I have the 2014 IS250 F-Sport with Nav. Which models come with Mark Levinson audio?

 

Above where the seat warmer buttons are, it'll say and also has a red light. fsport 3 comes with ML audio as I recall.

 

Correct, Mark Levinson only comes with F sport series 3.

 

I guess I don't. Does the standard audio come with an amp?

I wanna get a sub with an amp but was wondering if the sub amp is wired to the stock amp or the car stereo?

 

It does come with an Amp, even though its standard but sound quality is awesome to me, the loudness is more than enough how loud do you want ? our standard audio system also has surround sound like Levinson the different is Levinson has 2 more speakers and a DVD player, our standard one don't. sound quality = the same. , I had Mark Levinson on my 2011 IS350 Top of the line package. i just traded in for Gen3 IS350 Fsport

 

It does sound great that's why I don't think I need to replace the speakers or amp but I just want more lows by adding a subwoofer with its own amp.

 

oh ok Subwoofer sounds good for an add on, yes you can .

 

Another quick way to confirm if you have ML ...ML stereos have "light gray" metal volume/tune ***** - they look almost white. Non ML are the shiny metallic gray plastic ***** (looks like the Mode selector under the shift ****).

 

Why do some people need to switch out the entire front stereo deck for Mark Levinson audio? Can't they just switch the speakers and amp?

 

The ML system has 15 speakers...the regular system has 8 speakers.
Some of the speakers in the 15 speaker system are a small speaker mounted on top of a larger speaker...it looks like one assembly, but it is counted as 2 speakers

*1
FRONT NO. 1 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY LH
*2
FRONT NO. 2 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY LH
*3
REAR SPEAKER ASSEMBLY LH
*4
REAR HEADER SPEAKER ASSEMBLY LH (for 15 Speakers)
*5
FRONT NO. 3 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY
*6
FRONT NO. 2 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY RH
*7
FRONT NO. 1 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY RH
*8
REAR NO. 2 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY LH (for 15 Speakers)
*9
REAR NO. 2 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY RH (for 15 Speakers)
*10
REAR SPEAKER ASSEMBLY RH
*11
REAR NO. 3 SPEAKER ASSEMBLY
*12
REAR HEADER SPEAKER ASSEMBLY RH (for 15 Speakers)

 

to add to this,
ML ***** are some metal material and is quality just like high end home sound system. Non-ML is plastic shiny *****

Also the "finish" of the front face of the stereo has a black brush aluminum look to it, again throws off premium feel like home audio systems

And you will see Mark Levinson markings/logos everywhere if you had it.

 

So to upgrade to ML, do you need to switch out the front stereo deck component also or can you just switch the amp and speakers?

 

I doubt you can "upgrade" to ML. It has to be done during production...

 

its not as easy as just switching out the stereo and amplifier and speakers.

the ML system has more speakers and wiring to these additional speakers are not present,
Also the plugs on the amplifier and rear of the stereo are pinned slightly differently even if the plugs are the same.
Some additional plugs necessary may not exist in the vehicle as well.

If your vehicle also does not currently have Navigation, you will need the Joystick and and possibly display as well if you were attempting the conversion.
It definitely doable but Not for the faint of heart and will be very costly and time consuming digging over the wiring diagrams of both setups and figure out what is missing or moved around.

 

I have the ML system in my 2011 RX350 and I can say that it does sound a lot better than the system in my new '17 IS300 F-Sport S2. I've ripped out and upgraded the stereos in all of my previous cars because it is in my car where I enjoy listening to my music most. I go for sound quality over volume and boom. The ML system in my RX350 didn't compare to my previous systems, but it was good enough that I didn't feel it was worth the effort or money to mess with it. I've been driving the IS300 for a week now and the sound quality really bugs me. It sounds so flat in comparison.

For anyone who has replaced the speakers, added a sub or amp, what do you think provided the best bang for the buck? Somehow I'm not sure if just adding a sub will do much to improve the sound.