I've spent alot of time reading through the owner's manuals in my week-old 2007 GS 350 AWD. I'm starting to regret my ML vs Non-ML stereo decision.

My non-ML sounds pretty weak from the driver's seat. Not much bass or mid-range on XM or FM at all. CDs not much better.

No real equalizer, just treble/bass adjustments.

Obviously, I did not do a very good job comparing the difference between the two during test drives.

The "DSL" settings on non-ML seem worthless to me. The "all four seats" choice is the only one that seems balanced to me.

Am am pleasantly surprised how much better it sounds when sitting in the back seat. Maybe speaker positions from doors sound better than front, but more likely due to sub-woofer in back seat deck lid. I'm tempted to use this line on my wife during our next "date".

I've searched the forums a bit, but have been unsuccessful in finding answers to:

1) any aftermarket speaker upgrades?
2) if so, how hard to rip apart dash/doors to install? Professional only?
3) can I find/buy/replace any of the non-ml speakers with ML versions?
4) can't find examples of specific speakers/amps for non-ML upgrades.
5) what audio settings do other non-ML driver's find work best?

If anyone has upgraded/replaced their non-ML system with aftermarket components, I'd appreciate your advice!

I've only got 150 miles on it, but plan many more.

 

ML sounds better in the back seat, too. I'm still playing with it, but at this point it actually seems a bit inferior to the "Lexus Premium Sound System" on the 2003 RX300 I traded in. I don't think you would necessarily be happier with ML sound-wise, it just has more options.

 

I didn't get ML on my GS but I got Navi on GX and ML came with it...
You guys must have very sensitive ears... becasue I can't really tell the difference??
Standard stereo sounds very good to me...

 

Please grant me some leeway that I've only had my 2007 GS 350 AWD for 5 days.

I've spent time exploring my non-ML stereo since my original post.

As it should be, the bass-mid-treble adjustments need to be different for AM vs FM vs SAT(XM) vs CD. I had mistakely set bass-mid-treble thinking that they would apply to ALL different sources. How wrong I was.

I had set them for FM thinking they applied to all. Bass-mid-treble were at neutral mid settings by default for CD and SAT. I pumped all to max or one step back and WHAT A DIFFERENCE !!!

 

You see me good and I see you better!

Non-ML? No problem, because you now have a strong excuse to customize your sound system.