Sound System Upgrade.

[Didin]

Hi People,

This is my first post.

Just bought my Mrs an IS200 sport 3 days ago. Its brilliant. Only 2 years old but a high miler at 80K on the clock. Full Lexus Service history though. Drives VERY well.

I have a question about the stereo system. Its the premium one, dunno if the is a standard one - but it sounds very good for a factory fit and would be happy to keep the standard look. However I'd to like add a subwoofer and was wondering whether the stereo has RCA outs at the back to carry the signal to the amp?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

Didin

[Mitch]

not sure if u can add a sub to the stock head unit???

are you sure you bought it for your Mrs??

[Didin]

Yep, I bought it for the Mrs. Its not mine. I have my own car. Why do you ask?

[Monster-Mat]

the only way a sub can be fitted is by connecting line level converters to one set oif speaker wires ......that go into a amp to power a sub, any decent hifi shop should be able to oblige you

[Didin]

Thanks Supercharged.

Didin

[dlayen]

speaker to line level converters saturate and make the sound distorted at higher levels there must be a line level going in to the amp does nobody have a schematic or circuit diagram for the amp??

other wise it can't be to difficult to trace it will be a screened cable. and if it's just for sub it would not matter if you used the left or right output.

[Dumbass]

the only way a sub can be fitted is by connecting line level converters to one set oif speaker wires ......that go into a amp to power a sub, any decent hifi shop should be able to oblige you

hi..

would this involve cutting the cables to a pair of speakers an DISABLING them??

i think ive seen this done before, but the guy no longer had sound coming from both his rear (shelf) speakers.. instead he had the subs running off the amp in the boot..

is there a way to still hav all 8 standard speakers working AND attach the "line level converters" ??

Thankskskskss..

[Dumbass]

general question bout subwoofer configuration....

im sure simonskippy would be great help here... he seems to be a guru in this field.. :hocus-pokus:

rite.. heres the deal.... i have four 10" subs... i dnt want to make one BIG box for it - too heavy and buggers me up when i get a flat etc etc !!..

so what i propose is.... (drum roll...) .... put 2 of them in a box placed up against the back of the rear seats... and the other 2 placed 1 on each side of the boot (where the space for the 1st aid kit is..)

now, there have been pics posted on this site for custom made boxes that fit perfectly into these spaces... i hope u kno the area that im talkin about... << crap at explaining stuff..

anyway... wanted to kno if thats a good idea... was hoping that i would get just as good sound from THIS config as i would get from a single BIG box.... but, i jus dont hava clue!!!!

simon says.. help me.. :D :D

cheers mate!!!

Paul

( not quite sure what u mean, dlayen... RE: "there must be a line level going in to the amp ..etc etc. ..")

[dlayen]

( not quite sure what u mean, dlayen... RE: "there must be a line level going in to the amp ..etc etc. ..")

the head unit does not have an amp in it so the headunit output's at line level (0v-4v normally) to the amplifier to amplify for output to the speakers.

so there must be a line level output from the headunit that you could tap in to to drive another power amplifier for extra subs as requested.

[Didin]

( not quite sure what u mean, dlayen... RE: "there must be a line level going in to the amp ..etc etc. ..")

the head unit does not have an amp in it so the headunit output's at line level (0v-4v normally) to the amplifier to amplify for output to the speakers.

so there must be a line level output from the headunit that you could tap in to to drive another power amplifier for extra subs as requested.

I didn't realise the Head Unit has a seperate amp. Where is this amp located?

Also, I think their is only 6 speakers in our car - up front mids in the doors and tweeters in the a pillar/next to the wing mirrors, and 6x9s in the rear parcel shelf. Thats it, haven't spotted any other speakers in the rear!

[Rob]

the 6X9's in the rear shelf are actually 2 separate speakers in one housing, if you open the boot and look at the base of the speakers you will see there are 2 sets of connections - hence the 8 speaker system.

[Dumbass]

didin, the amp is apparently located behind the glove box compartment.. i havnt seen it for myself as yet,,, but there u go.

ahaaa!!!! genuis dlayen!!! hehe i gotcha mate... yeah, thats what ill try to do then.. im sure the sound "quality" will be compromised but tapping into the cable but,,, im sure it won't be NOTICABLE!!!

woohooo!!!

ere comes the bass!!

cheersss!!

