Trocks797

As a new non-ML 3GS owner, I just made the biggest mistake ever. I had the opportunity to spend the day with a 2013 LS460 yesterday. I connected my phone and started listening, and honestly, I was so blown away by the sound I pulled over to dedicate 100% of my focus on just how....freaking incredible that sound system sounds.

I heard the ML in our GS is pretty weak, but my ML in my 02 430 was pretty good. But boys and girls, after hearing the ML in the 2013 LS, I can't even listen to the audio in my 350 without thinking about how much better it sounds in the 13 LS. I have never, in my short 25 years of life, heard music that rich, detailed, and....perfect. If you have the chance to experience this system, DEFINITELY PASS!

Now I know the LS houses ML's premium "reference" system, rivaled only by the LX.

I searched here and other places and discovered a lot of the sound has to do with the fact that ML uses metal cones instead of paper. The thing that I CAN"T STAND is scratchy, fuzzy noises coming from the speakers at full volume. That LS, even on 62, reproduced the voices, instruments... everything perfectly. I want a system that is loud AND clean. Don't care too much about lots of bass, but I suppose a sub would help.

TL;DR...Anybody know of any manufactures that make metal-coned speakers that fit our cars? I want the best possible speakers or other upgrades for my non-ML 3GS. Hoping to spend under $7,000.

I see several people here have installed various pieces of equipment that re tunes the audio system. Does this replace the amp in the trunk? I am willing to replace whatever necessary. I realize it won't match the LS $1,800 ML reference package, but I want to get as close as possible. Thank you all.

worker

How do you know their speaker uses metal?

the only one uses metal I know is the tweeter to produce the high pitch sound. But for the lower frequency sound paper combine with plastic is the best.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

the ml system in LS and LX are completely in another league. the ML system in the 3gs is not that impressive at all. i had it, it didn't match our ls460 and sc430

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

I had a '08 GS with ML and I agree.$1800 waste of money.

drydeniv

Without really getting into it, there are many users in the 3GS forums who have replaced their speakers, amplifiers, and put in other audio processors - and a lot of it has been well documented - there are many posts (in particular by audio_bob - i've read lots of hist posts) that are really helpful.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...o-install.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...r-upgrade.html

BUT, I would be very careful with just swapping the stock speakers for anything with a metal cone - the cone material alone isn't an indicator of what kind of sound it produces (though, generally metal cones can be 'sharper'). If you aren't careful with matching the speaker impedance, you can (fairly) easily blow your amplifier - and there's no guarantee that it'll sound any better. You'd probably have to put in speakers, audio processors, amplifiers to actually get a decent sounding & powerful system.

I have a 3GS with ML, but I am not convinced that the speakers are the problem - the processor (a gross dolby and dts blackbox with a SHARC processor, so not only does it have zero user configurable options, it's powerful enough to be doing who knows what....) and poor factory tuning are more likely to blame than anything... I've voiced my discontent with the ML in the 3GS many times, but have yet to do anything about it - I am thinking about the 3.sixty.3 processor - but it probably wouldn't be powerful enough to handle everything without extra amps - which is just too much to mess with at this time...

sydtoosic

totally agree that the ML in the 2013 LS is very good, however it didn't garner that "WOW" factor for me. then again... i didn't connect my phone, i just listened to SAT radio. i'll connect my phone next time and see if i can garner a different result.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

As good as the LS ML is,the B&O I heard recently in the A8 gave me the 'wow' factor.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Yes I have to agree that the ML in the 3GS has its good and bad days, the LS is top notch and as someone said in another league. The bass is different though but a true audiophile would say the sound isnt that great compared to the LS.

LexFather

The new GS ML is pretty good too, 875 or so watts....

Mike1970

iTrader: (1)

for $6,999. you can all most do anything you want in audio lmao pimp your ride. make it happen

rominl

iTrader: (4)

agreed. the system in the LS is from 2007. back then, it was a ridiculously good system, beat everything on the street and quite a few reviews mentioned just how good the system is. it's still very good now, but i think a few other manufacturers have caught up.

can't wait for the next generation LS to come out and see how lexus up the bar

connecting a phone might not do the trick. it comes down to the snog (mp3) encoding which means it's always a compressed version. a well recorded CD or even better, a dvd-a / movie with digital surround will bring out the best in the system

energie8

The ML in 3GS is pretty good, I think its even better than a recent Benz with H/K. I haven't heard the LX or LS ML system yet so I can't compare.

texbanc

The sound in my 09 460 GL ( ML) is worlds above my old 01 430 GS ( non ML ). Hard to compare the GS to the LS. LS is so much quieter.

Tex

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

835 watts in the new GS/LS. Fantastic sounding

macKdaddy

7k? LOL. You can honestly spend $500 and blow the ML sound system out of the water.

for 7,000, you're talking serious competition sound.

I have about ~1500 in audio upgrades in my car and its lovely! So you can definitely do it on a budget