+1 I think most people would pay $1k for the ML if it was available. But it is so hard to get that most don't have a choice unless they want to order the car, and most don't. So they get the stock unit and rationalize that it is 'good enough'. Lexus should really step up production of the ML system and make it more readily available. And dealers could help in this regard by ordering it for their in stock cars, and educating buyers on its benefits. One 10 minute test listen would persuade 95% of the buyers. It is a bargain.

 

I've owned 'competition level' systems.
Four problems:
-Cleanliness of install is usually nowhere near factory quality
-Expensive, more prone to reliability issues
-Taking the car apart... I dunno... something about the way it was assembled from the factory - all of the screws tightened just right, panels aligned by people who have been installing them for over a decade... I just trust that more than I do Mr stereo installer... even if Mr stereo installer is me.
-Sound stage may be fine on the competition level system for front seat passengers with 2 channel recordings, but good luck matching a Levinson setup for multichannel recordings and making every seat in the house a sweet spot.

 

I have a feeling that you're probably right. I aspire to appreciate great recordings and quality sound systems, but given how little I drive (I don't have a daily commute to work), and given the fact that I always have at least one of our kids in the car, I couldn't see spending $1000's on the ML or any aftermarket system.

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And then you have people like my uncle, who owned an LS430 with ML, who never listened to anything but AM talk radio. he never understood "what so special about the ML sound system".

 

My experience is that the ML is very musical and has a refined sound without being unbalanced. Low's, mid's and highs compliment each other. The sound stage within the car has definition and at the same time transparent. You can sit there, eye's closed and not pick which speaker is producing the section of music unless the track is recorded intentionally. In car audio, that wasn't a feat easily accomplished. You always knew where the speakers were.

I haven't heard the high end cars as MM mentioned, at a mass production level such as this, the ML is a kick butt system IMO. Even in the 430's...a very nice system.

 

I use to be an IASCA SQ+ judge for 3 years. I was also a Master MECP Installer for 2 custom shops and 1 chain.

When it comes to shear sound quality (Imaging, Staging, SNR, and Freq response) the ML system is far superior to just about any aftermarket system under $8,000 (or possibly more).

If you want Volume and Bass then yes, there are many "home built" systems that can out perform the ML system. That wasn't their intent to build a "rattle the trunk" system.

Regardless of brand, a speaker will sound like CRAP if the science of the enclosure isn't designed for that speaker and for the environment.

Focal, DynaAudio, Crystal Audio, Diamond Audio, JL, PG, and anything else isn't crap without someone who knows how to design the enclosures and knows placement.

Someone said $5500 for a comparable system? Heck no.. maybe for the equipment alone. You would need an EXPERT in Staging and fabrication to build it perfectly. That would be an additional $3k in design and fab time and materials.

 

Question then.

If you buy a car with stock stereo, is it possible to buy the ML head unit, speakers etc from a junked car and simply swap it all out?

Anybody done this and is it a simple swap? Simple unplug and plug from the stock to the ML set up?, then it would look stock. Or is it a totally different setup, size of speakers different etc?

 

Speakers are all different, amp is different. It's not a plug n' play setup. I suppose anything is possible, but probably not something that is realistic from a dollar perspective.

 

Too bad we couldn't find ML in any of the IS250s we were shopping for. We were looking for White/Cashmere/Auto/Luxury Package/Nav/ML.

 

Agreed. The ML system is not about over the top SPLs and thumping bass. The precision with which they engineered the system, all the parts together to reproduce sound, just cannot be done for a couple of $k. Louder doesn't mean better. Just replacing stockers with MB Quarts and replacing the amp with aftermarket ones won't make it a better system. It's like getting a turbo for your car. It will fun faster, but it won't run better than stock, not until you do a lot of tuning and that requires knowledge and special tools (and $$$).

My friend had MBQuarts and PPI amps in his Legend back in the day and it went loud, real loud and distortion free, too, at those volumes. The Nakamichi in my car was loud enough for me, but the imaging soundstage and clarity of the stock Nak system was still unmatched by my friend's "pro" system. I've come to appreciate the certain nuances of music that is apparent in well calibrated high end audio.

 

I couldn't put it better, agree 100%. Also, $1000 budget will not even match the standard Lexus audio sustem, never mind ML.