Sound System Upgrade in SoCal
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: CA
Sound System Upgrade in SoCal
Hey there fellow 430 owners. I finally bought my SC 430 (2005 Pearl White) and I am looking to upgrade the sound system. I am well aware of the options I have, but like all of us, I want a meticulous installer. I live in Southern California (Orange County) but I am willing to drive a distance to make sure whoever does the installation, does a clean job without damaging ANY of the interior parts.
So if anybody here can recommend a shop, I’d appreciate it.
Thanks for the help.
Jim
So if anybody here can recommend a shop, I’d appreciate it.
Thanks for the help.
Jim
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 198
From: Ca
South county Mobil electronics did mine. San Clemente
beach auto sound in Huntington Beach would be my other choice
beatsonic 13L and the pioneer 4400 neh will really wake up the factory ml stereo.
i do not feel a need to change speakers or amp.
if you want to listen to my 08’s setup let me know
beach auto sound in Huntington Beach would be my other choice
beatsonic 13L and the pioneer 4400 neh will really wake up the factory ml stereo.
i do not feel a need to change speakers or amp.
if you want to listen to my 08’s setup let me know
Last edited by Caflashbob; Jan 29, 2019 at 08:42 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 198
From: Ca
Nice job. The beat sonic 13L and the radio and install were just enough pop to not need the rest changed for us old people.
my wife does not like being drowned out from a stereo anymore.
The ml turned out to be good enough with the updated head unit for us on our low mile garaged 08 PB.
Pink Floyd’s live dvd “pulse” played in the car is impressive enough for me.
my wife does not like being drowned out from a stereo anymore.
The ml turned out to be good enough with the updated head unit for us on our low mile garaged 08 PB.
Pink Floyd’s live dvd “pulse” played in the car is impressive enough for me.
Whoa, glad I am lurking around. Was not aware of a nice product to wire up to factory. The Beatsonic MVA-13L and refoamed speakers sounds like the best options. I replaced the door speakers a long time ago with all kinds of brands and nothing sounded better than the factory speakers. I ended up using silicone to repair the cones back in the day. There was no repair kit. I used a 8" kicker sub to replace the factory one and it did not work well. If you want a clean install, keep it factory, repair/replace and upgrade the speaker foams. It definitely is more than enough. Unless you want to install a sub system for more thump.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: CA
Well, I'm torn now on what I should do. Should I just replace the head unit and keep the ML AMP and speakers? or should I replace head unit & the ML amp with aftermarket amp(s) (4 or 5 channel with a separate sub amp), or replace all the factory pieces (head unit, amps, speakers etc.)?
Any guidance or suggestions would be a big help.
And to top it all off, I am extremely nervous with shops working on the interior. I was lucky to find this car with a pristine interior.
so please, provide guidance and suggestions.
thank you
Jim Foster
Any guidance or suggestions would be a big help.
And to top it all off, I am extremely nervous with shops working on the interior. I was lucky to find this car with a pristine interior.
so please, provide guidance and suggestions.
thank you
Jim Foster
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Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 276
From: CA - San Diego
Two comments for you: First and Foremost....It’s a convertible, especially in Southern California, not a concert hall.
I upgraded my 02 headunit only in 2012. I too had concerns about installers, so I did it myself.
Door speakers and subwoofer were replaced under my extended warranty at the time. Mark Levinson, owned by Harmon-Kardon, went lower quality in speakers in 02 in my opinion. But others have said 02-05 models years have had the cones separate from the frames ruining sound quality. Rear speakers and tweeters were better quality and are still OEM to this day. If you choose to replace the speakers remember to match impedance values. There are many threads covering all of this.
Secondly, you are correct about the leather in proximity to the headunit, that has many sharp edges. INSIST that any installer cover the leather with masking tape. I did it just to make sure I didn’t accidentally scratch the leather. Take photos, work with the shop manager, or cover the leather with tape before leaving it at the shop.
I upgraded my 02 headunit only in 2012. I too had concerns about installers, so I did it myself.
Door speakers and subwoofer were replaced under my extended warranty at the time. Mark Levinson, owned by Harmon-Kardon, went lower quality in speakers in 02 in my opinion. But others have said 02-05 models years have had the cones separate from the frames ruining sound quality. Rear speakers and tweeters were better quality and are still OEM to this day. If you choose to replace the speakers remember to match impedance values. There are many threads covering all of this.
Secondly, you are correct about the leather in proximity to the headunit, that has many sharp edges. INSIST that any installer cover the leather with masking tape. I did it just to make sure I didn’t accidentally scratch the leather. Take photos, work with the shop manager, or cover the leather with tape before leaving it at the shop.
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 276
From: CA - San Diego
One last comment... you will lose the mast replacement function of the OEM radio. See this TSB ...if you’ve had issues with the aerial you might consider a replacement before changing the headunit.
I do have a PM sent to our resident E.E./genius, Retroplay, about this, but it’s been awhile since he has logged onto the site.
I do have a PM sent to our resident E.E./genius, Retroplay, about this, but it’s been awhile since he has logged onto the site.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: CA
Thank you Bob - Just out of curiosity, does the Pioneer head until run through the ML amp (that may be a dumb question but I'm not an expert)? or do the speakers connect directly to the head unit now?
thanks again
thanks again
Pole Position
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 276
From: CA - San Diego
My 02 speakers, including the subwoofer, are driven through the amp which is mounted in the trunk under the garnish. There are wiring harnesses running from the headunit (think of it like a preamp/tuner) to the rear aerial, windshield Aerial and amp. From the amp to the seven speakers, tweeters, door woofers, rear speakers and subwoofer. Obviously power comes from different path, it’s also integrated with the climate control console, onboard navigation system, and steering wheel control pad.
i did an extensive write-up in this thread. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...-controls.html
Last edited by VVTiBob; Mar 13, 2019 at 01:30 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 198
From: Ca
With the pioneers internal equalizer and its range expansion used the amp and speakers play very well. Good enough to stop there.
Sent you my info looking forward to getting together for a listen session in early April.
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