Standard vs ML sound system
05-14-23, 10:01 PM
#32
Intermediate
Thread Starter
The stock sound system may be decent (I haven’t heard it) but unless paying more is a concern, but the ML upgrade is going to sound better. To me, the ML in my 500h sounds much better than 2016 MDX ELS and 2020 GS ML. It may be due to more speakers, their placement, and the cabin space of the new RX. I think it’s worth the upgrade if you enjoy music while driving.
05-17-23, 05:38 PM
#34
Not worth the 2K price
I've had the pleasure of owning both the 2023 Luxury and Premium + RX350 fwd turbo4. The ML audio system is definitely not worth the 2K price and all the other options that they force you to buy. I am always amused at how car audio is marketed by peak power and the number of speakers. The Mark Levinson system is only a brand name for marketing. The actual company was Harman that was sold to Samsung. You won't find a real ML amp to save your life in any car and ML never made speakers. But, if you want the bragging right to say you have an 1800 watt 17 speaker 3D surround sound audio system installed in the worst possible environment then hey, who am I to deny your pleasure.
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05-18-23, 04:58 AM
#36
Rookie
I’m actually very happy with the 21 speaker ML audio system on my 2023 RX 450H+ and find it comparable with the B&W in the Volvo (previous car). It is included in the top trim here.
Last edited by Nibor; 05-18-23 at 05:02 AM.
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08-03-23, 07:18 AM
#38
The ML system is much better in my 500H, then the ML in the 2013 450H we had
I have only had the system in the surround mode (ownership less than a week), I have yet to try it in the non-surround mode.
In the surround mode, with tracks that can make use of the soundstaging is quite nice.
Note: tracks where soundstaging is not optimum, then, it falls a bit flat.
08-03-23, 01:21 PM
#39
I’ve been listening to the base sound for about a week in my rx350h. I use Apple Music with a usb connection in all my cars. To my ears, the lexus sounds a bit better than the base sound in my Audi, which was a bit better than the sound in my Honda Pilot Elite (with a claimed premium sound system). That is to say, all of them sound good to me but none of them blow me away. Admittedly, I’m not the best judge of sound and I’ve never owned a car with what I would consider a high end sound system. It helps that the Audi and the Lexus have great sound insulation because they sound better than the pilot.
Would I have paid for the ML? Probably, but given what we learned about Lexus’ allocation system and the relative scarcity and market adjustment of the rx350h, I found that reserving an rx350h with the ML system and our preferred color options at the dealer we wanted to use wasn’t realistic.
Would I have paid for the ML? Probably, but given what we learned about Lexus’ allocation system and the relative scarcity and market adjustment of the rx350h, I found that reserving an rx350h with the ML system and our preferred color options at the dealer we wanted to use wasn’t realistic.
08-03-23, 02:45 PM
#40
Driver School Candidate
I'm an old guy, consider myself an audiophile and have always tried to acquire the best sound systems at home and in-car. In past cars, I have typically opted for the premium sound systems when I could tell the difference enough to pay extra. I actually had the chance to compare the stock vs premium sound system in the 2023 RX350 - and found there to be no noticeable difference between the 2 while driving (which is the most important environment). While (while NOT driving) I could determine a slight bass advantage as well as slightly better surround sound performance due to number of additional speakers, while actually driving - they sounded virtually the same to me, overall - especially with surround sound off. Regardless, I don't use the surround sound feature as I find it compromises overall fidelity for my taste. Ended up with stock system and am very happy. Overall, one of the best auto sound systems I've experienced.
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08-03-23, 02:46 PM
#41
Pole Position
I wish the ML system sounded as good as it costs. I have had the ML in multiple vehicles including a LX570 and LS and was not that impressed.
08-06-23, 01:15 AM
#42
I'm an old guy, consider myself an audiophile and have always tried to acquire the best sound systems at home and in-car. In past cars, I have typically opted for the premium sound systems when I could tell the difference enough to pay extra. I actually had the chance to compare the stock vs premium sound system in the 2023 RX350 - and found there to be no noticeable difference between the 2 while driving (which is the most important environment). While (while NOT driving) I could determine a slight bass advantage as well as slightly better surround sound performance due to number of additional speakers, while actually driving - they sounded virtually the same to me, overall - especially with surround sound off. Regardless, I don't use the surround sound feature as I find it compromises overall fidelity for my taste. Ended up with stock system and am very happy. Overall, one of the best auto sound systems I've experienced.
ML is still not better than aftermarket though like Focal.
Last edited by happy1977; 08-06-23 at 09:45 AM.
08-06-23, 05:11 AM
#44
I'll have to try without the surround sound soon.
What tracks does everyone try to test the system, and in which mode?
It doesn't really matter which system everyone prefers, the RX comes with what it comes with, and the price point that works for them.
08-06-23, 05:22 AM
#45
i am a drummer so you know how it goes , there are musicians and then there are drummers , ha ha .
i like brian culbertson stuff , steely dan , super tramp for evaluating systems
i like brian culbertson stuff , steely dan , super tramp for evaluating systems