Pkathee

Guys,
I am somewhat an audiophile. I am quite particular and selective to quality sound and I take pride in blasting and jamming to the tunes of top notch factory stereo systems, especially brand name car audio.

In today’s market, car factory systems have become phenomenal and quite frankly even surpassed home theatre systems and put them to shame. They have become so good that you hardly see integrated aftermarket audio solutions and/or accessories.

Do you think Mark Levinson in our LX’s (if equipped) is the best factory brand car audio system out there?

Considering fidelity, clarity and depth of sound quality, how would you rate it with the following competitors;
- Nakamichi- Lexus (non Mark Levinson)
- Bowers & Wilkins- Jaguar
- Bang & Olufsen- Aston Martin, BMW- M6, MB, Audi
- Bose- MB
- Harman Kardon/ Logic 7- BMW 7 series, Rolls Royce Phantom, Hyundai Equus

I know…I know….Opinion will vary.

mickeyt

I think my 1997 LS400 Nakimichi is better than my 2008 Audi A8 system sound wise.

stoked

iTrader: (1)

I have ML in my 2004 LX 470, and the base stereo in my 01 GS300 hits harder than the ML, but does not have the clarity of the ML system. The BOSE stereo in the 05 Acura RL is amazing, the ML reference system in the 07 LS is AMAZING, each system has strengths and weaknesses. I don't think ML systems have a lot of bass. My favorite so far is always aftermarket setups.

DarkStar12

ML is nice, but not even close to the best factory systems out there. Not even in the same ballpark as audiophile quality home equipment.

apdxyk

If you want an audiophile reference point, the closest that comes to this sick mind would be a a single Vandersteen 2c speaker unit, very poorly placed in a small room with a very low ceiling, playing a mono signal with its mids bumped up. Other than that it is just fine..

RobRed

Toyota audio is not good at all. Even the premium ML or Nakamichi. They just sound bad. In every case you can make improvements with aftermarket components.

mickeyt

Rob, not true, my 1997 LS400 sounds incredible.

RobRed

Audio quality is relative. I've listened to the LS 400 systems and as factory audio goes its good. Compare it to aftermarket systems and it's not fair to Toyota.

1loudLX

the Bose system in a 2007 911 Turbo is better than the ML system in the LX. The aftermarket system I put in my 2000 is leagues better than the ML system in my 2005.

1sWt2GS

iTrader: (6)

bose in the g35 was pretty nice

rena

My toyota echo has better sound than my 04 lexus GS.

I dont have the stereo effect that I had with my echo.