sorry for no pic but do the navi only Gs's have (looks to be) a extra speaker on top of the dash above the center console? does the mark levison system have this too?

 

ML without nav has the center speaker, though I have never heard anything out of it.

 

yea i kinda figure that it was a center speaker, does it make a difference in sound quailty?
im in the market for an 01and up gs 430 and i notice some had this and some didn't and the ones that had it was the ones with the navi units. im just making sure im not missing anything by going with a 01 430 with the premium sound system

 

most gs430 have BOTH navi and ml, that's why in most gs430 with navi you see that center speaker. but it's the center speaker for the ml system, nothing to do with the nav technically

and yes it has sound. it's there as a must, for a ml level balanced system

 

i know it have sound i was just wondering does it make a big difference in sound quailty?
im aiming for an 01 (due to price) and i notice some models had it and some didn't
even when it's non navi

 

The center channel speaker should solidify your front soundstage. ideally you want the singers voice to seem like it's coming from the middle of your soundstage.

I have the ML system and I love it. But, that being said, I still am looking into going the extra mile and upgrading it.

 

I'm thinking if it didn't make any difference why would Lexus put it there? I have the ML without NAV and the sysytem sounds nice, it can get loud and clean if you want it to. The center speaker sorta "fills in" the sound.