Well...my first post of pics since my many years of lurking.... I bought my 2016 last month and did NOT get the Mark Levinson stereo. This mod will not apply to those that have the Levinson..mine only has the "basic" stereo.
I have quickly realized my stereo lacks the punch and the highs...so I submit for a DIY..these pics. I have done this mod to all 3 speakers in the front dash. They are all 3 1/2 inch. I chose the Kicker speakers to replace them. They have 1/2 tweeters in each one and yeah.....this does the trick for now. This simplicity of this mod was 25 minutes each speaker and the cost...$100 bucks from crutchfield and free shipping...more pics to come...
airlaird

 

So this is the center grill and pops off easily. I used a smooth piece of plastic for scrubbing pans in the kitchen..to pop this off. Once off..remove the speaker with a 13 MM socket for the 2 bolts..lift out, and unplug the wire.

 

OK....so here is the difference of the factory speakers which looks a LOT like the radiator cap ;-)) ...look how small that magnet is on the left compared to the Kicker. So with the kicker speaker ....you'll need to dremel just ONE side of the kicker speaker...just ever so lightly to fit the factory bolt through it..

 

Ok...obviously out of order but just a quick view of the what comes with the speaker...wire and that's all you need ;-). Pull out the Lexus speaker and cut it...yeah...I know...kinda hard to cut it right ;-). Splice the wire and you obviously have figured out by the pics...the kicker speaker brackets will NOT reach the factory holes..standby for the answer to that...

 

OK...so using the factory bolt, I installed a washer with 3M sticky tape on the bottom of the washer ) to cushion the vibrations and to help secure the bracket...I put the factory bolt in as a "CLAMP" to secure the bracket down. The sound is much deeper bass, higher treble with three tweeters...very happy with the mod...so there you are... after many years as a lurker..I can finally say I have "given back" ...just a little
airlaird

 

 

Nice write up. the factory speaker uses neodymium magnets which is smaller and lighter, but the magnetic force/field is much greater than the ferrite magnet that is in the kicker. The kicker has a larger driver compared to the Lexus which will increase the sound stage.

 

Well John...I did not know that..but I will say yes, the sound stage is truly MUCH better. I can hear more treble and much more bass..One day I will do the door speakers..but for now...I am very happy. BTW, if any one needs a third speaker I(instead of buying a pair) still have the brand new one that was left over from this mod.....
airlaird

 

sending you a DM do you have mark levinson?

 

Interesting... Does this change in speakers increase, or decrease, the volume from the original speakers?
Thanks, I may have to try this modification.

 

Sorry, another question. Appears you bought the Kicker model # 44KSC3504. What made you choose this one?

 

The biggest thing is with the separate silk dome tweeter used on the Kicker will produce much clearer highs (voices etc.) which is what the front soundstage should be doing! Great write-up, thanks for the share! I am going to be doing the same thing very soon.

 

 

...I chose the kicker speaker because: Its VERY inexpensive, I have always been impressed with the sound quality, and I did not find a lot of 3 1/2 speakers out there. Keep in mind the speaker has to be a low profile so the grill goes back on and these allow that. Honestly I did NOT know the brackets would not not fit...but I quickly realized it was an easy fix..albeit I know its "jerry rigged" but it is on tight with no chance of coming off. The tweeters in these Kickers was also a huge plus. The symbols and highs are SO much better and the bass is much crisper"
airlaird

 

Thanks for coming out of hiding and sharing! 😆 I had no idea we have 3 speakers upfront. It's rare I use the sound system, but this will be a mod I'll do. Thanks for sharing, this is very useful.