Subwoofer/amp Installation On Is200

[Dan_]

Hi,

I have an IS200 SE Black 2000 model, living in glasgow, I am looking to install a subwoofer and an amp. I was prob thinking of just getting one of them Vibe subs, thats got an amp built into a sub.

I need someone's advice on if it is possible to do this and if so what is the recommended sub or amp to get?

I like clarity as well as bass, but i dont want too much bass and i dont want the boot rattling and not being able to hear the song.

If anyone has any recommendations for any brands etc then that would be much appreciated.

I know this sounds daft me asking this question as i have read some posts and it seems that it is possible, but i went to one place and they sed it isnt possible in lexuses and its too much wiring to deal with etc.

And the reason i wanted a sub that has a built in amp is so that it doesnt take up too much space. I was thinking around maybe getting a 10 or 12 inch sub.

Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. Plus any price estimates would be handy as well.

And yes i know i need to take some pics of my IS200 and post em up here, jst been too lazy, but i really love my car, shes a beauty. Ive replaced my old standard back lights with the new LED lights, looks well nice.

[IRLRs200]

Hi,

I have an IS200 SE Black 2000 model, living in glasgow, I am looking to install a subwoofer and an amp. I was prob thinking of just getting one of them Vibe subs, thats got an amp built into a sub.

I need someone's advice on if it is possible to do this and if so what is the recommended sub or amp to get?

I like clarity as well as bass, but i dont want too much bass and i dont want the boot rattling and not being able to hear the song.

If anyone has any recommendations for any brands etc then that would be much appreciated.

I know this sounds daft me asking this question as i have read some posts and it seems that it is possible, but i went to one place and they sed it isnt possible in lexuses and its too much wiring to deal with etc.

And the reason i wanted a sub that has a built in amp is so that it doesnt take up too much space. I was thinking around maybe getting a 10 or 12 inch sub.

Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated. Plus any price estimates would be handy as well.

And yes i know i need to take some pics of my IS200 and post em up here, jst been too lazy, but i really love my car, shes a beauty. Ive replaced my old standard back lights with the new LED lights, looks well nice.

have a read here for more info on what you need to do if you plan on upgrading to an aftermarket head unit too.

subs with built in amps never sound as good as seperates,it would be worth upgrading your factory speakers too for better clarity.

Because you have the SE sport version, its a lot more complicated to upgrade things, browse the audio section, topic has been covered plenty of times

[sparkystav]

This could be another option if you just want to add an Amp and Sub and keep the standard head unit and speakers.

RCA Outputs

But like IRLRS200 said it's a lot of work changing all the stereo but it has been covered many many times in the Audio threads

Stav

[Dan_]

Thanks for the advice guys :) appreciate it.

So i can just add an amp and a sub to my car without changing the standard head unit? And is it a hassle to change the head unit? Wot about the built in amp thats in glove compartment or wherever it is? will i need to get that removed or will it just be unplugged when i install a new amp and sub?

And Its not the sport version that i have, looks sporty tho but its not sport. Its just a normal IS200 SE AUTO.

Unless SE means sport? which i dont think it does, unless you guys know different.

The audio in the car is already really clear and good, i just wanted it to be louder, coz if i put it louder at the moment then u can hear the back speakers rattling an bass sounds wonky so i cant really put it too loud.

But with an amp and a sub it should be alrite.

[sparkystav]

Right,

Firstly the SE and the Sport have the same stereo. The S is the one without the amp.

If you use the guide i linked to that adds an RCA output on your standard Amp (hidden behind the glove box to the left) so then you can just run RCA cables from the standard amp to the amp for your sub. So from what your saying thats the easiest option for you, and keeps your stock headunit and speakers, but gives you the abilty to add an Amp and Sub.

If you look through the Audio section it has been explained Many many times how to change the stereo and how much work it is.

Thirdly the link IRLRS200 put you too is a new thing that will let you change the headunit for an aftermarket one with out changing all the speakers and that bypasses the stock amp. You could then use the RCA outputs of the aftermarket stereo to power your amp and sub. So you could do that but you'd have to buy the Leads, and an aftermarket headunit as well as your Sub and Amp.

