Audio Gurus...need some advice on speakers (1 Viewer)

[BadReligion]

My 2003 LX470 has a blown speaker in the DS back door and after reading about both the replacement cost of Mark Levinson speakers ($300+) and the problems of mixing factory and aftermarket speakers (different resistance, 2 vs 4 ohm), it looks like it makes the most sense to replace all 4 door speakers and the tweeters at the same time.

After a few searches, it looks like the front speakers are 6 3/4" while the rears are 4". Most low profile aftermarket speakers should fit with minimal modifications to the stock holders. This part doesnt sound too hard. Where I get confused is with installing a "crossover" system for the front speakers (I dont believe the rears need this). I'm assuming that this is to direct just the high frequencies to the tweeters and keep the mid and low at the door speaker. Is this absolutely necessary? Was there not one from the factory?

 

[Sandroad]

I don't anything about the Levinson sound system, so I can't help with the specifics of how that is wired. I can answer your question about crossovers and yes, it is usually absolutely necessary to install a crossover (or at least a capacitor} in the wires going to the tweeters. There are some tweeters that can handle the power of low frequencies, but not many, so plan to have a crossover or blown tweeters. The crossover frequency needs to match the speakers you decide on and if you buy a set of component speakers they will come with the matched crossover. Double check the sizes, because Crutchfield.com lists 6 3/4 inch speakers for both the front and rear doors of your '03LX and 4 inch for the woofers in back. Spend some more time in searches on MUD because I'm sure someone has gone deeply into the Levinson system and has figured out how it's wired OEM.

 

[Junglejack]

Yep. As a former high end AV reviewer, I am still smarting about Mark Levinson's descent into car audio. Whilst not as horrid as a Bose system, ML's home stuff is upper echelon gear and the ML car system is nothing approximating that.

I would recommend looking for an independent car stereo shop in your neck of the woods. I would look for shops that carry brands like Focal (my favorite car speakers) and or JL Audio. Generally speaking, the better brands (especially JL) have pretty high standards about the businesses they allow to carry their wares. Far lower chance of hackery of your truck.

Something like JL Audio's CleanSweep integrating with parts of the OEM make the most sense to me.

 

[DJWUZJ]

Here what you're looking for. Did the same myself a couple of weeks ago. I have the JBL stereo, but sounds like the same setup.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/re...ncluding-sub-replacement.821896/#post-9417933

 

[BadReligion]

Thank you all for your help. Sounds like the crossover is a must and both front and rear door speakers (stock) are 6 3/4". Thanks for the link DJWUZJ. I plan on doing the install myself (don't trust any local shops) and that thread should really help. I'll let everyone know how it goes. I'm doing this, along with new leather seat covers to "refresh" the LX a bit.

 

[Junglejack]

Totally understand your reticence to employ a local shop. Props on the E90.

 

[ranma21]

Try Pioneer TS-D1720PRS, it is 6.75" component speaker with great price and very good SQ for the price point. JL, Focal, CDT, Morel, JBL are excellent speakers, but price much higher for the same performance. Bear in mind you will need external amp to run them.

There are some 2 ohm aftermarket speaker as well, not sure if they matches the factory amp power output. That may eliminate the need of an external amp.

Example:
http://www.amazon.com/CL-61A-2-25-P...=sr_1_13?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1433002608&sr=1-13

 

[Junglejack]

Try Pioneer TS-D1720PRS, it is 6.75" component speaker with great price and very good SQ for the price point. JL, Focal, CDT, Morel, JBL are excellent speakers, but price much higher for the same performance. Bear in mind you will need external amp to run them.

There are some 2 ohm aftermarket speaker as well, not sure if they matches the factory amp power output. That may eliminate the need of an external amp.

Example:
http://www.amazon.com/CL-61A-2-25-P...=sr_1_13?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1433002608&sr=1-13

I have to respectfully disagree about these quite nice Pioneer's being in anyway comparable to Focal or JL. Nor should they be considering the price delta.

