Originally Posted by Electric65

I plan on installing the JL Audio C2’s for corner dash speakers within the next few days. Before you did the center dash speaker, did you feel the need to attenuate it via a resistor like some other posters have done? How much did swapping center stock for JL help?

Originally Posted by gompka

The center is messed with by the stock system, there is eq and time alignment stuff going on there. So just unplugging it while using upgraded dash speakers makes the sound worse imho, I tried attenuating it, and don't really see a benefit. I just left it stock and plugged in and it seems to work well with the upgraded dash speakers. In a perfect world I would replace the stock stuff to have full control over the sound, but don't want to get into all that complexity and cost. The dash speaker upgrade alone was great. I managed to cram 4" image dynamics full range speakers into the stock dash locations.

Originally Posted by tdlnfm

Something was very much misunderstood. Previously #Atomiclexus recommended the series resistance only for the stock center speaker in order to quiet down that horrible distorted factory sound. In the case of updating with a quality speaker, there is no reason for resistor.

Originally Posted by Electric65

Yep, I understand. I was asking if he felt the need to attenuate the stock speaker before he then upgraded it to JL Audio, or if he never even tried adding a resistor and instead went straight to the JL Audio.

Originally Posted by Electric65

Yep, I understand. I was asking if he felt the need to attenuate the stock speaker before he then upgraded it to JL Audio, or if he never even tried adding a resistor and instead went straight to the JL Audio.

Originally Posted by Electric65

Yep, I understand. I was asking if he felt the need to attenuate the stock speaker before he then upgraded it to JL Audio, or if he never even tried adding a resistor and instead went straight to the JL Audio.

Originally Posted by midcow3

If you look at post #1 @AtomicLexus says "Many change the center speaker too, and you think that it would sound better, it generally does not. The “surround sound” that Lexus-Pioneer uses is junk, and the best way is to simply throttle the volume of the center with a simple 2-ohm 5-watt resister in line from the positive wire to the speaker. Use the extra adapter. You can also just disconnect the center. If you insist on replacing it with a match to the side, I would still add the resister in line."

If you aren't planning on spending really big bucks to replace that OEM Lexus-Pioneer audio head and add amps, harnesses, steering wheel controls, filters, equalizers, and such, it appears there is little hope for good sound from the center speaker, SORRY.

Peace and Good Sound...as best as possible that you feel you can cost justify


YMMV,
MidCow3

Originally Posted by tdlnfm

Sorry, I misunderstood then. I didn't experiment with the factory center, I just replaced it.

Note, I think JL C2 is overkill for this position, unless you team up with someone and so it's half price. (In the case of music the sound image in 95-99% is determined by the corner speakers, the doors and the sub together. Center has significance is really only for speech and navigation).

Originally Posted by midcow3

A little Clarity, in a way both @AtomicLexus and @tdlnfm both make good points. With the factory audio Lexus -Pioneer head the center speaker won't sound great. Putting a resistor reduces the volume significantly via power =i*r^2. And as said by @tdlnfm the center speaker is primarily for voice: Prompts, navigation, telephone, speech, etc. However, in any case whether you attenuate the center speaker or not, if you replace it with a better speaker, you will get better sound.
speakers
Again, the easiest two upgrades to improve your sound systems are (1) replacing the front speakers ( mainly discussion has been front deck, but front door speakers are also key speakers) and (2) replacing subwoofer with a powered subwoofer. Replacing the center front speaker, good move if you listen primarily to talk radio/XM

Peace and Good Sound

YMMV,
MidCow3


P.S.- Disclosure: I have ML system in my NX 350h so I did not upgrade this car. However, in the past I have upgraded many cars and home sound systems; a little experience here and there along with a little understanding from BSEE and being a long-time member of Audioholics.

Originally Posted by tundotcom

Installed my Infinity Reference REF-3032CFX speakers today. Thanks to @Droid13 @SgtLip @AtomicLexus and others for their help. Getting the speaker grilles off was the hardest part for me. The passenger side one in particular is hindered by the A pillar cover, so I really had to yank it out. I ended up leaving a mark on the A pillar fabric on both sides but I don't care too much about that.

The rest of the installation was pretty easy. All the advice was spot on. 10mm combination wrench to crack the screws loose and carefully remove by hand. Metra 72-8109 is indeed the correct cable. The black and white ends are different sizes so there should be no mistaking where to clip them onto the speaker end. Inserting the screws at a 45 degree angle at first and then slowly tightening them down worked like a charm.

If you're a complete newbie like me, you can definitely do it on your own with the information in this thread. The speakers sound much better than the OEM Pioneer speakers but as mentioned before, the weak bass is definitely more noticeable now.

The last part for the subwoofer amp install from AliExpress arrives today, but now I need to wait for one of you guys to take pics of the entire process before I attempt it on my own.
edit: everything has arrived. Anything I am missing?

Originally Posted by MoNX350

Hi @tundotcom did you get a chacne to do this? And do you have a guide on how to do so? I want to do the fios amp but not sure how to do it. Would love to fix the bass in my car - did the two dash speakers already... Any help would be great please

@AtomicLexus

Originally Posted by tundotcom

Nope, I was also waiting for someone to write up a guide. All those parts have just been sitting in a box gathering dust lol. I literally have no idea what to do and what tools I would need.

Originally Posted by Electric65

Swapped in JL Audio C2-350x for the dash corner speakers and the sound is much better than stock. Thanks @AtomicLexus for the recommendation!

However, when the Lexus “surround” setting is turned on, the stock dash center speaker seems to be putting out more and overtaking the upgraded corners. Not an issue with surround turned off, since that speaker doesn’t seem to get used then. But I kind of like the enveloping effect more with surround turned on.

In this case, with surround turned on, I’m assuming upgrading the center to also use a JL Audio C2-350x would actually have a decent impact since it’s being used for the music and not just phone voice/nav? @AtomicLexus are you able to confirm?

Also... anyone with an NX350/450/h who has swapped out their speakers (and/or done the sub amp upgrade) know what kind of effect we're having on the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)? Are these enhancements going to make that feature better or worse? Note I turned OFF the Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE), which is the fake engine noise that plays through the speakers.

Originally Posted by CJLane

I did the center swap..it’s a barely perceptible improvement. Seriously…it seems counterintuitive to say that but that was my impression. I’m not an expert but if I can describe it the loudness of the audio from the center channel barely sounded different with a better speaker.

Clearly not the case with the sides. But if you really want to scratch the itch it won’t hurt. I may even recommend using a cheaper set for the center than the JL if u do.You won’t really be taking advantage of the JL’s capabilities. But having said that..there are people like me who insisted on all 3 matching..lol.

Originally Posted by Electric65

Swapped in JL Audio C2-350x for the dash corner speakers and the sound is much better than stock. Thanks @AtomicLexus for the recommendation!

However, when the Lexus “surround” setting is turned on, the stock dash center speaker seems to be putting out more and overtaking the upgraded corners. Not an issue with surround turned off, since that speaker doesn’t seem to get used then. But I kind of like the enveloping effect more with surround turned on.

In this case, with surround turned on, I’m assuming upgrading the center to also use a JL Audio C2-350x would actually have a decent impact since it’s being used for the music and not just phone voice/nav? @AtomicLexus are you able to confirm?

Also... anyone with an NX350/450/h who has swapped out their speakers (and/or done the sub amp upgrade) know what kind of effect we're having on the Active Noise Cancellation (ANC)? Are these enhancements going to make that feature better or worse? Note I turned OFF the Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE), which is the fake engine noise that plays through the speakers.