Does anyone know whether the factory sub is free-air? I am planning on replacing it with something else and powering it with an external amp, however I don't want anyone to know it's there (no cutting or external boxes anywhere in the car). I simply want to disconnect the factory sub, and drop another aftermarket one in it's place. Any information as to which ones you guys are using would be greatly apprecited.

 

The factory sub is an 8" free-air. There are not many choices for this application. I've tried a JL 8IB4 but I felt that I was missing out on some midbass and the JL did not sound as clean as the factory sub(IMHO), it was definitely louder with or without an external amp. The 8IB4 is no longer available but soundstream has an 8" free-air although I don't know how wide the magnet is so it might not fit (the subwoofer compartment is fairly small). Most other 8" free-air subs are too either too long or too wide to fit. Some people on this forum have used a JL 8W0 in the free-air config but JL informs me that these should not be used in free-air. Not too many options when it comes down to this type of application. If you find another option let me know.

 

what about the Kicker Comp 8? I know they're free-air, but I have never owned any Kickers, as I usually go with JL and Soundstream subs. I have no idea if it will fit. Maybe someone has tried it and can shed some light on it. I would just hate to buy something, tear the back seats off (which i don't know how to do) just so I discover that it doesn't fit and that it sounds worse than before. And why in the world doesn't Mark Levinson use a better sub in there? I'm willing to pay the extra $200

Ohh well, let me know what you think of the Kicker 8 (fit, sound).

 

I've never tried the kicker comp 8 so I can't comment on the sound quality. From my experienceI lost some midbass when I swapped out the stock 8. I think the stock sub is very good for an 8" providing great sound quality. When I searched for a new sub I also wanted to keep it hidden but could not get the results I wanted. This is the solution that I came up with and its worked out quite well.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=99824

 

Phu,
I went to the link you provided. I saw in the photos you had your satellite radio antenna on the back deck. How is your reception?? Do you have any problems??

Doc C

 

What's wrong with the Levinson sub?

 

The Levinson sub doesn't really have that much "ooomph". It's just a personal preference. If I listen to hip hop for example I would like to hear the sub kick a little instead of the midrange which comes out of it. Don't get me wrong, the system sounds really good, and it has very good separation, but the bass is a little on the low side. It all depends what you've grown accustomed to and the type of music you listen to. For me, any type of dance, hip-hop or rap really blows now compared to my old GS. I don't listen to the music loud by any means, but like I said.... I want something more! I always want something better which usually happens that I can't have! (The grass is always greener on the other side i guess )

 

Doc,
The reception is actually very good with very few drop-outs. The only time I get drop-outs are under some large overpasses( only 1 in about 10).