Again Hope this helps.

[Dan_]

Thanks Sparky, yeah i have been reading through some more posts and i understood that the SE and sport ones are difficult coz of the factory amp installed.

I like your RCA output solution but to be honest im not very technical with electrical things as you guys do all the stuff yourself. And i dont have an external cd rom drive abt, only got internal cd/dvd drives. dont knw if i cud get an RCA plate from that. Even if i did i wouldnt be able to do it, i just wanted to know what is the best or decent equipment to get without spending too much and if it is possible to be done to an Is200.

Thanks to yours and IRLRS200 advice and help, i now know that there are ways of doing it and that it is possible.

I was also reading that its best to upgrade the rear speakers if installing a new amp, headunit an sub. So seems like its gona cost me a bit.

Im thinking of perhaps going for IRLRS200 idea of the adapter cable, it is pricey but then again i could take it to a car audio specialist and explain it to him and give him the instructions and im sure he could figure it out and it would save cutting wires as well.

Thank you very much guys, you have been very helpful :) i love this site, its really good.

Btw sparky, i luv your stuff u got for ur car. looks like u got stuff on bargain, if u wana sell something let me knw. Btw wot are ur front headlights like? could you take a pic and show me?

Oh one more thing, is it possible to get 100Watt off road bulbs? I have tried many places but they dont have them for the lexus, they only have standard.

[sparkystav]

The headlights are just standard ones that i've taken apart and removed the orange bit then put silvertec bulbs in so they still flash orange.

Theres explaination for that about as well.

[IRLRs200]

Thanks Sparky, yeah i have been reading through some more posts and i understood that the SE and sport ones are difficult coz of the factory amp installed.

I like your RCA output solution but to be honest im not very technical with electrical things as you guys do all the stuff yourself. And i dont have an external cd rom drive abt, only got internal cd/dvd drives. dont knw if i cud get an RCA plate from that. Even if i did i wouldnt be able to do it, i just wanted to know what is the best or decent equipment to get without spending too much and if it is possible to be done to an Is200.

Thanks to yours and IRLRS200 advice and help, i now know that there are ways of doing it and that it is possible.

I was also reading that its best to upgrade the rear speakers if installing a new amp, headunit an sub. So seems like its gona cost me a bit.

Im thinking of perhaps going for IRLRS200 idea of the adapter cable, it is pricey but then again i could take it to a car audio specialist and explain it to him and give him the instructions and im sure he could figure it out and it would save cutting wires as well.

Thank you very much guys, you have been very helpful :) i love this site, its really good.

Btw sparky, i luv your stuff u got for ur car. looks like u got stuff on bargain, if u wana sell something let me knw. Btw wot are ur front headlights like? could you take a pic and show me?

Oh one more thing, is it possible to get 100Watt off road bulbs? I have tried many places but they dont have them for the lexus, they only have standard.

Probably the easiest way you could add some extra sound is to add a sub and amp, but use the wires off the sub part of the rear speakers. So what you need to do is look in your boot at the bottom of your rear speakers, you should see 2 cables into each speaker( red and black i think) you cut these off the speakers, hook up a line level convertor to these cables and then hook these RCA's up to your amp, and then add a big dirty sub for that much needed bass, you can then adjust the high,mid and low settings on your factory headunit so you can turn up the volume more without the speakers distorting as much, you can get cheaper versions of the convertor, the link i gave is just the first one i could find, think this might be easier than adding to RCA's to the factory amp if your not too electrical savvy!

[sparkystav]

thats a bloody good suggestion Dan.

The problem he's just put forward to me is getin power to the amp. you'll have to run a wire from the front of the car anyway and remove the seats to get it though so you may as well do the whole job and change the lot.

[IRLRs200]

thats a bloody good suggestion Dan.

The problem he's just put forward to me is getin power to the amp. you'll have to run a wire from the front of the car anyway and remove the seats to get it though so you may as well do the whole job and change the lot.

Well today as i was re-running my cables for the 100th time i found you dont actually have to remove the seats, there is enough give in the seat foam to expose the hole in the boot wall where you can run the cables through, means you dont have to spend a day gutting the back of your car, just a few minutes of finger scraping contorsionism! so just a case of taking off the plastic trim down the passenger side of the car, be careful you dont snap any bits off and then take out the carpet trim on the passenger side of the boot, then you will see the cables you pulled through.

