2020 Lexus ES350 Moonbeam Me Up SQ Build

Sonnie Parker

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Preamp, Processor or Receiver
StormAudio ISP Elite 24 MK3 Processor
Main Amp
McIntosh MC1.25KW Monoblock Amps
Additional Amp
StormAudio PA 16 MK3
Other Amp
McIntosh MA252 2-Channel Hybrid Integrated Amp
Music Server
ROON Nucleus One
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Panasonic UB9000 4K UHD Player
Streaming Equipment
Kaleidescape
Lenovo X1 Carbon
Apple TV 4K
Turntable/Cartridge
Music Hall Stealth Turntable
Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge
Streaming Subscriptions
Lifetime Roon Subscription
Tidal
qobuz
Netflix
Amazon Prime
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MediaLight Mk2 v2 Flex Bias Lighting
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Zero Surge 2R20W
Front Speakers
RTJ 410
Front Wide Speakers
JTR Noesis 110HT
Center Channel Speaker
MartinLogan Focus C-18
Surround Speakers
JTR Noesis 210RT
Surround Back Speakers
JTR Noesis 210RT
Front Height Speakers
JTR Noesis 110HT-SL
Middle Height Speakers
JTR Noesis 110HT-SL
Rear Height Speakers
JTR Noesis 110HT-SL
Subwoofers
JTR Captivator - 4000ULF-TL x2 + 2400 x6
Bass Shaker System
Dayton Audio BSA-200 Amp
4 BST-1 Bass Shakers
Other Speakers
Wharfedale Super Linton
Video Display Device
Sony 98X90L
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Samsung S9 Tablet
Cables
AudioQuest - Various
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Satellite System
Dish Joey 4K
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Salamander Synergy Equipment Stand
VTI Amp Stands for the Monoblocks
Solidsteel - S3 Series Amp Stand
Network/Internet
C-Spire 1Gig Fiber
Omada OC300 Controller
Omada ER8411 10G Router
Omada SG3218XP-M2 10G/2.5G Managed Switch
Omada SG2210XMP-M2 10G/2.5G Managed Switch
SilentPower LAN iPurifier Pro (for Nucleus One)
Headphones/IEMs
HIFIMAN HE1000se
Unique Melody Mest MKII
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Eversolo DMP-A6
RME ADI-2 DAC FS
HIFIMAN Goldenwave Serenade
Whole House System
HEOS System
Home-150 Speaker x6
Samsung S9 Tablet w/ HEOS
Office/Study System
Office System
Dell Precision Computer
Roon Networked
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus Speakers
Secondary/Additional Room System
AV Test Room System
NAD M33 Streaming DAC Amp
MartinLogan Motion XT F200
JTR Captivator RS1
miniDSP EARS
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Zero Surge 2R20W
Dell Optiplex
Roon Networked
Additional Room System
Sunroom System
Denon AVR-X1800H HEOS Roon Ready Receiver
Zu Audio DW-6 Speakers
Dayton Audio IO8XTW Outdoor Speakers
Roon Networked
Dish Joey
JVC 37" TV
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Cabin System
Onkyo TX-SR805 Receiver
Infinity Primus P163 Speakers
RSL Outsiders Outdoor Speakers
Shield TV Pro
Sony 55" TV
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Vinyl Room
Accuphase E-280 Integrated Amp
Technics SL-1210GR2 Turntable
Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge
KLH Model Three Speakers
Zero Surge 8R15W-1
Additional Room System
Barn Jam
Denon AVR-X1600H HEOS Roon Ready Receiver
Soundfield Custom Speakers
I suppose my wife got tired of me trading every year or two and decided it was time to have her a new ride... after all, she's had her 2013 EX350 since 2013 and it over 100,000 miles. She grabbed her a 2020 ES350 in the Moonbeam Beige color. Several of you already know from my previous build threads (even a few of you heard it) that Steve Cook at AudioX in Florence, AL installed the system in her 2013, and it sounded marvelous to say the least... and it should considering Steve's credentials and what he's done nationally in SQ competitions over the years. The 2020 has a Pioneer system that actually sounds fairly decent up front when you crank it on up, as long as you don't care for much bass. Either way, it won't please her, as she is spoiled about as bad as I am when it comes to car audio sound. So the fun begins.

