Stock speakers/amp

[greenscobie86]

I repaired my ML amp(via United Radio in NY) and front door 6x9's with new foam surrounds. Now the rear door mounted 6.5" speakers are making some noise, will have to check if they are blown as well. Furthermore, the rear subwoofer foam is likely shot as I don't hear too much bass coming from the rear currently.

Ultimately I have to agree with @z00t3ch . I've done some research on people replacing ML speakers with ones from Parts Express(8ohm variants) and the like, with varying degrees of success. That being said I'll probably just continue to re-foam/re-glue my existing speakers, to my ears the ML system sounds amazing when it's working properly.

 

[Btdub1]

Anyone have a link for rebuild kits?

 

[greenscobie86]

Anyone have a link for rebuild kits?

2003-2009 Lexus GX470 Mark Levinson COMPLETE System Speaker Repair Kit FSK-GX470

 

[Btdub1]

Thanks green

 

[drowzyGX]

Hey @z00t3ch want to say thank you for all the insight you’ve shared in this thread.

got a question about the speakers in the rear trunk door. I’ve got the part numbers to order new ones from Lexus. But I can’t figure out if there’s an option to repair them or go aftermarket?

All the info I can find on repair / replace deal with the 6x9s and the sub, none of the other speakers.

any thoughts? One of those rear door speakers is shot, and the buzz is annoying. Not sure if I should try to fix it, replace it with oem, replace aftermarket, or just pull it.

 

[z00t3ch]

Hey @z00t3ch want to say thank you for all the insight you’ve shared in this thread.

got a question about the speakers in the rear trunk door. I’ve got the part numbers to order new ones from Lexus. But I can’t figure out if there’s an option to repair them or go aftermarket?

All the info I can find on repair / replace deal with the 6x9s and the sub, none of the other speakers.

any thoughts? One of those rear door speakers is shot, and the buzz is annoying. Not sure if I should try to fix it, replace it with oem, replace aftermarket, or just pull it.

They need to be 8ohm

Home

Dayton Audio DS90-8 3" Designer Series Full-Range Driver 8 OhmThe Designer Series by Dayton Audio was developed specifically with the speaker designer in mind. It is an affordable, attractive line of drivers that puts performance first. Careful engineering ensures that each speaker in the series...

www.parts-express.com

 

[drowzyGX]

dope - thank you!

 

[BlackCat]

I have ML and Nav. I’ve had 4ohm fosgate speakers in my front doors with no issues for years and years.

 

[drowzyGX]

They need to be 8ohm

Home

Dayton Audio DS90-8 3" Designer Series Full-Range Driver 8 OhmThe Designer Series by Dayton Audio was developed specifically with the speaker designer in mind. It is an affordable, attractive line of drivers that puts performance first. Careful engineering ensures that each speaker in the series...

www.parts-express.com

Hey - follow up question for you re: the hatch door speakers.

The stickied FAQ has the McLaren MLT-2 8-ohm tweeters as replacements for both the rear hatch door and the tweeters in the driver door. I can't find an answer anywhere as to what type of speaker is in the hatch door (tweeters or full range drivers. I know 8 ohm is a must, but can you confirm the type of speaker that the ML system has in there? Figure your suggestion of the driver is right since you've actually done the teardown and overhaul of the ML system, but want to confirm.

Thanks!

 

[z00t3ch]

I have ML and Nav. I’ve had 4ohm fosgate speakers in my front doors with no issues for years and years.

My brother has smoked for years and years with no issues, too....yet...

Half the impedance means twice the wattage, more heat than that amp channel is intended to dissipate, and likely a speaker that is louder than those around it (sensitivity plays a role here, too).

Chris Rock said it best: "You can drive a car with your feet if you want to, that doesn't make it a good f*****g idea."

 

[z00t3ch]

Hey - follow up question for you re: the hatch door speakers.

The stickied FAQ has the McLaren MLT-2 8-ohm tweeters as replacements for both the rear hatch door and the tweeters in the driver door. I can't find an answer anywhere as to what type of speaker is in the hatch door (tweeters or full range drivers. I know 8 ohm is a must, but can you confirm the type of speaker that the ML system has in there? Figure your suggestion of the driver is right since you've actually done the teardown and overhaul of the ML system, but want to confirm.

Thanks!

See my thread here:

My ML/NAV PAC-Audio aftermarket amplifier/speaker install

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[drowzyGX]

See my thread here:

My ML/NAV PAC-Audio aftermarket amplifier/speaker install

forum.ih8mud.com

hey, sorry for my ignorance, i've followed your thread pretty closely. i'm still confused about what type of speaker is in the hatch door for the stock ML system: tweeter, full range, something else?

i've got all the part numbers for the factory replacement, but trying to go aftermarket. i thought with your build, you changed up the speaker setup to match your desired layout and the new amp. am i totally off-base here? (totally possible given my lack of knowledge around audio / electronics)

 

[BlackCat]

My brother has smoked for years and years with no issues, too....yet...

Half the impedance means twice the wattage, more heat than that amp channel is intended to dissipate, and likely a speaker that is louder than those around it (sensitivity plays a role here, too).

Chris Rock said it best: "You can drive a car with your feet if you want to, that doesn't make it a good f*****g idea."

You’re right, today I was told I gave my GX cancer. Sucks. Nice completely irrelevant comparison.

My point is, my 18 year old ML amp has been fine for years with 4ohm speakers. I think at this point it’s safe to say it’s not harming anything, lol.