[lee_iceman]

Well today as i was re-running my cables for the 100th time i found you dont actually have to remove the seats, there is enough give in the seat foam to expose the hole in the boot wall where you can run the cables through, means you dont have to spend a day gutting the back of your car, just a few minutes of finger scraping contorsionism! so just a case of taking off the plastic trim down the passenger side of the car, be careful you dont snap any bits off and then take out the carpet trim on the passenger side of the boot, then you will see the cables you pulled through.

Tis true, thats how my Tein EDFC was installed.

[Dan_]

Thanks guys!! u really do know ur stuff eh?! well i wont be doing any of it myself as i wouldnt wana screw anything up even tho it sounds simple and straight forward and i probably could manage, i just wouldnt wana risk doing it to such a nice car myself, i would prob take it some guy who specialises in it and ask if he can do it.

Appreciate all the info.

Just one more thing, could you recommend wot head unit, subwoofer (size and branding), amp (which brand, how many channels,how many watts power) should i get? Please could you recommend me something decent, nothing top of the range, but something affordable and good.

Also do i need to get tweeters at the front or does the lexus SE version already have them at the front?

And also would it be worth changing the back speakers?

Btw IRLRs200, I tried searching on google and elsewhere for that converter that you found and it seems that that is the only person that is selling them :-S if you find or come accross any other links then please do let me know.

I'm sorry if Ive given you guys grief over this subject, I got more info on the installation than i bargained for lol thank you very much.

[IRLRs200]

Thanks guys!! u really do know ur stuff eh?! well i wont be doing any of it myself as i wouldnt wana screw anything up even tho it sounds simple and straight forward and i probably could manage, i just wouldnt wana risk doing it to such a nice car myself, i would prob take it some guy who specialises in it and ask if he can do it.

Appreciate all the info.

Just one more thing, could you recommend wot head unit, subwoofer (size and branding), amp (which brand, how many channels,how many watts power) should i get? Please could you recommend me something decent, nothing top of the range, but something affordable and good.

Also do i need to get tweeters at the front or does the lexus SE version already have them at the front?

And also would it be worth changing the back speakers?

Btw IRLRs200, I tried searching on google and elsewhere for that converter that you found and it seems that that is the only person that is selling them :-S if you find or come accross any other links then please do let me know.

I'm sorry if Ive given you guys grief over this subject, I got more info on the installation than i bargained for lol thank you very much.

No bother Dan, You can get those convertors in Halfords, they are made by a company called Autoleads, but this is only needed if your keeping all the factory speakers and just adding and amp and sub.

If you do decide to upgrade to a new Headunit, then it is worth while upgrading the speakers too, since your not doing it yourself, it shouldn't be much trouble to a professional.

A lot of guys seem to like infinity speakers, i have a mix of InPhase, and Pioneer and am really happy with the result.If your not planning to enter any sound off competitions pioneers are cheap and cheerful. Amps i have a pioneer 4 channel amp running the 4 speakers and InPhase amp running the Sub, have a look in Halfords, they generally have a sound wall with various system set ups. Make sure you dont let on you dont know much or these audio installation guys will take you to the cleaners. Any questions you have ask them here first.

SE models have tweeters as standard, not sure if you can re-use these if you upgrade the fronts, im sure someone will be along soon to correct me.

[Dan_]

Thanks for the reply, sounds good:) yeah don't worry i wont let them rip me off , i know wot these guys are like, they will persist an persist but obviously ill jst come back and ask you guys wot u think of it and ask my mates too coz they are into their car stuff an they mod stuff as well.

So i shouldn't get that converter lead if i am going to change my headunit? i thought with that lead you could save your wires and upgrade a new headunit and then if u ever decided to sell the car then you could easily restore the factory headunit to the way it was? please correct me if am wrong.

What are your thought about getting a good amp that is either built in to a sub or seperate that can run the speakers and the sub and still be good quality? Reason I ask is because i wouldnt like to take up too much space in the boot.