Mark Levinson vs Standard Audio System
#391
Something has got to be wrong with your ML system, you mentioned the sound quality is poor with zero bass, I’m wondering if the amp is not performing as it should or what speakers are not hooked up. Mine is a 2016 with ML, granted 5 years earlier and first year of 4th generation, but there’s no way I’d describe the sound quality as poor with no bass. It’s very good for a stock factory system IMO. The mid range and treble is clear and crisp, won’t distort even at high volume levels, and music with low end will shake the mirrors when it hits every time. Even the door speakers put out quite a bit of mid bass. Good luck!
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Mikes94GS3 (04-29-24)
#392
Actually, I thought about that yesterday so I plan to reach out to my Lexus dealer that takes care of my car to see what the speaker difference is on a 2024 RX350 vs my 2021. The 2024 sound on the ML is far better and I am hoping some subtle changes to mine will get me close.
#393
Interesting that ML sound quality might vary significantly by vehicle year. For what it's worth, last night we were listening to Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" (through SiriusXM) in our 2017 RX350 with ML. The bass was absolutely terrific, and the sound compared well with what we get from our high-end home system.
Her RXL is currently at the dealership getting the wireless CarPlay installation accomplished (it's a 2018) so we will see how the sound changes. On my LC (2023) I installed a wireless car play adapter (Ottocast). It connects via Bluetooth but streams via WiFi for the highest fidelity.
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jollick (04-30-24)
#394
Intermediate
My personal opinion - I've decided I hate the ML in most models. Completely over rated. Sounds terrible, no proper bass and weak speakers all round especially in the front doors. I have owned a ES300, LS430, and now a fully optioned 2016 RX350 all with ML premium sound systems and the only one that was remotely good was the version in my 97 ES300!
Last edited by LEX ES300; 05-02-24 at 02:15 AM.
#395
Intermediate
My personal opinion - I've decided I hate the ML in most models. Completely over rated. Sounds terrible, no proper bass and weak speakers all round especially in the front doors. I have owned a ES300, LS430, and now a fully optioned 2016 RX350 all with ML premium sound systems and the only one that was remotely good was the version in my 97 ES300!
I suspect for most, if you replaced their ML with standard audio, they would not even notice.
#396
Hi,
new guy with new to me 2021 RX 350 with Levinson sound.
First, on my research for buying the car several YouTube sources listed a failed subwoofer as a known problem.
second, I have my own question for the audiophiles here: I stream Apple music through my IPhone, and like everyone want to maximize the sound quality as cheaply as I can. question is: does the aux input play directly through to the speakers or does the system mess with the sound?
my thinking is if it’s direct the upcoming Apple Music lossless streaming music could be sent through one of the good $100 portable DACs for ear phones into the aux port, providing better quality sound in for improved results out.
Any thoughts?
ThankYou
new guy with new to me 2021 RX 350 with Levinson sound.
First, on my research for buying the car several YouTube sources listed a failed subwoofer as a known problem.
second, I have my own question for the audiophiles here: I stream Apple music through my IPhone, and like everyone want to maximize the sound quality as cheaply as I can. question is: does the aux input play directly through to the speakers or does the system mess with the sound?
my thinking is if it’s direct the upcoming Apple Music lossless streaming music could be sent through one of the good $100 portable DACs for ear phones into the aux port, providing better quality sound in for improved results out.
Any thoughts?
ThankYou
#397
Hi,
new guy with new to me 2021 RX 350 with Levinson sound.
First, on my research for buying the car several YouTube sources listed a failed subwoofer as a known problem.
second, I have my own question for the audiophiles here: I stream Apple music through my IPhone, and like everyone want to maximize the sound quality as cheaply as I can. question is: does the aux input play directly through to the speakers or does the system mess with the sound?
my thinking is if it’s direct the upcoming Apple Music lossless streaming music could be sent through one of the good $100 portable DACs for ear phones into the aux port, providing better quality sound in for improved results out.
Any thoughts?
ThankYou
new guy with new to me 2021 RX 350 with Levinson sound.
First, on my research for buying the car several YouTube sources listed a failed subwoofer as a known problem.
second, I have my own question for the audiophiles here: I stream Apple music through my IPhone, and like everyone want to maximize the sound quality as cheaply as I can. question is: does the aux input play directly through to the speakers or does the system mess with the sound?
my thinking is if it’s direct the upcoming Apple Music lossless streaming music could be sent through one of the good $100 portable DACs for ear phones into the aux port, providing better quality sound in for improved results out.
