I figured i would let everyone know my experience with the door speakers. I had one that was badly vibrating, and one that i didn't think was as badly.
After doing my research i decided on using 4 ohm speakers and existing amp was going to be my best option.

My car 2005 with ML.
Replaced 6x8 woofer with
Rockford Fosgate component 4 ohm speaker set from crutchfield. This was a 6.5 woofer and a separate tweeter. Crutchfield included a adapter plate and speaker cable tie in. I did nothing with the included tweeter yet. My small 2" midrange and tweeter both looked good with no foam damage.
Took about 45 minutes per door (maybe 60 for first door and 30 the second). I did both sides and the foam was completely gone on my 6x8s.
The new speakers sound really good filling in nicely.
I know there is some risk on over heating my amp but i dont listen to my radio too loud and given all the mixed reviews on other solutions costs figured this was best for me.

 

The spec is 8 OHMS right? But if you are happy with it, good for you.

 

Replacing the oem radio head woke up the stereo. The pioneer has a very good EQ in it. Door panels jump if turned up. Amp and my speakers were good so just the head was needed. So far

now that you mention it I had some funny noises from the speakers. Changing the head fixed it.

 

Yes factory was/ is 8ohm.

There are 4 core options.
1. Refoam / replace existing speakers. ~80 and 2 hours of time.
2. Buy new 8ohm speakers in 6.5 or 6x8 options $100 each with brackets and connectors needed and can cost up to 200+ per speaker. Also potentially very long lead time.
3. Buy 4 ohm and just understand that 1 you are overdriving those speakers (louder than normal) and the amp (more power draw than normal), but with a midrange woofer , the convertible, and my lack of running my stereo at the limits of volume meant this was for me. $75 for lots of options from crutch field with all brackets and connectors.
4. Replace entire system/ amp to 4 ohm safe style including potentially the head unit $1000+ est.

I was debating between 1, 2, and 3 and went with 3 for cost and performance and am very happy.

 

I just installed a pair of 6.5" two-way 4 ohm Polks from Crutchfield in place of the 6x9s. The rep I spoke with at Crutchfield said the 4 ohms should not create a problem. In addition, my research indicates several people who have installed 4 ohms have not experienced any problems with their ampI disconnected the mid and tweeter to see if it would sound okay with just the two-ways in the door so I could reduce the demand on the amp, but I was getting no highs through them.

Siggie

 

I would like to let you guys know from my previous experience. I replaced my door speakers with 4 different speakers with the OEM ML setup and nothing sounds better than the OEM speakers. Get the foam repaired unless you are replacing the entire system (head unit, amp, speakers, sub). Same goes with the OEM subwoofer.

Running the 4ohm is fine but it will create stress on the amplifier. The OEM speakers are 8ohms. I don't understand why people won't do things the right way when "upgrading" and you risk frying your amplifier down the road.

Caflashbob - I'm sure this is a good route to really "upgrade" your OEM speakers by switching to a good head unit! However, I'm sure Lexus did not design the OEM system to not fully utilize the OEM speakers. If you guys did want to upgrade your OEM setup, I would recommend a new head unit because then you can use the equalizer to better tune it to your personal ears.

Overall, Saving money = Re-foaming OEM speakers + Head Unit

OR You gotta pay to play = Upgrade your speakers, amp, head unit+

 

In long ago car systems and some home systems the dynamic range was reduced. Cuts off the highs and lows.

some cars panels vibrate(d). Not the Sc although

as the only thing I changed was the head. The pioneer has a dynamic range expander of a type and a 13 band graphic eq.

the “restorer” on the Pioneers face is a eye opener.

the stereo system is ML the oem head is Denso?

I have built quite a few home and auto sound systems.

While I am sure a speaker change and a even bigger amp would result in a even stronger system our age has lessened our wants to an overpowering sound system in the car.

Mostly medium sound levels. Occasional loud moments can be adjusted to be quite good between the range expander and/or the eq.

Or in the case of the reeelease of a perfect version of Rolling Stones “let it bleed” cd turn everything off and play it flat. Perfect. Turn it up.

I had home systems playing records long ago in my youth that vibrated out closed jalousie window glass into my garden

We cruised Las Vegas blvd one night with the top down and were playing the stones blue and lonesome LOUD.

made three full up and down passes. The normally loud boom boom cars looked down at us in disbelief.

a different set of speakers and more amp would have a stronger “pop” at lower volume levels.

I can adjust our system to sound fairly close to an upgraded system but that does require readjustment for almost every new source. Or recording

 

Caflashbob, I sent you a PM. Thanks

 

Although I have already installed a pair of 4 ohm speakers in the front door, I just found 8 ohm one-way 6.5" drivers that are very shallow and should fit in the lower front door using a standard adapter plate. I found them at Parts Express in the pro audio speaker driver section, but they are intended for automotive use and have a cloth surround that should outlast foam or rubber.

Timpano Audio TPT-M6-8 6-1/2" Midrange Speaker Pair 8 Ohm

https://www.parts-express.com/timpan...-ohm--294-3312

And they're only $49.99 a pair.

If anyone tries them, please post here.

Siggie

 

I wasn't loving the sound of the aftermarket 6.5"s that I installed in the front doors and was worried about overtaxing the amplifier, so I decided to refoam the one bad OEM 6x9 door speaker and reinstall them. Refoaming is cheap and easy and the sound improved with the original speakers back in. This is the route I suggest if your speakers go bad.

Siggie

 

Do you mind if I ask what else you were considering before settling on the Fosgate's?

 

I know this is a few years old and most everyone just gets the standard 4 ohm 6x9's or finds an 8 ohm 6 1/2" speaker but I have been chasing audio issues and found out that my lower door speakers on my ML SC430 actually broke. They were exposed to water for a long time and it seems like the coils actually corroded. So in trying to keep with the 8 Ohm system for the ML audio I decided to order a pair of these (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/opg-s240839), PN S240839, they are 6x9's 8 ohm for vintage American muscle cars. Only $50 each. They don't have a mounting depth indicated so I'll see when I get them later this week. Per my measurements there's at least an extra .75 inches of space from the rear of the factory speakers to the window glass. (Maybe even .80 inches?). So from the metal mounting flange of the bare component speaker it's at 2.61 inches + 0.75 = 3.36 inches. So about 3 3/8 inches total allowable mounting depth. I also found this speaker on crutchfield (https://www.crutchfield.com/S-U6CwLa...s-OE-690D.html). This would also work but trying the Vintage speakers first due to the lower RMS value likely to acoustically match the lexus pair. I'm not paying the Ebay $180 per for these things. Idk why they are so expensive up there. If anyone has a set of used door speakers that has the foam blown out I'd love to take them off your hands!

 

I have a single 6x9 speaker that I re-foamed a 2 years ago due to distortion in the lower frequencies. Refoaming did fix the problem but then it returned after a year. After I remove the speaker and tested it with my hands by gently compressing it I hear friction sounds so I am not sure if that means if there is something else is damaged aside from the foam. I am also looking for alternatives, for the time being I have the single speaker disconnected from the car. I am thinking about buying the powerbass oe-690e 8 ohm speakers to replace it but haven't yet pulled the trigger.



If you think you can reuse my old single speaker let me know.

 

I recently upgraded all four speakers, excluding the subwoofer. I also upgraded the head unit. All done by Best Buy for about $1,000. The head unit is JVC and the speakers are JBL. It sounds fantastic! I also got front and rear cameras out of the deal, and the system cover still works. If anyone wants to know the part numbers I'd be happy to supply them.

 

Would be very interested in the part numbers. Thanks.

Where do camera images appear? Do the wood covers still operate?