cremaster

iTrader: (1)

hello all. well, i just bought my 09 IS-F last thurs and noticed that the Mark Levinson stereo wasn't very loud. in fact, it sounds really flat and underpowered compared to my wife's 08 IS 250 stock Mark Levinson stereo.

i've ridden/driven my wife's car for the past 2 years now, so, i know what it sounds like compared to mine.

all the speakers seem to be working fine but the sound quality is nowhere near my wife's car.

it's at the dealer now and of course, they are saying nothing is wrong w/ it. any input??

i told them to compare the sound w/ any other IS they have on their lot, that it will be obvious. they are supposed to get back to me.

your opinions and thoughts are appreciated.

mugenh22a4

iTrader: (9)

Have them park it next to an IS with the same stereo and prove to you there is nothing wrong with your stereo.

MisterSkiz

iTrader: (2)

Just throwing this out there (I'm sure you checked this already)

Is the Surround Option on/off?
Is the speed dependent volume turned on/off?

I swear the sound system in my car is quiet too. But I guess this isn't a Stereo meant to blow ear drums out

SeanGTS

iTrader: (1)

What source are you listening to? Different CD qualities and bit rates will sound vastly different. Make sure your source of music is quality.

cremaster

iTrader: (1)

i tried listening w/ the surround off and on. i also turned off the speed dependant feature off. i've listened to CDs and my ipod on both my wife's IS 250 and mine. huge difference.

yeah, i told the service tech to please, just listen to another IS compared to mine w/ the same cd/song/track and that you'll definitely notice a difference. unless they are deaf, i don't know how anyone could not notice.

i also asked them to check the connection to the amp and to see if the amp is working properly, too.

maybe i need to listen to another IS-F?? but i find it difficult to believe that my wife's earlier model (08) stereo sounds way better than my 09.

SpmMorrow

My F with ML sounds about the same as my 350 with ML. Can you confirm all your speakers are working. If the sound is flat perhaps you have a blown Tweeter or your center is blow

cremaster

iTrader: (1)

just got another call from the lexus dealer; said everything checks out, including all the speakers. they said they lined it up next to another IS and played the same radio station and everything sounded the same. ahhhh! i'll just drive it for a while and maybe take it to another dealer. thanks for all the responses.

VtotheJ

iTrader: (2)

I would do exactly that, take it to another dealer. They also need to test bass and treble, simply playing a radio station will be hard to determine sound problems.

Also, if you're using Aux make sure you don't max out the volume on your ipod, this will distort the sound. Just make sure the volume is a little less than max on the mp3 player, and the system will sound way better.

cremaster

iTrader: (1)

^^ thanks for the tip re: the ipod.

chris6878

Maybe you are hard of hearing. Maybe your listening to crappy iPod mp3s. Did you adjust your levels at all. Maybe u need to just go with a quality aftermarket stereo system.

cremaster

iTrader: (1)

real insightful, troll.

chris6878

Man I'm serious. U didn't give any background on yourself. If nobody else hears the problem with your stereo. Maybe u need to check into that. Have u tried listening to another isf