Title: 2026 Lexus RX350h Premium+ – Morel vs Hertz vs Focal front stage + Kicker L7T powered sub, looking for opinions
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Hey everyone,
I’ve got a 2026 Lexus RX350h Premium+ with the 12‑speaker system and I’m planning a full front/rear + sub upgrade. I’d really appreciate some input from the hive mind before I start cutting metal and running wire.
**On-hand gear:**
- AudioControl D‑6.1200 DSP amp
- Kicker 46HS10 powered underseat sub (may keep or repurpose)
**Planned core system (no D‑6.1200 in the signal chain):**
- **Front doors + dash tweeters (current front‑runner):**
Morel Virtus 62.2 6‑1/2" 2‑way 2‑ohm components – mids in the front doors, tweeters mounted in the dash.
Morel Virtus 62.2: https://www.crutchfield.com/p\_210V6222/Morel-Virtus-62-2.html
- **Rear doors:**
Morel Maximo Ultra 402 Coax MKII 4" 2‑way coaxials.
Morel Maximo Ultra 402 Coax MKII: https://www.crutchfield.com/p\_210MXU402/Morel-Maximo-Ultra-402-Coax-MKII.html
- **Amplifier / DSP (replacing the D‑6.1200 in the active setup):**
ARC Audio X2 800.8 8‑channel DSP amp handling all mids/highs (and possibly signal routing to the sub).
ARC Audio X2 800.8: https://www.arcaudio.com/x2-800-8
**What I’m asking:**
With this setup (Morel fronts + rears, all on the ARC X2 800.8’s onboard DSP), am I leaving performance on the table for this car, or is this about where “diminishing returns” starts for a Lexus SUV?
The front stage is where I’m second‑guessing myself. I’m considering stepping up to one of these component sets instead of the Virtus 62.2:
- **Hertz Mille Legend MLK 165.3** – 6‑1/2" two‑way Legend component set
MLK 165.3: https://www.hertzaudiovideo.com/car-audio-speakers-mlk-165-3/
- **Hertz MPK 165.3 PRO** – Mille Pro 6‑1/2" component set
MPK 165.3 PRO: https://www.hertzaudiovideo.com/car-audio-speakers-mpk-165-3-pro/
- **Focal ES 165 K2E** – K2 Power 6‑1/2" 2‑ohm component set
ES 165 K2E: https://www.focal.com/en/car-audio/car-audio-kits-solutions/k2-power/es-165-k2e
- **Morel Hybrid 62** – Hybrid Series 6‑1/2" component set
Hybrid 62: https://www.morelhifi.com/product/hybrid-62/
From what I’ve seen, the Hertz Legend and Focal K2 lines can be more forward/analytical on top, while Morel tends to be smoother and more laid‑back, but I’d really like to hear from people who have actually lived with these sets on real power and DSP.
**Subwoofer plan:**
I’m also planning to upgrade low‑end duty from the Kicker HS10 to a powered enclosure in the cargo area:
- Kicker 53PL7TDF12 – powered enclosure with 12" L7T shallow sub + 600‑watt amp.
53PL7TDF12: https://www.kicker.com/53PL7TDF12
Goal is strong, clean bass without sacrificing all of the usable cargo space in the RX.
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**Questions for the group:**
- For a Lexus SUV cabin (RX350h), which front set would you pick out of these: Morel Virtus 62.2, Morel Hybrid 62, Hertz MLK 165.3, Hertz MPK 165.3 PRO, or Focal ES 165 K2E? Any issues running the 2‑ohm options on the ARC X2 800.8 long‑term?
- In a quiet daily driver like this, is the step up to Hertz Legend or Focal K2 actually noticeable enough over the Virtus/Hybrid level to justify the extra cost, or would you put that money into deadening and tune time instead?
- Anyone with RX/RAV4/Highlander‑type platforms running the Kicker L7T powered box in the rear—how’s the real‑world output, and would you still go powered box vs custom enclosure + separate sub amp?
Any tuning advice, mounting notes (especially for dash tweeters in this generation RX), or “if I did it again I’d do X” feedback is super helpful. Thanks in advance.