arnage

Can someone here with some experience speak to the merits of the standard (Pioneer?) audio system vs. the Nakamichi.. i think it's a fair enough conclusion that the Nakamichi is "better," but in what respect, and to what extent?

and subsequently, compare the standard '98-00 audio to the standard / ML audio of the of the LS430?

I'm just curious how the system stacks up, as I haven't heard the others yet.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

actually, in the 98-00 LS, the Premium (yes, pioneer)is imho as good as or better than the Nakamichi in sound quality. This is not really true for pre 98 LS since the system was changed.

arnage

thanks for the response, Pure.

What you said is quite interesting to note, as the Nakamichi option added some $4k or so to the MSRP. hopefully that means I'm not missing out on much..

Considering the difference may not be immediately noticeable (at least, to a layperson), i wonder how effectively it could have been marketed

black_LS

I noticed a huge difference between the pioneer vs. nak in the first gens. I've owned a 91, 95, and 98 with nak... and a 93 with pioneer. All of the naks sounded similar and very good.

Personally, if I was driving a car with the pioneer system, I would probably upgrade the speakers. I'm very satisfied with the nak system, it hits all frequencies very well.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

again, 98+ is totally different, i too had a 95 with nak.

black_LS

My 95 sounded almost identical to my 98.

Perhaps the second gen pioneer was better, but it didn't stand a chance to the nak in the first gens.

McSwine

I am also happy with the Pioneer system in my 2000. I think it sounds good enough that I don't want to spend the time or the money to tweak it.

Broker404

I have a 1999 with Pioneer and I am happy with it. I upgraded my last car's audio but was happy enough with this to just keep it stock.

atoyot

so i'm guessing that in a 00' with a standard sound system, it is pioneer?? interesting. I think it's sounds really good.

arnage

can anyone confirm whether or not the '98-00 LSs that came equipped with the factory navigation have the standard pioneer audio, or if it's in any way different?...

Atl

My 99 Ls400 standard system sounded awsome, very, very nice. My 'new' 04 LS430 standard system sounds like utter garbage, Chevy Suburban system is better, and that's not saying much. ML systems sound nice, but from the posts I've read, blow out their sub speakers. Plus Mark Levinson had nothing to do with the Lexus system, his name is a trademark of another Co. Kind of misleading.

Jasbmo

What were the options for the 98-00?

Standard = Pioneer
Premium = Nakamichi

Thanks!

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Premium was the standard system and made by pioneer.

The nak was the option.

Nak had about an extra 100watts on the pioneer.

I THINK it was 190watts vs. 280 for the nak?

TJW98LS

iTrader: (1)

Those numbers sound accurate. NAK sounded very good in the LS400 that's for sure, but the Pioneer wasn't all that bad either.