More thoughts about the Mark Levinson audio system
11-28-18, 11:31 PM
#16
The issue with highly compressed material on the ML, is the fact that each speaker is filtered/tuned to only play a specific frequency range. With XM, some of the speakers have nothing in their range but noise. I suppose they could have them turn off in cases like that, but then people would be complaining of no audio coming out of some speakers. Bottom line, if you want to play highly compressed audio, on any audio system, save your money just buy mainstream.
The Clari-Fi technology developed by Harman (the owner of ML) really does make a difference. http://www.clarifisound.com
Is it CD quality or even high bit rate MP3? No, but it still sounds very good.
11-29-18, 04:43 AM
#17
Driver School Candidate
I was referring to the Bose 16 speaker system in the CTS luxury. Upgraded stereo should be compared to upgraded stereo. ML is crystal clear quality but that’s meaningless when the sound is so flimsy and unbalanced. It lacks fullness.
11-29-18, 07:59 AM
#18
How do you listen to music in your house? I have a very good surround sound setup in my basement, with sonically balanced speakers all around. When I play 2ch music, I play it in stereo, as intended. I don't have it matrixed to play on all speakers. If you listen to stereo music out of your surround speakers at home and enjoy it, you probably should have passed on the ML. While not the best system you can buy, it does a great job of recreating the source as it was intended.
11-29-18, 11:20 AM
#19
Lexus Champion
One of these days I'll have to swing by my local Lexus dealer and check out the new ES. I really like ML in my GS, so you guys have me curious about just how different it is in the new ES.
11-29-18, 01:56 PM
#20
Lead Lap
Those who own C5 Corvettes with the Bose sound system call it the "Blose" sound system when speaking of it on the Corvette forums... I also have it in mine and actually like it...
11-29-18, 02:23 PM
#21
Lead Lap
I'll preface my thoughts by saying that I am far from an audiophile. It is rare for me to want to listen to music while in a car, and I'm not sure that my ears and brain are capable of telling the difference between the performance of a high quality audio system and one of lower quality.
Still, I've amused myself by reading all of the posts in this thread and with the other ML thread that is currently on this board.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...n-painful.html
What strikes me about the posts in these two threads is how the perceptions of some about the ML system and other audio systems can be complete opposites of each other. Even taking into account the quality of various sources and differing music preferences, different people don't seem to be able to agree even on things like whether the ML system does better or worse than other systems with low quality sources, such as XM radio.
That leads me to conclude that, in addition to other variables, there has to be a good measure of confirmation bias that is influencing the conclusions to which some have come. If that is the case, it would seem that, before spending the $1100 or so of additional cost for the ML system, potential buyers would be wisest, before buying, to spend time at a dealership experimenting with various sources and to come to their own conclusions about which audio system makes the most sense to them. Otherwise, from just reading posts here, I don't think I would have any confidence at all in making any judgments about how good or not good the ML system is.
Still, I've amused myself by reading all of the posts in this thread and with the other ML thread that is currently on this board.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...n-painful.html
What strikes me about the posts in these two threads is how the perceptions of some about the ML system and other audio systems can be complete opposites of each other. Even taking into account the quality of various sources and differing music preferences, different people don't seem to be able to agree even on things like whether the ML system does better or worse than other systems with low quality sources, such as XM radio.
That leads me to conclude that, in addition to other variables, there has to be a good measure of confirmation bias that is influencing the conclusions to which some have come. If that is the case, it would seem that, before spending the $1100 or so of additional cost for the ML system, potential buyers would be wisest, before buying, to spend time at a dealership experimenting with various sources and to come to their own conclusions about which audio system makes the most sense to them. Otherwise, from just reading posts here, I don't think I would have any confidence at all in making any judgments about how good or not good the ML system is.
11-29-18, 03:25 PM
#22
Lexus Champion
I'll preface my thoughts by saying that I am far from an audiophile. It is rare for me to want to listen to music while in a car, and I'm not sure that my ears and brain are capable of telling the difference between the performance of a high quality audio system and one of lower quality.
Still, I've amused myself by reading all of the posts in this thread and with the other ML thread that is currently on this board.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...n-painful.html
What strikes me about the posts in these two threads is how the perceptions of some about the ML system and other audio systems can be complete opposites of each other. Even taking into account the quality of various sources and differing music preferences, different people don't seem to be able to agree even on things like whether the ML system does better or worse than other systems with low quality sources, such as XM radio.
That leads me to conclude that, in addition to other variables, there has to be a good measure of confirmation bias that is influencing the conclusions to which some have come. If that is the case, it would seem that, before spending the $1100 or so of additional cost for the ML system, potential buyers would be wisest, before buying, to spend time at a dealership experimenting with various sources and to come to their own conclusions about which audio system makes the most sense to them. Otherwise, from just reading posts here, I don't think I would have any confidence at all in making any judgments about how good or not good the ML system is.
