I had two ESs and a GS, all of which had ML audio and none of which impressed me. What I said was:

That's not a blanket statement, that's me posting what MY experience has been in cars I have had.

Toyota and Lexus are repackaging basically the same hybrid system into multiple models and platforms. This would be okay except it's a wheezy 4-banger.

"ML audio is also excellent, but only in the LS" your words exactly. I am betting the TX Mark Levinson system will also be excellent.

You took the first sentance out of context, I made it very clear that what my experience was.

I'm sure the audio system will be fine, but thats not going to make me want to buy the car or not.

Your experience is out of date.

I really don't think it is. I'm sure the ML audio is very similar to the upgraded audio in all those competitive cars. What I'm sure it is better than is the basic Burmester audio or HK audio you would find in a Mercedes or BMW, but the MDX for example has a great ELS Studio 3D system (two actually) that I'm very confident will be better than the ML audio even in an LS...BMW B&W is likely just as good, and Burmester High End will blow the ML away. Of course those comparable German 3 row vehicles will be a lot more expensive, but the MDX should be right in line.

I've had the B&W in the M550i and the Burmester in the 992. Did not blow them away. Sorry.

Okie dokie.

What I would like to see is this vehicle be big, like Mercedes GLS sized big. Seeing that the Highlander is already 3 row s but on the smaller side, hopefully this will be the case. Wouldn’t make sense for it to be Palisade sized…

the two LC's - you mean LC500's? or land cruisers?

not sure you if consider my lc500 'out of date' or a 'lesser' model but the ML in it imo is not that great. my hyundai santa fe has a better audio system.

however, i enjoy driving the car very much so it's not the end of the world if the audio is so so.

Ooops, One LC 500 w performance package. Hmmm interesting, I really liked the Mark Levinson in the LC 500. I used CD's to get the best quality I could out of it. As the saying goes, crap in crap out. So hopefully you are using CD or another near lossless format...sure you know that. I'll be interested to see how it compares to the 1800 watt 17 speaker Mark Levinson I am getting tomorrow in an IS 350 F Sport. I really liked my LC. Almost considered another, but wish they would bring the safety tech up to LSS 2.5 at least. And add panoramic camera. And after having 3 vehicles with that V8, I thought I might like a little lighter weight, better gas mileage, and 4 doors. FYI, Daily Motor has reviews of both the Santa Fe and LC 500 audio systems.

Just my opinion but I have had the ML in two different gen GXs and two LS’s and it wasn’t even close. The ML in the LS was clearly superior. The GX ML system was just ok to me. At the time I had my LS, the ML in the LS was considered one of the, if not, best of any car manufacturer.

I'd agree that GX system was just ok in my opinion also. I had a 2011. It doesn't appear to have changed much. Still 330 watts.

I just test drove a 2019 LX570 and the ML sucked in comparison to my 2013 LS 460. Not even close.

Not sure how other Lexus vehicles compare, but the ML in the LS appears to be on another level.

sweet that's what i have. great to see you're a strong lexus enthusiast! the LC is my third (with a huge gap from the first 2 to my LC now) so i'm far behind you.

i don't play cd's (well i did once just to see if it actually works ) but yes i use tidal master format streaming via android auto (not bluetooth) so that's excellent. i will try another cd or two just to compare.

as i'm sure you know, more watts doesn't necessarily mean better but hope it's great! and congrats on the new car! i do like the look of the latest IS design.

bringing it back on topic... i'm thinking the TX will have a hybrid 4 cylinder drivetrain like sienna/venza... anyone know? maybe it's in this thread somewhere.