Mark Levinson Audio?
08-07-13, 07:47 AM
#526
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when you get it installed. put on Drake, started from the bottom. full bass, crank it up to level 50 or something. it should hit! no distortion in the back. you will know right away if its the new amp or not.
good luck.
08-08-13, 08:21 AM
#527
My car is currently at JM Lexus having the amp installed. I have been assured it is the latest and will fix the problem.
I have a DVD with a heavy bass song that they listed to that causes distortion in the low 40 volume range and will be able to easily tell if the problem is resolved.
They gave me a 2013 300h as a loaner that has the stock premium sound system which is pretty good for a standard system, but what a difference. For those of you who have not bought yet and can afford the ML system, don't even hesitate. It is night and day better.
I have a DVD with a heavy bass song that they listed to that causes distortion in the low 40 volume range and will be able to easily tell if the problem is resolved.
They gave me a 2013 300h as a loaner that has the stock premium sound system which is pretty good for a standard system, but what a difference. For those of you who have not bought yet and can afford the ML system, don't even hesitate. It is night and day better.
08-08-13, 06:54 PM
#528
I picked up my car tonight and the distortion is gone and the bass is greatly improved.
My impression is that the bass has been greatly reduced to the rear sub and greatly increased to the front subs. In any case, the distortion is gone, the overall sound is much improved and I am even more pleased with the system overall than I was before.
One issue has cropped up though. The sound when playing FM stations is tremendous, but the output volume seems subdued from the DVD player, perhaps 20 points lower (the FM sound is extremely loud at volume level 30-35 but the DVD player is not loud until 40-45.. It is still acceptable but when playing the FM radio, the bass is so strong, the car vibrates, but not so much with the DVD player (but it is still excellent). I do not have XM activated right now but may turn it back on now. I will be contacting the dealer about this.
My impression is that the bass has been greatly reduced to the rear sub and greatly increased to the front subs. In any case, the distortion is gone, the overall sound is much improved and I am even more pleased with the system overall than I was before.
One issue has cropped up though. The sound when playing FM stations is tremendous, but the output volume seems subdued from the DVD player, perhaps 20 points lower (the FM sound is extremely loud at volume level 30-35 but the DVD player is not loud until 40-45.. It is still acceptable but when playing the FM radio, the bass is so strong, the car vibrates, but not so much with the DVD player (but it is still excellent). I do not have XM activated right now but may turn it back on now. I will be contacting the dealer about this.
08-09-13, 06:07 AM
#529
I just reactivated XM and the sound is awesome, as good as the FM. The new amp ROCKS! Patience pays!
JM Lexus is an exceptional dealer in Broward County, FL and has always and continues to provide exceptional customer service in every way. I guess that is why they are the #1 Lexus dealer I believe in the world.
JM Lexus is an exceptional dealer in Broward County, FL and has always and continues to provide exceptional customer service in every way. I guess that is why they are the #1 Lexus dealer I believe in the world.
08-09-13, 06:10 AM
#530
I picked up my car tonight and the distortion is gone and the bass is greatly improved.
My impression is that the bass has been greatly reduced to the rear sub and greatly increased to the front subs. In any case, the distortion is gone, the overall sound is much improved and I am even more pleased with the system overall than I was before.
One issue has cropped up though. The sound when playing FM stations is tremendous, but the output volume seems subdued from the DVD player, perhaps 20 points lower (the FM sound is extremely loud at volume level 30-35 but the DVD player is not loud until 40-45.. It is still acceptable but when playing the FM radio, the bass is so strong, the car vibrates, but not so much with the DVD player (but it is still excellent). I do not have XM activated right now but may turn it back on now. I will be contacting the dealer about this.
My impression is that the bass has been greatly reduced to the rear sub and greatly increased to the front subs. In any case, the distortion is gone, the overall sound is much improved and I am even more pleased with the system overall than I was before.
One issue has cropped up though. The sound when playing FM stations is tremendous, but the output volume seems subdued from the DVD player, perhaps 20 points lower (the FM sound is extremely loud at volume level 30-35 but the DVD player is not loud until 40-45.. It is still acceptable but when playing the FM radio, the bass is so strong, the car vibrates, but not so much with the DVD player (but it is still excellent). I do not have XM activated right now but may turn it back on now. I will be contacting the dealer about this.
08-09-13, 11:05 AM
#533
So how do you put a price on this option since it is packaged in the "Ultra Luxury Package" at $8,700 USD or for the delta between this package and the "Luxury Package with Additional Options Package" meaning $2,375 USD?
The "service credit" that I have been offered so far is a bad joke regarding this issue and would be interested in getting a refund for this poorly designed / implemented "premium" option.
The "service credit" that I have been offered so far is a bad joke regarding this issue and would be interested in getting a refund for this poorly designed / implemented "premium" option.
