Should Lexus switch audio providers?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 21, 2010 | 10:55 AM

#31

Blackraven

Lexus Champion

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 3,459

Likes: 1

From: Makati, Philippines

For me, as long as the audio system is branded, it is epic.

But ultimately, my bare minimum requirement is 6 SPEAKERS. Hence, if a car has five speakers or less, I WILL NEVER BUY IT otherwise I will request dealer/manufacturer to install extra speakers/tweeters

Anyways, someone was asking about B&O for Mercedes Benz?

AFAIK, the new S class diesel facelift (especially the one coming to Stateside) will use B&O.

P.S.
Btw, what's the BEST in-car audio system on earth today? The NAIM from Bentley Mulsanne (the one with 20 speakers and 2000 watts)???

And no, I'm not talking about pimpmobiles that have six-foot tall subwoofers and bling ****.

Sep 21, 2010 | 11:31 AM

#32

rominl

exclusive matchup

iTrader: (4)

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 81,828

Likes: 414

From: Lovely OC

Quote:

Originally Posted by STIG

I have premium audio on my M3 and it's crap. Lexus stock system sounds better.

lol the whatever system in m3 (and pretty much all bmw i have experienced so far) are garbage

for ml, i think 5 years ago, they were very good across all lexus models. with the new generation lexus, on some models (like the 3gs) they aren't that superb anymore. but on some (4ls) it's pretty insane. and also at the same time, the normal premium audio system (non-ml) system on most lexus now have improved quite a bit as well, so that narrows the gap

Sep 21, 2010 | 12:48 PM

#33

516IS

Lexus Champion

iTrader: (12)

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 1,713

Likes: 3

From: NY

I also think ML has done a great job so far on our Lexus. no need to fix if it aint broke.

Sep 21, 2010 | 01:08 PM

#34

ABC

Racer

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,727

Likes: 8

From: USA

ML is great... but they should seriously update the base head units a bit...

Sep 21, 2010 | 01:56 PM

#35

GSteg

Rookie

iTrader: (15)

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 16,017

Likes: 81

From: CA

The best isn't judged by how many speakers or 'watts' it has. As someone who use to be active in the car audio community, less is more. It cringes me to see 15 speakers or whatever they have nowadays

No need to switch brand if the current one is doing fine. If it sounds good to the customer, then it sounds good. I'd take a great sounding Pioneer system over a 'bleh' Nakamichi.

Sep 21, 2010 | 03:28 PM

#36

2007ATLLA

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 21

Likes: 0

From: CA

bose is good and reliable but not as high quality as B&O....but they are way overpriced

Sep 21, 2010 | 04:40 PM

#37

Dave600hL

Lexus Champion

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 2,448

Likes: 2

From: Japan

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2007ATLLA

bose is good and reliable but not as high quality as B&O....but they are way overpriced

Are you being serious?

Sep 21, 2010 | 04:53 PM

#38

Mister Two

Lead Lap

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 697

Likes: 0

From: CA

The ML in the LS460L trounced the S8's B&O in Car Audio Magazine's comparo years ago, with the ML scoring an 8 and the S8 scoring just 6.7 in audio quality, so unless you rate an audio system based on the number of motorized tweeters it has, you're better off with ML.
http://caraudiomag.com/category/topi...away/articles/

ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Verdad Gallardo

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Michael S. Palmer

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Joe Kucinski

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Michael S. Palmer

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation

Joe Kucinski

Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?

Brett Foote

GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler

Michael S. Palmer

9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)

Joe Kucinski

2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!

Brett Foote

Sep 21, 2010 | 07:54 PM

#39

CK6Speed

Lexus Test Driver

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 7,719

Likes: 4

From: HI

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSteg

The best isn't judged by how many speakers or 'watts' it has. As someone who use to be active in the car audio community, less is more. It cringes me to see 15 speakers or whatever they have nowadays

I completely agree. It has always been the goal to try and obtain a single point source, but since speakers have limitations multiple drivers are needed. I will; however, say that with multichannel audio, we need at least 5 discrete channels. More importantly in a car, speaker placement is key. Most cars still have sub par speaker placement. I really don't understand why people are so impressed with 10+ speakers in a car today. It

Sep 22, 2010 | 07:50 AM

#40

RX469

Pole Position

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 2,916

Likes: 73

From: MD

I remember Nakamachi back in the day, sounded great! Don't know of their work/quality today, but they did rock with excellent quality. They were a force that could not be over looked.

And of course, must give props to the masters of music, Alpine!

They have been rocking good quality equipment from day one!

The ML systems are pretty nice, could use a bit sharper mids and highs, and of course a little bigger subwoofer as it seems most folks upgrade their factory sub to a larger sub with an external amp.

Sep 22, 2010 | 08:46 AM

#41

LexFather

Guest

Posts: n/a

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave600hL

Are you being serious?

Bose is an embarrassment, period, just horrible sound systems in cars.

Sep 22, 2010 | 09:14 AM

#42

JessePS

Lexus Test Driver

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 8,349

Likes: 0

From: QC/FRANCE

WOW. I said something about Meridian and just announced they will have their system in the new Range Rover Evoque.

idie

Quote:

Aston Martin - Linn (2007 and older) // Bang & Olufsen (newer models)
Audi - Bose // Bang & Olufsen
Bentley - Naim
BMW - Harmon Kardon (Harman) // Bang & Olufsen (future models)
Jaguar - Bowers & Wilkins
Lexus - Mark Levinson (Harman)
Maserati - Bose
Hyundai - Lexicon (Harman) [certain models only]
Mercedes Benz - Harmon Kardon (Harman) // Bang & Olufsen [SLS only]
Porsche - Burmester [certain models only]
Rolls Royce - Lexicon (Harman)
Ferrari - Bose
Lamborghini - cant find it at the moment

Range Rover - Harmon Kardon (Harman) // Meridian (Evoque only)

Last edited by JessePS; Sep 22, 2010 at 12:43 PM.

Sep 22, 2010 | 10:11 AM

#43

GS3Tek

CL Community Team

iTrader: (8)

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 12,390

Likes: 184

From: so cal

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2007ATLLA

bose is good and reliable but not as high quality as B&O....but they are way overpriced

even BOSE has no confidence in itself and is telling buyers to
Buy Other Stereo Equipment

Sep 22, 2010 | 12:47 PM

#44

CK6Speed

Lexus Test Driver

iTrader: (1)

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 7,719

Likes: 4

From: HI

Quote:

Originally Posted by JessePS

WOW. I said something about Meridian and just announced they will have their system in the new Range Rover Evoque.

idie

Meridian is awesome. I used to have their 5 series processors/DA/DVD player and such. Never got the full system with the digital speakers, but I heard them. My friend is a Meridian dealer and I got all my stuff at a good price as his store demo. I really want to get back into it again someday.