SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

Mark Levinson sound system

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Old 01-10-10, 07:08 AM
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sjl
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Default Mark Levinson sound system

Looking for some 6 x 9 door speakers for my '02 430. Can anyone lead me in a direction other than the dealer? They're quite pricey..
Old 01-10-10, 08:46 AM
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Harold57
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On really rare occasions, you can find them on ebay. Short of that, do a search on this forum and you can find a couple of threads about speaker replacement and repair. Most of the ML speaker failures seem to be the foam part of the cone pulling away from the frame, which you can repair with silicon or send off to the Speaker Doctor for repair.

One of the problems you will run into by not using the ML speakers is that the ML system uses 8 ohm speakers and most automotive speakers tend to be 4 ohms. (You can damage your amps by installing speakers with the lower impedance.)

Here is one thread with instructions on speaker replacement and suggestions on the speakers to use.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...all-sc430.html

BTW, welcome to the forum.
Old 01-10-10, 01:05 PM
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VVTiBob
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Had my driver's door 6x9 ML repaired at Orange County Speaker http://www.speakerrepair.com/ for about $40 bucks and they're as good as new. I used the link above for perfect for DIY instructions. The dealer wanted $230 for a new ML plus another $200 in labor...got it done for $40 and 45 minutes of my time.
Old 01-10-10, 02:08 PM
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scdroptop
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here's a nice used one from a 2006 for $139 to give you an alternative solution between the $40 DIY and the $230 at dealer plus labor.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/02-08...CarQ5fSpeakers
Old 01-10-10, 04:27 PM
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Poqman
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If you want to buy new, try Sewell's and use the 10% discount code "clublexus". That reduces the price to $175.33.
http://www.sewellpartsonline.com/par...id=45359&all=Y I was very happy with their mail service.
This was an easy do-it-yourself project using the pictures in an earlier post. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...all-sc430.html
Good luck.

Last edited by Poqman; 01-10-10 at 04:37 PM.
Old 01-10-10, 06:48 PM
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langsdale
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im selling my mark levinson system. let me know what you need.
thanks
joe
Old 01-10-10, 09:24 PM
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scdroptop
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lots of great choices here!!! Wish all issues were this easy!
Old 01-11-10, 04:21 AM
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tromly
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Originally Posted by scdroptop
lots of great choices here!!! Wish all issues were this easy!
^^^1, really wish ML speakers were never an issue
Old 01-11-10, 05:34 AM
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jimmer!
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what's a good, better replacements for the Levinson sound system?
it's one of my most un-favorite things about the 430.
the ML sound system is too bassy, boomy and dull sounding.
Old 01-11-10, 02:18 PM
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scdroptop
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What? LOL to me the ML speakers do not produce enough bass! Funny how different strokes for different folks. To me the ML system was designed for artists like Stan Kenton or Dizzy Gillespie or Bethoven. Anything modern with any sort of bass and the impidence is crazy on these speakers. But then again, I may be a bad audio source because I like Bose and Polk and Boston Acoustic. My father in law swears by Klipsch but I think they are junk. Seems like even sweet little Mariah Carey makes my speakers pop! (uh....not that I listen to her )
Old 01-11-10, 02:23 PM
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TooCoolSC
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You want a system that will handle bass, Boston Acoustics is the best I've ever heard. I had an upgraded sound system in my last car (Chrysler) and the sound was like nothing I had ever experienced....in any car. Complete clarity with no distortion....even with the lowest/loudest of bass parts. It was unbelievable. I'd give anything to have it in my SC.
Old 01-11-10, 02:29 PM
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scdroptop
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I had boston acoustic headrest speakers in my S2000 and Rx7 headrests and even their little 2.5" speakers had bass!!!!
Old 01-11-10, 03:16 PM
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langsdale
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this post is NOT because they are sponsoring my car:
check out CDT Audio. there site needs some TLC, but every review i have ever seen says it rivals all the high end audio. I sat in a CDT tuned car and WOW. just do some research. its NOT cheap, but before you pull the plug on boston or bose, its worth a shot.
the stagefront kit is sick.
ill send pics when this project is FINALLY done.
later gator
Old 01-20-10, 12:56 PM
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Tapdout
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Default I'm interested

Originally Posted by langsdale
im selling my mark levinson system. let me know what you need.
thanks
joe
I'd be willing to purchase the rear subwoofer for it seems mine has gone bad.
Old 01-20-10, 01:53 PM
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langsdale
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sub is sold, but everything else is avail! pm for details


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