Any thoughts?
ThankYou
#398
Hi,
new guy with new to me 2021 RX 350 with Levinson sound.
First, on my research for buying the car several YouTube sources listed a failed subwoofer as a known problem.
second, I have my own question for the audiophiles here: I stream Apple music through my IPhone, and like everyone want to maximize the sound quality as cheaply as I can. question is: does the aux input play directly through to the speakers or does the system mess with the sound?
my thinking is if it’s direct the upcoming Apple Music lossless streaming music could be sent through one of the good $100 portable DACs for ear phones into the aux port, providing better quality sound in for improved results out.
Any thoughts?
ThankYou
new guy with new to me 2021 RX 350 with Levinson sound.
First, on my research for buying the car several YouTube sources listed a failed subwoofer as a known problem.
second, I have my own question for the audiophiles here: I stream Apple music through my IPhone, and like everyone want to maximize the sound quality as cheaply as I can. question is: does the aux input play directly through to the speakers or does the system mess with the sound?
my thinking is if it’s direct the upcoming Apple Music lossless streaming music could be sent through one of the good $100 portable DACs for ear phones into the aux port, providing better quality sound in for improved results out.
Any thoughts?
ThankYou
#399
Hi,
new guy with new to me 2021 RX 350 with Levinson sound.
First, on my research for buying the car several YouTube sources listed a failed subwoofer as a known problem.
second, I have my own question for the audiophiles here: I stream Apple music through my IPhone, and like everyone want to maximize the sound quality as cheaply as I can. question is: does the aux input play directly through to the speakers or does the system mess with the sound?
my thinking is if it’s direct the upcoming Apple Music lossless streaming music could be sent through one of the good $100 portable DACs for ear phones into the aux port, providing better quality sound in for improved results out.
Any thoughts?
ThankYou
new guy with new to me 2021 RX 350 with Levinson sound.
First, on my research for buying the car several YouTube sources listed a failed subwoofer as a known problem.
second, I have my own question for the audiophiles here: I stream Apple music through my IPhone, and like everyone want to maximize the sound quality as cheaply as I can. question is: does the aux input play directly through to the speakers or does the system mess with the sound?
my thinking is if it’s direct the upcoming Apple Music lossless streaming music could be sent through one of the good $100 portable DACs for ear phones into the aux port, providing better quality sound in for improved results out.
Any thoughts?
ThankYou
I have a Qudelix-5K dac / amp I have used a few times in the car... yes it will work. I would think it goes through processing like any other source.. sound quality was an improvement... cons were no info displayed, and no controls from the vehicle if I recall.. so like track changes and everything is from the phone, vs vehicle.. hope that makes sense.. I have used the dac several years, on my motorcycle with my custom triple in ears or er4xr under a full face helmet..
#400
I have a ‘21 with the ML system and I think it’s pretty good, myself. But I listen to XM satellite radio exclusively. Once or twice I have popped a CD in the player.
The audio source makes a huge difference, otherwise it’s like trying to judge a sound system by listening to YouTube videos. I cannot emphasize that enough: without a high-quality audio source, the sound system is going to sound lousy. (I do not consider Pandora to be a high-quality source.)
Try sticking a CD in there and listening. Note that some CDs that sound good in the house (like Steely Dan in my experience ) won’t sound as great in a car, their recordings are EQd for a home stereo system. Good old rock and roll that pumps out the bass does very well in mine.
The audio source makes a huge difference, otherwise it’s like trying to judge a sound system by listening to YouTube videos. I cannot emphasize that enough: without a high-quality audio source, the sound system is going to sound lousy. (I do not consider Pandora to be a high-quality source.)
Try sticking a CD in there and listening. Note that some CDs that sound good in the house (like Steely Dan in my experience ) won’t sound as great in a car, their recordings are EQd for a home stereo system. Good old rock and roll that pumps out the bass does very well in mine.
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jollick (07-08-24)
#402
whats settings are you guys running on the premium non ML system ? I can’t seem to get it right no matter if it is BT apple car play USB with flac files.
i even tried all settings at the max and on the balance two clicks back which was recommended to try with the ML but nothing sounds good
i even tried all settings at the max and on the balance two clicks back which was recommended to try with the ML but nothing sounds good
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GSFRX350 (07-11-24)