travelride

I have a 2010 IS350C that we just recently purchased used. It has the basic stereo system in it (no upgrades). We noticed that the rear speakers make almost no sound except for what might be described as "surround sound effects".

We took it to the dealer who also thought we had a problem but when they called Lexus Corporate for advice on what to do to fix it, they were told that the rear speakers were likely behaving as designed. That in the IS-C model the rear speakers were especially small and not particularly loud at all.

I am not convinced (and quite frankly the dealer was surprised at the answer they got). Unfortunately, they don't have another IS-C on their lot or in their shop at the moment to do a comparison test against.

Could someone else with an IS-C and basic stereo system tell us if their rear speakers are "normal volume" or what you would say is "very quiet".

Ours aren't even up to the same decibel level as the fronts. It's not like they're just missing bass. They are at a very low volume even with the fader all the way to the rear.

kl323

I have the 2010 sedan. No ML system. And also have this low volume rear speaker issue. But I've come to terms with it. I was told that this is normal and there's no issues with it. I also posted a thread here a very long time ago.

Redcastle

Same here (2010 sedan). I sat in the back seat once when I let my sister drive it and I was shocked how quiet the back speakers were. Really bugged me at first, but I rarely ever have passengers in the back.

06350F

iTrader: (4)

If you go into the setting menu for sound they have a button to select more sound towards the driver. I forget the name but it basically makes the stage focus towards you. Helps with the muffled rear sounding speakers

5gears-IS

iTrader: (5)

My daughters 09 250 non ML was acting up and even turning off at times after trying everything with the settings I got mad and slapped the side of the panel where the nav / radio lays inside and the whole thing came back loud as it should. Soooooooooo it is a loose connection behind the radio.
I now need to remove it to check the connections as I am 100% sure by banging it hard it shook and probably made contact again.

I hit the pass side and then the drivers side.

Jump2man3

iTrader: (7)

I just changed the speakers, maybe you could look into upgrading the factory amp

nitrotang

iTrader: (2)

I have the non-ML system and I noticed this the day I got my car. I spent a good 10 minutes messing around with the audio settings and I was able to achieve an even "surround sound" feel. I adjusted the front/rear settings so the rear volume was "louder" than the front ones so that all the speakers were even in volume.

travelride

Thanks everyone. I guess the answer is that even on a $50,000 car, Lexus decided to cheap out on the standard stereo. To me, the basic stereo should be great with the upgrade being absolutely amazing. Instead, Lexus chose to go with poor with the ML upgrade being decent. You would think on the convertible they would put bigger amps in the car than in the hard-top. Heck, even Chrysler figured that out on their Sebrings. The convertibles automatically get a louder stereo than the hard tops. OK. Rant over. Now to research speaker and amp upgrades.