Mark Levinson painful?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 13
Likes: 6
From: CA
I bought a 2019 Lexus ES about a month ago, and I am bummed that I did not test out the audio system when I test drove the car. This is my fifth Lexus, the sound system has always been great. I picked up my new car, and within 2 minutes of driving off the lot, I noticed the audio primarely coming out of the front speakers. After some adjusting, I found that the best I could get out of it was about 80% audio from the front, and 20% or less from back. I was quite dissappointed. I did take it back to Lexus and even communicated with someone at Lexus HQ. All they could tell me is that this was the design. My 2015 ES had a 10x better sound system in it. I'll just have to live with it until its time for new car.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 6
From: Florida
I bought a 2019 Lexus ES about a month ago, and I am bummed that I did not test out the audio system when I test drove the car. This is my fifth Lexus, the sound system has always been great. I picked up my new car, and within 2 minutes of driving off the lot, I noticed the audio primarely coming out of the front speakers. After some adjusting, I found that the best I could get out of it was about 80% audio from the front, and 20% or less from back. I was quite dissappointed. I did take it back to Lexus and even communicated with someone at Lexus HQ. All they could tell me is that this was the design. My 2015 ES had a 10x better sound system in it. I'll just have to live with it until its time for new car.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 319
From: NY
Agreed. I had the same observation with the sound coming from the left. I think the ML system is somewhat of a gimmick altogether. The whole "purist" / "orchestra" ideology has resulted in an overrated and highly unusual sound system. My previous Acura's ELS sound (Panasonic) was incredible... This is not rocket science. Very disappointed with ML.
Driver
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 164
Likes: 13
From: CA
You'll never find the happy center where sound feels balanced. It sucks.
i just picked up my UL esh yesterday and love everything about the car except the sound. I concur with everything you said. Too much front biased audio no matter how you you adjust the fader. The ML in my 08 is350 was far superior... what a bummer.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 23
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Other members have suggested installing a resistor on the wire for the center channel to reduce the overpowering front/center speaker. I am going to do that when I have a chance. I will report back with the results. Very disappointing. When Lexus boasts such an amazing system (to the point of being obnoxious) and it has these deficiencies I feel defrauded. Lexus should just call Panasonic and get the ELS system that Acura has. Every member who has heard both agrees ELS blows this ML gimmick out of the water.
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steezkeez
RC - 1st Gen (2015-present)
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Jan 6, 2020 07:13 PM
