Seeking Advice on 2002 LX470 with ML Sound System Refresh

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choyota

choyota

Joined
May 10, 2023
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Location
Placentia, CA
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2002 LX470 with the ML system here. Have a question.

I'm cheap-ish, and I'm somewhat lazy. I don't really care for aftermarket head-unit and having CarPlay. The NAV delete option would be ideal, but there's a lot of expenditures with just getting the bezels w/ manual AC controls, etc on top of all that wiring that needs to be done.

Looking to refresh the sub and speakers all around. I actually end up deleting the sub at the moment, because it was in such bad shape. Ultimately, I want to get it back in there.

Finding the right setup to work with the OE amp could be challenging from the research I've done. I'm looking to know if there's any good drop-in speaker and sub options with very minimal modifications. Might be impossible....but just checking to see if anyone has found anything.

Or is the answer to that going to be to refoam everything?
 
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01LX when purchased (CarsandBids) had a blown sub and very poor sound from the front doors (seller had said system was MINT and sounded great!). I contemplated the re-foam and decided NEW was they way to go. It also allowed me to add sound matting to the inside of the doors, coat with woolwax, replace the factory door speaker covers, change the door weatherstrip and seals, and replace one of the lower door outer mouldings.
The first and easiest to do was the rear subwoofer... SKAR EVL-65 from Amazon (about 65.00) Allowed me to clean out the entire inner rear quarter panel, add sound deadner mat and coat with woolwax. Pulled the rear seats, rear carpet, and ran rear-view camera cables at the same time (into the rear upper hatch from under front passenger seat)
Front doors got Focal RSE165 lowers (6 1/2") and tweeters with crossovers (129.00). I kept the factory mid range speakers active, still sound decent.
Rear doors got Focal ACX-100 4" 2-ways. (109.00)
Crutchfield purchase included the needed METRA wiring harnesses.
These additions and mods brought the sound quality to a more than acceptable range for my 60+ year old ears!
Additionally, I re-used the original factory speaker mounts and wiring, so I was able to keep all the factory components while adding the NAVIKS rear-view camera option (NK-2300) along with the audio improvements. NAVIKS now offer an Apple Carplay option as well.
I hope this is worthwhile...
 
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delz05 said:
01LX when purchased (CarsandBids) had a blown sub and very poor sound from the front doors (seller had said system was MINT and sounded great!). I contemplated the re-foam and decided NEW was they way to go. It also allowed me to add sound matting to the inside of the doors, coat with woolwax, replace the factoy door spearker covers, change the door weatherstrip and seals, and replace one of the lower door outer mouldings.
The first and easiest to do was the rear subwoofer... SKAR EVL-65 from Amazon (about 65.00) Allowed me to clean out the entire inner rear quarter panel, add sound deadner mat and coat with woolwax. Pulled the rear seats, rear carpet, and ran rear-view camera cables at the same time (into the rear upper hatch from under front passenger seat)
Front doors got Focal RSE165 lowers (6 1/2") and tweeters with crossovers (129.00). I kept the factory mid range speakers active, still sound decent.
Rear doors got Focal ACX-100 4" 2-ways. (109.00)
Crutchfield purchase included the needed METRA wiring harnesses.
These additions and mods brought the sound quality to a more than acceptable range for my 60+ year old ears!
Additionally, I re-used the original factory speaker mounts and wiring, so I was able to keep all the factory components while adding the NAVIKS rear-view camera option (NK-2300) along with the audio improvements. NAVIKS now offer an Apple Carplay option as well.
I hope this is worthwhile...
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PERFECT! Thank you so much! If I have any further questions, I'll reach out to you!
 
I went though this on my GX470 with ML speakers. All the rear sub needed was a Simply Speakers re-foam, which was quite easy to do. I had purchased a SKAR sub and but returned it as IMO it's a downgrade from the OEM ML sub.

However the front lower door speakers (which are 6x9s in the GX) were trashed. Foam was totally gone and they just looked rough. They got replaced with Power Bass 8 ohm speakers. I also replaced one front tweeter with a new OEM ML tweeter from Lexus. All other speakers are stock. The system sounds great.
 
When I bought my vehicle, the previous owner had done the SKAR 6.5" sub upgrade, but to me it sounded like this sub wasn't hardly putting out any bass. I initially upgraded to a bazooka tube (BT8024DVC BT Series 8-Inch 4-Ohm Dual voice coil) and wired it internally to be at 8 ohms. It sounded way better, but I could never find a good way to secure the tube in the cargo area. I eventually sold that and upgraded to a Skar Audio SDR-8 D4 8" Dual 4 Ohm, wired to 8 ohms and a ported box. This sounds very good and puts out a very good level of bass with the factory ML amp. The box stays put and doesn't take up that much cargo space. Wiring was super easy. I took the wires that were running to the factory sub and just extended them (24" or so) with some speaker wire that I had and plugged that into the new box.

