funniest thing I've read all day... (ML system reviews)
04-18-01, 08:32 PM
#1
Moderator - Electronics Forum
Thread Starter
From http://www.marklevinsonlexus.com site. My BS meter has overloaded and I can't reset it! 
Percy
Press ...
From Jerry Del Caliano's (of the AudioRevolution.com site)
review of the ML system in the new SC430 hardtop
convertible: "The Lexus system has much of the same quality that
my home system has, which is unprecedented in any car audio
system I have ever heard. As you drive, you are tempted to believe
that there are real musicians in the car with you....I have no question
that the Mark Levinson system in the Lexus SC430 is the finest
premium car audio system made worldwide."
From Tom Jensen of the LS430 in the March/April issue of
Travel & Leisure Golf: "But the best thing about the new LS430
might be its optional audiophile-grade Mark Levinson sound system,
which will let you thrill to every breathtaking nuance of a Vivaldi
concerto as if you were seated in the orchestra pit."
Ann M. Job, Associated Press, Feb 2001, About the SC430
Mark Levinson sound system: "It amazed me with its clarity and
crispness, the all-encompassing richness of the audio experience."
Auto Media, describing the audio in the SC430 says ". . . this
OEM sound system staged and imaged as good as many top caliber
IASCA cars," and "the engineers at Mark Levinson and Lexus have
certainly succeeded in achieving audiophile quality sound in a Luxury
sports convertible."
Mobile Entertainment, reviewing the GS430 says ". . . its forte is
tonal accuracy and detail that make instruments sound impossibly real.
The system peels layered musical arrangements like an onion - with
similar effect. It'll bring tears to your eyes."
Robert Harley, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2001, says
about the sound in the LS430, "... And the sound was
extraordinary...I almost believed I was sitting in a room in front of a
pair of extremely good loudspeakers," and "Many home systems lack
this level of musical involvement; to deliver it in a car is a stunning
achievement."
Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2001, says about
the sound in the LS430, "... far and away the most impressive car
stereo system I've heard...in some aspects, it was better than many
home systems," and "...asked me if I wanted to drive, but by then I
was so taken by the music, I declined.
Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2001, says about
the sound in the SC430, "... the Levinson engineers should be
applauded for maintaining an even tonal balance in a variety of odd
listening environments: top up; down; windows up; down...And it
never sounded overtaxed. Surely no convertible out there surpasses
the Levinson/Lexus system."
Consumers ...
"I have just purchased a 2001 Lexus GS300 automobile with a Mark
Levinson stereo in it. I know little about Mark Levinson products
(except that they have an excellent reputation)... I'll admit, it sounds
absolutely WONDERFUL."
Alex
"I was astounded to learn you guys are going to manufacture a stereo
system for the new Lexus LS 430! I never thought I'd see the day
when you'd do this. I'm glad to see Lexus went to the ultimate
company for its flagship car's system... Can't wait to see it.
Congratulations."
Craig
"Hello. I have recently bought a Lexus that, has your product in it the
LS 430. I absolutely love the sound."
David
"We have a Lexus with the Mark Levinson Stereo system installed. I
truly enjoy the sound and would like to duplicate this in my home. I
would like to know, what system you recommend to duplicate the
great audio quality in my car to my house."
Ira
"I just wanted to thank the folks at Mark Levinson for the stupendous
sounding audio system in my new Lexus GS300. I've been caught in
bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic three times in the weeks since I
bought the car, and each delay turned into an extended opportunity to
enjoy the Levinson audio upgrade. I'm getting reacquainted with CDs
that I haven't listened to in years, and getting more out of all my
favorites... Thanks again - you've made an excellent car even better."
Eli
"I am very interested to find out how you did it. That is, how you
managed to still get the legendary music perfection found in your
stereo systems into not only a car, but a convertible."
Kevin
Percy
Press ...
From Jerry Del Caliano's (of the AudioRevolution.com site)
review of the ML system in the new SC430 hardtop
convertible: "The Lexus system has much of the same quality that
my home system has, which is unprecedented in any car audio
system I have ever heard. As you drive, you are tempted to believe
that there are real musicians in the car with you....I have no question
that the Mark Levinson system in the Lexus SC430 is the finest
premium car audio system made worldwide."
