I think the ML is darn crisp and rich. I also find that at volume 25, the ML is not as loud as the regular audio in a PP+ package. I am convinced that the ML speakers need to be broken in, as the 1st few days the ML didnt exactly meet my expectations....but gradually began to really shine.

Here are my settings for optimal listening:

1) Turn up the Low, mid, and high equalizers.
2) Turn OFF surround sound
3) I dont really know what that DSP function is, but i leave it on.
4) Volume at around 23 - 25.
5) Speakers concentrate a tad forward from the middle of the car.
6) NO MP3s....only original uncompressed CDs.

Anyone else have any insight on optimizing their ML sounds?

 

I have an IS but my bass is around +3 mid +2 treb +3, surround on, im using mp3s converted to CD, I will try a real CD later on and surround off, I vary mine around 25-35, its song dependant. Sitting in the backseat and getting closest to the center of the car is when it really sounds good, but you wont be there most of the time. How many speakers does the ES350 ML have, IS has 14 total

Adjusting the FAD might help balance the sound, sometimes it sounds biased towards the front of the car and you dont really hear the rear as much

 

The Lexus website states the ML ES350 has 14 speakers while the standard audio has 7.

 

1. DSP is Digital Signal Processing. It has two controls: the surround and the ASL (an automated sound level adjustment that changes the volume depending on the speed of the car -- drives me nuts so I leave it off).

2. I think Kaius88 has it wrong. The optimal setting for the Mark Levinson sound system is ON.

(In case anybody cares, I run mine with the tone controls "centered" {adjusting for the characteristics of the recording if necessary}, balance centered {or just slightly to the right}, any source I care to listen to {AM, FM, Sirius, CD, DVD, MP3, Apple Lossless}, and as loud as I please. I also have a VaisTech unit for the iPod, better than the headphone jack.)

 

I turned Surround to OFF yesterday, sounded much more bland and empty, so I turned it back to ON, sounds way better. I have ASL turned off, I can notice it change volumes at different speeds and I personally dont like it. ES350 standard to ML upgrade is huge 7 to 14 speakers, for the IS its 13 to 14 I believe (a center speaker gets added on the dash)

 

I use all the tone controls and balance set to factory specifications, unless the recording was poorly recorded. In that case, I'll boost whatever part of the frequency range that needs it. ASL-ON, Surround-ON

 

I have mine set this way:
+1 bass, + 3 treble
midrange in the middle.
The greatest change is setting the speaker balance control about 2 or 3 clicks toward the back. This gives a more pronounced surround effect.
Awesome system especially with high quality recording. If you have a DVD-A disc in be sure to turn surround off.

 

+3 on the treble?? Either something is wrong with your system, too many rock concerts when you were younger, you listen to very bland music, or you like to have highs that peal paint off the walls. Anyway I won't be riding with you any time soon. (No offense intended whatsoever!)

 

I have my FAD on -1 now, sounds more balanced, bass +3 mid +2 treb +2

 

Actually I did attend too many rock concerts when I was a kid!
None the less, I consider myself an audiophile and I have always liked my sound a little bright but not too much. I mostly listen to CD's and on the newer recodings I find this level pleasing.
What I like about this system is that unique settings seem to be remembered for each CD slot.

 

That's very interesting, although IMHO I dunno if that's necessarily a good thing; after all, it's not as if each slot is/should be "permanently" reserved for a particular CD/DVD...

 

Since most people are NOT audiophiles, and perception is sometimes psychologically driven, would it be really bad if Lexus put in a regular PP+ stereo system and labelled it ML and charged you for it? I mean I bet a good portion of the people wouldnt even notice, especially if they listen to mainly AM radio and low quality mp3s. They can get away with it as long as no one puts in a DVD or counts the number of speakers. I mean, how many of us actually get to compare the regular stereo vs ML on the same music source? Unless you bring your CDs to the loaner, and risk forgetting to remove it when you return the loaner.

 

Hey, that's how I got my Dr. Dre "2001" CD. A classic hippity-hoppity disc if there ever was one.