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Lexus IS: Aftermarket Sound System Modifications

There are many options available to enhance your Lexus IS sound output. These options have various prices and offer diverse options, so your driving experience feels like a mobile boogie.

By James Karuga - January 15, 2015

This article applies to the Lexus IS (2007-2013).

If you are a sound conscious Lexus IS owner, chances are your stock sound system doesn't satisfy your sonic needs. That's why these aftermarket sound system upgrades with latest features and great sound quality, ideal for the Lexus IS, will meet your sound needs. This guide will explore the various aftermarket sound modifications, which you can have installed into the Lexus IS. It will also explore the costs of installation, and the ease of doing it yourself versus seeking professional help.

Subwoofers

DIY Cost - $15-1,200

Professional Cost - $50-180 for labor

Skill Level - Difficult, requires sockets and intense mechanical knowledge. If done by novices, Lexus IS settings can be lost.

Matching good subwoofers and amplifiers for the Lexus IS is key to great bass. IS owners should stick with uniform subwoofers if they intend to have multiple units. That ensures bass output will be balanced. Also, the subwoofers need to be compatible with the amplifiers to avoid impedance issues.

Amplifiers

DIY Cost - $300-1,000

Professional Cost - $200 for labor

Skill Level - Difficult, requires in depth mechanical knowledge of sound control and the integration with other Lexus IS parts.

A quality amplifier will improve the sound quality and loudness of a speaker system. Amps literally amplify the power to the speakers and subwoofers. This is important for upgraded speaker equipment. Lexus IS owners, who prefer the factory radio, but want to use an aftermarket amplifier, can connect plug cables directly to the aftermarket amplifier. The Mark Levinson amplifiers, which are equipped in some Lexus IS models, are known to fail frequently. Repair costs for these units are in excess of $300. Most owners opt for Alpine or JL amplifiers for upgrades and replacements.

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Speakers

DIY Cost - $45-1,600

Professional Cost - $40 for labor

Skill Level - Difficult, fixing speakers requires craftsman and mechanical skills combined.

Audison, JL and Hertz aftermarket speakers are popular among Lexus IS owners because of their crisp sound. If sound output is to be quality, their performance depends on their compatibility with amplifiers and subwoofers. Power is also a contribution to the quality of their output. Most speakers' volume depends on their watts root mean square (RMS). The higher the RMS is, then the higher the volume will be. Installing after market speakers requires skill and in-depth mechanical knowledge.

Line Output Converter (LOC)

DIY Cost - $20-200

Professional Cost - $50 for labor

Skill Level - Moderate, requires understanding what power amount matches a certain LOC.

The line output converter converts high voltage speaker signal into low voltage signal, so that a two channel or mono amplifier can be added to the aftermarket or factory sound systems of the Lexus IS. It connects to the amplifier using the RCA cable, and also has an adjustable gain feature to control sound output. Using the converter, you can turn on the output without the need to remove the Lexus IS stereo. Line Output Converter is susceptible to melting if it isn't matched with the right output power.

Sirius/XM

DIY Cost - $120

Professional Cost - $30 for installation

Skill Level - Moderately difficult, you will need to remove and re-install your stereo.

When installed, Sirius/XM offers Lexus IS owners a chance to listen to over 140 channels of commercial free music. However, if the installation is done by a quack dealer, the sound output will be terrible. The easiest way to get XM is to simply plug a Sirium/XM radio into the auxillary port. The best option is to install a directly wired Sirius/XMsetup.

(Related Article: How to Install XM Satellite Radio - ClubLexus.com)

iPod/iPhone/Auxillary Integration

DIY Cost - $52-120

Professional Cost - $100 for labor

Skill Level - Moderate, mechanical and IT skills is required to install and test it.

Most owners opt for the VAIS technology integration kit to integrate an iPod or iPhone to their Lexus IS. Vaistech kits typically work well, and offer several functions such as iPhone mirroring and XM radio. They also offer kits for other smartphone models. Installing an iPhone integration kit—Vaistech or otherwise—isn't difficult to do at home.

(Related Article: How to Install Vaistech iPhone/Android Integration - ClubLexus.com)

Featured Video: IS Aftermarket Sound System Mods

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