Mark Levinson Option (Yes or No)?
09-21-07, 04:42 AM
#16
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Sorry if I came off as an a$$, that was not my intention at all as I had never heard of Dynaudio anything before buying the Passat. I was just trying to say that there are what I consider to be some other very good OEM upgraded stereos out there these days. I am old enough to remember when factory radios were REALLY bad so to me even today's base units are amazing in comparison.
Are you saying that you know of others swapping out the ML speakers with Dynaudio units?
Are you saying that you know of others swapping out the ML speakers with Dynaudio units?
09-21-07, 05:16 AM
#17
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I've heard a few people say that there isn't much difference between the two in the GS. I've never compared them, personally. However, In the IS, the difference is night and day. The ML system was one of the options that I absolutely had to have when I special ordered the car. It is by far, the best and most accurate car audio system that I've ever heard.
09-21-07, 08:37 AM
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09-21-07, 09:52 AM
#22
Just re-iterating kroozin's points...
If you don't plan to use DVD-A, and you can't hear a difference, then the answer would be "no", it's not worth the $$ for you to upgrade... All you'd be missing is the ability to play DVD's, and probably the ability to add parking sensors (here in CA, unless you special order, you can't get the sensors w/out ML too).
09-21-07, 10:01 AM
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09-21-07, 02:22 PM
#26
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So your either stuck with the stock setup or the ML system, has anyone successfully installed an aftermarket headunit? I'm sure it's not easy but has it been done?
09-21-07, 03:42 PM
#27
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I had the same question as you until I unequivocally answered it by this experiment:
-- One of my favorite bands, Dream Theater, packaged their latest release 'Systematic Chaos' with a regular CD and a 5.1 surround DVD-A. So, I took and played both on an ML GS350 at a nearby dealer, and the differences were nothing short of "VERY nice". On the DVD-A version you can hear the subtlest sonic differences, like the sustaining ring of a cymbal crash, to the most obvious of spatial differences, like the swirling, panning, or enveloping sounds of guitars and vocals. Additionally, you hear things you don't hear on CDs; think uber multi-directional stereo. Eargasm is how I would define it. As such, I think the additional $2k or so is very much worth it. Also, I think when you resell this car 5+ years from now, not only will most stock stereos be equipped with DVD-A by then, but people will also be expecting it. That should help you reclaim a chunk of that $2k at the time of resale.
If you don't own a DVD-A, I suggest asking the dealer to go buy one if they don't already have one; I know Acura gives their dealers comparo demos. Either that or take a regular DVD as socalJD suggested.
-- One of my favorite bands, Dream Theater, packaged their latest release 'Systematic Chaos' with a regular CD and a 5.1 surround DVD-A. So, I took and played both on an ML GS350 at a nearby dealer, and the differences were nothing short of "VERY nice". On the DVD-A version you can hear the subtlest sonic differences, like the sustaining ring of a cymbal crash, to the most obvious of spatial differences, like the swirling, panning, or enveloping sounds of guitars and vocals. Additionally, you hear things you don't hear on CDs; think uber multi-directional stereo. Eargasm is how I would define it. As such, I think the additional $2k or so is very much worth it. Also, I think when you resell this car 5+ years from now, not only will most stock stereos be equipped with DVD-A by then, but people will also be expecting it. That should help you reclaim a chunk of that $2k at the time of resale.
If you don't own a DVD-A, I suggest asking the dealer to go buy one if they don't already have one; I know Acura gives their dealers comparo demos. Either that or take a regular DVD as socalJD suggested.
09-21-07, 03:44 PM
#28
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Here is my $.02:
I drive an '06 GS with ML and my wife drives an '07 VW Passat with Dynaudio. For you Lexus fans out there that may not have heard of Dynaudio before, they are a high-end Danish speaker manufacturer and are VW's pick to handle their upgraded OEM audio work.
We bought the VW first and were blown away by how good the Dynaudio system was. It really is amazing. The GS came a few months later and although the car is much more refined that the Passat (even a $42K MSRP 3.6L, 4Motion, optioned out wagon), the Dynaudio sounds better than the ML by a good margin. Maybe it is because the Dynaudio has 650 watts versus the ML's 330ish or maybe it was that my expectations for anything Lexus were too high but the ML doesn't compare. But don't get me wrong, both are very nice stereos but if I am going to split hairs here, my vote goes to Dynaudio.
The only standard Lexus stereo I have heard was in a '07 IS350. From what I can remember, it was nothing special and I can say with certainly that my GS's ML is a lot better than whatever was in that IS.
Hope this helps.
I drive an '06 GS with ML and my wife drives an '07 VW Passat with Dynaudio. For you Lexus fans out there that may not have heard of Dynaudio before, they are a high-end Danish speaker manufacturer and are VW's pick to handle their upgraded OEM audio work.
We bought the VW first and were blown away by how good the Dynaudio system was. It really is amazing. The GS came a few months later and although the car is much more refined that the Passat (even a $42K MSRP 3.6L, 4Motion, optioned out wagon), the Dynaudio sounds better than the ML by a good margin. Maybe it is because the Dynaudio has 650 watts versus the ML's 330ish or maybe it was that my expectations for anything Lexus were too high but the ML doesn't compare. But don't get me wrong, both are very nice stereos but if I am going to split hairs here, my vote goes to Dynaudio.
The only standard Lexus stereo I have heard was in a '07 IS350. From what I can remember, it was nothing special and I can say with certainly that my GS's ML is a lot better than whatever was in that IS.
Hope this helps.
I have a 07 GS350 with ML, and I also "had" a 2007 Passat wagon with Dynaudio.
Aside from the Passat blowing up after 17,000 miles, the Dynaudio is nothing but loud...Even loud, the soundstage is nowhere near the quality of the ML.
My friend has an 06GS NON ML. we had very long audition comparisons in both cars. It's night and day..
My friend is ultra bummed out he didn't get the ML.
A better comparison is the premium sound system from the volvo S40s
The Dynaudio is Stereo only, not 5.1 not 7.1 not even 4.0(is there such a thing in cars?)
For me the ML is worh every penny in the upgrade..
The Dynaudio was a ripoff...upgraded speakers+amp and the same crappy head unit with overly sensitive analog Bass+Mid+Treble controls.
Dynaudio is cool , but in the VW's its a hack. a very loud hack.
Please don't take this as an attack.
Anyways, if you need to ask the question "is the ML worth it?" then you don't need it.
09-21-07, 07:52 PM
#29
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We Would Buy With ML Again
We are totally happy that we bought with the ML package. DVD audio will blow you away! And the park sensor system is awesome as well. I wouldn't buy a GS without either of these options.
YMMV
YMMV
09-21-07, 10:39 PM
#30
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If I had to do it all over again i'd get XM and no ML again. The GS std system is OK, the IS std system sounds better to me. The GS ML system sounded better, but for satellite radio I didn't see much of a difference, since I listen to that 90% of the time its not worth it.