Mark Levinson vs Standard Audio System
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Mark Levinson vs Standard Audio System
I know sound quality is very subjective. Having had a woofer and tweeter polk audio with a JL sub on my previous vehicle, I think sound quality is very important.
Has anyone had any experience with the ML audio system on the RX? Also, does anyone know if it is possible to change speakers, subwoofer with an ML audio system? And how much of a headache would it be?
Based on this brouchure, http://dev.text100.com/harman-pressk...Fact-Sheet.pdf
it seems that the only subwoofer on the new RX is a 7 inch, 200 MM... Not saying I want that boom boom pow as I have my subwoofer level on -8 with my 12 inch JL Sub, but it would be nice to know it can reach those low levels.
Going to test the sound next week so I'll update the post and let you guys know what I think!
Has anyone had any experience with the ML audio system on the RX? Also, does anyone know if it is possible to change speakers, subwoofer with an ML audio system? And how much of a headache would it be?
Based on this brouchure, http://dev.text100.com/harman-pressk...Fact-Sheet.pdf
it seems that the only subwoofer on the new RX is a 7 inch, 200 MM... Not saying I want that boom boom pow as I have my subwoofer level on -8 with my 12 inch JL Sub, but it would be nice to know it can reach those low levels.
Going to test the sound next week so I'll update the post and let you guys know what I think!
#2
Lexus Test Driver
You can swap it, but that doesn't mean it's going to sound good. If you know anything about audio equipment, you know it's a science and not just a matter of slapping the fanciest speakers in that you can find.
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finny76 (05-10-18)
#3
Driver School Candidate
Ml
I know sound quality is very subjective. Having had a woofer and tweeter polk audio with a JL sub on my previous vehicle, I think sound quality is very important.
Has anyone had any experience with the ML audio system on the RX? Also, does anyone know if it is possible to change speakers, subwoofer with an ML audio system? And how much of a headache would it be?
Based on this brouchure, http://dev.text100.com/harman-pressk...Fact-Sheet.pdf
it seems that the only subwoofer on the new RX is a 7 inch, 200 MM... Not saying I want that boom boom pow as I have my subwoofer level on -8 with my 12 inch JL Sub, but it would be nice to know it can reach those low levels.
Going to test the sound next week so I'll update the post and let you guys know what I think!
Has anyone had any experience with the ML audio system on the RX? Also, does anyone know if it is possible to change speakers, subwoofer with an ML audio system? And how much of a headache would it be?
Based on this brouchure, http://dev.text100.com/harman-pressk...Fact-Sheet.pdf
it seems that the only subwoofer on the new RX is a 7 inch, 200 MM... Not saying I want that boom boom pow as I have my subwoofer level on -8 with my 12 inch JL Sub, but it would be nice to know it can reach those low levels.
Going to test the sound next week so I'll update the post and let you guys know what I think!
Not worth the Money...
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#4
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
For sure. Wanted to add dynamat eventually too! Hmm.. I will give it a test when I see it next week. But I've had ML systems in the past and wasn't to happy with it. They made such a big deal that it was this new thing haha.
Might just get the regular 12 speakers instead...
That's the only difference right with the ML system? Just the ML speakers?
Might just get the regular 12 speakers instead...
That's the only difference right with the ML system? Just the ML speakers?
#5
I love the regular system on my last GS. Compare to the ML on RX, i would say that it sounds better, but not by much. The biggest difference i heard the ML for the 1st time was on surround mode. The majority of the sound are coming from the center speaker. But for the regular system, felt like i am sitting in the middle of it. That's why now i have to move the level toward the back seats in order to feel like i am in the middle of the surround sound.
Also ML has 'Clari-Fi' audio tech, ML badge on each speaker.
For me, it's worth the money since I have the loaded RX. Don't want to cheap out on this one lol
Also ML has 'Clari-Fi' audio tech, ML badge on each speaker.
