Fantastic Lexus RX350 Audio System for Colonial Heights Client

A client from Colonial Heights dropped into Extreme Audio to inquire about upgrading his 2014 Lexus RX350 audio system. The client originally wanted to replace the radio and add a large subwoofer. After learning that the radio couldn’t be replaced, we explained how we could work with the features of the factory stereo system to give him the performance he wanted. Impressed with our knowledge and understanding of modern audio system upgrades, he gave us the go-ahead to start work on his luxury SUV.

Lexus RX350 Audio System Measurements

A look at the front door woofer frequency response.

We were able to integrate our audio system with the factory radio.

An audio system upgrade of this magnitude requires that we have a firm understanding of how the factory-installed sound system functions. We used our Term-Lab equipment to analyze the output of the OEM Pioneer amplifier under the rear seat. The amp has dedicated outputs for the door woofer and tweeter, the rear doors and the original subwoofer. Using the information provided by these measurements, we designed an audio upgrade package that would give the client the performance he wanted.

Audiofrog Speaker Upgrade

The GS 6×9 was a perfect fit for the front doors of this RX350

The large tweeter allowed our tuners to use a lower crossover point to help raise the soundstage.

The rear doors were upgraded with Audiofrog GS coaxial speakers.

Based on our measurements of the factory sound system, we suggested an Audiofrog GB15 1.5-inch tweeter and GS690 woofers for the door. We made mounting adapters for the 6×9-inch woofers and covered them in sound damping material to ensure a stable platform for the speakers. We added foam coupling rings to the woofers that seal against the factory door panels to help maximize the output of the system. The GB15 tweeters are mounted in the factory midrange location to provide a nice, wide soundstage.

A set of Audiofrog GS62 coaxial 6.5-inch speakers replace the factory speakers in the rear doors. Once again, we made mounting adapter plates and used sound deadening material to ensure a solid foundation for the upgraded drivers.

JL Audio System Amplifiers

Both amps were securely mounted and neatly wired.

The small size of both the VXi and xD amplifiers allowed them to fit under the OEM floor panel.

The subwoofer knob and status LED give the client fingertip control.

One of our final steps was to tune the system via the JL Audio VXi processor.

With our plan to work with the factory signal processing in the OEM amp, we installed a JL Audio VX600/6i six-channel amplifier on the floor of the trunk. The amp has six inputs that we connected to the outputs of the factory amp. Using JL Audio’s TuN software and our real-time audio analyzer, we used the DSP capabilities of the amp to equalize the signal going to the new speakers for smooth and natural frequency response. We didn’t apply any signal delay to the system as the factory stereo has that handled already.

One of the key areas that the client wanted to improve was the amount of bass in the system. We installed a JL Audio XD1000/1v2 amp beside the VXi amp to power a new subwoofer solution. The XC1000/1v2 can provide up to 1,000 watts of power to ensure the bass will be clean and dynamic, even with the volume cranked.

We added a JL Audio DRC100 remote level control to the subwoofer amp so that the client can fine-tune the bass level remotely. We mounted the control and LED on a blank panel to the right of the steering column.

JL Audio Subwoofer System Upgrade

The last piece of the project was to add a JL Audio HO112R-W7AE subwoofer enclosure. This high-output enclosure is home to a single 12-inch 12W7-AE subwoofer and features a vented bass-reflex design that offers exceptional efficiency and low-frequency extension. The enclosure fits nicely into the rear cargo area of the SUV.

With the Lexus RX350 audio system upgrades complete, the last step was to give the system a final listening test to make sure everything was operating as intended and sounding great. It took about two days to complete this upgrade project and the client was very pleased with the results. He loved being able to control the bass level from the front seat, and the clarity and detail afforded by the Audiofrog speakers thoroughly impressed him. In fact, he likes the new sound system so much, he’s already booked an appointment for a custom subwoofer enclosure and a three-way set of Audiofrog speakers in another vehicle.

If you live in the Richmond area and want to upgrade the sound system in your late model vehicle, drop by the Extreme Audio location in Midlothian or Mechanicsville and speak with a member of our team. You can also reach us by phone or by e-mail using our online contact page.