Mark Levinson Audio?
11-02-13, 07:18 AM
#586
I bought a 13 es300h with the Levinson audio. I am very very disappointed with the compressed sound and lack of clarity. I've tried all kinds of audio inputs: CD, Sirius XM, iPod, hd Radio, and none of them sound good. Sounds like a slightly out of tune FM boombox. I've had the dealer check, and confirm that the system is working properly. I don't recommend spending the extra dough for that system
The ML system has the cleanest audio I've ever heard in a car. If your sound is not clear for CD and 256k+ encoded MP3's, you need to adjust your settings. To start, put everything to mid, center the balance and turn off surround. XM will sound like crap no matter what you do. If you listen to hip-hop, or rap, get you amp replaced as mentioned in this thread.
11-06-13, 09:07 AM
#587
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so I just bought a 2013 es 350 with the ML sound system, and the bass sounds sloppy, is this in connection to the amp, if so how do i tell if i have the new one over the old?
11-06-13, 10:54 AM
#588
If the subwoofer bottoms out and distorts at 40 to 60 volume on heavy bass music, you need the new amp. Read back in the thread to find the part number to give to your dealer so he can order it and install it. My new amp just came in at my dealer and I will have it installed at the end of the month.
11-06-13, 05:15 PM
#589
On my invoice the identification of the New amp is as follows
SOP NEW Updated AMP with white stamp 86280-0WA70/1 - Exchange unit thru United Radio
Hope this helps
11-07-13, 07:20 AM
#590
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Called my dealer (Park Place Plano), talked to 3 service techs, none of them has heard about this... they want me to bring it in, so they can "verify". I offered info from here, they said a forum does mean anything. So this should be fun....
11-07-13, 08:53 AM
#591
They can also call some other dealers to verify it. My dealer is Hennessy Lexus of Gwinnett in Duluth, GA. They are aware of the issue and received a new amp for my car. Lloyd Legette is the Service Manager and he is aware of the amp issue.
11-11-13, 06:24 PM
#592
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I bought a 13 es300h with the Levinson audio. I am very very disappointed with the compressed sound and lack of clarity. I've tried all kinds of audio inputs: CD, Sirius XM, iPod, hd Radio, and none of them sound good. Sounds like a slightly out of tune FM boombox. I've had the dealer check, and confirm that the system is working properly. I don't recommend spending the extra dough for that system
so if the es folks r happy with the revised amp, i say enjoy it but it's likely that it can't touch the clarity, and power of 19 drivers in the relatively small space of the ls. hell, when i crank that thing the rear and side views vibrate so much they become useless. it's heaven!
11-11-13, 07:00 PM
#593
the reality appears to be grim. the ls is tops followed by the gs when it comes to ml sound. it's hands down - da ****. i decided to try a '13 gx with ml. it had a blown rear spkr but the sound was thin either way. after trading a '12 ls with ml, it wasn't till i traded it that i even realized the gx had ml! that's how anemic it sounded.
so if the es folks r happy with the revised amp, i say enjoy it but it's likely that it can't touch the clarity, and power of 19 drivers in the relatively small space of the ls. hell, when i crank that thing the rear and side views vibrate so much they become useless. it's heaven!
so if the es folks r happy with the revised amp, i say enjoy it but it's likely that it can't touch the clarity, and power of 19 drivers in the relatively small space of the ls. hell, when i crank that thing the rear and side views vibrate so much they become useless. it's heaven!
11-12-13, 02:47 AM
#594
"they want me to bring it in, so they can "verify"."
My dealer did the same thing. My guess is this is how they have decided to handle this problem. Rest assured they will take care of it and you will be totally thrilled with your ML system. I have listed to other ML systems on other Lexus vehicles and have it on our other vehicle, an LS, and this one (one the ES) is superior. Without spending thousands on a custom audio system, it would be difficult to find better!
The quality of the sound ultimately depends on how you set the bass, mid and treble settings, and as well of course the balance. And most importantly, the audio source!
My dealer did the same thing. My guess is this is how they have decided to handle this problem. Rest assured they will take care of it and you will be totally thrilled with your ML system. I have listed to other ML systems on other Lexus vehicles and have it on our other vehicle, an LS, and this one (one the ES) is superior. Without spending thousands on a custom audio system, it would be difficult to find better!
The quality of the sound ultimately depends on how you set the bass, mid and treble settings, and as well of course the balance. And most importantly, the audio source!
Last edited by ElliotB; 11-12-13 at 01:10 PM.
11-12-13, 12:43 PM
#596
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ML unimpressive
I've had my 2013 about 45 Days and have to admit I'm pretty unimpressed with the ML System. The Bose in my G35x was at least as good if not better. It is decent but seems to suffer from distortion (muddled) in the midrange and and sometimes shrill just is not what I expected regardless of the source which is most often USB & satellite. Even the Acura Krell system blows it away. Finding an Ultra was tough enough in the first place is the ML only in the Ultra series on the ES350. I 'd like to hear it in a 2014 if they have different amps. My car was manufactured in August.
11-12-13, 12:46 PM
#597
I've had my 2013 about 45 Days and have to admit I'm pretty unimpressed with the ML System. The Bose in my G35x was at least as good if not better. It is decent but seems to suffer from distortion (muddled) in the midrange and and sometimes shrill just is not what I expected regardless of the source which is most often USB & satellite. Even the Acura Krell system blows it away. Finding an Ultra was tough enough in the first place is the ML only in the Ultra series on the ES350. I 'd like to hear it in a 2014 if they have different amps. My car was manufactured in August.
11-13-13, 01:45 PM
#598
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11-13-13, 07:02 PM
#599
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Last edited by Rhard49; 11-13-13 at 07:05 PM.
11-14-13, 06:32 PM
#600
the reality appears to be grim. the ls is tops followed by the gs when it comes to ml sound. it's hands down - da ****. i decided to try a '13 gx with ml. it had a blown rear spkr but the sound was thin either way. after trading a '12 ls with ml, it wasn't till i traded it that i even realized the gx had ml! that's how anemic it sounded.
so if the es folks r happy with the revised amp, i say enjoy it but it's likely that it can't touch the clarity, and power of 19 drivers in the relatively small space of the ls. hell, when i crank that thing the rear and side views vibrate so much they become useless. it's heaven!
so if the es folks r happy with the revised amp, i say enjoy it but it's likely that it can't touch the clarity, and power of 19 drivers in the relatively small space of the ls. hell, when i crank that thing the rear and side views vibrate so much they become useless. it's heaven!