For me, it's worth the money since I have the loaded RX. Don't want to cheap out on this one lol
#6
I have the ML system in my 2016 RX. While I have heard better it sure sounds better than other non ML systems I have heard in Lexus vehicles. I consider it a good investment.
#7
In a 50k$ car, I'm not sure why the ML system isn't standard. To my rapidly failing hearing, the ML system is an improvement, not vast, but a much needed improvement. If you can afford it, don't go standard.
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kctiger75 (02-19-20)
#11
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The ML audio on the 16 RX doesn't sound as good as on my 14 IS to my ears. But, I don't regret getting it at all!
I don't think I could get a fully loaded car without ML unless I special order...
I don't think I could get a fully loaded car without ML unless I special order...
#12
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Expensive sound systems in a car is hard to justify. I think Mercedes has a Burmeister System as an option. We are talking about an audio company that sells systems upto $100K+ for a home system. In a car, what with road noise etc it is very subjective. You pay six figures (home system) for exceptional sound that can play high resolution music. Even a person with "golden ears" cannot hear the difference between MP3 files and a CD in a car on the road. Save your money and get some nice speakers for the house.
#13
Lexus Test Driver
consider the trunk space too, there's a reason why the ML on a GS/LS sounds better than the ML on an RX/GX.
then there's the source. it has to be a CD to fully evaluate the system.
listening to Sirius/XM or your cheaply downloaded mp3 won't do the trick.
then there's the source. it has to be a CD to fully evaluate the system.
listening to Sirius/XM or your cheaply downloaded mp3 won't do the trick.
#14
Was using Lexus' premium (not ML though) sound system on my 3RX and was quite unhappy about it. Switching to ML on my 4RX definitely got me much better sound. Very transparent and clear, and I love the surrounding effect (guess that's because that center speaker ML system has).
One thing I'm not sure ML delivers is dynamic bass. It's kinda flat and hard to adjust to my liking, so I'm keeping it at default settings (not that I'm a bass junkie at all - but really it's kinda flat…)
I'm sure there are better systems if you'd like to tinker and have specific needs, but overall, I'm pretty satisfied with that I got. Not sure if it's worth the money as I haven't compared to anything but standard sound systems on 4RX. Would've definitely loved to have a proper multichannel equalizer with presents and whatnot (which I had on my Toyotas 10+ years ago), instead of that joke of a sound adjustment tools Lexuses have…*but… duh… Guess ML/Lexus is like Apple - they think they have it perfect so why would anyone want to adjust anything. Right?
Oh and I'm listening to iTunes' 256Kbps AACs via USB…
One thing I'm not sure ML delivers is dynamic bass. It's kinda flat and hard to adjust to my liking, so I'm keeping it at default settings (not that I'm a bass junkie at all - but really it's kinda flat…)
I'm sure there are better systems if you'd like to tinker and have specific needs, but overall, I'm pretty satisfied with that I got. Not sure if it's worth the money as I haven't compared to anything but standard sound systems on 4RX. Would've definitely loved to have a proper multichannel equalizer with presents and whatnot (which I had on my Toyotas 10+ years ago), instead of that joke of a sound adjustment tools Lexuses have…*but… duh… Guess ML/Lexus is like Apple - they think they have it perfect so why would anyone want to adjust anything. Right?
Oh and I'm listening to iTunes' 256Kbps AACs via USB…
#15
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I have the 450H with all the premium sound upgrades, and frankly, it's one of the more disappointing aspects of the car. There aren't many things I'm not in love with in the 450H, but sound system is definitely one of them -- it's not comparable, IMO, to the sound systems on some of the other premium luxury SUVs, including my previous, an Infiniti FX50s. The sound is a little tinny, and there just isn't the rich vibrance that you come to expect out of a top end sound system that you can't easily upgrade.
Fortunately, I don't listen to a lot of music; mostly it's just news on AM radio, and that sounds just fine
Fortunately, I don't listen to a lot of music; mostly it's just news on AM radio, and that sounds just fine