From Tom Jensen of the LS430 in the March/April issue of
Travel & Leisure Golf: "But the best thing about the new LS430
might be its optional audiophile-grade Mark Levinson sound system,
which will let you thrill to every breathtaking nuance of a Vivaldi
concerto as if you were seated in the orchestra pit."
Ann M. Job, Associated Press, Feb 2001, About the SC430
Mark Levinson sound system: "It amazed me with its clarity and
crispness, the all-encompassing richness of the audio experience."
Auto Media, describing the audio in the SC430 says ". . . this
OEM sound system staged and imaged as good as many top caliber
IASCA cars," and "the engineers at Mark Levinson and Lexus have
certainly succeeded in achieving audiophile quality sound in a Luxury
sports convertible."
Mobile Entertainment, reviewing the GS430 says ". . . its forte is
tonal accuracy and detail that make instruments sound impossibly real.
The system peels layered musical arrangements like an onion - with
similar effect. It'll bring tears to your eyes."
Robert Harley, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2001, says
about the sound in the LS430, "... And the sound was
extraordinary...I almost believed I was sitting in a room in front of a
pair of extremely good loudspeakers," and "Many home systems lack
this level of musical involvement; to deliver it in a car is a stunning
achievement."
Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2001, says about
the sound in the LS430, "... far and away the most impressive car
stereo system I've heard...in some aspects, it was better than many
home systems," and "...asked me if I wanted to drive, but by then I
was so taken by the music, I declined.
Neil Gader, The Absolute Sound, April/May 2001, says about
the sound in the SC430, "... the Levinson engineers should be
applauded for maintaining an even tonal balance in a variety of odd
listening environments: top up; down; windows up; down...And it
never sounded overtaxed. Surely no convertible out there surpasses
the Levinson/Lexus system."
Consumers ...
"I have just purchased a 2001 Lexus GS300 automobile with a Mark
Levinson stereo in it. I know little about Mark Levinson products
(except that they have an excellent reputation)... I'll admit, it sounds
absolutely WONDERFUL."
Alex
"I was astounded to learn you guys are going to manufacture a stereo
system for the new Lexus LS 430! I never thought I'd see the day
when you'd do this. I'm glad to see Lexus went to the ultimate
company for its flagship car's system... Can't wait to see it.
Congratulations."
Craig
"Hello. I have recently bought a Lexus that, has your product in it the
LS 430. I absolutely love the sound."
David
"We have a Lexus with the Mark Levinson Stereo system installed. I
truly enjoy the sound and would like to duplicate this in my home. I
would like to know, what system you recommend to duplicate the
great audio quality in my car to my house."
Ira
"I just wanted to thank the folks at Mark Levinson for the stupendous
sounding audio system in my new Lexus GS300. I've been caught in
bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic three times in the weeks since I
bought the car, and each delay turned into an extended opportunity to
enjoy the Levinson audio upgrade. I'm getting reacquainted with CDs
that I haven't listened to in years, and getting more out of all my
favorites... Thanks again - you've made an excellent car even better."
Eli
"I am very interested to find out how you did it. That is, how you
managed to still get the legendary music perfection found in your
stereo systems into not only a car, but a convertible."
Kevin
05-20-01, 05:17 PM
#3
Moderator - Electronics Forum
Thread Starter
I actually listened to one for an extended period of time since my Dad had a 3.2 TL. Not impressed. The Levinson system could be much much better in performance. Remember that all the writeups are by people that are being paid to write a postive article. If they wrote one all out honesty brutal, then the company wouldn't send them their equipment to be reviewed. Note that many of the reviews contain NO measurements and are completely subjective. Now if Stereophile did a full RTA/MLSSA measurement, then you can see how well or how short the system would come up. I know...the measurements don't say everything, that's where all the flowery language of the reviewers (yuck) come in.
For that much money in upgrading, they should have done the Volvo thing. Dynaudio speakers.
The ML speakers are just a poly hybrid, NOT CERAMIC composite as the Revel speakers. FYI...Revel only makes the midrange. Their tweeter is a modified Scan Speak tweeter. Not nearly the same league as the B&W silver signatures (not bad) or the Dynaudio Esotar T330D's (incredible).
