gsnuge

What audio system comes in Ultra Luxury? Do not need Levinson.

lesz

The ML audio system is a stand-alone option, but, if things are the same with the Generation 7 ES as they were with the Generation 6 ES, you will have a hard time finding an UL ES that does not have the ML system. You might be able to custom order one, but, since discount levels will be lower on custom orders, there is a good chance that you will end up paying more for for a custom order UL ES without the ML system than what you would pay for one with the ML that is bought out of a dealer's inventory.

mikemu30

Pioneer is the base system.

jimv1983

It's hard finding the UL at all. I wanted the UL with ML on my 300h and I had to special order.

lesz

With the Generation 6 ES, UL cars were only built during a couple of production runs through the entire course of the year. Dealers usually got a couple/few cars from those runs, but, once those cars were sold, it might have been a couple of months before they got any more UL ES. Occasionally, a few UL cars got to dealers as the result of shipments of cars built in Japan. I suspect that the situation will be similar with the 2019 ES.

jimv1983

That's such a shame. Any idea why? I couldn't even get a regular Luxury on the 300h with ML and HUD without a special order.

reposado2

I love the HUD but the ML is hardly worth the price. Try listening to both in the dealerships... ML is marginally better than the pioneer(probably due to placebo).

As a side note my wife picked up her Tesla Model 3 recently and the sound system absolutely destroys the ML. Rich crisp sounds surrounds you. Its like comparing THX theater vs home tv speakers.

jimv1983

I did listen to both in the dealer. That's why I decided on the ML system. I tested two sources. Music from my phone over Bluetooth (256kbps MP3s) and XM. For the MP3s the difference wasn't huge but it was noticable. The biggest difference was amazingly on XM radio. On the Pioneer system XM had static. I actually thought it was FM radio at first but it definitely wasn't. The JBL system in my current 2011 Camry was much better. On the ML system XM sounded much better than it did on the Pioneer system. Zero static. It even sounded better than XM on my current JBL which I'm already pretty happy with. The Clari-Fi technology that is designed to improve compressed audio(like XM) really works. Since 60-70% of my listening in the car is XM spending the extra $1,080 was worth it to me.


http://www.clarifisound.com

reposado2

Have you tried premium Spotify or Apple Music over apple Carplay in the car vs XM?

No offence but IMO anyone slightly technology inclined would prefer the Carplay option.

jimv1983

XM gives a lot of variety plus baseball. Plus, XM introduces me to new music I might not heard otherwise. I am very technology inclinded but I don't have or ever want an iPhone.