tigmd99

Hey all,

Just a quick question...for those of you who have heard both systems, is there a big difference in audio performance between the two?? In other words, is the ML Reference significantly better sounding than the original LS430's ML system?? I heard that the LS430's ML system was tuned by Mark Levinson himself...so, i am just wondering how it compares to the new ML Reference system.

Thanks in advance.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i didn't own ls430 myself, but i listened to the system quite a bit. i owned the ls460l with ml reference system.

it's not even close, the ls460 mark levinson reference system is a lot better. better base, more crispy sound.

also keep in mind the ls460 is the first system to get the "reference system" title.

that's my 2 cents

PatsSoxfan

I have owned both and I agree with romin. There is no comparison. The LS460 system is far superior.

tigmd99

Thanks guys....

Luxofreak

Not to mention it's 19 speakers...

RXSF

lol. agreed.

what exactly does "reference" mean/add?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i still have the brochure somewhere, it talks about the ML reference system on the ls460 when it came out. basically reference system means it's the highest grade audio system from ML. it has to reach certain audio level before it can be certified as reference system, something along that line

tigmd99

Reference just means that it is the best ML has made and thus is the system by which all others are measured. It is a somewhat arrogant title, but in ML's case, it is indeed the system by which all other system are measured. From reading Car Audio magazine, ML system is the best among all OEM car audio system, bar none.

zzzzdoc

I presently own both (actually an LS600hL and a LS430UL). I also think the new ML is better. Especially now that my amp has been replaced and isn't making me deaf.

george1688

Its obviously better. According to the specs, the system is even weaker than the STANDARD LS460 system except for an additional speaker (LS430 ML - 11 Speakers, LS460 Standard - 10 Speakers)

tom2517

Here are some info.

http://www.autospies.com/news/DIAGRA...o-system-7296/

http://www.nadim.com/GalleryDocs/Doc1340.pdf

rominl

iTrader: (4)

lol, the previous amp was to show you the "power" of the system

Johnny

Reference = State of the Art = Benchmark = That which others will be compared to or measured against...

Luxofreak

^^ Agreed, and also at least in the recording industry it means a system that is transparent - it doesn't add any colors to the original source. That could be a true statement if the ML is being used flat, without any EQ applied.

For example, there are very old Yamaha speaker boxes (the ones that have a white main speaker) that are the total standard in the recording industry. They are so transparent and flat that they are considered "reference speakers".

I would even say that 90% of all records produced since the 70s until today have used these Yamahas during the mixing proccess.

So "reference" is a term that ML borroed from the recording industry.

zzzzdoc

Now we can talk all day about how horrible a car is acoustically, and how there is no hope in producing good sound in it, but I digress. (Duck, flame-throwers being loaded with propellant.)

That being said, since it's such a quiet car, and the ML is quite good for a car stereo, it's still quite nice.

Somehow, the ML sounds better in the home theater, though. I can't understand why.....