Percy
For that much money in upgrading, they should have done the Volvo thing. Dynaudio speakers.
The ML speakers are just a poly hybrid, NOT CERAMIC composite as the Revel speakers. FYI...Revel only makes the midrange. Their tweeter is a modified Scan Speak tweeter. Not nearly the same league as the B&W silver signatures (not bad) or the Dynaudio Esotar T330D's (incredible).Percy
05-09-08, 10:38 AM
#4
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Mark Levinson vs. Nakamichi
I recently bought a 2001 LS430 in an absolutely superb condition as a replacement for my previous 1995 LS400 which was unfortunately totaled in an accident. The one thing that I absolutely loved about the LS400 was the Nakamichi sound system. I have to say that I am truly disappointed with the sound of the Mark Levinson system which by comparison lacks the beautiful clarity and the dynamic range of the Nakamichi. On the LS400, I always turned the tone controls off (i.e. center position) and yet there was this amazing yet very neutral bass and a very clear treble response. On the Mark Levinsons (even those of the 2004 and later LS430 with more speakers), both the lows and the highs are mushy, lacking in depth and detail. Even adjusting the tone controls does not improve the quality of sound.
Lexus has improved the LS430 in every respect compared to the LS400 except for the sound system. Whilst the Mark Levinsons may sound better than premium audio systems on other cars and may also get lot of press attention, go compare their sound with the old Nakamichi's and you will be dissapointed.
Lexus has improved the LS430 in every respect compared to the LS400 except for the sound system. Whilst the Mark Levinsons may sound better than premium audio systems on other cars and may also get lot of press attention, go compare their sound with the old Nakamichi's and you will be dissapointed.
05-09-08, 11:08 AM
#5
Manufactors choose system that will satisfy the majority of the owners out there. Obviously to the audiophiles, most OEM system will lack in clarity.
With that being said, I wasn't too impress with the ML system. The only system that has actually impressed me is the LS460s system. It sounds better than most aftermarket systems that I've heard.
With that being said, I wasn't too impress with the ML system. The only system that has actually impressed me is the LS460s system. It sounds better than most aftermarket systems that I've heard.
05-09-08, 06:27 PM
#7
I recently bought a 2001 LS430 in an absolutely superb condition as a replacement for my previous 1995 LS400 which was unfortunately totaled in an accident. The one thing that I absolutely loved about the LS400 was the Nakamichi sound system. I have to say that I am truly disappointed with the sound of the Mark Levinson system which by comparison lacks the beautiful clarity and the dynamic range of the Nakamichi. On the LS400, I always turned the tone controls off (i.e. center position) and yet there was this amazing yet very neutral bass and a very clear treble response. On the Mark Levinsons (even those of the 2004 and later LS430 with more speakers), both the lows and the highs are mushy, lacking in depth and detail. Even adjusting the tone controls does not improve the quality of sound.
Lexus has improved the LS430 in every respect compared to the LS400 except for the sound system. Whilst the Mark Levinsons may sound better than premium audio systems on other cars and may also get lot of press attention, go compare their sound with the old Nakamichi's and you will be dissapointed.
Lexus has improved the LS430 in every respect compared to the LS400 except for the sound system. Whilst the Mark Levinsons may sound better than premium audio systems on other cars and may also get lot of press attention, go compare their sound with the old Nakamichi's and you will be dissapointed.
I'm the complete opposite. I had the Nakamichi system in my 99 LS400 and was completely unimpressed with it. While I don't think the ML system is a God system, I think it is many times better than the ML. No, I'm not into booming bass either. The problem with the old NAK system in the LS400 was the speaker placement especially up front was complete crap. It made for a poor front soundstage IMHO. I'm not as well involved in audio as Percy is, but I had my share of competition car audio as well as auditioning and owning a few high end Stereophile grade A/B home audio systems since my friend used to own a high end Home Theater/Audio store. I used to buy a lot of his demo systems used for cheap. Couldn't afford them otherwise
That said, for the general car buying public, the old NAK and new ML is probably the best system they have ever heard even comparing it to their Midfi home audio receivers. It is more than good enough for most.
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