Need some advice and recommendations

[cbo725]

Hello, I am new here, and I just purchased a 2021 Lexus ES 350. It is the 10 speaker without the mark levinson. I am looking at taking it in to a local car audio shop to upgrade some stuff because I am not happy with how it sounds. I know for sure I will be adding either a 10 or 12 inch sub with amp. I was thinking of getting the front door and front dash corner speakers replaced. If i dont get an amp for these speakers would it make a big difference by just swapping out the speakers? Will I need a dsp? I would like to have some knowlege before heading into shop. I do not want to replace the head unit. I have a budget of about $2000 but I can go over a little if needed. Thanks in advance. Also, I listen to mostly 90's hip hop and some rock.

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[CarAudio.com - Hal AI Bots]

Hello, I am new here, and I just purchased a 2021 Lexus ES 350. It is the 10 speaker without the mark levinson. I am looking at taking it in to a local car audio shop to upgrade some stuff because I am not happy with how it sounds. I know for sure I will be adding either a 10 or 12 inch sub with amp. I was thinking of getting the front door and front dash corner speakers replaced. If i dont get an amp for these speakers would it make a big difference by just swapping out the speakers? Will I need a dsp? I would like to have some knowlege before heading into shop. I do not want to replace the head unit. I have a budget of about $2000 but I can go over a little if needed. Thanks in advance. Also, I listen to mostly 90's hip hop and some rock.

It sounds like you're on the right track with your audio upgrade plans for your 2021 Lexus ES 350! Here are some considerations based on your questions:

1. **Replacing Speakers Without an Amp**: Upgrading the front door and dash corner speakers can lead to noticeable improvements in sound quality, even without an amplifier. However, keep in mind that factory head units typically don't provide enough power to drive higher-quality speakers to their full potential. If you can, budget for an amplifier later on, as it will help the new speakers perform better and sound clearer.

2. **Adding a Subwoofer**: Adding a 10 or 12-inch subwoofer with an amplifier will significantly enhance your audio experience, especially for bass-heavy genres like 90's hip hop. Make sure the sub and amp are matched in terms of power to get the best performance without distortion.

3. **Digital Signal Processor (DSP)**: A DSP can be beneficial, especially if you're making significant upgrades. It allows for better tuning of the sound system, helping to optimize the sound quality by adjusting frequencies and balancing the audio. If you’re not replacing the head unit and want to maximize the sound quality, a DSP could be a worthwhile addition.

4. **Budget**: With a budget of around $2000, you should be able to get decent quality speakers, a good subwoofer, an amplifier, and potentially a DSP. It’s wise to discuss your budget and preferences with the car audio shop so they can recommend components that fit well within your limits.

5. **Listening Preferences**: Since you listen to 90's hip hop and some rock, consider speakers that provide a good balance of clarity and bass response. Research brands known for producing quality sound for those genres.

Before heading to the shop, it might also help to listen to different setups if possible, to understand what sounds best to you. Good luck with your audio upgrades!

 

[administrator]

Delaware? Bless you’re heart

 

[cbo725]

Delaware? Bless you’re heart

Why is that?

 

[1aespinoza Premium Member]

f i dont get an amp for these speakers would it make a big difference by just swapping out the speakers?

Like posted by Hal, the new speakers will have to have the same impedance (Ohms) as the OEM, high sensitivity (~92 dB+), and power range of the OEMs as well.
Anything outside those parameters will likely need an additional amplifier to sound like your investment was worth it.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

Hello, I am new here, and I just purchased a 2021 Lexus ES 350. It is the 10 speaker without the mark levinson. I am looking at taking it in to a local car audio shop to upgrade some stuff because I am not happy with how it sounds. I know for sure I will be adding either a 10 or 12 inch sub with amp. I was thinking of getting the front door and front dash corner speakers replaced. If i dont get an amp for these speakers would it make a big difference by just swapping out the speakers? Will I need a dsp? I would like to have some knowlege before heading into shop. I do not want to replace the head unit. I have a budget of about $2000 but I can go over a little if needed. Thanks in advance. Also, I listen to mostly 90's hip hop and some rock.

Have you tried any equalization on the system that you have now?

 

[cbo725]

Have you tried any equalization on the system that you have now?

yeah. it sounds good at low levels. But it is not loud enough.

 

[Jimi77 Premium Member]

yeah. it sounds good at low levels. But it is not loud enough.

Replacing the speakers isn't going to make it louder. You'll need an amp (more power). Not sure what you'll need to integrate the amp with the existing system.

 

[cbo725]

Replacing the speakers isn't going to make it louder. You'll need an amp (more power). Not sure what you'll need to integrate the amp with the existing system.

I meant it gets loud enough, but after a certain level it sounds like crap.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

I meant it gets loud enough, but after a certain level it sounds like crap.

I agree with jimi I think. What maybe be happening is simply your factory amp is out of power- maybe that's what you should let us know is how much factory power each speaker gets. If it sounds like crap at high volume, then either your speakers are subpar, or the other thing is that your factory amplifier may be running out of clean power and once you turn it up to a certain point, the factory amplifier starts to distort its output to the speakers, causing distortion from basically over amplification/ using the amp too hard. So maybe that's the step is to figure out how much factory power you have each speaker.

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

You'd really only have to amp the front speakers IMO, like the 4 fronts you mentioned, just a thought, the rears don't matter like the fronts, not at all, IMO. Do you use Bluetooth?

 

[administrator]

$55 worth of Taco Bell lol.

 

[administrator]

Gonna be one hell of a shit lol

 

[slater]

Amping your current stock sound. stages speakers will make more of a difference than swapping out your speakers & not running an amp at all....
That being said, you can get stock speakers to sound really good using a dsp / amp & be louder..

Also some stock speakers are better than others.....