carlmock

Im seriously looking at a 07 GS350 and trying to determine if the Mark Levinson system if worth the extra $$$.

Can anyone suggest some cd's that really show the true potential of the system? I went the other night and couldnt really tell any difference with just a radio broadcast which I kind of expected. I thought maybe the dealer would have a demo disc but the "internet expert" knew less about the car than I did. she couldnt even tell me what colors the GS came in.

On a side note... do new sales associates get thrown into the mix as internet specialists chasing down all the crappy emails all day? Seems thats the case with the Lexus dealerships around here in PA

TIA
Carl

conclevage

iTrader: (1)

What you want to buy are some DVD-Audio (DVD-A) discs...those will produce the best surround sound effects. These discs will only work with the ML package. You can buy them at your local Best Buy between 15-20 dollars. Some of the DVD-A discs you buy may even include music videos that you can watch on your Nav screen.

I am so glad I went with the ML package.

Warning: Once you listen to DVD-A discs...you will NOT want to go back to regular cd's

Outkast - Stankonia (DVD-A) is CRAAAAAZY!!!

GSnewbie41

i never use surround sound when i listen to music...it distorts everything.....i only useitwhen i am watching dvds....does anyone else agree with me? even all the lexus guys told me to turn SS off when listening to music

sbrown02

carlmock,

I was wondering the same thing when I decided to purchase my GS, and then I found the following threads and that was all it took to seal the deal for me. Like you I wanted to test it out at my dealership, but they don't have any GS's on their lot with ML. In fact I'm having to go outside my region to get the GS I want with AWD/Nav and ML.

Anyway, in the first post I attached the vast majority of the respondants absolutely love their ML. After reading that I just decided there was no way I was going to regret not getting ML in a car that MSRP's over $50k. So even though I don't have my GS yet (its in transit to the dealer) and I havn't even experienced ML in the GS, I can tell you I have no doubts that getting one with it will be the right decision for me.

Good luck on your decision.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...highlight=Mark

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hlight=errands

SilverSprt

If you can afford it, I would say GET IT! My buddy rode in my car this week and I quote "This is the BEST car stereo system I have ever heard, hands down!" (We were listening to music from my IPOD via a cassette deck) That tells you something. This was through a cassette deck! I must say, I've been driving around in a RX300 for the previous 3 years and I was content with the premium (Non-ML system), but when you get to hear the ML system, it's on a level of it's own. I was soo impressed with the deep and crisp bass. It doesn't get distorted in the ML system as it did in the RX (and keep in mind, the RX had a sub as well). I picked up an REM DVD-Audio and the sound is fantastic. I watched a Celine Dion DVD in my car and it sounds superb. I can't wait until my Linkin Park DVD-A comes in. It's gonna be a blast. Cheers!

2thfixr

To be perfectly honest, I was quite unimpressed when I heard the ML system for the first time. It's not the knock your socks off experience that I thought it would be based on user reviews. I have had my car for a little less than 2 weeks now and the ML system sounds better now that it's broken in. The system sounds great but the imaging is not. Maybe like a good pair of Grados the system needs to be broken in further. If you can find a used GS with ML, listen to that versus a new vehicle.

As far as surround sound, I still can't decide which setting is better. Turning surround on artificially alters the sound stage and most of the vocals will come from the center just above the dash. This is pretty much what you want if you are thinking about proper imaging. The problem is that the surround setting narrows the soundstage as well. When you turn surround off, the soundstage drops below dash level but widens up quite a bit. So surround on = good vocal placement and narrow soundstage. Suround off = poor vocal placement but wide soundstage. Tough choice and one that I can't seem to make. I constantly switch back and forth depending on the track. If the ML system could give both at the same time. Then it would be a knock your socks off experience!

Overall, definitely get the ML system but don't expect perfection. If you want perfection, get a Reus Audio system.

conclevage

iTrader: (1)

All of you need to listen to DVD-Audio's if you want the most out of your ML system. The surround sound is phenominal with DVD-Audio's.

carlmock

so you would say that on non DVD audio discs the sound is good, better or amazing compared to a standard stock GS system? I dont really own many DVD audio discs and dont plan on redoing my entire 750 cd collection.. :~)

2thfixr

I would have to say that the ML system is much better than the stock GS system but definitely not amazing. If you are wondering if it's worth the money. The answer is a definitive yes. The ability to play DVDs on the nav screen alone is worth the price of admission.

Also, as Conclevage pointed out, you may need to use DVD-Audios to get proper imaging and soundstage but I don't own any and can't speak of the ML performance with a proper music source.

WOJO26

I would try a rap song or R&B with a slower beat. Here is why. Most beats have a low of highes, and lowes, which will allow you to fully hear the range.

Lexucan

I would suggest you try Diana Krall's "Live In Paris". It is available in both CD and DVD-Audio formats, and is used extensively as an excellent reference disc. I love her music and I must admit I'm somewhat biased towards her since she was born and raised right here in British Columbia....and the fact that she's a gorgeous blonde!

A quick related side-note:
I heard her give a local radio interview some years ago when her music was just starting to get international recognition. She was in town for a few weeks and had just visited with her family on Vancouver Island. She said while she was waiting in line in her car to board the ferry that runs between the island and the mainland, she noticed a guy standing some distance away who kept looking at her. Eventually he started walking towards her car, and she assumed that he'd recogized her and would probably be asking for her autograph. When he came to her window, she rolled it down and the guy said "hey lady, ya got a cigarette?"

mvallido

Basia and other jazz CDs.

Rockville

business. They had about 300 DVD-A's to select from. If you play a source that is a 2 channel then the playback will be better with surround off. The Blue Man Group has some interesting instruments and have recorded in DTS in 6.1. DVD movies best exemplify the surround sound and there are many. The sound will swirl around you and give you the impression that you are in the middle of the action.

The 2007 GS350 AWD has a package that gives you the Nav/ Mark Levinson with parking assist and rain sensing wipers. This applies only to the Eastern region but those are all desirable features and worth the extra money IMO.

Most dealerships have an "internet manager or specialist" that answer the emails and turn the internet query over to a sales consultant to follow up. The product knowledge of the internet manager can vary greatly but they do
a difficult task just responding to all of the email and internet advertising traffic. You cannot test drive or really see the true colors on a computer but there is so much information that many buyers can do a majority of their shopping on their keyboard. I believe the reason that Tower Records is folding is the internet and Itunes...

Rock

UberNoob

the good old Eric Clapton Unplugged CD is pretty good too
if you want to see if ur car has enuf of bass, try out track 7, layla and see if you can hear the foot tapping on the floor near the beginning of the song

if you have heard of this canadian singer, try out Sarah Mclachlan's Afterglow Live CD
just about all of her CDs are done with top recording quality and it really brings a good audio system to live

Gohawks63

I can't comment specifically on the ML system, but as a general statement, I couldn't disagree more with the above quote. My RL has the the DVD-A/DTS system and the sound is absolutely amazing. As another poster mentioned, hearing the crowd roar in your backseat is something that can't be explained. The RL also has a feature that's called "Centerpoint" which simulates the DVD-A experience with traditionally recorded CDs. It does a nice job of enhancing the sound without distorting it. I would imagine it's similar to the ML setup.