A client from here in Jacksonville was recently referred to Audio Designs and Custom Graphics for some help with an Escort radar detector issue. While our team was talking to the client, the conversation turned to upgrading the subwoofer system in his 2018 Lexus LS 500 sedan. Even with a premium sound system in the car from the factory, most automobile manufacturers won’t dedicate adequate space to developing a truly impressive subwoofer system. The client wanted an upgrade that would reproduce low-frequency information with authority, all while maintaining a level of functionality for the vehicle. Let’s look at what we created.
Phantom Fit Subwoofer System
As with other systems we’ve created in the past, our plan to upgrade the bass performance in the Lexus would be based on our Phantom Fit vehicle-specific subwoofer system design. We have an entire series of vehicle-specific subwoofer systems for vehicles like the Mustang, Focus, Miata and many more. For this Lexus, our fabrication team created a pair of mirrored stack-fab enclosures that fit into the back corners of the trunk.
The initial stack-fab design process is quite time consuming, but once complete, we can create duplicates in a matter of hours. To create the originals, our team starts with a template of the floor and transfers that into our CAD program so it can be cut out of MDF on our CNC router table. Each subsequent layer is contoured to fit the shape of the trunk as closely as possible in order to maximize the available space and allow the subwoofer to play as loud and deep as possible. Once the stacking process is complete and the layers are glued together, we coat the inside of the enclosures with a layer of fiberglass resin to ensure that the system is 100 percent airtight and as rigid as possible.
The enclosures we designed for the left and right corners of this LS 500 trunk have more than 17 layers plus front and top panels that are contoured to fit the side trim of the trunk area. As you can see, access to the tie-down straps and the battery under the floor is maintained.
Custom Embroidery
The custom stitching looks great!
To add additional style and personalization to the enclosure, we had the Lexus logo embroidered into the medium gray carpet we used to cover each unit. The silver embroidery contrasts nicely with the otherwise dark finishes in the trunk.
Audiomobile Subwoofers and ARC Audio Amplifier
All of the cargo hooks were still available for use.
We installed a 10-inch Audiomobile GTS2110 subwoofer in each of the enclosures. We like the Audiomobile subs because they sound good and play low in extremely compact enclosure designs. The subs also handle a lot of power, thanks to their large-diameter voice coils. Speaking of power, we installed an ARC Audio X2 1100.1 monoblock amplifier to drive the system. This amp produces an effortless 1,100 watts of power to the pair of drivers.
As you can see from the photos, the amplifier is installed out of sight under the floor of the trunk on a custom panel. The battery is right beside the amp, so sourcing a connection was easy and efficient. Our installation technicians configured the amp so that it will turn on automatically once the factory radio starts playing. A minute or so after the music stops, the amplifier turns itself off.
With the enclosures mounted in the corners of the trunk and the amp wired up, the last step was to fine-tune the crossovers and sensitivity controls on the amp so that the output of the new subwoofers blends seamlessly with the rest of the sound system.
Jacksonville’s Car Audio Upgrade Experts
Once the fine-tuning process was complete, the client returned to Audio Designs and Custom Graphics to listen to the system for the first time. He was blown away by the way the enclosure fits perfectly into the trunk and loved that there was still lots of usable space for cargo. We hopped in the car for a listen, and the client was thrilled. The upgrade was exactly what he wanted. If you are interested in one of our Phantom Fit enclosures, check out our online store or drop by our store, give us a call or send an e-mail using our contact page.
Nicely done! It’s the little details that make all the difference (like the logo) and skirting the cargo hooks. I’ve never regretted the custom boxes and uprgrades that I had you do on my 2012 Mazda Miata MX5 and 2011 Toyota Rav 4. Your upgrades have kept me happy on the road long after the cars have been paid off, and the investment in the sound system was a fair trade to avoid “Interest Heavy Cary Payments”. The great sound and good music help keep me happy with my existing car. And, if I ever sell to a private party, I’m fairly confident that I’ll be able to get the upper end of Bluebook. (They system itself is just a sunk cost for my own pleasure, and I’ve gotten more enjoyment than I paid over the last 2-3 years!) Thanks for making me love my car again!
Why can’t Lexus come up with these kind of systems. Their ML systems are great on their outgoing 2018 ES and LS models, but from 2019 it’s been a bit of a disappointment. Their stock Pioneer system in their current ES is a sad story. Come on Lexus! Glad that there are other options, like this company