Disconnecting tailgate subwoofer?
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Disconnecting tailgate subwoofer?
Hi, I have a 2015 NX and I’m wondering if anyone has disconnected or removed the sub from the back? I feel like all it does it rattle the trunk, I tried playing a song with the tailgate open when you can’t hear the subwoofer and it sounds a lot better without it. Thanks
Last edited by Danny200t; 10-16-18 at 04:03 PM.
#2
Hi, I have a 2015 NX and I’m wondering if anyone has disconnected or removed the sub from the back? I feel like all it does it rattle the trunk, I tried playing a song with the tailgate open when you can’t hear the subwoofer and it sounds a lot better without it. Thanks
#3
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
thanks for the suggestion, i’ve already tried that and i’ve also put some rubber pieces around the subwoofer grill and it helped a lot but it’s still rattling at higher volumes.
The following users liked this post:
TXLexusNX (07-31-23)
#5
Driver School Candidate
I cut the wires close to the factory amp and then used those wires as a high level signal for a new amp and a proper subwoofer. That way I got a good signal in the appropriate range for a sub and got rid of the useless factory one in the process. Let me know if you need wiring diagrams if you decide to go this route.
#6
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
I cut the wires close to the factory amp and then used those wires as a high level signal for a new amp and a proper subwoofer. That way I got a good signal in the appropriate range for a sub and got rid of the useless factory one in the process. Let me know if you need wiring diagrams if you decide to go this route.
#7
Hi, I have a 2015 NX and I’m wondering if anyone has disconnected or removed the sub from the back? I feel like all it does it rattle the trunk, I tried playing a song with the tailgate open when you can’t hear the subwoofer and it sounds a lot better without it. Thanks
Trending Topics
#8
Driver School Candidate
#10
Driver School Candidate
I cut the wires close to the factory amp and then used those wires as a high level signal for a new amp and a proper subwoofer. That way I got a good signal in the appropriate range for a sub and got rid of the useless factory one in the process. Let me know if you need wiring diagrams if you decide to go this route.
thanks in advance!!
#11
Driver School Candidate
I actually removed the spare tire and installed a sub in a box where the tire was. The sub box is bolted to the spare tire bracket. The sub is an Audiofrog GB12D4 run at 2 Ohms and the amp is a DD Audio DM1000a.
In addition, I did a complete rework of the Lexus system and am running all of the channels through a JL Audio TwK-88 out to 4 separate amps. I installed new tweeters in the A pillars along with Audiofrog GB40s in the dash corners, and Audiofrog GS60s in the front door. It is a fully active system, and I am still able to use the Lexus Surround Sound processing which gives me really good sound in all of the seating positions.
To answer your question about the new sub and how the sound compares to the factory, it is not even close. The new sub hits low and hard and is still quite musical. I wanted a Sound Quality system, but it is also quite loud. I'm very happy with the result.
I'll take some pics tomorrow to post.
In addition, I did a complete rework of the Lexus system and am running all of the channels through a JL Audio TwK-88 out to 4 separate amps. I installed new tweeters in the A pillars along with Audiofrog GB40s in the dash corners, and Audiofrog GS60s in the front door. It is a fully active system, and I am still able to use the Lexus Surround Sound processing which gives me really good sound in all of the seating positions.
To answer your question about the new sub and how the sound compares to the factory, it is not even close. The new sub hits low and hard and is still quite musical. I wanted a Sound Quality system, but it is also quite loud. I'm very happy with the result.
I'll take some pics tomorrow to post.
Last edited by digidoc; 10-24-18 at 07:59 PM.
#12
Driver School Candidate
Your setup sounds exactly to what I would love, And i can see that a lot of thought and time has gone into this installation.
It must now sound how it was intended too by Lexus hahaha.....
Yes photos would be great! Thanks for the quick reply also.
I now need to do some serious thinking on the easiest way to improve the low end of the frequency (Sub)amplified of course.
It must now sound how it was intended too by Lexus hahaha.....
Yes photos would be great! Thanks for the quick reply also.
I now need to do some serious thinking on the easiest way to improve the low end of the frequency (Sub)amplified of course.
#13
Driver School Candidate
Your setup sounds exactly to what I would love, And i can see that a lot of thought and time has gone into this installation.
It must now sound how it was intended too by Lexus hahaha.....
Yes photos would be great! Thanks for the quick reply also.
I now need to do some serious thinking on the easiest way to improve the low end of the frequency (Sub)amplified of course.
It must now sound how it was intended too by Lexus hahaha.....
Yes photos would be great! Thanks for the quick reply also.
I now need to do some serious thinking on the easiest way to improve the low end of the frequency (Sub)amplified of course.
JL Audio TwK-88 Controller for sub and overall volume control as well as preset selection.
#14
Driver School Candidate
I can see you’ve spent a lot of time on this with rewarding results. I’m quite happy with the mids and top end of the sound, it’s just the low end I’m going to try and sort out. Thanks for the photos as it helps us all with ideas and layouts.
Just the cables you need to spend extra time on now
Just the cables you need to spend extra time on now
#15
Driver School Candidate
More In-depth Sound Review
I thought I would spend a little extra time describing the benefits I've noticed by adding a proper sub to the Lexus system. I listen to an extremely wide variety of music. Examples of bands and musicians that I enjoy are Rush, Animals as Leaders, Hillsong United, Elevation Worship, Deadmau5, Vangelis, The Cure, New Order, Post Malone, Henry Manicini, Yes, etc. In terms of sub frequencies, I want my car system to be able to reproduce extremely focused bass for instruments like a kick drum, but also very warm and musical bass for synthesizers and more ambient sounds. I learned that just by adding a sub, I was definitely able to bring in lower frequencies than were possible with the stock speaker and it sounded a lot better right off the bat. In addition, by having the full frequency range and more balance, ear fatigue is greatly reduced (caveat: I also upgraded all of my front speakers and I believe better speaker quality can reduce ear fatigue). That said, it wasn't perfect and did require a small change in the crossover point for me to dial in the sound I was looking for. With the stock set up, the bass was muddy and not focused. We can see why by looking at the frequency pattern of the stock system. The picture below is the frequency pattern of the front mid/tweets (purple), front mid bass (red), and sub (blue) channels of the stock system. First of all by looking at this, you can see that you definitely have to grab the sub outputs from the amp to get the correct frequency range. We also can see why the bass is muddy. While the mid bass channel is crossed over at around 100 Hz, the sub bass channel actually extends above that to around 150 Hz or so. To fix this, use an amplifier for your new sub with a built in crossover and adjust it to somewhere around 80 - 100 Hz. It's important to adjust it while listening so you can dial it in to your liking. I think by doing this you will significantly improve the sound of your Lexus.