RazSrq

UPDATE: New amp installed a week ago and you were so right. What a difference!

A sincere thanks to all for sharing the details. It assisted as I described the specifics to the dealer. They did show a known issue described on a sheet that my customer service agent had tucked away. After confirming that my issue was the same problem acknowledged by Lexus, the part was ordered.

I would have loved to see a 5, 7 or 9 band EQ in the ML sytem, but maybe I am being a bit greedy. With 20+ years in the music industry (past life), I am used to having some control in adjusting more bands to change for personal preference. Maybe 2015...

Formula271

Has anyone with a recently built ES been able to confirm that it's come with the upgraded AMP?

I've heard the dismal performance of the originally AMP (almost unlistenable!!!) and the transformed audio experience after the modified AMP is installed. I know dealers appear to be swapping AMPS at customers request, but wonder if the updated AMP has made it too the assembly line. I think the change may have implemented a few months ago, but have no evidence it's made it's way into new vehicles.

My '14 300h with UL, Mark Levinson, NAVI, RES+.....basically everything except pre-crash pkg...is on order and will be here in January. I would love to turn the radio on and hear that the new AMP had been installed.

Mike728

I hope so, so I can hear the difference without just swapping mine blindly. I think my factory ML sounds amazing for 99% of what I listen to. If the new amp improves the 1% and degrades everything else, I don't want it.

ElliotB

"almost unlistenable!!!"

That is simply not true. The new amp simply boosts the bass to the front speakers and reduces it to the rear sub - the overall sound characteristics of the system have not changed much.

Idlefree

The bass was removed from the subwoofer and placed to the door speakers, ElliotB is dead on. The main thing it sounds much better if you listen to music with heavy bass.

DiscoDan

They serviced my car Tuesday and it sound awesome. My only wish, is that it would have been upgraded in December.

Thanks to Social Media.....

mspearl95

do you think you've lost any of the mid and high range, or are there any other negatives? I'm debating taking my car in to get this done, since I have had it distort a few times on songs with heavy bass.

Idlefree

If you haven't had many issues with distortation and only a few time, I would not change the amp. You do notice the difference with the the mid and high because of the increase of bass to the door speakers. For the amount of bass I listen to, I do not regret getting the new amp. I just wished Lexus had changed the subwoofer instead of the amp. Hope this helps

larrytstar

I'm interested in the recent posts above. I have the ML system and was planning on asking for the replacement sub because I was getting the impression it was an across the board improvement. Now it sounds like perhaps it's not. In my case, I listen to folk, country, oldies and soft rock. I have not had an issue with distorted base, given my music preference. Should I get it or not? I would hate to lose mid or high frequencies in exchange for base that I will not benefit from. Comments?

ElliotB

" I would hate to lose mid or high frequencies in exchange for bass"

You do not loose anything - you control the levels with the SOUND settings options just as you do now. If you are not having any issues with the sound, there is not need to update the AMP (the sub is not changed, the amplifier is).

If you are satisfied with the amount of bass you are getting now, don't update.

PeterKane

Hello everyone, A great big thank you to all of you for bringing this issue to light, not letting up and getting Lexus to do something about it.
I got the new amp installed 2 days ago at my dealership in Toronto Canada and I'm amazed, what a difference it makes, now I don't want to leave my car. Wow, not only did it improve the bass, also the overall sound is more clear and a joy to listen too. I can listen to my music again with nice tight bass.
Thanks again guys, greatly appreciated.
BTW, If anyone in Canada is interested, the part number of the new amp in Canada is #86280-0WA71 as provided by Lexus Canada.

DirkDirk

Wow. I have the ML in a new 2013 es300h. I am very disappointed. I've tried iPod, satellite, CD, HD radio and Bluetooth audio inputs and all share the same compressed sound. Everything sounds mushy and unclear. I brought it back to dealer after a month. They sat me in another new car and asked me to compare audio. It too was really poor sounding. I am dreading driving with this for audio for next 4-6 years. I'm not fussy. My 2003 stock MBZ audio (my trade in) was far superior.

DirkDirk

I bought a 13 es300h with the Levinson audio. I am very very disappointed with the compressed sound and lack of clarity. I've tried all kinds of audio inputs: CD, Sirius XM, iPod, hd Radio, and none of them sound good. Sounds like a slightly out of tune FM boombox. I've had the dealer check, and confirm that the system is working properly. I don't recommend spending the extra dough for that system.

DirkDirk

I bought a 13 es300h with the Levinson audio. I am very very disappointed with the compressed sound and lack of clarity. I've tried all kinds of audio inputs: CD, Sirius XM, iPod, hd Radio, and none of them sound good. Sounds like a slightly out of tune FM boombox. I've had the dealer check, and confirm that the system is working properly. I don't recommend spending the extra dough for that system

ElliotB

"compressed sound and lack of clarity"

Garbage in - garbage out - your shouldn't blame the lack of quality audio on the lack of a quality sound source - the simple answer is use a better sound source.