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After market audio system vs stock

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Old Jun 3, 2013 | 10:39 PM
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Default After market audio system vs stock

Even with the 11 speakers from Lexus RX don't satisfy my thirsty for warm, clear, clean sounds. Yesterday i replaced all of the factory speakers with a pair of Focal components in front, pair of Focal coxial in rear and a box of 2 jl 10w6, 1000rms Memphis amp, 75x4 rms MTX amp and Audio Control Lc6i , arc 1 to control the bass. I just wonder who else is out there does the same thing? or just me being too extreme? Here are some pics of what i have done.
Attached Thumbnails After market audio system vs stock-front-speaker.jpg   After market audio system vs stock-amps.jpg   After market audio system vs stock-sub.jpg  
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 06:19 AM
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Kudos to your ambition...many of us, even with the ML feel shorted...
so how does it sound after all this work?
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 08:32 AM
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Looks good, dapimpee. You have to let us know how it sounds compared to the OE system. The most I've seen done so far is adding subwoofers. I've considered it to add a little more punch but am leary of going down that road like I did on the 330. It won't stop with installing just one thing Getting ML was my way to help stiffle the urge. While not perfect, it's enough for me. My installer thinks otherwise. He has all these ideas on how to improve it. But the wallet and RXh are staying intact.

It's not too much as long as you're happy. Enjoy your new system.
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Dolphin
Kudos to your ambition...many of us, even with the ML feel shorted...
so how does it sound after all this work?
Much cleaner than the stock.
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 09:59 AM
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Originally Posted by kitlz
Looks good, dapimpee. You have to let us know how it sounds compared to the OE system. The most I've seen done so far is adding subwoofers. I've considered it to add a little more punch but am leary of going down that road like I did on the 330. It won't stop with installing just one thing Getting ML was my way to help stiffle the urge. While not perfect, it's enough for me. My installer thinks otherwise. He has all these ideas on how to improve it. But the wallet and RXh are staying intact.

It's not too much as long as you're happy. Enjoy your new system.
It sounds much cleaner and more powerful than the stock, specially from the components speakers, they make a big difference.
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 05:19 PM
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Does it sounds more like theather or hi def surround sound? I dont like how the stock audio sound but hopefully I will get after market soon when I can affort. Thanks and where is the best place to go for after market audio?
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Mweuch
Does it sounds more like theather or hi def surround sound? I dont like how the stock audio sound but hopefully I will get after market soon when I can affort. Thanks and where is the best place to go for after market audio?
I get most of my stuffs from Crutchfield ,craigslist, and talk to the local shops . Yes it sounds very clean, clear and nice hard solid bass.
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by dapimpee
It sounds much cleaner and more powerful than the stock, specially from the components speakers, they make a big difference.
That's great. And I agree, changing the speakers can make a big difference. But I must resist the temptation

Originally Posted by Mweuch
I dont like how the stock audio sound but hopefully I will get after market soon when I can affort. Thanks and where is the best place to go for after market audio?
Find a good installer. They can help configure a system for you. But fair warning, it can add up quickly.

Last edited by kitlz; Jun 4, 2013 at 05:58 PM.
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Old Jun 4, 2013 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by kitlz
That's great. And I agree, changing the speakers can make a big difference. But I must resist the temptation



Find a good installer. They can help configure a system for you. But fair warning, it can add up quickly.
Yes a good installer is a must, and make sure he knows what he 's doing. High end system are not cheap but you can search local cl and get a big discount. Took me almost 6 months to collect all the components and please stick with good names such as jl audio, boston accoustic, focal, alpine, mtx, kicker, infinity..etc...
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Old Jun 5, 2013 | 08:31 PM
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what did you paid for those focal component speakers were they new?
I have always been alpine fan bcos of their head units.
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Old Jun 6, 2013 | 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Gavinvr4
what did you paid for those focal component speakers were they new?
I have always been alpine fan bcos of their head units.
I pick up the used Focals from CL for like 300 bucks, brand new is around 1200 at Crutchfield, they are rate at 100rms per speaker. Alpine used to make good head units and were expensive but now you can get Alpine almost every where for cheap and i am for sure the quality is not like they used to be when every Alpine was made in Japan.

Last edited by dapimpee; Jun 8, 2013 at 05:23 PM.
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Old Jun 8, 2013 | 01:50 PM
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Isn't the front speaker 6x9?
What size did you get for the front door?
I would liked to add a pair of focal component speaker to the front,
A subwoofer system and 4 channel amp to powered them all,
Then again staying with the factory head unit will limited the sound quality
Verse an aftermarket.
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Old Jun 8, 2013 | 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Gavinvr4
Isn't the front speaker 6x9?
What size did you get for the front door?
I would liked to add a pair of focal component speaker to the front,
A subwoofer system and 4 channel amp to powered them all,
Then again staying with the factory head unit will limited the sound quality
Verse an aftermarket.
Yeah the factory 's front are 6x9 speakers, i used 6.5 components for the front and my installer had to used brackets and dynamat to seal off the gap . You will be very happy with Focal speakers, mine sounds as clear as cyrstal. You need to get Audio Control LC6i or LC7i ( has more inputs than LC6i) in order to let you use the factory head unit, and if you want to save spaces , you can replace 8 inches sub from the factory with after market 8 inches sub. Factory sub comes with a box s so you can use that set up if you choose to , just make sure that the thickest of the magnet of the after market sub fits the box.

Last edited by dapimpee; Jun 10, 2013 at 10:48 AM.
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 08:02 AM
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What did the original speakers look like? Were they poor quality speakers?

And did you notice a big difference after changing the component speakers only, without having changed the amp for them?

Last edited by ericsan13; Jun 10, 2013 at 08:06 AM. Reason: Clarification
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Old Jun 10, 2013 | 09:29 AM
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Hey dapimpee,
Did you installed an audio control unit in order
To use the factory steering wheel controls?
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