Madsci625

Hey All,

I'm sure this question is buried somewhere on the forums but I wasn't able to find in the FaQ so sorry for the n00b question: What identifying marks are there if ML audio is installed? Some of the description of cars I'm currently looking at online are lacking descriptions and I'm wondering if I can ID a ML audio system via the pictures.

Thanks...

oblivionis

iTrader: (2)

It says Mark Livinson right below the cd slot.

YooNiBaLL

there should be a small speaker thing in the front of your car near the front windshield. take a credit card and pop it open (wont do any damage). if it's empty, you dont have ML. if u do have something, you do have ML. hopefully that something is a speaker and not stashed drugs from a previous owner. lol

Madsci625

Thanks

haha... So there is a center speaker grill on the dash regardless of ML and if ML is installed a speaker is present, otherwise not?

Madsci625

Is it in white, to the right of the Gold "Lexus" writing (not the button)? Pic is hard to see up close, I assume this is it though. Thanks...

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

the mark levinson amp/sound processor is in the trunk underneath the passenger-side plastic trunk panel right next to the spare wheelwell.

Madsci625

They claim this car has ML audio, yet no decal under the CD slot....

YooNiBaLL

check the front dashboard speaker by propping up the meshed cupboard with a card of some sort. if it has something there, that means its ML

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

rather than checking for speakers or looking for a screen-printed logo on the CD slot, look in the passenger side of the trunk. i just took these two pics a few minute ago, so it's not a complicated process (it took me longer to upload the pics than to get access to the mark levinson amp/sound processor):



underneath little plastic panel should be this:



the plastic panel can be removed after lifting the spare tire cover from the wheel well and removing the cargo net.

as you can see from the above pic, this is the mark levinson amp/sound processor (says it right on the top of the unit). if you don't see this, it isn't mark levinson-equipped.

--

edit: i just realized you'll need to do this in person for a confirmation...

Madsci625

Cool. I need to be able the system by looking at the dash. Do all ML systems have the screen printed logo to the right of the gold Lexus print?

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

^ i think so.

if the 2is has nav + ML, just pop in a DVD.

i believe non-ML-equipped 2is's - even w/ nav - can not play video DVD's...

15951

Just to build on post #9 - note that you don't have to remove the spare tire cover or cargo net. Just pull up on the plastic tray that covers the amp, and lift the spare tire cover a bit and it comes right off.

You could also find a DVD-A disk and bring that with you. I don't think it will play without ML sound.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

Every ML stereo I've ever seen says Mark Levinson right on the head unit.

Mine does, and I don't even have nav, just ML.


And yes, ONLY cars with both nav -and- ML can play DVDs of any kind, so any DVD will work fine as a test if the print on the head unit isn't enough. (you'll need to have it in park with the parking brake on if you want a video dvd to play).

There's also a difference in the surround-sound type options which the owners manual describes (I think it calls em Type A or Type B systems)

There's also a major difference in rear speaker location... ML cars have two 2.6" speakers on the rear shelf...non-ML cars have all the rear speakers (except the sub) in the doors.

That's in addition to the center-speaker difference and the obvious-if-you-look-at-the-amp differences.