2019 F sport vs Hybrid test drive

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10-28-18, 02:06 AM

#16

jimv1983

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike728

You can't use XM with ML, or any other higher end sound system. XM is highly compressed. It's comparable to <64mbps MP3's. ML is very good at bringing out the detail in music. So, sh#t in equals sh#t out. I've had XM in all my vehicles since it came out. My ML equipped ES is the first one I didn't renew after the trial.

I listened to both the standard sound system and the ML system. In my experience the biggest difference in the sound quality on the ML system was when listening to XM. On the standard system XM sounded noticeably worse than the JBL system in my current 2011 Camry but the XM sounded great on the ML system...better than the JBL in my Camry which is pretty good. XM on the ES's standard system sounded sounded a bit staticy which isn't the case on the ML or my Camry's JBL. Of course it wasn't CD quality or even high quality MP3 but it was very good for XM. That alone makes the ML worth the extra $900 to me when I ordered my car.

Last edited by jimv1983; 10-28-18 at 02:13 AM.

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11-05-18, 09:40 AM

#17

hbasra

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I have a 2012 LX ML. The sound quality is worse than a Camry. I will never pay to get ML again.

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11-16-18, 04:58 PM

#18

jshap4321

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike728

I could not be more disappointed in the ML in my ‘19 ES f sport. It is so front/center biased that I hear 90% of the sound in my right ear. It is disorienting and makes it unlistenable. If you adjust the fader to the left it makes it all sound awkward. This whole ML “center stage” thing is a gimmick... who the hell prefers not to have balanced sound? I literally do not put on the stereo now. Can you imagine I listen to headphones in my Lexus with upgraded stereo? I know they design ML differently in each model so I’m only speaking about the 19 ES. TERRIBLE job by Lexus.

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11-16-18, 05:59 PM

#19

Mike728

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jshap4321

This is hard to believe, coming from my 6th gen ML ES experience. I'll finally get a chance to really compare the 2019 to my 2013 this week. I'll be visiting my parents who bought a 2019 with ML back in Sept. I've been tasked with converting all 14 of their CD's to MP3 (320kbps).

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11-16-18, 07:34 PM

#20

jshap4321

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike728

Let us know what you think. I am going to be reducing the power to the center channel with a resistor this weekend to try to balance out this mess.

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11-17-18, 07:59 AM

#21

john341

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jshap4321

Let us know what you think. I am going to be reducing the power to the center channel with a resistor this weekend to try to balance out this mess.

If I where you, I will restrain from doing modifications(Unless it is easily removable) so soon, I recommend all the owners who has same problem complain to Lexus, so they will find and fix the root cause. When we bought our 2009 Highlander, it had similar widespread problem, Toyota ended up fixing the problem by replacing the JBL amplifier with an updated one under warranty(Problem: rear speakers and the sub-woofer will cut of randomly). Dealership also has a way to update the core firmware of the infotainment system (not same as the system update that Lexus provides over the air) when and if Lexus provides it to the dealership as an TSB.