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Just got back from a few dealers where I tried multiple GX460s.
2 without Mark Levinson and 3 with it.
The three with it were a 2012, 2019, and I believe 2021.
In all three there was a VERY noticeable difference in sound compared to the standard set u. Lossless WAV format on a CD.
IMO the 2019/2021 sounded about the same and were the best I've heard in a car setup. The 2012 ML was good, but it did seem a bit muddy compared to the newer ones.
I do have sensitive ears though and I am also dealing with music on a daily basis, so maybe for the regular driver it's not a big deal. If you are into music though it's a must have IMO, definitely will be looking for one with it!
Does anyone know the dimensions of the Mark Levinson amplifier? I don't have the ML system but I have upgraded the base system with the ML sub box and am looking into upgrading my current amps, wondering what subwoofer amp I could fit where the ML amp is supposed to go?
2020 GX460
Changed my dash corners and center speaker per your recommendation. A couple questions for you:
Do you know the polarity of the wires for these? I took a guess, sounds good, but I want to be sure.
Did you have an issue getting the dash corner grilles to sit flat? Mine are slightly raised in the corner closest to the a-pillar. Not the end of the world, but the wife says "it looks janky".
I had to bend the speaker wire terminals on the Inifinty speaker to be in the horizontal position versus vertical because it wouldn't fit in the opening otherwise. Did you do the same?
I see you took the washer off one of the dash speaker screws. I may go back and remove the washers on all of the dash speaker screws. The washer seems to just barely contact the foam surround. The cone doesn't seem to move enough for it to cause damage, but you never know.
I got the install to go and did it in the parking lot of an auto parts store, so not overly complicated, although I had a bevy of tools with me that made it possible. For those giving this a go, here are my notes for issues that came up, although minor:
The screw holes on the Infinity are like 1/8" closer together than the stock speaker. The screws had to go in just right and started at a slight angle to get them to go in. They eventually straightened out once they were tightened.
See #3 above. I had to flatten the speaker wire terminals on the Infinity to the horizontal position to get it to fit.
I had to very slightly deform the plastic duct for the center HVAC vents (side closest to the windshield) to get the Infinity to fit.
The dash corner speakers fit, but they definitely don't just drop in. In addition to the dremel modification noted by BullionGX, you need to force the lip of the speaker under the a-pillar headliner panel to get the screw holes to line up.
See #4 above. I would recommend removing the washers on the dash corner speaker screws. You need to cut them off, they won't simply slide off.
I can't get my dash corner grilles to sit flat. Will see if I can get the speaker to drop further in.
Get a wiring diagram and check speaker wire polarity before you start. They are all different colors and it isn't intuitive.
Mr. BullionGX, Would you mind if I picked your brain a bit? I have a 2014 IS350 F Sport with Levinson, and I recently replaced the front door speakers because one was seemingly damaged, and admittedly tried to do it with less expensive speakers, and I am quite disappointed with the sound compared to the OEM, which were the 861600WX70 (8" round). I'm considering the Audiofrog GS8ND2 (although I'm not certain the mounting depth will work). My main question is, do you think these speakers (if they fit in my door) would result in at least as good bass and overall clarity as the OEMs? I don't want to go thru all this again, and spend even more money, and still be disappointed. Or, could you recommend another 8" round that has a good chance to meet or exceed OEM performance? I don't know what ohm the OEM speakers were. It's hard to find that info. I like to crank it up and have the bass hold up nicely. I just did sound deadening in all doors and rear deck. Thanks for your time! This is the OEM...