Still, I've amused myself by reading all of the posts in this thread and with the other ML thread that is currently on this board.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...n-painful.html
What strikes me about the posts in these two threads is how the perceptions of some about the ML system and other audio systems can be complete opposites of each other. Even taking into account the quality of various sources and differing music preferences, different people don't seem to be able to agree even on things like whether the ML system does better or worse than other systems with low quality sources, such as XM radio.
That leads me to conclude that, in addition to other variables, there has to be a good measure of confirmation bias that is influencing the conclusions to which some have come. If that is the case, it would seem that, before spending the $1100 or so of additional cost for the ML system, potential buyers would be wisest, before buying, to spend time at a dealership experimenting with various sources and to come to their own conclusions about which audio system makes the most sense to them. Otherwise, from just reading posts here, I don't think I would have any confidence at all in making any judgments about how good or not good the ML system is.
11-29-18, 04:22 PM
#23
I'll preface my thoughts by saying that I am far from an audiophile. It is rare for me to want to listen to music while in a car, and I'm not sure that my ears and brain are capable of telling the difference between the performance of a high quality audio system and one of lower quality.
Still, I've amused myself by reading all of the posts in this thread and with the other ML thread that is currently on this board.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...n-painful.html
What strikes me about the posts in these two threads is how the perceptions of some about the ML system and other audio systems can be complete opposites of each other. Even taking into account the quality of various sources and differing music preferences, different people don't seem to be able to agree even on things like whether the ML system does better or worse than other systems with low quality sources, such as XM radio.
That leads me to conclude that, in addition to other variables, there has to be a good measure of confirmation bias that is influencing the conclusions to which some have come. If that is the case, it would seem that, before spending the $1100 or so of additional cost for the ML system, potential buyers would be wisest, before buying, to spend time at a dealership experimenting with various sources and to come to their own conclusions about which audio system makes the most sense to them. Otherwise, from just reading posts here, I don't think I would have any confidence at all in making any judgments about how good or not good the ML system is.
Still, I've amused myself by reading all of the posts in this thread and with the other ML thread that is currently on this board.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...n-painful.html
What strikes me about the posts in these two threads is how the perceptions of some about the ML system and other audio systems can be complete opposites of each other. Even taking into account the quality of various sources and differing music preferences, different people don't seem to be able to agree even on things like whether the ML system does better or worse than other systems with low quality sources, such as XM radio.
That leads me to conclude that, in addition to other variables, there has to be a good measure of confirmation bias that is influencing the conclusions to which some have come. If that is the case, it would seem that, before spending the $1100 or so of additional cost for the ML system, potential buyers would be wisest, before buying, to spend time at a dealership experimenting with various sources and to come to their own conclusions about which audio system makes the most sense to them. Otherwise, from just reading posts here, I don't think I would have any confidence at all in making any judgments about how good or not good the ML system is.
12-12-19, 05:58 PM
#24
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2019
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I think the ML system is ok but the Harman Kardon in my 2008 Mercedes E350 blows it away. Very solid bass, great highs and solid midrange. I feel like the ML is missing the clear highs. It does have a great fullness but not as good overall.
12-13-19, 07:59 AM
#25
Last edited by Ken7; 12-16-19 at 04:11 AM.
12-13-19, 09:19 AM
#26
Lead Lap
12-15-19, 11:50 AM
#27
I actually listened to the ML system yesterday at the dealer and I though it sounded very good. Sounded much better than the Bose stereo's in my 2016 Corvette Z06 and in my previous Nissan 370Z. What I thought was interesting is the sales person told me that part of the problem with the reduced sound from the back speakers had to do with the Double Pained rear window absorbing too much of the sound. He claims Lexus is very aware of the complaints and is working on a solution. Not sure if there is any truth to this but I've never heard this before and thought I would pass this along.
12-15-19, 01:22 PM
#28
I actually listened to the ML system yesterday at the dealer and I though it sounded very good. Sounded much better than the Bose stereo's in my 2016 Corvette Z06 and in my previous Nissan 370Z. What I thought was interesting is the sales person told me that part of the problem with the reduced sound from the back speakers had to do with the Double Pained rear window absorbing too much of the sound. He claims Lexus is very aware of the complaints and is working on a solution. Not sure if there is any truth to this but I've never heard this before and thought I would pass this along.
12-15-19, 01:23 PM
#29
Lead Lap
I actually listened to the ML system yesterday at the dealer and I though it sounded very good. Sounded much better than the Bose stereo's in my 2016 Corvette Z06 and in my previous Nissan 370Z. What I thought was interesting is the sales person told me that part of the problem with the reduced sound from the back speakers had to do with the Double Pained rear window absorbing too much of the sound. He claims Lexus is very aware of the complaints and is working on a solution. Not sure if there is any truth to this but I've never heard this before and thought I would pass this along.
That was in June of this year by the dealer Service Manager. I was in on December 6th. for an oil change and asked the SM about the "ML solution"... His answer was "there isn't any"...
Next time you see him tell him you were born at night, but not last night... I'm no engineer but I don't think that glass - single or double panes - absorbs sound... Pure BS...
12-15-19, 01:32 PM
#30