08-09-13, 06:54 PM
#534
After having a chance to listen to the system for several hours now, I am absolutely thrilled with it. The sound is absolutely amazing. The bass is tremendous - the car even vibrates at volume level 30. The low volume bass is rich and deep. The fix is better than I have hoped for.
As a long time XM listener, I was disappointed to give it up but it sounded so bad with the old amp, I stopped listening to it. I reactivated it today and It sounds great with the new one, with high volume levels close to the FM radio and rich, clear sound all around, in the lows and highs.
I feel like I have a new car, or at least a totally different audio system. I knew given a reasonable period of time, Lexus would come through!
As a long time XM listener, I was disappointed to give it up but it sounded so bad with the old amp, I stopped listening to it. I reactivated it today and It sounds great with the new one, with high volume levels close to the FM radio and rich, clear sound all around, in the lows and highs.
I feel like I have a new car, or at least a totally different audio system. I knew given a reasonable period of time, Lexus would come through!
08-13-13, 10:58 AM
#535
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I am working with the corporate team to see if I can get a rebate as well; I am not getting my hopes up but I have to try.
Thanks for the information.
Thanks for the information.
After sending a letter to the Toyota Motor Sales USA VP of Customer Services, Lexus Division, I was contacted by an "Executive Coordinator", who, after asking me to describe in detail my concerns, determined that the ML component of the package price was $1,600, and offered me a check in that amount. I accepted his appraisal, and the check.
08-15-13, 01:33 AM
#536
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I've been complaining to lexus about the Mark Levinson audio in my 2013 ES 300 H since I purchased it last October. Lexus has now replaced the amplifier two different times. I believe I now have the latest amplifier which seems to have turned the power and bass to the subwoofer and rear speakers down substantially. I am now using the fader control to properly balanced the sound in my car and I have to say it does sound substantially better- without the distortion and vibrations I was hearing before.
08-27-13, 12:38 PM
#537
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I would agree with this assessment.
While I am agreeable that the distortion has been removed since getting the vehicle back yesterday from Lexus, I am disappointed that the system seems to have been addressed by increasing power to the front and door speakers while substantially underpowering the rear speakers in my layman opinion.
I had to shift three ticks from middle/default via fader control from front to rear to get an even sound in the cabin. This appears to be true regardless of source and if DSP or ASL are enabled/disabled.
I should have some science to back this up as I am dropping the car off after the holiday with those I had assess the distortion issue independantly before as I has preparing for a Lemon Law claim.
I am waiting for the 2014s to arrive; I am really curious as to the ML experience in those ES3xxs.
Cheers
While I am agreeable that the distortion has been removed since getting the vehicle back yesterday from Lexus, I am disappointed that the system seems to have been addressed by increasing power to the front and door speakers while substantially underpowering the rear speakers in my layman opinion.
I had to shift three ticks from middle/default via fader control from front to rear to get an even sound in the cabin. This appears to be true regardless of source and if DSP or ASL are enabled/disabled.
I should have some science to back this up as I am dropping the car off after the holiday with those I had assess the distortion issue independantly before as I has preparing for a Lemon Law claim.
I am waiting for the 2014s to arrive; I am really curious as to the ML experience in those ES3xxs.
Cheers
I've been complaining to lexus about the Mark Levinson audio in my 2013 ES 300 H since I purchased it last October. Lexus has now replaced the amplifier two different times. I believe I now have the latest amplifier which seems to have turned the power and bass to the subwoofer and rear speakers down substantially. I am now using the fader control to properly balanced the sound in my car and I have to say it does sound substantially better- without the distortion and vibrations I was hearing before.
08-27-13, 12:41 PM
#538
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I would advocate that any ES300h/350 customer utilize the complaint process to secure a rebate for this issue.
I can now count myself with others on getting some financial remediation beyond a general service credit.
Best of luck to all of you.
I can now count myself with others on getting some financial remediation beyond a general service credit.
Best of luck to all of you.
08-27-13, 06:11 PM
#539
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Late to the conversation, but I picked up my 13 ES UL about 2 weeks ago. It had to be special ordered and shipped to the U.S. Having recently come out of the factory, I was curious if a change might have ben made to the amp. I gave the ML system a good run through today and listened hard for low end distortion. Nothing there that I could distinguish.
After 20 years as a club and event deejay (past life), I have a fairly good ear. The sound stage presence floats a little, but with proper balance and mix you can really make this system sound full and significant. Definitely worth the investment IMO. I will update the board if anything changes, but I think my vehicle does not have this problem.
After 20 years as a club and event deejay (past life), I have a fairly good ear. The sound stage presence floats a little, but with proper balance and mix you can really make this system sound full and significant. Definitely worth the investment IMO. I will update the board if anything changes, but I think my vehicle does not have this problem.
