess ill just have to buy a set and test it out. Im just wondering if hooking the crossover to the midrange speaker would do any damage, because they said you should use the crossover that comes with the speaker. And I dont see many midrange components that will fit in the dash.

 

I downloaded and printed the wiring diagram for a 2013 premium non-ML stereo. I'll check it when I get to the shop. I'm pretty sure I saw the dash speaker has a dedicated signal into a crossover.

Adding a crossover or a different one won't damage the factory amp unless it is hooked up incorrectly.

But, consider a full range 2-3" pod on the pillar. If the signal going to the dash speaker is crossed over for midrange up, I've listened to some beautiful sounding systems with mid-bass in the doors and mid-tweet paper cones on the pillars.

 

Thank you for checking, I appreciate it.
I really would love to have the mids out of the dash, but I’ve read that modding the a-pillar could impact how the curtain airbags function. And looking at the door panel, it’s pretty tight to put a mid and tweeter there. If Im able to split the mid and tweeter, I can put them in different spots to to see what the best position is for them. If it really sounds good in the door, I would probably have a shop custom make a spot for it.

 

I would test like this:

Build something smaller and reversible like these:

 

Wiring diagram from 2013 and a pink noise measurement from the front left dash...

 

Very good, thank you! Forgive my ignorance, can you tell me what the pink noise test means?

 

It is a rough idea where the crossover points may be. I did all the speakers and it seems like 4-5khz may be where the dash speakers crossover. This was pink noise over bluetooth and all bass-mid-trebble settings were set to 0.

 

Thank you, I just ordered some speakers now. One more question (don't know if you would know this)
I bought somewhat inexpensive speakers. Some JBLs, about 150 bucks for the compleat set. If I like the way this sound, would buying more expensive speakers make any difference with me using the stock amplifier?

 

Yes, and no....

I would say certain types of speakers would give different results. Soft dome tweeter vs metal dome tweeter would give a different sound. Different types of crossovers make a difference.

If possible, listen to them at a stereo shop. There was a time where these different manufacturers kinda had a signature sound. Bostons can get very loud and clear. MB Quarts were bright and accurate. Focals were expensive and yellow...

It is also a bit difficult to adjust the sound to your liking without a processor.

Some older component crossovers had switches to adjust the tweeter's sound.

 

Alright, thanks again. Ill check back in a fews weeks with the results!

 

Thanks, that would be awesome! After a few projects on my GS are done, I'll be doing stereo research too.....

 

You need to also account for speaker sensitive, and required rated power. A low sensitivity speaker needs more power to play at the same volume as a high sensitivity speaker.

 

yes, I watched some videos from crutchfield, and they said speakers with a dB rating of 90 should be good for stock systems.