 

[z00t3ch]

hey, sorry for my ignorance, i've followed your thread pretty closely. i'm still confused about what type of speaker is in the hatch door for the stock ML system: tweeter, full range, something else?

i've got all the part numbers for the factory replacement, but trying to go aftermarket. i thought with your build, you changed up the speaker setup to match your desired layout and the new amp. am i totally off-base here? (totally possible given my lack of knowledge around audio / electronics)

Technically they're 2.75" speakers, full range, you'd never want tweeters way out in no man's land not serving a nearby woofer. But, 3.5" speakers fit just fine, which is what I used. I'm getting away with 4ohm because I installed an aftermarket amp.

 

[z00t3ch]

You’re right, today I was told I gave my GX cancer. Sucks. Nice completely irrelevant comparison.

My point is, my 18 year old ML amp has been fine for years with 4ohm speakers. I think at this point it’s safe to say it’s not harming anything, lol.

Lot of owners here ignoring their owner's manual and the sticker on the fuel door and running 87 octane in their VVTi motors instead of Premium, that a better analogy for you? I'm not arguing your setup doesn't work or hasn't worked "for years", good for you, have a cookie....you chose to smart off and chime in and say the system works fine with 4ohm speakers and now you don't like being confronted about it. Mark Levinson works for Harmon Kardon as a HOME THEATER designer, his systems cost six figures....guys like him choose 8ohm drivers because they offer more motor control and therefore higher fidelity...I'm sure whatever redneck country is screeching out of your fleamarket Fosgates sounds just fine to your tinnitus riddled ears...Cheers.

 

[BlackCat]

Lot of owners here ignoring their owner's manual and the sticker on the fuel door and running 87 octane in their VVTi motors instead of Premium, that a better analogy for you? I'm not arguing your setup doesn't work or hasn't worked "for years", good for you, have a cookie....you chose to smart off and chime in and say the system works fine with 4ohm speakers and now you don't like being confronted about it. Mark Levinson works for Harmon Kardon as a HOME THEATER designer, his systems cost six figures....guys like him choose 8ohm drivers because they offer more motor control and therefore higher fidelity...I'm sure whatever redneck country is screeching out of your fleamarket Fosgates sounds just fine to your tinnitus riddled ears...Cheers.

I literally lol’d with how angry you are. And also how you defend such a mediocre stereo system. I didn’t realize you and mark were buddies. Tell him the foam surrounds in his car speakers suck.

 

[z00t3ch]

I literally lol’d with how angry you are. And also how you defend such a mediocre stereo system. I didn’t realize you and mark were buddies. Tell him the foam surrounds in his car speakers suck.

Angry? No. Friends with Mark? No. Trying to provide accurate and helpful info? Yes. And, after 12-18 years, even polypropylene surrounds would've failed. Paper cones and foam surrounds are used in some of the best drivers on the market, paper especially because it's light and natural. Having installed systems professionally for years, is the ML system the greatest I've heard? Of course not. But it's damn good for OEM. Folks asking questions about salvaging these systems obviously find them at least acceptable and I'm not just gonna steer them to whatever Walmart speakers fit the space, especially when appropriate drivers can be had at reasonable cost.

 

[BlackCat]

Angry? No. Friends with Mark? No. Trying to provide accurate and helpful info? Yes. And, after 12-18 years, even polypropylene surrounds would've failed. Paper cones and foam surrounds are used in some of the best drivers on the market, paper especially because it's light and natural. Having installed systems professionally for years, is the ML system the greatest I've heard? Of course not. But it's damn good for OEM. Folks asking questions about salvaging these systems obviously find them at least acceptable and I'm not just gonna steer them to whatever Walmart speakers fit the space, especially when appropriate drivers can be had at reasonable cost.

So the fact that fosgate speakers work, and work well, as tested by multiple members over a long period of time wasn’t also accurate and helpful? I also dare say the cheapos sound better than the factory ones ever did, even prior to being blown. I work on Infiniti’s for a living, and see plenty of Bose systems that age on original speakers, and they sound much better. I just removed the factory speakers in my FJ60 for some “fleabay” ones. Guess what, those were nearly 40 years old and not blown either. ML is garbage.

 

[z00t3ch]

So the fact that fosgate speakers work, and work well, as tested by multiple members over a long period of time wasn’t also accurate and helpful? I also dare say the cheapos sound better than the factory ones ever did, even prior to being blown. I work on Infiniti’s for a living, and see plenty of Bose systems that age on original speakers, and they sound much better. I just removed the factory speakers in my FJ60 for some “fleabay” ones. Guess what, those were nearly 40 years old and not blown either. ML is garbage.

Look at what folks here on this forum are having to pay to have their ML amps repaired. When someone asks me for advice, I'm going to answer by the book...not what "works" for some people. I live and work by the creed, if it's worth doing at all then it's worth doing right. I build custom motorcycles and powder coat for a living, and I don't jerry-rig anything EVER! Proper 8ohm drivers can be had that will contribute to the low THD of the ML system while ensuring the individual channels are not being overdriven or overheated. If, six months down the road, his 3rd row amp channels burn out because I said "ahhh, throw whatever speaker you want to in there" then >>>I<<< am responsible for the failure and my credibility tanks. If people don't want the right answer, they just want the answer they're hoping for, they shouldn't ask me. And you could use a lesson in discerning the difference between anger and sarcasm.

 

[tlin]

So back on target here.....trying not to create a new thread but are NON-Nav and NON-ML systems also running 8-ohm speakers?

I'm due for some upgrades, thanks in advance!