luxury1

I know the ML system rocks but how good is the standard system (non ML)? Does it have a sub woofer?

donaldm823

I got the new LS without ML audio (strictly an availability decision). The premium radio/CD/XM combo which comes standard with the NAV option is very good. The acoustics in the LS with this standard radio (called premium radio)are just as good as my 2006 GS430 that had the ML option.

Bottom line-I am very happy about the premium radio. I would have liked the other things that come with the ML like the ability to record CD to the HDD, play both DVDs and CDs and the extra speakers-but to my ear, the standard 275 watts, 11 speakers and a subwoofer are more than adequate and measure up to any other car makers audio. I am sure the ML audio sounds better in the LS just due to having 19 speakers vice the 12, but I do not think is was worth the extra 3 months wait plus the extra $$$

luxury1

This is music to my ears

My mercedes has an upgraded harmon kardon system which I never found to be that amazing. I figured that Lexus would have this area covered as standard functionality.

DKNY

275 watts, 12 speakers is pretty good

2007es350

Does anybody with the standard audio system have some comments about the sound quality? More specifically, how does the standard system compare with ML versions of the ES and GS?

thanks!

joedaddy1

iTrader: (1)

i think it's 197watts or so..

the system is OK.. but nothing to write home about..
my RX400h w/ the ML sounds the same..

maybe something is wrong with my ears..

dsc07

I had the Mark Levinson system in my '04 430, but opted for the standard system in the 460. The standard system is good, but does not compare with the Mark Levinson system. If the quality is important enough to you to spend an extra $5000, go for it. For me, it just isn't. When I want to listen to high-quality sound, I do it in the comfort of my own home where I don't have to put up with traffic, wind, and road noise.

exBMWowner

If you listen to DVD Audio discs, the ML system will sound noticeably better. If you listen to mainly XM radio and some CDs, the ML system will sound better, but not enough to blow you away (IMO). I have the ML system, and I continue to be blown away by the DVD audio, but when I listen to XM, it just sounds average to me. I recognize it's not the sound system, but the signal being processed. Unfortunately, XM radio and to some extent even CD audio is not up to par with the capabilities of the ML system, so you rarely get the entire benefit of the higher end system. The HDD is very nice to have though. I would miss that if I did not have it, as I have downloaded a large portion of my CD library to it and I almost never listen to XM radio any more.

spwolf

it is xm mostly, as it is VERY compressed signal... I am talking out my ****, but I would say 96kbs if I remember correctly...

spwolf

um, let me correct myself... Sirious is confirmed 34kbs, although they use special codec that should make it sound better.


34kbs.


XM is not better either.

So dont expect much folks.