2019 ES350 Garbage Sound System
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 547
Likes: 146
From: CA
samcjung, Where'd you get the sub and Lc2i? I like your setup. Back in the day I dedicated half my trunk to a large speaker box. Now I just want good clean bass AND trunk space. Besides, since the invention of cell phones, my friends don't need to hear me booming down their block anymore to know I'm coming. lol
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 547
Likes: 146
From: CA
Did you use dynamat? Yes, the whole trunk was filled with sound damping material.
Did the Lexus logo fall off due to vibration? No, but the right rear taillight did loosen up. I removed it and added SDM which fixed the issue. The gas cover also required some attention.
How does it sound overall? Amazing! With the added 2 remote bass controls for the amp and DSP, I can adjust the bass on the fly depending on the type of music.
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 89
Likes: 29
From: NV
Did you use dynamat? Yes, the whole trunk was filled with sound damping material.
Did the Lexus logo fall off due to vibration? No, but the right rear taillight did loosen up. I removed it and added SDM which fixed the issue. The gas cover also required some attention.
How does it sound overall? Amazing! With the added 2 remote bass controls for the amp and DSP, I can adjust the bass on the fly depending on the type of music.
Did the Lexus logo fall off due to vibration? No, but the right rear taillight did loosen up. I removed it and added SDM which fixed the issue. The gas cover also required some attention.
How does it sound overall? Amazing! With the added 2 remote bass controls for the amp and DSP, I can adjust the bass on the fly depending on the type of music.
The system looks awesome. Have you noticed any problems with the front or rear windshields being shaken loose from the rubber seals?
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Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 547
Likes: 146
From: CA
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 47
Likes: 33
From: VA
TSB to Improve Standard Sound System and Lawsuit
Finally, Lexus is acknowledging that the fader in the standard Pioneer sound system does not rebalance the sound. I learned from another post that Lexus has issued a TSB to address the problem:
Here is the text for TSB L-SB-0020-20 dated May 8, 2020
Coincidentally, today I also got a questionnaire about the class action lawsuit initiated about this problem. Could there be a connection?
I know there are many sound problem deniers on this forum. It should be interesting to see how they try to spin Lexus' admission that its new and improved "concert" sound system needs fixing.
Here is the text for TSB L-SB-0020-20 dated May 8, 2020
Some 2019 model year ES 350 and ES 300h vehicles equipped with the base audio system may exhibit a front-rear sound imbalance where the rear sound bias is less than expected even when fading the sound to the rear. The amplifier logic has been updated to address this condition. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition.
I know there are many sound problem deniers on this forum. It should be interesting to see how they try to spin Lexus' admission that its new and improved "concert" sound system needs fixing.
Last edited by horsey; Jun 17, 2020 at 03:39 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 5,308
Likes: 1,596
From: SE PA
I also received an email from a law firm today alluding to a class action lawsuit against Toyota/Lexus for the audio system. I don't know how they even obtained my information as I never recorded a complaint regarding the Mark Levinson system in my car... 
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,589
Likes: 3,411
From: NJ
Finally, Lexus is acknowledging that the fader in the standard Pioneer sound system does not rebalance the sound. I learned from another post that Lexus has issued a TSB to address the problem:
Here is the text for TSB L-SB-0020-20 dated May 8, 2020Coincidentally, today I also got a questionnaire about the class action lawsuit initiated about this problem. Could there be a connection?
I know there are many sound problem deniers on this forum. It should be interesting to see how they try to spin Lexus' admission that its new and improved "concert" sound system needs fixing.
Here is the text for TSB L-SB-0020-20 dated May 8, 2020Coincidentally, today I also got a questionnaire about the class action lawsuit initiated about this problem. Could there be a connection?
I know there are many sound problem deniers on this forum. It should be interesting to see how they try to spin Lexus' admission that its new and improved "concert" sound system needs fixing.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,473
Likes: 958
From: IL
The standard sound system in my 1973 Mustang, only had a front center speaker and an AM radio. I admit, I have only listened to the ML in the 7th gen ES, but I can't believe the standard sound is so bad that it requires a lawsuit. Lexus has even offered a "fix". Just have the TSB applied and move along. Do a better job of vetting your next vehicle purchase and take along your favorite music for the test drive. I've been doing that for longer than I care to remember. 
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,589
Likes: 3,411
From: NJ
The standard sound system in my 1973 Mustang, only had a front center speaker and an AM radio. I admit, I have only listened to the ML in the 7th gen ES, but I can't believe the standard sound is so bad that it requires a lawsuit. Lexus has even offered a "fix". Just have the TSB applied and move along. Do a better job of vetting your next vehicle purchase and take along your favorite music for the test drive. I've been doing that for longer than I care to remember.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 5
From: ca
IT'S FIXED!