The previous owner also installed some Infinity Reference 6532ix door speakers all around. They sound OK, but are functional.
IMG_2453.webp
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Rednexus said:
I went though this on my GX470 with ML speakers. All the rear sub needed was a Simply Speakers re-foam, which was quite easy to do. I had purchased a SKAR sub and but returned it as IMO it's a downgrade from the OEM ML sub.

However the front lower door speakers (which are 6x9s in the GX) were trashed. Foam was totally gone and they just looked rough. They got replaced with Power Bass 8 ohm speakers. I also replaced one front tweeter with a new OEM ML tweeter from Lexus. All other speakers are stock. The system sounds great.
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Interesting! The SKAR not as good as the OEM sub....I ended up placing an order. We'll have to see. Thanks for the info, will look into the Power Bass 8 ohm.
 
choyota said:
Interesting! The SKAR not as good as the OEM sub....I ended up placing an order. We'll have to see. Thanks for the info, will look into the Power Bass 8 ohm.
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The SKAR is a Chinese sub. Here is my OEM sub at 19 years of age. Other than the two small tears, it was in perfect condition. On a GX you have to spend hours modifying the sub enclosure to fit a SKAR, so re-foaming the ML sub was much easier. If the SKAR is a plug-and-play replacement on a LX, it would be more attractive.

I'd suggest having returnable speakers on hand and the Simply Speakers kit. That worked pretty well for me as I was able to pick-and-choose what got re-foamed vs. replaced.
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terryscott621 said:
When I bought my vehicle, the previous owner had done the SKAR 6.5" sub upgrade, but to me it sounded like this sub wasn't hardly putting out any bass. I initially upgraded to a bazooka tube (BT8024DVC BT Series 8-Inch 4-Ohm Dual voice coil) and wired it internally to be at 8 ohms. It sounded way better, but I could never find a good way to secure the tube in the cargo area. I eventually sold that and upgraded to a Skar Audio SDR-8 D4 8" Dual 4 Ohm, wired to 8 ohms and a ported box. This sounds very good and puts out a very good level of bass with the factory ML amp. The box stays put and doesn't take up that much cargo space. Wiring was super easy. I took the wires that were running to the factory sub and just extended them (24" or so) with some speaker wire that I had and plugged that into the new box.

The previous owner also installed some Infinity Reference 6532ix door speakers all around. They sound OK, but are functional.
View attachment 4083252View attachment 4083253
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing. I probably can't do an external enclosure, space would be extremely tight as it is since I camp and sleep out of my vehicle. Such a clean interior you have there! Envious!
 
Rednexus said:
The SKAR is a Chinese sub. Here is my OEM sub at 19 years of age. Other than the two small tears, it was in perfect condition. On a GX you have to spend hours modifying the sub enclosure to fit a SKAR, so re-foaming the ML sub was much easier. If the SKAR is a plug-and-play replacement on a LX, it would be more attractive.

I'd suggest having returnable speakers on hand and the Simply Speakers kit. That worked pretty well for me as I was able to pick-and-choose what got re-foamed vs. replaced.
View attachment 4083490
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Great idea. I'll look into getting speakers I can return if need be and that refoam kit. Thanks!
 
choyota said:
Great idea. I'll look into getting speakers I can return if need be and that refoam kit. Thanks!
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My sub was completely blown and did the Skar audio sub. I can confirm that it's pretty much plug and play with some very minor tweaks. Let me tell you this thing bumps quite hard. My 90's hip hop sure does like it.

It sounds so good that I want to upgrade the door speakers. Please tell us what option you go with. I still haven't seen a definitive answer on what is plug and play and compatible with the ML amp.

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VR6GURU said:
My sub was completely blown and did the Skar audio sub. I can confirm that it's pretty much plug and play with some very minor tweaks. Let me tell you this thing bumps quite hard. My 90's hip hop sure does like it.

It sounds so good that I want to upgrade the door speakers. Please tell us what option you go with. I still haven't seen a definitive answer on what is plug and play and compatible with the ML amp.

View attachment 4084324
Click to expand...

