I found this article rating Auto Sound Systems. It mentions the ML in the LS but even at 1800 Watts in the ES, that's still darn good! IMHO

You can read the article here: https://www.autobytel.com/car-buying...stems-134063/#
You'll find the Lexus system on page 2.

 

Generic article mention, dunno if it means much. Besides many hate their ML 7ES systems and say it sucks. Also there can't be more than 10 premium systems on the market period so not sure what that article is supposed to mean.

at the end of the day a car is a terrible place to truly listen to high quality music in.

 

It was informational and intended as such.
You get out what you put in. Meaning if the audio source is low or average quality, it's probably going to sound as such. Using high quality audio as a source produces a nice sound stage. To each their own but if you haven't experienced the system as intended then your conjecture and negative opinion will be taken as such. This system is truly one of the better systems I've listened to. If you have not experienced or do not have the ML system, which it sounds like you don't or haven't, how do you expect for your or others opinions to be taken seriously? You can peddle your opinion somewhere else!

 

Until their amp takes a crap.

 

Gotta love this debate - there have been numerous threads on ML. For me, it sounds okay - a drop better than the base system in my wife's RX. Inferior to what I hear in my daughter's Q5. But as E46 says, it's a car and not a concert hall.

 

haha i get it you're excited. you just bought your car with this new ML option and want to copy/paste articles you found that reinforces your purchase decision.

you'll likely be happy with your ML. just saying don't overhype it for yourself it can only go downhill from there.

 

I've had two ES's both with ML. It's about personal preference. I don't need validation on my decision. I'm just sharing information and encouraging discourse. What are you bringing to the table?

 

Mikemu30, if I remember correctly, you stated in a previous thread that you were using Mp3 files maybe or just listening to base level audio. I know you were asking about conversions of digital audio. If you took my suggestion of either dvd or high quality audio such as FLAC files, I encourage that and then come back with your opinion. This isn't a dig, it's a suggestion.

 

The MP3 quality is so poor, I literally can't listen to that source. It's XM, CDs or HD FM for me. Stream sometimes. I'm not in the the car enough to invest more energy into creating a better source but thanks for the suggestion.

 

Anyone that says the ML sound quality is poor is possibly justifying why they did not make the upgrade. Then again, they could be some type of OCD audiophile 😆. The system sounds much better than the base option on the same vehicle. In the past, i've spent 8k on vehicle sounds systems and quite honestly I regret those decisions. Live and learn. ML is a keeper and worthy upgrade to the ES.

 

Wait... Are you claiming XM sounds better than MP3 in your ML equipped ES? XM is the equivalent to 64 Mbps on a good day. MP3 at 320 Mbps is fairly decent. Just below 44k FLAC.

 

savage geese had an audio engineer tested out the ML system on ES. I book marked moment when he starts to talk about it:

 

I've heard the naysayers on the ES's ML system. I do not know if any front/rear adjustment has been made since 2019, but I have found that I prefer the same settings that others have found best: fader 2 steps rearward, surround off. This isn't my first rodeo with a car that has a nice sound system, and set up that way, I think it's terrific.

Now, the cited article talks not about this system, but about the ML system in the LS. That system is a whole different animal with more power, more speakers and a higher price. It's apparent that "Mark Levinson" is a brand name, not a stereo, and in my mind that article isn't even talking about this stereo.

In fact, I recall some years ago that Mr. Mark Levinson himself once posted to this site. He had sold the rights to Lexus to use his name on car stereos, and he pretty much said the obvious: No car stereos, including Lexus's, were truly up to the standards of Mark Levinson home hi-fi equipment. That's inevitable, and I'm okay with that.

 

We have all heard the expression crap in crap out and that is certainly true of our ML system. XM over the satellite sounds about like mp3 or bluetooth but if you use the XM app on phone with android auto the normal quality setting sounds a lot better about like the hd radio. If I use the max quality it sounds better but depends on location with the mobile data so I leave it on normal. On trips at high speed extra quality sound is muted anyway so regular xm is what I leave it on.

 

Truly no comparison. XM is fine and clear. The MP3 sound scratchy.