LX 450 center console speaker upgrade (4 Viewers)

[Devils Paw 80]

Has anyone done this without modifying the console and was a notable improvement achieved?
Speaker size is sad to be 4.5 inches. It is not in fact a “subwoofer”, just a regular speaker.

 

[LXDOC]

Parts Express W4-1720. You may want to place a tuned port in the enclosure as well. It does improve the response. It will never be a 12 inch sealed enclosure.

 

[LXDOC]

Tuned port vents on the same flat surface the speaker is mounted. Drill a hole and put a length of pvc 1 inch sprinkler pipe in the opening. PE used to have some specs with sealed vs vented enclosures. It’s been 10 yrs since I did it. Don’t recall the length of the pvc pipe. You can experiment with lengths or just buy a flat integral amp sub and put it under one of the front seats to supplement that speaker.

 

[jjdeneen918]

You could skip the speaker entirely.

I swapped in a LC lower console (loads more space to put things), & then the leather capped top section of the console.

I did this when I upgraded my stereo.

I put a subwoofer in the passenger quarter panel.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

You could skip the speaker entirely.

I swapped in a LC lower console (loads more space to put things), & then the leather capped top section of the console.

I did this when I upgraded my stereo.

I put a subwoofer in the passenger quarter panel.

Yes, but why delete a speaker that’s right next to you in the front row? Seems counterproductive for the best sound experience.

 

[ajordan1975]

You could skip the speaker entirely.

I swapped in a LC lower console (loads more space to put things), & then the leather capped top section of the console.

I did this when I upgraded my stereo.

I put a subwoofer in the passenger quarter panel.

I did the same thing.

 

[Mjones]

Yes, but why delete a speaker that’s right next to you in the front row? Seems counterproductive for the best sound experience.

Yes, but why delete a speaker that’s right next to you in the front row? Seems counterproductive for the best sound experience.

center + low for mid-high to high range is a poor location for stereo/soundstage - it's really working against the rest of the system. It would be better to just abandon and have the stage come from front left and right and have fewer speakers that are of higher quality and tuned for the car.

 

[COS80]

LX450 Midland GMRS Installation

I got tired of asking people to repeat themselves, because my handheld radios are not loud enough, so I installed a permanent GMRS radio in my LX450. I decided to use the idiotic factory “subwoofer” location for an external speaker, and make actual use of the provision. Parts List Midland...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Devils Paw 80]

center + low for mid-high to high range is a poor location for stereo/soundstage - it's really working against the rest of the system. It would be better to just abandon and have the stage come from front left and right and have fewer speakers that are of higher quality and tuned for the car.

OK, that seems like a plausible argument. I was thinking that one speaker in the door left, one in the console right, plus the dash speaker in front and the rear door behind me would have me surrounded by speakers that were all approximately the same distance away.
There is room for the driver's dash speaker to be upgraded, but no room to do the same with passenger dash because of the amplifier behind it. Car stereo guy told me to leave that amplifier in the system-don't get rid of it.

 

[ppc]

There is room for the driver's dash speaker to be upgraded, but no room to do the same with passenger dash because of the amplifier behind it. Car stereo guy told me to leave that amplifier in the system-don't get rid of it.

There is room in both speaker positions with the OEM amp left in place. Just need to pick the right sized speaker. Generally speaking the low dash location, the angle of radiation is very poor. Best option would be to eliminate those speakers from the audio system and use them for a remote speaker for a HAM, GMRS or CB.

The "car stereo guy" sounds like a pimply face kid that has no experienced. The amp is a low quality device that is integrated the OEM head unit. It's usable if your NOT updating the head unit but It should be removed when the head unit is replaced.

 

[Devils Paw 80]

There is room in both speaker positions with the OEM amp left in place. Just need to pick the right sized speaker. Generally speaking the low dash location, the angle of radiation is very poor. Best option would be to eliminate those speakers from the audio system and use them for a remote speaker for a HAM, GMRS or CB.

The "car stereo guy" sounds like a pimply face kid that has no experienced. The amp is a low quality device that is integrated the OEM head unit. It's usable if your NOT updating the head unit but It should be removed when the head unit is replaced.

How is it not usable when updating head unit? The local guy, looks to be in his 30's, implied it would be utilized. Crutchfield advisor said I could go either way, remove and replace if I wanted more power. I removed the passenger speaker panel to look at the room available. It's very small. I haven't seen any aftermarket speakers that could possibly fit. Crutchfield doesn't have any.

 

[ppc]

How is it not usable when updating head unit? The local guy, looks to be in his 30's, implied it would be utilized. Crutchfield advisor said I could go either way, remove and replace if I wanted more power. I removed the passenger speaker panel to look at the room available. It's very small. I haven't seen any aftermarket speakers that could possibly fit. Crutchfield doesn't have any.

The OEM amp is a low quality device designed to work with OEM radio but is far from a high quality system.
Trying to upgrade the system, leaving the sub par amp in place is like buying buying a new $500 suit, shirt and tie and not buying new shoes.