For those who has Mark Levinson sys...question..
10-29-01, 10:36 AM
#1
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For those who has Mark Levinson sys...question..
I am an avid audiophile who loves great sound system. I used to have a 98 GS300 with the regular sound system (not the Nakamichi) and I just noticed that when you compare the sound of the my new Mark Levinson (2002 LS430), it seems that the GS older sound system is better. I played the same CDs. I also noticed that the LS system speakers on front doors are mid-woofers. Is it just me or my ears need cleaning or thats the way it is? Appreciate any feedback. Thanks.
10-29-01, 11:57 AM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Well, here's what I found and hope that it helps. I have a 96LS with the Nak. I was shopping for a 01 GS with ML and brought with me sample CDs.
I am also an audiophile and tested the CDs within the same moments of hearing them on each car.
Here's my observations. Jazz selections sound the same for the ML and Nak. You can close your eyes and you won't notice the difference which car you're sitting (except for the smell of the brand new leather of the GS). A Billy Joel live concert sounds better in the ML - better in the sense that the male voice is closer to reality than the Nak. The Nak sounded a little tinny as compared to the ML.
What about premium (regular) stereo. I have listened to it also and you're right - they are not bad at all. In fact, I felt that it has warmer tones (on the ES). I think it depends on which car these systems are installed, the way the acoustics interact and so forth. The RX premium is not bad but not that great, either.
I am also an audiophile and tested the CDs within the same moments of hearing them on each car.
Here's my observations. Jazz selections sound the same for the ML and Nak. You can close your eyes and you won't notice the difference which car you're sitting (except for the smell of the brand new leather of the GS). A Billy Joel live concert sounds better in the ML - better in the sense that the male voice is closer to reality than the Nak. The Nak sounded a little tinny as compared to the ML.
What about premium (regular) stereo. I have listened to it also and you're right - they are not bad at all. In fact, I felt that it has warmer tones (on the ES). I think it depends on which car these systems are installed, the way the acoustics interact and so forth. The RX premium is not bad but not that great, either.
10-29-01, 12:34 PM
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Pop out one of the speakers in your ML and have a look at the voice coil magnet size. Automotive manufacturers aer very weight concious and you may want to upgrade all of your ML speakers depending on what you find.
10-30-01, 02:38 PM
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i have a 99 rx300 and a 99 es300 and think the rx system is horrible. no bass what-so-ever. in ratio to the bass i think the mids and highs are ok. marginal. on the other car (es300) bass is a little better. however on both systems if u turn it up to play it loud both get extremly distorted and just sound horrible. however the mids and highs on the es are alot better than the rx300. i havnt heard the new mark L. ones but i sure hope they improved it alot. as far as my rx goes. i just installed #3 audiobahn 10'' subs. and the system pounds now. but currently im looking to sell this total system and upgrade. maybe im just a bass freak. lol 
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