ah gotcha, thanks rock

i have seen the ls460 nav in person, it's EXTREMELY crispy and very clear, i guess that's the upgraded screen you talking about

so the gs will continue to have the same ML setup, thanks for clarifying!

Same here...
The ML is well worth it

Is it worth $4-5K extra for better sound and Navi? I didn't think so. I'd rather spend that $$ on custom sound, wheels, suspension, &/or brakes. If you need the Navi then it's a bonus. I've have the stock sound and it's perfectly acceptable. I'm sure the Levinson is better, but for me I didn't need the Navi and I thought I could better spend the difference in price on aftermarket items. Can't go wrong either way, this ain't no Buick Lucerne!

well, it is 4k for screen, nav, backup camera, bluetooth and ML.

I just leased a new GS300 with the Mark Levinson stereo. This is my 7th Lexus (including two prior GS300's). Three of my prior Lexus' have come equiped with the Mark Levinson. My prior experiences with the ML were outstanding. I thought the sound was excellent. So much so that I ordered my new GS without first auditioning the 2006 ML version. Well... I have to say that I am VERY DISAPPOINTED with the ML. The fidelity is terrible. It lacks bass, the mid-range is over-emphasized, the mid-tone is colored and the speakers do not even sound matched. I would describe it as sounding like AM radio. The Sirus sat fidelity is even worse. Does anyone have the same opinion????

I took it to the dealer this morning and they stated that everything was connected correctly. They also stated that I was not the first person to complain and that they were of the opinion that the 2005 ML was superior to the 2006 version.

I love these cars... but I feel cheated. I spent an extra $4K to get the ML (I did not want or need the Nav but the car is bundled that way and had to spend the extra $$$ to get the ML). I telephoned Lexus (1-800-25L-EXUS) to register my complaint. If anyone else feels the same way please let me know and please call Lexus and let them know as well.

Jesse

Wow...
My opinion is very different to yours. My last ride had an Alpine V-12 amp, alpine head, and 2-12 inch JL audio subs in a custom box. I had Boston Rally speakers all the way around. Although the Alpine setup was superior in various aspects, the cost was much more, and the ML is close enough in overall performance, plus you get the navi and other cool stuff....
The other obvious bonus is n00bs won't be tempted to break in your car as much with the ML...

Right on, PoppFlyy. My last car had a custom system, using Alpine head unit and amps, etc., and it was superior in some ways (deeper bass, etc.) but the ML system is good enough that I don't feel I need to upgrade.

George

Hello Jesse,
Lexus has been having issues with the Sirius receiver and the Sirius antenna as reception has been poor. This may be the root of your complaint also. Take a movie DVD and play it in your system and adjust the bass, midrange and treble to suit your tastes and crank it to say 55. This should be a good test of the capability of the system. Something with audio special effects like Kill Bill Vol.1 when Uma Thurman is fighting the whole gang in the restaurant...
I know Lexus is working on the Sirius system and we are on hold waiting for an improved version to come out. The XM hasn't been a problem but doesn't have Howard Stern. The 2005 Mark Levinson had less power and was a 2.1 system but was good for its time. The 2006 is 7.1 and has a brighter sound and may require some attenuation in the upper range with the titanium tweeters it uses. There are some in depth threads regarding this here on Club Lexus.

Rock

We were once in this situation.

I would recommend you go to your dealer and hear the ML audio system for yourself. And see if you like it or not.

We ended up optioning the car with it, since the sound experience was excellent, compared to our minivan.

ML is a MUST! I've had sound systems put into my previous cars by top name brands that don't compare to the ML. It's worth every penny!

Yes, it is worth it, but make sure you get the updated front speakers. I had funny rattling noise coming from the front dash board and I saw somewhere in club lexus post that show that if you changed updated front speaker system, noise will be gone. So I took the copy of paper to the dealer and they did change for me and noise was gone. Also, sounds much better than before.
You already spend enough money buying GS, just go all the way !!!!

Easily worth it! The 3 series I had prior to my Lexus had the Harmon Kardon system that I thought was impressive, but that does'nt even come close to the ML system. With the surround turned on it even makes crappy songs sound good. And the bass is perfect. Usually people ask me if I have subs in the trunk because it'll rattle the reaview mirror like a champ. Buy It!

I would recommend the ML package. I wasn't going to get it at first but my wife noticed a difference between the standard radio and the ML radio. That pretty much convinced me to get the ML package. She never notices anything when it comes to electronics/stereo's, so i figured if she notices then its worth it.

Check out: www.marklevinsonlexus.com for each system details

I work for Lexus now in sales, but used to work for Bose Corp in tech support before moving into vehicle sales. I am familiar with the incredible efforts companies go through designing and producing OEM audio systems;
these are some of the only environments that the manufactures know exactly where owners ears are going to be, the materials used, and exact size of the listening area.

99.9% of my customers have never heard of Mark Levinson, and are unaware of the companies reputation in true high end audio ( that Bose is not involved in). ( a Mark Levinson amp/ preamp might cost one more than a GS300AWD)
The only finer OEM system might be (and I have not heard) is a Linn audio system that is available in a Austin Martin DB9.
I believe the ability to enjoy a M.L. system in a vehicle (that you spend alot of time in) for A FEW THOUSAND dollars is one of the greatest bargains in Automotive history.
Anyone ever hear the Macinitosh systems Subaru offered for like a half of a second?
Jamie

haha you wanna talk about the macinitosh? i wanna see your review, jamie

i had bose on my tl-s before, gosh, talk about a complete pos... went to my gs400 with pioneer stock and i was so happy already. little did i know how good ml is until i got my sc430, and now every time i sit in my gs400 it's like a torture