rfmax

Just bought a 2015 RX350. My wife wanted an RX, I didn't like the joystick with the nav models, so I bought a base model with the console ****. Big mistake. Reading the owners manual and finding our how few options are on our car is depressing. So many items I take for granted on my others cars are just not included on the base RX. I knew I'd have to do without things like remote start and the heated wheel, but no warning beeper in back-up mode, or even guidelines on the screen? How cheap is that?? Most disappointing is the radio sound. Just lame, especially on the XM radio. Does anyone have experience with speakers, amps, EQ, whatever, which might make this thing sound better than a basic rental car? I'm stuck with it, so I have to make the best of it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Clutchless

Not much you can do. This link to Crutchfield shows what is available regarding audio upgrades. https://www.crutchfield.com/Car/outfitmycar/mycar.aspx
It looks like you only option may be upgrading the speakers.

Do some searching on this forum and you can learn some about others who added amps and subs. Most or all of them had the Nav option which does have a separate amp in the trunk area. Not sure about the 9 speaker version.

There is also an audio forum that may have more information https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...lectronics-12/

RickC5

Agree with Clutchless in that there's not much you can do besides change out the speakers. I feel your pain. We made the same mistake several years ago and bought a stripped-down 2010 that was a terrible vehicle to live with. We didn't keep it long--less than a year as I recall. Yep, a big mistake for sure.

OTOH, we're totally pleased with our current 2015, which has all of the available options, except the Mark Levinson sound system. It's a great road car that's quiet, with a good sound system and a pleasure to drive at freeway speeds. Taking it to Vegas again soon.

MellonC00

I think even the higher optioned cars don't have remote start. The parking warning beeper is slow to respond (it beeps after you hit the object) and there is no guidelines on backup screen. So you did the right thing by avoiding the dreaded joy stick.

I replaced the speakers which were, shall I say, cheap. Just replacing the speakers with quality drivers made the sound much better.

Clutchless

MellonC00 - which speakers did you replace and what did you replace them with? Did you do the front doors upper and lower speakers?

MellonC00

I replaced the front door (upper and lower) and rears also. But didn't touch the subs. Infinity Kappas.

the order to speaker replacement in terms of return on investment is IMHO:

1. mid range
2. tweeters
3. base (if separate drivers installed)
4. sub woofer (amp combination)
5. headunit (cross over)

Clutchless

How much modification was needed for the Kappa tweeters to fit/mount in place? Crutchfield indicated some modification may be needed. I have installed several car audio systems and do recall the great Infinity Kappa tweeters I installed in my old Mazda MX6 (along with an amp, new head unit, sub and all the other speakers) I think they may be my next RX project. Did you use 6.5, or 6 3/4 lower door speakers or 6x9 as Crutchfield showed all of them.

MellonC00

Sadly, I lack the "handyness" required for a DYI job. I relied on Hector at a pretty trusty auto sound shop in LA. To my recollection it was the 6.5 component speaker units for the front doors. For the rears I think they were one housing with two drivers speakers. Sorry my information isn't very specific. Let me dig some paperwork and get back to the forum.

navarachi

I now have an RX and used to have an IS. It was the same issue as RX really. I had a system installed with 2 sets of JL c5 splits, JL 900/5 amp, and JL w6 10 inch. Pulled it all together with a new bluetooth controller and it worked like a champ. My bluetooth is terrible in my 2013 RX so I will be doing it all again. Let us know what you decide to do and good luck!

KMB

MellonC00, I'm curious, did you end up replacing your Front Door Midrange speakers with Infinity Kappas as well? I'm having trouble finding any 2.5" midranges (Infinity or otherwise), which I understand is the stock size for those in the 3RX. Maybe Hector used some sort of adapter?