[Monster-Mat]

there is no line level imput, its an active system, the headunit will not work withoutthe amp, as the volume,bass,treble and mid are all controled within the amp, not the headunit, this in turn is all conected via the multiplex system to the alarm system

[L3X JG]

Wow this topic got a bit messy what is it you realy want to do and how many people are asking

[dlayen]

there is no line level imput, its an active system, the headunit will not work withoutthe amp, as the volume,bass,treble and mid are all controled within the amp, not the headunit, this in turn is all conected via the multiplex system to the alarm system

your right in saying there is not a line level input on the amp that you can plug into but as you say it is an active system so there will be a line level output from the head unit for the amplifer . so providing you use a balanced line transformer across the line output from the headunit .. theres your line output.. it's just a matter of finding the right pair going into the amp.

[Geoffers]

From the head unit there is a set of shielded cables. These carry the line level audio.

Black = Front left

Blue = Front right

White = Rear left

Red = Rear Right

Be careful as there is also another set of black, red and white shielded cables that carry the power to the unit so make sure you meter it first.

[Didin]

Right, as I understand it so far, Theres the headunit and CD changer on the dash. The amp is behind the glove compartment area seperate from the head.

There are sheilded wires beween the head and the amp, some carry power & ground, the others are the line level output signals from the head.

I can tap into the line levels and split the signal to another amp powering the subs.

Doesn't sound too complicated.

Now, do I have to pull the head unit/changer out for any reason if I wanna tap into the line levels near the amp assuming it is located behind the glove compartment. If so, how does the stereo come out.

Thanks again and sorry for all the questions. Just think its silly trying to figure out everything for myself if others know the answers already.

Cheers

Didin

[Steve ( West Mids )]

Glove box comes out easy ..... there are two little plastic pins at the bottom just ease them out with a small screwdriver ( like an electricians ) ..... you will then see the amp. mounted on the left ( assuming RHD ) ..... haven't tried but you may be able to get at back of radio from there too ...

[Rob]

DIDIN: have a quick look in the WORKSHOP section and you will find some posts with pictures that cover the removal of the glovebox and the radio and a small guide to upgrading the front speakers also.

Any Q's then send me a PM.

Cheers rob.

[Steve ( West Mids )]

the 6X9's in the rear shelf are actually 2 separate speakers in one housing, if you open the boot and look at the base of the speakers you will see there are 2 sets of connections - hence the 8 speaker system.

are you sure there are two sets of wires going to the rear speakers ??? Only looked at mine today and there is def. only 1 set to each ........

[andyhart21]

There are two sets. One runs under the metal shelf, which is the one you can see from inside the boot (for the 6x9 woofer) and one (for the tweeter) runs in between the two layers of the shelf which can be accessed by removing the top layer (the bit with the speaker grilles attached to it)

Do a search for 'rear speaker removal' if you want to know how to get to the tweeter feed

[Steve ( West Mids )]

Cheers andy, something else to look at tomorrow :)

[Dumbass]

refering to didins last post.....

i am also in the exact same boat as you...

i wish it was possible to simply tap into the live levels near the amp and NOT go near the headunit - that would make life so much easier. I dont really fancy taking out the headunit/changer..

but i think in order to attach the additional amp for the subs, you will need the remote cable.. and that comes from the back of the head unit..

unlessss.. you tap into THAT from the amp behind that glove box...

not sure if thats a good idea though..... SO very confused!!!!!

Paul B

(wishing the Lexus was as easy as my Ford RS to Sound up) :duh:

[Didin]

Hi Peeps,

If I get time this weekend, I'm gonna have a go at tackling the amp side of things.

I'll see if I can differenciate between the line level and power lines, and also if there is a remote feed to the amp that I can branch off to the second amp.

Is their an existing hole in the firewall to pass a power lead into the cabin from the engine bay i can use, or am I gonna have to drill one?

Also, is the best place to run the RCA leads down the left/right hand side of the car under the carpets?

Cheers

Didin

[Monster-Mat]

there is a hole in the bulkhead.

there is no remote trigger from the headunit