Toys4RJill

Not surprised. Lexus had crap stuff in the 2010s. Now Lexus is even worse since they abandoned V8s.

1111GS

yeah ML or not, a lot of things about Lexus are not as some, me included, think /used to think they are.

ML in SUVs sucks or not as expected as I should say. I have to say though the system in GX is strong enough for me. Of course I'm not the type that want to shake the neighborhood

IMO even when you're parked, the ambient noise is almost not avoidable. CD quality is great, DVD audio is great, but streaming (BT/wifi/wired) is also very high quality when the source is clean. Like you said, crap in crap out.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

sweeping statement? the v8 was dropped on LS and LX but is still in place for GX, LC and now IS.

Toys4RJill

One look at how uncompetitive the 409hp is in the LX says it all. Compare to the Escalade.

SW17LS

What I loved about the ML in the LS was that there was no loud that was too loud, it kept its clarity and punch and tone all through the volume range. Compared to the Burmester in my Mercedes that the treble gets too sharp if its too loud, and music loses its depth if its too low, even with the sub I added. There is a specific volume range where it sounds good, but even then nowhere near as good as the ML in the LS. The other ML systems I have had and listened to just were nothing special. Not bad, just not stand out like the one in the LS was. Best Lexus systems I have had are ML in the 460, ML in the 430 and Nakamichi (still the best) in the 400.

geko29

Yeah but it will be dropped on the GX when the 2nd gen completes its 20-year lifecycle.

LeX2K

This is the hallmark of the best audio systems they sound incredible at any volume and will play crystal clear at volumes you shouldn't be listening at.

I continue to be disappointed that people still directly equate watts to sound quality.

Back to the TX, Toyota's platforms are getting more and more complex
https://toyota-club.net/files/faq/21...-engine_en.htm

I can see reliability taking a hit there are so many systems to go wrong. And that's just the engine, drop hybrid complexity on top of that.

.......I know I'm saying Toyota instead of Lexus that is intentional, there is little that separates Lexus from Toyota on the platform level.

SW17LS

Watts and speaker count. A system doesn’t need 35 speakers lol. I think the ML in that LS was under 1000 watts.

I think this is 100% a concern

Toys4RJill

Watts is very important for audio. You need power. To reproduce a good audio source, you will want those watts. that said, 1000 watts in car is about the most you need over is overkill TBH. 35 speakers is not needed. It all depends on the source as well 6 track audio is the best.
Most of all this stuff is just marketing

situman

I'm not having high hopes for the TX. It will still be the smallest in the segment and tightest 3rd row. It will have the powertrains lifted from the new RX, maybe not the basic hybrid since it might be too heavy. Seeing how they screwed up the 3rd row in the Sequoia just makes me cringe just thinking how bad the TX will be.

Margate330

Can I plz add.
1,000 watts means nothing if you buy an amp at the flea market.

Ask me how I know.


Watts is just the power and like mentioned it's all marketing.
On sub par systems the "watts" don't equate to perceived volume or sound quality- not the same thing- means nothing.

geko29

The very best amplifier I personally own (not in a car) has a maximum output of just over 1 watt. The best-sounding amplifier I've ever heard in a car had a meagre 25 watts x 2 channels, and cost $8000. The still quite good--but nowhere near THAT good--amplifier in my car currently, is rated at 75x6, or 450w total. And I use nowhere near its full capabilities, even if driving to volume that will make your ears bleed.

1000, 1500, 1800 watts or whatever is just marketing nonsense.

For reference, here is an 840 watt car audio amplifier:



Here is an 80 watt home amplifier:



I'll leave it as an exercise for the reader which one sounds better.

LeX2K

That car amp is nicely made and has 24 bit DACs. But 840 watts would make it go up in flames.
Because it works. The first question almost everyone asks is, how many watts?

SW17LS

But its not the be all and end all. Like I said the ML system in my LS460L was incredible, and it was only 450 watts. The Burmester audio in my S560 has 590 watts and is nowhere near as good.

My hope for size comes from the Grand Highlander. When they have a vehicle the size of the Highlander, a Grand Highlander must be bigger right?

1111GS

From what I remember, power has a meaning. As we introduced new/improved products, power was always on the list to achieve. As for audio, depending how much the volume is, more or less power/number of speakers is needed to provide a pleasant sound in that space. Certainly a stronger/more power amp will need to work (crank) less to reach the pleasant level. A less power amp may also get to that level but the amp will need to work harder (crank higher). As it's needed to work harder, it may be in non ideal state (non linear) of the amp causing the output to be non proportional to the input resulting an unpleasant/distorted sound. Similarly, a V4 and V6/8 all can get to certain speed, but V6/8 certainly can get with much less effort and smoother. No?