Originally Posted by Jabberwock

Agree - an 8 ohm Sub at high volumes will make the ML amp work harder (actually not really work harder because lower ohm speaker is easier to push, but it could run hotter). It will make sub channel stage of the amp run hotter at high volume. I personally don't blast my music (and don't push bass to weird unnatural high levels) so it would not be an issue for me. But if a person like their music stupidly loud so that people outside the car could also hear it an 8 ohm sub could cause the sub stage of the amp to clip and cut out (protection circuit).

I have never read of anyone on the forum with ML amp loss of channel due to a 8 ohm replacement sub but it might be theoretically possible. I think it is safe to run 8 ohm replacement sub even on this very weak ML amp because the electric load (impedance) variance that the amp sees from 16 to 8 ohm is not as significant as going from 8 to 4 or from 4 to 2 ohm. I would not run a 4 or 2 ohm speaker with this specific ML amp because it would likely clip and cut out at moderate volumes.

btw - if the ML amp does fail for any reason I suggest it would be an excellent opportunity to replace it with a modern high power, high quality amp rather than having the ML amp fixed.

Originally Posted by 1WILLY1

how many watts RMS does the stock amp put out ?

My guess is 50 or less.

Originally Posted by herLS430

I am faced with replacing the Mark Levinson subwoofer in my wife's 2003 LS430. The dealer tells me that it will cost "The part alone costs $532 + tax plus labor say $248." And that the reason the labor is so high is that "You have to remove the rear seat, then the c-pillars have to come out, and then the shelf not the grille has to come out. The clips for the grille are actually easier to access from the bottom once you have removed the rear shelf , this info all came from the tech."

Based on the threads here it seems that what the Lexus dealer is telling me is accurate. Why in the hell they didn't make it a lot easier to replace the sub is beyond me. I did find a place on the Internet that will sell you a repair kit for $23. It just replaces and reglues the outer foam edge. Or they will do it if you ship the speaker to them for $50 plus shipping. I'd be tempted to try and remove it myself but I think that after 10 years the cone is probably shot as well. I certainly don't want to spend about $800 but I don't want to spend three or more hours trying to replace something that I am totally unfamiliar with.

IMHO, the Mark Levinson system is the best I have ever heard in a car and that includes the Bose system in my 911 and several systems in Bentleys and Ferraris that I have listened to. I have not yet heard the $3,300 (?) Burmeister system that is available in the Porsche Panamera though.

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

Originally Posted by BradTank

I did the "ghetto" fix where I got some liquid electrical tape at the hardware store and simply brushed it on around the edges where it was torn.



My understanding is the formula is almost exactly what speaker repair shops use.

The fix worked great, I would say for 98% of my listening, it's no longer an issue. Just pull the grill and brush around the rubber edge. I put a few coats, then let it sit overnight. Worst case scenario, you just buy a new subwoofer like you were going to do anyway.

I have to disagree with you though on the Lexus audio, I think the Levinson system is a joke. Not only is the performance mediocre, but the entire system, from the speakers to the amps are basically ticking time bombs.

What's ironic is Mark Levinson is some of the best home audio money can buy, but the car systems are crap. Bose is a gimmick when it comes to home audio, but the car systems actually sounds really good for a factory system.