I saw a thread where ppl made some minor mods for the SKAR to fit. I actually ended up buying the same Ben3dBuild item you did here (pictured). In fact, I saw your picture in a thread that sealed the deal for me. I mentioned on the 1st post on the thread that I was somewhat economical/cheap. I guess I lied! I'm going to look into possible speakers, there's some good suggestions on here. Haven't had the time to research due to work kicking my butt, but I made a few minor purchases (subwoofer-related) to get the party started.
 
I’ve been debating repair vs replace sub and door speakers of the ML system.

I hear mixed things about the time it takes for the repair and how long it lasts, or the availability of swappable door speakers.

Does anyone have insight into door speakers that fit directly (mostly) and work with ML? If price is reasonable I’d lean towards saving my time vs repairs.
 
oosnapdoo said:
I’ve been debating repair vs replace sub and door speakers of the ML system.

I hear mixed things about the time it takes for the repair and how long it lasts, or the availability of swappable door speakers.

Does anyone have insight into door speakers that fit directly (mostly) and work with ML? If price is reasonable I’d lean towards saving my time vs repairs.
Click to expand...

Couple of the fellas had some suggestions up above. TBH, I'm at a stage in life where time is a more valuable resource than anything. I bought a steering wheel leather replacement like 2.5 years ago, still not installed, and I haven't had the time to sit there and stitch for multiple hours LOL. I bought the Focals for the rear as suggested in post #2. Still trying to figure out the fronts because of price.
 
I did the simply speakers repair. Sounds perfectly new again. Each speaker including sub had varying degrees of being blown.
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As posted earlier, focals sound great, and are moderately priced with excellent performance. A new Skar sub is very reasonably priced. Quality sound no distortion. If you’re looking for a glass breaking, head pounding, thumping bass, then the suggestions will not work.
 
I have yet to install the speakers (so many projects; so little time), but after a lot of reading/research I purchased the following for my '01 LX with Levinson system. Big magnets on those replacement door speakers. It's quite possible that I'll need to do some minor mods to optimally secure them in the doors. Head unit and bezel installed and works and looks great. I did start the speaker replacement job and all the speakers are toast. Only pic of the head unit I found on my phone is awful (out of focus) but, while having a relatively small screen, it looks great.

2 @ 4" DA RS100P
2 @ 6.5" DA DS175-8
Skar 6.5" sub referenced within this thread
DSP (brand?) head unit
Bezel
Metra TYTO-01 harness
Antenna adapter
I also installed an antenna Y splitter (don't recall where I sourced that)

Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr

Untitled by ColonelJLloyd, on Flickr
 
PowerBass makes 8-ohm speakers as well, as does DS18. The actual speaker re-foam itself is not hard at all, but it is more work than a true plug-and-play replacement, and you need to let the speakers dry overnight before re-installing. I'd budget about 30 minutes per speaker of scraping off the old foam with a razor blade, cleaning the cone and plastic surround with some rubbing alcohol, and gluing on the new foam.
 
Rednexus said:
PowerBass makes 8-ohm speakers as well, as does DS18. The actual speaker re-foam itself is not hard at all, but it is more work than a true plug-and-play replacement, and you need to let the speakers dry overnight before re-installing. I'd budget about 30 minutes per speaker of scraping off the old foam with a razor blade, cleaning the cone and plastic surround with some rubbing alcohol, and gluing on the new foam.
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I’ve always reinstalled the speakers after an hour per the instructions. I do let them sit overnight before using them though. Since I’ve done it a few times and have a proper X-Acto kit to make scraping very easy, I find that removing the door panelis actually the longest part for me. When I bought the kit, it was about $50 and took care of five of the seven speakers (for some reason it doesn’t include the drivers in the front door, but those can be ordered separately). It really does sound like new again.
 
baltistyle said:
I’ve always reinstalled the speakers after an hour per the instructions. I do let them sit overnight before using them though. Since I’ve done it a few times and have a proper X-Acto kit to make scraping very easy, I find that removing the door panelis actually the longest part for me. When I bought the kit, it was about $50 and took care of five of the seven speakers (for some reason it doesn’t include the drivers in the front door, but those can be ordered separately). It really does sound like new again.
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I let the sub sit overnight as it's a PITA to get it out (as I have drawers that need to come out), but perhaps it was a bit overkill based on your experience :). Glad to hear it's doable with only an hour. Overall, super-happy with my re-foam as well. I really think the ML speakers are top notch with how well they sound at 20+ years old after putting a few dollars of foam on them. I've had aftermarket speakers crap out after only a few years before (Kicker and Polk speakers), so I'm not sure many of them will last as long as the MLs do.
 
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