On the home side, Pioneer offers Andrew Jones designed speakers in the $200 price point that are utterly astonishing for the value and can compete in some areas with speakers multiple their price.
http://www.cnet.com/news/mission-impossible-design-great-sounding-affordable-speakers/

 

[Junglejack]

One last thing. And perhaps I should have been more clear. I was recommending shops that carry such brands as both are quite stringent about installer and overall store quality.
You can BYOS. They do not like it, but most all do it.

 

[SmoothLC]

. . . Hertz makes a nice set of speakers in addition to Focal and JL Audio.

 

[ranma21]

I have to respectfully disagree about these quite nice Pioneer's being in anyway comparable to Focal or JL. Nor should they be considering the price delta.

On the home side, Pioneer offers Andrew Jones designed speakers in the $200 price point that are utterly astonishing for the value and can compete in some areas with speakers multiple their price.
http://www.cnet.com/news/mission-impossible-design-great-sounding-affordable-speakers/

It depends on which product line Pioneer makes. Many people discredit what Pioneer makes for car audio, some of their Premier line and Stage 4 line is one of the best out there. I should be clearer, the model I suggested is more like mid level Pioneer makes. It is trending at around $70 on Ebay now. BestBuy has them for $200+.

I was skeptical as well until I get my hand on a set and try it out. Comparing to my Focal Access 165 A1, it is not bad if not better. It is pair with an old school Precison Power Powerclass Amp PC4800.2 and Eclipse CD8445 head unit. Of course my Diamond Audio HEX S600 and Pioneer Stage 4 TS-C172PRS sounds better, but much higher price point.

You should try one and you may be surprise. Other than the CleanSweep, one should consider the JBL MS-8 as well, very good sound processor.

 

[ranma21]

. . . Hertz makes a nice set of speakers in addition to Focal and JL Audio.

Agree , there are lots of great speaker out there, other components such as head unit, amp, processor come into play, and good installer is important to maximize the system potential otherwise it may be a waste of money.

 

[reLX]

Well, the original question was about a blown speaker. While it evolved (or devolved) into a discussion about the quality of Pioneer and other speakers, lets go back to the original question for a second.
If by "Blown" you mean the speaker cone is torn, worn or failed, I would suggest that you look around for a speaker recone specialist. There are several here in Houston, so I imagine that they exist elsewhere too. My home audio still uses a set of JBL 100's from about 1968. I have had every speaker in the boxes reconed at least twice. They still sound better than 90% of the market stuff today. That has to be cheaper, more efficient and more effective than replacing the whole set.
just my opinion.
Dane

 

[benjawi4]

Yep. As a former high end AV reviewer, I am still smarting about Mark Levinson's descent into car audio. Whilst not as horrid as a Bose system, ML's home stuff is upper echelon gear and the ML car system is nothing approximating that.

I would recommend looking for an independent car stereo shop in your neck of the woods. I would look for shops that carry brands like Focal (my favorite car speakers) and or JL Audio. Generally speaking, the better brands (especially JL) have pretty high standards about the businesses they allow to carry their wares. Far lower chance of hackery of your truck.

Something like JL Audio's CleanSweep integrating with parts of the OEM make the most sense to me.

Not to steal this thread, but do you have any recommendations in the $150-$200 range? I just read a thread where a guy swears by his decision to replace his speakers with a particular fosgate model for $150 total.

Thanks!

 

[SmoothLC]

Focal or Hertz

 

[bamabrock]

Not to steal this thread, but do you have any recommendations in the $150-$200 range? I just read a thread where a guy swears by his decision to replace his speakers with a particular fosgate model for $150 total.

Thanks!

refoam it.
What size foam surround replacement for Mark Levinson Front Door Speaker?

 

[dasgeek]

refoam it.
What size foam surround replacement for Mark Levinson Front Door Speaker?

100%. Unless you have a problem with your amp, just refoam the speaker. I have done both of my driver side speakers and the sub speaker. You can order foam or have speaker repair place do it for you.