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I have been lucky enough to take delivery (in last few days) of an ES300h fsport and when I first started up the car noticed there was a bias to the front of the car with the speakers, and yes I do have the Mark Levinson system. However, I adjusted the system to bias about two thirds to the back of the car and the sound system is rather marvelous. So I suspect that if yours is still not sounding good, even by moving the position back a bit, then there may be a software error. Also, when I first started to use the car, had a USB stick with a large amount of mp3's and wma tunes and seem to recall that some were having problems reading anything but mp3's. So when I couldn't get the system to read the files I started to imagine the nightmare of having to convert many gigabytes of wma files to mp3. Then I managed to find the online manual which stated that only USB 2.0 is supported. So invested in one of the minature USB sticks (about 1 cm long so will fit in the front USB port and still have the lid closed) that was USB 2.0 and copied over 40 Gb of music from my USB 3,0 stick in various formats and hey presto, they all played (well I am still trying to learn the system but I got my daughter to have a look and she figured it out so quickly - it's my age). So again, if you are having problems accessing music on a USB stick, try changing to USB 2.0 and if that does not work, again suspect a software problem. So far, haven't found much wrong with the new car, especially as I am comparing it with Mercedes E Class cars of which I am now a former owner. As a hybrid that recharges itself, there really isn't a better car on the market and pleased to see that Lexus is putting that quality front and centre in their new advertising campaign in UK.
Congrats on your new vehicle, did you get a 2019 or 2020?
Your comment about only USB 2.0 drives being supported is interesting. I've been using, very successfully, a really low profile USB 3.1 drive in my 2019 ES 350 that permits the cover to remain closed. I've had no problem in playing a variety of FLAC and mp3 files. In general, I thought the principle of downward compatibility obtains, but I'm always ready for surprises.
Like I say, I found what looks to be the latest manual for the sound system, on line and that definitely states that USB 2.0 is the supported version. Glad to hear you got a version 3 working.
Bonjour,
J'ai possede dans les dernieres annees une ES350-2015 et une 2017, donc j'en suis à ma troisieme Lexus en achetant voile 2 mois la ES300h -2019.
Les avantages de l'hybride ainsi que les autres fonctions automatisees du véhicule 2019 me rendent très heureux...mais, la qualite du son est inadmissible...
Je constate egalement, comme beaucoup, l'impossibilite d'equilibrer le son avant-arriere, obtenant soit le son uniquement a l'arriere ou presque totalement a l'avant, en tentant un reglage de l'equilibre du son.vers l'avant.
Cette situation est inadmissible, et selon ce que je constate en lisant ici et sur d'autres forums, ce probleme est generalise. Lexus ne peut répondre de façon innocente que la conception est prevue comme cela.....c'est clairement un vice de conception. En offrant une fonction d'equilibrage du son avant/arriere au systeme audio, cette fonction DOIT fonctionner.... Les modeles 2015 et 2017 offrait un equilibrage du son qui fonctionnait parfaitement.... ce n'est plus le cas.
Ma prochaine demarche sera de demander un correctif a Lexus Canada. Si je reçois une reponse negative, je devrai envisager une demarche judiciaire, qui pourrait prendre la voie d'un recours collectif....
Esperons que Lexus collabore à trouver une solution.
Avez-vous reçu une réponse à votre demande à Lexus Canada? Veuillez nous tenir informés.
The other item to be careful about, my car is an ES300h and NOT the US version ES350 and the UK spec for the fsport is basically, everything is included as 'standard'. I did drive the Luxury version and notice that my car does not have the light that comes on, on the wing mirrors when a car goes to overtake, but to be honest, found that a bit annoying, especially on a busy motorway. But guess others will love that feature. Still wondering what the difference is between the 2019 and 2020 models. A quick search implies that the US 350h 2020 version supports Android phones, but in my case, would know if my 300h does as I am afraid to say I have an iPhone.
USB 3.0 stick's are completely backwards compatible with USB 2.0 so I'm unsure how this could have been the problem. I'll have my 2020 ES350 delivered in about 2 weeks and I also purchased the low profile USB 3.1 stick so I'll let you know if I experience any problems. I also have the ML system.
Has anyone tried the software update for the entertainment system that was mentioned in a previous post? With all this talk about rear volume issues and possible software fixes, I’m surprised nobody responded to the post showing the software link. I jumped to that site and there is indeed an update for my 300h that I haven’t yet tried.
Has anyone tried the software update for the entertainment system that was mentioned in a previous post? With all this talk about rear volume issues and possible software fixes, I’m surprised nobody responded to the post showing the software link. I jumped to that site and there is indeed an update for my 300h that I haven’t yet tried.
I got my ES 350 recently. How does software update happen? Do you have to do anything proactive?
I got my ES 350 recently. How does software update happen? Do you have to do anything proactive?
You go to the Lexus website and put in your year & model. It directs you to the applicable firmware which you download to a usb drive and then upload it to the car.
Has anyone tried the software update for the entertainment system that was mentioned in a previous post? With all this talk about rear volume issues and possible software fixes, I’m surprised nobody responded to the post showing the software link. I jumped to that site and there is indeed an update for my 300h that I haven’t yet tried.
Ken7: I looked for the post with the software link and couldn't find it. Can you indicate the post number or provide the link? Thanks...
I got my ES 350 recently. How does software update happen? Do you have to do anything proactive?
Over the last 14 months, I've gotten three live updates when I start the car, and one time this past July where I used the link and a thumb drive for installation. The file on the card ends in .kwi
I think it's safe to say that the 2019 Avalon with JBL is a better overall system than what's in the ES. How could Lexus allow this to pass on to production?
JBL: "The team set targets to challenge vehicle systems two classes up from Avalon: The B&O systems in the BMW 650i and Audi A8; Burmester in Mercedes-Benz S550; and Lexicon in Genesis G80. The overall performance goals were for system integrity, spectral accuracy, dynamics, spatial imaging and features."
Makes me seriously question canceling my order for my ES.
Last edited by Hifiman1; Dec 28, 2019 at 11:19 PM.
Has anyone went aftermarket on a full install yet? The rear door speaker situation would throw a curve ball. Seems like it's doomed from the beginning.
Une réponse de Lexus Canada?
