Damn you got to it before I did...lol...as long as you're referring to the stock system sounding 'Fantastic!'

This car honestly has the worst sounding stock stereo I've ever heard. I'm not saying it's the worst ever made, just the worst I"VE ever heard to my memory.

With the exception of Lexus/Mark Levinson (ML does make HU's and amps for some lexus's correct? (All factory systems suck!) Which I have yet to hear, but if it's anything like their home audio it should be top notch for a factory setup!

BTW Bose hasn't made a decent speaker in around 25 years.

 

So true!

They live off there name now.

 

Actually, I rather doubt that a "Mark Levinson" factory makes any of the components for the Lexi but their name is attached and they (or some subgroup of Harman tasked with this) do have a hand in the component specification, design, and implementation.

Levinson is a brand under the Harman Specialty Group (Levinson, Proceed, Lexicon, Revel, Madrigal) which is a part of Harman International (Harman Kardon, JBL, Infinity, Becker, Crown, DBX, etc.). I would imagine that the componentry comes out of the Harmon group in general though. They do have their ML name on it so they have that to protect. I believe all the Lexus line is available with optional Levinson now.

 

But that is way off topic.

 

Not everybody on this forum is an a$$ who would rather brag about their system (or put down yours) than actually answer questions.



I've not seen or heard the '06 rear speakers but if I were looking to do an upgrade I don't think I'd go to the trouble of replacing them.

It's a bunch of work to remove the roll hoops and disassemble the plastic covers and I know some people that have broken them doing it. Then you have to do a little research to find some better speakers (from Hi-Vi or Tang-Band maybe) that would fit but chances are the mounting is "non-standard" and you'll have to do some fabrication. When you're done you'll have slightly "better" sound but might have a volume problem since any of the higher-fidelity drivers you find will almost assuredly be much less efficient than the stock drivers.

I'm sure it's a lot less work and probably not any more money to just put some standard 5 1/4" speakers in the rear panels. The overall sound quality should be a lot better too, unless you live with the seats pushed all the way back. And if you're worried about returning the car to stock you can buy replacement panels for not much money.

If I had an '06, I'd at least tap into the rear speakers and rig it so I could plug them into an FRS radio for going on group drives. That arrangement would be perfect because you could run the stereo up front and still hear the radio chatter through the roll bar speakers.

Here's some links to some decent small speakers:
3" Fostex $20
3" AuraSound $10
Some Tang-Band 2" and 3" drivers
3" Audax $8
2" AuraSound $20
Another Aura 3" $20
Some Hi-Vi 2" & 3" drivers

My nomination for most likely to succeed:

 

There's a pretty comprehensive test of many of the speakers Modifry listed here:

http://zaphaudio.com/minitest/

The Aurasound NS3 /NS2 "Whisper" might be good choices given the size constraints of the area back there.

Peter

 

Modifry,
Thank you for your help. That is all I wanted. I'm planning on upgrading the entire system. The reason I want the roll bar speakers there is for when I have the top down on the freeway i can hear the radio. I'm planning on running those speakers off the head unit and the new ones I'm installing off an amp. Am planning to use the fader to only listen to them while on the freeway, but otherwise, I really won't use them much. As far as putting speakers behind the seat, that won't work. I'm 6' tall and have the seat all the way back, so it would be complete waste of money to put speakers back there.

 

Judging from just reading darknight999's response to my 1st post here in this thread, I'd recommend to anyone to stay clear of darknight999's other gibberish or so you call "work". This one-sided narrow-minded arrogant prick has absolutely no clue what he's talkn about. Laughable youngster.... "I called it!!!"....? psss.

 

OR I may actually know what I'm talking about and some older people can't handle it...like you.

But hey Pumped'Up you've been here a few days so I'm sure you have all the answers for the folks here... You have no idea how ofter we hear the same questions over and over again.

But hey since I'm the youngster, and your so much older and wiser than me. Let me quote you...

and let's not forget...

Umm.... looks like you've never heard them... so I guess that means your the one that doesn't have a clue... Nice call Guess the wisdom part hasn't quite caught up to you yet ay.

So two things, you clearly don't understand what a good sound system is, it could be because a few thingsthough. 1. You've never heard one so you honestly just don't know or 2. maybe you think you know but as it turns out your your hearing is starting to go and so you can't tell the difference between a great sounding system and a stock one but since I'm the youngster I can. Thanks!
Either way plenty of people here know I have a clue... look around. You've been here like what? 5 minutes in an electronics forum that you have stated your not really interested in.


Oh and hey Modify... I have some things to say about you... but at least I respect you enough to PM them to you. I'm not going to be an A$$ like you and say them in public.

Edit- Looks like I'll have to email you since your PM's are off.

 

Wow this got interesting and nasty at the same time.

Best stock sound system I can remember hearing is the ML, in an IS 300, blew me away, thats until I got my system up and running. If you have never heard an aftermarket sound system, then there is nothing to judge against.

Im guessing pumped'up hasnt heard any of our cars yet, and there is nothing wrong with that, but I can guarantee you if he hears any decent aftermarket sound system set up in one of our cars, his take on the stock system will change dramatically.

I hate to say it but honda's factory set up in our car stinks, NFR had the right idea, poop in the roll bars for the same affect. And I was at the dealer yesterday and got to hear the roll bar speakers, nothing spectacular, does give you a better feel since you are surrounded by speakers, but by no means is it fantastic.