A lil extra Bass....
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 89
From: Orlando STRONG!!
I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but don't be expecting too much of a sound improvement if any from the stock ML system. I owned a custom auto shop for nearly 10 years and had a few ls's come to the shop for upgrades. We did a HUGE audio upgrade on one ls460l that consisted of all focal speakers throughout, 2-12w7's and 2600watts of power. We played with the enclosure to get the most mount of bass out of the system and no matter what type of box we tried out the output wasn't nearly what we expected. We finally tried adding an aftermarket deck to the system and the subs were crazy loud. We figured out that the mark levinson system was turning down the subwoofer output as you would turn up the volume. We tried a JL clean sweep, a Rockford 360, an audio control unit, and finally a cheap hi/lo adaptor to convert the stock stereo outputs to a low level input. At the end of the day the stereo looked excellent but was a HUGE let down from the performance we got out of it. I'm curious to see what you experience after you ge the system done. I just bought an ls SWB for myself recently but after my previous encounters I don't plan on touching the ML system.
Here's some pics of the car. I have more install picks if you guys want to see them too
Here's some pics of the car. I have more install picks if you guys want to see them too
1st ur car looks awesome!!! 2nd if u ever wanna sell ur Wald wheels lemme know...
lastly i'm a bit stubborn when it comes to car audio (being a passion of mine) i'll keep going til i find a reproducible solution.. i've been in the car audio industry over 23yrs (damn i feel old saying that) competing in many spl an sq (IASCA & USAC) competitions.. not too mention most of my clients are certified bass-heads. i feel confident that the Ls wont be too difficult a vehicle to overcome..
did u try the audio control LCQ-1? or LC8? i've used both with great success for eliminating bass roll off from the factory headunit..
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 89
From: Orlando STRONG!!
also looking at your trunk pics... whats behind the plexi window? why didnt u vent the subs directly into the passenger compartment? with the subs that far back you will definitely encounter standing wave issues..
Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Tejas
not at all a jl fanboy, just curious.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,379
Likes: 7
From: Wa
I had it in another vehicle no reason for it, I do want a single Jl 13.5 personally, the fosgate shallow is not bad for its size but compared to a Jl no comparison. I will say that the 13.5 will not be a shallow one..
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 89
From: Orlando STRONG!!
i considered the JL but at .8' cu it was still too much airspace to lose for 1 sub.. not to mention the price... my (3) 10's cost less than the 1 jl.. in slightly more airspace..(anyway u slice it 3 tens will move more air than 1 thirteen) all things being equal "right now" the pioneers are about the best way to go.. if saving space an adding bass are top priority.. each 10 requires .35 sealed... thats tiny!!!!!!
the airspace is sooo small if u had a competent installer they could ideally remove the oem sub and build an enclosure under the rear deck in the same area loading it thru the opening.. the voila bass w/no loss of trunk space.. (but labor would be high to do so)
the airspace is sooo small if u had a competent installer they could ideally remove the oem sub and build an enclosure under the rear deck in the same area loading it thru the opening.. the voila bass w/no loss of trunk space.. (but labor would be high to do so)
Last edited by Shibumi1; Apr 11, 2012 at 05:50 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 52
From: Florida
When my system was thought up, the guy that did it said there was a solution and that was to add an audiocontrol LC2. Whenever the amp attempted to cut the bass down, you can just basically add the bass back to it. Im running a 12" L7 with a Kicker ZX750.1 and the bass inside the car is amazing. Another thing that was done, but after the initial, was we removed the factory 10" from the deck and the since the box is smaller than the beauty board, holes were made on the beauty board and recovered. This created almost like a vent back into the car. Those 2 things really made a real difference as to how it sounds.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Tejas
Another thing that was done, but after the initial, was we removed the factory 10" from the deck and the since the box is smaller than the beauty board, holes were made on the beauty board and recovered. This created almost like a vent back into the car. Those 2 things really made a real difference as to how it sounds.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 89
From: Orlando STRONG!!
When my system was thought up, the guy that did it said there was a solution and that was to add an audiocontrol LC2. Whenever the amp attempted to cut the bass down, you can just basically add the bass back to it. Im running a 12" L7 with a Kicker ZX750.1 and the bass inside the car is amazing. Another thing that was done, but after the initial, was we removed the factory 10" from the deck and the since the box is smaller than the beauty board, holes were made on the beauty board and recovered. This created almost like a vent back into the car. Those 2 things really made a real difference as to how it sounds.
I had a custom panel built just like yours and it blocked all the bass travel and keeps it all in the trunk. I removed the custom wall panel and it banged like no other. You could give it a try and see if that helps.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 89
From: Orlando STRONG!!