windfall12

My new car arrived last week and since then I have tested ML system with lots of different music but it didn't grow up on me. The only good thing is bass - it's deep and powerfull with no distortion. Midrange, on the other hand, is fuzzy and trebles are too harsh, and I hear ringing artifacts on some pieces from time to time.

Overall, comparing to my old car's premium system (worth about $300 IIRC) Mark Levinson sounds pretty average, and comparing to my home Hi-Fi system it sounds ugly

Anyone else here thinks that IS350's Mark Levinson doesn't live up to all the hype?

al503

I'm very happy with the ML but unlike yourself, I think it could use a little more bass. I came from a JL 12w7 so very little will have that kind of bass stock or aftermarket.

The front soundstage could be a little wider but other than that, the imaging is superb, and the tweeters aren't harsh.

oblivionis

iTrader: (2)

I totally disagree. I'm very happy with it and I love the way it sounds. Are you listening to MP3s or something with a better sound quality? Did you try watching a movie with Dolby Digital Surround?

Katin2

I love my ML I pod sounds great and so do the movie's.... Tweeters sound perfect and not to much bass to drone the rest of the speakers out

SolaraToIS

Sounds like you may have problem.
My ML sounds quite good and I have a high-end sound system at home.

pet

honestly if your listening to mp3's it might be the versions you dl'd or put on your cd's ipods etc.. there's a lot of distortion in mp3's wma's.. so check that first before you say the ML isn't clear =)

ben_r_

Have you tried a DVD audio disc?

Technique

I like ML, but the bass was lacking... So I added a new sub and removed the factory "sub"...

projectdna

iTrader: (56)

try playing something uncompressed. that should bring out the true beauty of the ML system.

mrsardar

I have the ML system in my car. I really enjoy the system as well. But at time when i am listening to a MP3 CD w/192kbps or higher converstion w/volume level of approx 40, i tend to hear the bass is flattering and my bass level setting is in the middle.

I asked the dealer if there was an gain control on the amp or something to reduce the bass little bit so i don't get to much bass flattering.

I did check to hear if the one of the speakers was bad or something.

Please advice if anybody else has experience the similar problem.

thanks,

supaIS350

i don't have ml, but the stock audio system is pretty decent.

sjgIS350

check the settings...make sure you aren't maxed out on some setting that is pushing too much low end or high end.

I love the ML. You could certainly do better in the after market but it would cost a lot more and wouldn't integrate into the dash as well

Dj_AmtraX

iTrader: (2)

I can't wait till the Alpine PXE-H650 comes out in Sept. I am going to do a system that will blow the cones off the ML for less money. hehehehe....

IS350jet

The ML in my car sounds awesome. What format are you listening to? CD? MP3? Homemade disc? am? fm? Also, check your settings. I keep my treble at one click above neutral and my bass at one click below neutral. Midrange stays flat. I've not yet heard a better sounding factory system.

windfall12

I forgot to mention that I'm listening CDs only, no compressed music, no FM. I really like that IS'350 storage space fits 6 or 7 standard jewel cases :.

Funny, my "favorite" settings are exactly like yours:
bass: -1..-2
mid: 0
treble: +1..+2

Still, I find it not neutral enough for continuous and enjoyable listening. Maybe my expectations were too high.