Did no one get the mark Levinson option?
#16
If your ML doesn’t thump hard enough, easy fix. Throw a sub box or tube in the back. If your non ML isn’t clear enough...we’ll, how much cash you got?
I have the ML in my GS and the wife has the standard in her RX. She thinks the ML isn’t full bodied enough and I think her system is muddy. There you go. No two shall agree. My argument still goes to my first sentence though!
I have the ML in my GS and the wife has the standard in her RX. She thinks the ML isn’t full bodied enough and I think her system is muddy. There you go. No two shall agree. My argument still goes to my first sentence though!
#17
If your ML doesn’t thump hard enough, easy fix. Throw a sub box or tube in the back. If your non ML isn’t clear enough...we’ll, how much cash you got?
I have the ML in my GS and the wife has the standard in her RX. She thinks the ML isn’t full bodied enough and I think her system is muddy. There you go. No two shall agree. My argument still goes to my first sentence though!
I have the ML in my GS and the wife has the standard in her RX. She thinks the ML isn’t full bodied enough and I think her system is muddy. There you go. No two shall agree. My argument still goes to my first sentence though!
#18
Lexus Test Driver
One issue is that the ML uses 14 speakers, so to drive those 14 speakers to get the full benefit of their great sound, means powering up the system to a higher volume than usually desired for such an enclosed space as a car interior. Yes, the ML sounds great at high volumes, so if you can stand the volume, it's great! Personally I like the regular audio system with 10 speakers, which at lower volumes, sounds just as good as a 14 speaker system.
#19
Lexus Test Driver
Like others have said, expand your search to F Sports. The local dealers here like to load them up. You'll never see an F Sport lacking options from this state.
#20
Agreed. The '12 Fsport I have was only available with one optional extra, that being the ML upgrade...Can't imagine why anyone would order one without...
#21
Lexus Champion
OP, I suspect by your threads/comments in the new ES forum that you are no longer considering a GS?
#22
Lexus Fanatic
ML is not a very popular option with just about all Lexus models, it is expensive, it is even pretty rare on the LS. I looked for a GS and LS for a while and it was not common to see ML on either car aside from Long Wheelbase LS460's. I listened to a ML in one GS I test drove and did not find it worth seeking out or a must have or something I would pay extra for, no real big difference in sound to me. The stock system sounds good to me. If you listen to mostly satellite radio you will notice no real difference, the regular sound system may seem better for satellite and FM broadcasts because it seems to sound a little better or as good at lower volumes.
#23
Former Sponsor
#24
#25
As for ML, you'll need good source material to really take advantage of it, as is the case with most higher end audio equipment. I personally feed FLAC from my phone to a portable DAC via micro USB and then to the auxillary input on my RX450h. ML is quite amazing for that. I keep my phone charged via a wireless charger/phone holder, and I keep my DAC charged via the car's USB port. It's a bit of a complicated system, and I can see how most people may not want to go through the trouble to set that up.
BTW, I'm looking for a GS450h, but they're so damn hard to find especially since I want ML and luxury package so it limits me to 2013s. I'm thinking of just getting a 2016 GS350 now. May join the club soon!
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Im2bz2p345 (04-22-19)
#26
Driver School Candidate
One issue is that the ML uses 14 speakers, so to drive those 14 speakers to get the full benefit of their great sound, means powering up the system to a higher volume than usually desired for such an enclosed space as a car interior. Yes, the ML sounds great at high volumes, so if you can stand the volume, it's great! Personally I like the regular audio system with 10 speakers, which at lower volumes, sounds just as good as a 14 speaker system.
Even my audio guy said as much. He also said that one thing most people don't consider is that if you have a sub in the trunk it's a bit of a quandry for a car like the GS. The GS is designed to keep outside noise outside. To get good benefits from a sub in the trunk, you now have to specifically compromise the sound barrier to enjoy the bass fully, but you are also at risk of letting in a lot of other sounds that you don't want coming in.
#27
Curious where folks have their settings on the ML system for bass, treble, mid. I have a 2019 GS and can't seem to get enough bass/low end thump...to me sounds like it's coming out of a coffee can. Oddly my 2016 IS with ML sounded better than my 2019 GS with ML.
#28
Not 100% sure but I have my highs about 2 -3 tabs to the right, Mids in the middle or 1 tab to the right and Bass 3 tabs to the right. I'm new to Lexus and ML but I noticed these settings will produce somewhat different results based on the audio source. Satellite radio sounds more bass heavy than my Spotify bluetooth stream for example. I'd imaging the Bluetooth connection has a lower audio quality. CD should produce the highest and best sound, which is why we still have one in our cars. Less compression on the audio files. I might look into tossing some high bit-rate mp3s on a USB drive to see what things sound like.