She will get some of my system in my 2020 RAM, consisting of the HAT Unity 6x9 door speakers, the Legatia X3-P dash speakers and the miniDSP CDSP 8x12 DL processor, and likely my JL Audio XD600/6. I plan to use the sub box and JL Audio 10W6v3 subwoofer, and the XD600/1 amp from the 2013. I've spent the last couple of days tearing out most of that system and reconnecting the factory system so we can get the car ready to sell. I'll probably use the rear door speakers for rear fill. The amps will mount on a custom built rack similar to what Steve did previously, but modified due to the fact the trunk height in the 2020 is about 1.5" less than the 2013, so his setup won't quite fit. It should be easy to modify, and the miniDSP processor is considerably smaller than the Zapco DSP. In case you are wondering, I'm going back to factory in my RAM with some upgraded speakers up front, and keeping the Stealthbox for the subs. Yep... sacrificing for the wife, at least for a little while. :whistling:

I've started tearing the 2020 down... beginning with the front left door so that I can treat the doors with dampening and closed cell foam. At first look, the door speakers appear to be a decent 7" speaker, but after removal, it is clear there is not much going on with it. The hole in this door is huge, so there will be no issue fitting the HAT Unity 6x9 speakers from my truck with a custom mounting plate. I've used this speaker in a couple of systems and they are very capable.

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Lexus did splurge on the dampening material... one 4 inch square piece behind the speaker on each door. Not sure what they thought that would accomplish.

More to come!
 
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Tearing it down...

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Door speaker on left... dash and center channel in the middle... factory sub on the right. I did not know they made speakers in Vietnam.
 
My covey hole... need to better organize and clean up a bit... got too much going on.

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I have always been curious if there is really anything to breaking up the back waves of a speaker. I had some closed cell acoustic foam, so figured I would try it, but I have no idea how you'd know if it's working or not.

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Trying to get at least 50-50% coverage, so adding to what Lexus has already done. Banging on areas to find anything the might vibrate. That metal brace going across the opening behind the back seat was making some serious noise for sure. Wheel wells are in pretty good shape, but the side panels did need a little more dampening. Also got a good bit of the rear deck taken care of... and the truck lid was extremely resonate, so I took care of it as well.

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Next is the Ensolite on the door panels and inner door skin to eliminate any rattles and also help with road noise. Tracing out the door panels. I cut one out for the rear doors, flip it and cut another, then cut two more copies of those... then do the same for the front door.

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Next up is the mounting bracket for the front door speakers... needs to be about 1/2" to clear the window, so I used some 1/2" ABS that I had... worked perfectly.

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Treatment is all done, and front door speakers mounted, covers back on... ready to tackle the front dash speakers next.
 
Wow, very impressive. Great job. :)
 
Thanks... I love doing this stuff, although I wouldn't want to do it for a living.

Got the mounting brackets finished for the front dash speakers and they are now installed. Everything fit as it should... huge factory 10mm machine screws/bolts over an inch long anchoring the dash speakers. They meant for them to stay around I suppose.

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Hope to start on the trunk tomorrow.
 
Got the power wire ran from the battery to the back... had to cross over to the passenger side to get to a rubber grommet in the firewall. That will also keep the power wire running down one side and the signal wires running down the other, since the factory amp is under the front driver's seat.

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Finished up the LC6i install under the front seat and all wires tucked away to the back.

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Bass knob to control the sub...

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Started on the trunk ... using the sub box that Steve Cook built for the 2013 install. It's still in great shape and it's 1 inch MDF. I did recover it.

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Finished the cover today... and got a good bit of wiring done as well. I hope to finish up tomorrow so that I can begin tuning on Monday.

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And she's done... tuned and ready to rock!

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Wow, very nice. Congrats! :)
 
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