I just got back from the Lexus dealer. To recap, I have a 2019 Lexus ES 350 with the base Pioneer stereo system. After reading this thread and hearing about a remedy of poor sound in the rear speakers I called my dealer and they said to bring it in. The fix is a new amplifier for the rear door speakers and subwoofer. I NOW HAVE SOUND LIKE I SHOULD HAVE HAD FROM THE BEGINNING! Now it's not gonna compare to the ML but it is a lot better now. Before when I adjusted the bias to the rear speakers/sub it had very little to no volume. I now have decent sound and actual bass coming from the rear which is really evident when I adjust the bias/fade to the rear. Actually I had to change the left/right balance to the right a few clicks because the rear door speaker behind the driver is too loud at times with my seat relaxed back! I've never heard any noticeable volume from the door speakers before. I can't believe I'm excited about having average volume from a door speaker! Not to mention I thought the rear sub was just a place holder and nonfunctional. It actually produces bass and it's not half bad. The system is still front dominant but it sounds like an actual surround system. I can't believe it took over a year for there to be a fix. For those bass lovers like me you will still want to explore adding a subwoofer to the trunk (it's a big trunk so your groceries and gym bag wont be crowded...lol. For now I am happy having a decent stereo system in my luxury car.
I just got back from the Lexus dealer. To recap, I have a 2019 Lexus ES 350 with the base Pioneer stereo system. After reading this thread and hearing about a remedy of poor sound in the rear speakers I called my dealer and they said to bring it in. The fix is a new amplifier for the rear door speakers and subwoofer. I NOW HAVE SOUND LIKE I SHOULD HAVE HAD FROM THE BEGINNING! Now it's not gonna compare to the ML but it is a lot better now. Before when I adjusted the bias to the rear speakers/sub it had very little to no volume. I now have decent sound and actual bass coming from the rear which is really evident when I adjust the bias/fade to the rear. Actually I had to change the left/right balance to the right a few clicks because the rear door speaker behind the driver is too loud at times with my seat relaxed back! I've never heard any noticeable volume from the door speakers before. I can't believe I'm excited about having average volume from a door speaker! Not to mention I thought the rear sub was just a place holder and nonfunctional. It actually produces bass and it's not half bad. The system is still front dominant but it sounds like an actual surround system. I can't believe it took over a year for there to be a fix. For those bass lovers like me you will still want to explore adding a subwoofer to the trunk (it's a big trunk so your groceries and gym bag wont be crowded...lol. For now I am happy having a decent stereo system in my luxury car.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 47
Likes: 33
From: VA
Thank you for the report. I started a topic awhile ago on the lack of fader adjustment and rear speaker sound in the Pioneer system. A few of the professional deniers in this forum jumped all over me saying the system was designed this way and who would want to hear surround sound anyway. Front windshield only! I agree with you--why would it take Lexus so long to acknowledge what we all could NOT hear?
I sure hope the fix works for me.
I sure hope the fix works for me.
Driver
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 144
Likes: 25
From: TN
IT'S FIXED!
I just got back from the Lexus dealer. To recap, I have a 2019 Lexus ES 350 with the base Pioneer stereo system. After reading this thread and hearing about a remedy of poor sound in the rear speakers I called my dealer and they said to bring it in. The fix is a new amplifier for the rear door speakers and subwoofer. I NOW HAVE SOUND LIKE I SHOULD HAVE HAD FROM THE BEGINNING! Now it's not gonna compare to the ML but it is a lot better now. Before when I adjusted the bias to the rear speakers/sub it had very little to no volume. I now have decent sound and actual bass coming from the rear which is really evident when I adjust the bias/fade to the rear. Actually I had to change the left/right balance to the right a few clicks because the rear door speaker behind the driver is too loud at times with my seat relaxed back! I've never heard any noticeable volume from the door speakers before. I can't believe I'm excited about having average volume from a door speaker! Not to mention I thought the rear sub was just a place holder and nonfunctional. It actually produces bass and it's not half bad. The system is still front dominant but it sounds like an actual surround system. I can't believe it took over a year for there to be a fix. For those bass lovers like me you will still want to explore adding a subwoofer to the trunk (it's a big trunk so your groceries and gym bag wont be crowded...lol. For now I am happy having a decent stereo system in my luxury car.
I just got back from the Lexus dealer. To recap, I have a 2019 Lexus ES 350 with the base Pioneer stereo system. After reading this thread and hearing about a remedy of poor sound in the rear speakers I called my dealer and they said to bring it in. The fix is a new amplifier for the rear door speakers and subwoofer. I NOW HAVE SOUND LIKE I SHOULD HAVE HAD FROM THE BEGINNING! Now it's not gonna compare to the ML but it is a lot better now. Before when I adjusted the bias to the rear speakers/sub it had very little to no volume. I now have decent sound and actual bass coming from the rear which is really evident when I adjust the bias/fade to the rear. Actually I had to change the left/right balance to the right a few clicks because the rear door speaker behind the driver is too loud at times with my seat relaxed back! I've never heard any noticeable volume from the door speakers before. I can't believe I'm excited about having average volume from a door speaker! Not to mention I thought the rear sub was just a place holder and nonfunctional. It actually produces bass and it's not half bad. The system is still front dominant but it sounds like an actual surround system. I can't believe it took over a year for there to be a fix. For those bass lovers like me you will still want to explore adding a subwoofer to the trunk (it's a big trunk so your groceries and gym bag wont be crowded...lol. For now I am happy having a decent stereo system in my luxury car.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10
Likes: 5
From: ca
Here’s a pic of my work order
Cause: Refers to L-SB-0020-20. They updated the amplifier logic because it was inoperative. Correction: Put in a new amplifier. Problem solved.