What this is all about seems to change from person to person and from day-to-day. I've been following this saga for more than a year now. In early 2019 I had pretty much made my mind up on the new ES. But reading about the audio concerns gave me pause. There were a lot of complaints on the internet about the audio which in retrospect focus on the base audio Pioneer system. However, it was not clear to me whether any of these complaints we're about the Mark Levinson system because many posters did not specify which system they were referring to.

Apparently, you and some others in this thread have fallen into the same trap that I almost fell into.

So I finally went for a test drive and brought my own CDs. It was clear to me that there was absolutely nothing wrong with the Mark Levinson system. In fact, once I got the car home I was amazed at what a phenomenal system it is.

I leave my front to rear balance two notches to the rear. That leaves about four notches towards the rear that I choose not to engage. By definition that tells you that I believe there's more than enough rear speaker amplification.

On the other hand, if you scroll up in this thread to post number 41 you'll see that this thread was resurrected after being dormant for two months by a poster who thinks he fixed his wonderful Mark Levinson system by adding a massive subwoofer. So apparently he thinks it's all about not having enough bass.

As I said in a previous post, beauty is in the ear of the beholder.

 

Honestly it doesn't bother me but there's barely any sound that comes from the rear speakers - all sources. Whatever - clearly that's the issue if there's a tsb with a fix.

 

HDTracks has a nice looking 2020 sampler that's available as a free download. 16 tracks. Looks like a nice lineup. Just downloaded it. Will transfer it to my USB in the next week or so.

Also, I highly recommend the newly remastered Ultra HD version of Abbey Road. I get mine on Amazon Music.HD, but you can also buy it on HDTracks.

 

If it doesn't bother you, why is it an issue?

 

Because I know it shouldn't be that way. So as it turns out, the tsb does in fact apply to the ML system as well. I brought my car in this morning for an oil change - they had to order a part for the audio fix and it should be ready by Tuesday. Im in a loaner for now and Ill let you all know how this turns out.

 

Does anyone know where this "stereo component amplifier" is located on the vehicle? Is there a whole lot of digging involved in removing and replacing it?

 

That's odd. The TSB clearly indicates that the problem applies to the base audio system. Did they address that issue and did they explain the discrepancy? Are you sure your dealer knows what they're doing?

You may end up getting downgraded from a ML amp to a Pioneer amp.

 

For the Mark Levinson system, the amplifier is under the driver's seat per the diagrams found in SOUND SOPHISTICATION OF THE ALL NEW ES and the Mark Levinson web site article on the Lexus ES An Adventure for the Senses.

 

They seemed familiar with the issue the moment I mentioned it. They are doing many of these so I'll trust for now they're on top of things. Always have been in the past as well. Stay tuned.

 

Thanks, I'd be reluctant if they had to remove parts in the dashboard.

 

I agree but I have to say, the other day for the first time I moved the fader all the way to the rear and I was shocked how little sound was coming out. Now in most cases, i rarely have anyone back there as this is my daily commuter, but if there's a fix for an outright design flaw, why not have it done on them.

 

Because if it ain't broke don't fix it. Particularly when the fix is the wrong tool for the job.

 

I agree with David.

 

It's not a design flaw. The rear speakers were never intended to be a primary music source. The sound is meant to emanate primarily from the front with the rear speakers filling in as the secondary sound source.

 

I suppose it's operating as designed but if that is indeed the case, why would Lexus issue a TSB?? Honestly, its really not a big issue to me. My car is in for an oil change, the dealer acknowledged there's an issue with the audio so I'm letting them perform the fix, update whatever you want to call it. If there's any interest here, I'll update you all when I have the car back this week. Otherwise I'm happy to ignore this thread going forward. Starting to sound like a Facebook rant btw the left and right and I don't participate in those - EVER.