Anyone swapped out their factory Mark Levinson door speakers? Worth it?

[Padj]

Title: Anyone swapped out their factory Mark Levinson door speakers? Worth it?


I’ve discovered that at least one of my factory Mark Levinson speakers has given up after 24 years.


I’m trying to decide whether to simply repair/replace the bad speaker or take the opportunity to replace all four door speakers while I have the interior apart.


For those of you who have upgraded your front and rear door speakers but kept the factory Mark Levinson amp:

• What speakers did you go with?
• Were they a direct fit?
• Did the sound improve noticeably?
• Looking back, would you do it again, or would you have just repaired the OEM speakers?

 

[Jasoncp4]

I replaced the front speakers in my 03 LX with Sundown Audio SA series and the rear door with Alpine S-series. Sounds fantastic.

 

[brickwhite]

A

Thread 'Lexus LX470 Speaker Upgrade/Install w/ Pics'

Jul 31, 2017

I was going to upgrade my speakers using the following link (which was a huge help)

speaker install writeup

Except the LX470 is bit different than the LC. To start, each speaker has its own ported enclosure (speakers and enclosure were Pioneer brand). Also, this enclosure takes up a bunch of space in the door, so you have to get creative on where to put crossovers.

I had to trim the inside of each enclosure (front and rear speakers have similar enclosures) to make each speaker bed and seal properly (use the gasket new speakers come with). Drill new holes into the enclosure...

• alprus
• Replies: 31
• Forum: 100-Series Cruisers

• 

 

[CrystallineMonk]

I had blown ML speakers when I got my vehicle. I got a new foam kit and took every speaker out to refresh them. I also bought a couple of ML take outs from some nice person on here and once I got everything back in, it sounds excellent. my 2 cents

 

[delz05]

I went with Focal brand from Crutchfield. Very minor detailing work to get them to fit exactly. Sound great.

 

[Marco570]

I have replaced most of my speakers in my LX570 and it does make the overall system sound much better. That said, the sound will make an even more significant jump once i add the DSP amp. I say that because the ML amp does not do the door woofers any justice at all.

 

[Patassa]

If you're gonna go for it, go for it.

3 layer the doors. CLD, CCF, MLV. Brace the door skins with wooden or metal dowels. Upgrade the power wires, upgrade the amp, install a DSP, upgrade the head unit. Make custom acrylic speaker mounts, then install the best drivers you can get away with before the wife notices. Scan speaks in my case.

 

[VR6GURU]

I recently did this twice. I am happy with my results

Thread 'Mark Levinson door speaker and subwoofer upgrade'

Aug 20, 2026

I have replaced the rear subwoofer and all 4 door speakers on my 05 LX and could not be happier. It did take some trial and error and gathering some info from multiple threads on here. Figured I would write up my experience in case others are looking to do the same. I chose to not re-foam my speakers as I felt that the existing speakers were very old and the sound quality could be improved upon.
I am by no means an audio installation expert, but my setup has been working just fine for some time now and the sound quality has vastly improved.
The subwoofer was done over a year ago
I...

• VR6GURU
• Replies: 8
• Forum: 100-Series Cruisers

• 

 

[Marco570]

I recently did this twice. I am happy with my results

Thread 'Mark Levinson door speaker and subwoofer upgrade'

Aug 20, 2026

I have replaced the rear subwoofer and all 4 door speakers on my 05 LX and could not be happier. It did take some trial and error and gathering some info from multiple threads on here. Figured I would write up my experience in case others are looking to do the same. I chose to not re-foam my speakers as I felt that the existing speakers were very old and the sound quality could be improved upon.
I am by no means an audio installation expert, but my setup has been working just fine for some time now and the sound quality has vastly improved.
The subwoofer was done over a year ago
I...

• VR6GURU
• Replies: 8
• Forum: 100-Series Cruisers

• 

How big (depth wise) was the new subwoofer you installed?

 

[Berkut10r]

I have replaced most of my speakers in my LX570 and it does make the overall system sound much better. That said, the sound will make an even more significant jump once i add the DSP amp. I say that because the ML amp does not do the door woofers any justice at all.

Hold on a sec. You installed a full suite of Utopias while having ML manage it? That is crazy work, but I like it.

I believe I saw you asking about Helix amps on DIYMA, Arc Audio Falcon is a better choice in every category. This is coming from a former P-Six Ultimate user. Helix's degeneracy that prevents folks from bridging channels to create overhead space is ridiculous.

 

[Marco570]

Hold on a sec. You installed a full suite of Utopias while having ML manage it? That is crazy work, but I like it.

I believe I saw you asking about Helix amps on DIYMA, Arc Audio Falcon is a better choice in every category. This is coming from a former P-Six Ultimate user. Helix's degeneracy that prevents folks from bridging channels to create overhead space is ridiculous.

My issue is hitting all 18 speakers with one amp. I have a Helix V eighteen that I was trying to sell, but plan on using now. I wont have to worry about bridging channels if I use that.
I even tracked down a Trioma MOST-50.