GS - 4th Gen (2013-2020) Discussion about the 2013 and up GS models

How’s the ML on G350

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Old 11-05-22, 02:33 PM
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NCGUY
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Default How’s the ML on G350

How’s the ML on the G350? It’s one of item on my check list even more than the color of the interior.
Old 11-05-22, 04:52 PM
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jkeller
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It's designed for clarity not thumping bass. It's built to belt out Frank Sinatra clearly even at high volume, not the Sex Pistols with bass **** pegged at max.😉
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Old 11-05-22, 05:07 PM
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Do we have the same ML I have? Mine throws some very nice deep bass. Not like two 15" in a ported box, but it does do very well for the sub that it is.
Old 11-05-22, 05:39 PM
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ItzFilyO
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That's right, the ML is tuned for clarity and not to annoy the car sitting next to u at the stop light.
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Old 11-05-22, 06:24 PM
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AJLex19
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I didn't think the ML was much better than the standard system in my '13. Most people who are true audiophiles and listen to high quality music sources will always lean toward the ML. I would recommend testing both and decide if its really a deal breaker.

Personally, the interior color would be more important to me than the ML - essentially, it really shouldn't be a deal breaker if you find a GS in your budget with the right color combo and it doesn't have ML.


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Old 11-07-22, 11:36 AM
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FH212
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As someone who has had stereo systems in their vehicles since the late 80's, its not bad for a stock system. As long as you keep your expectations in check. Its not going to sound like you went to your local shop and added high quality mids tweets and subs with an Amp. But its decent for a factory set up. My GS has ML and my 2021 IS350 does not. I can tell a difference. The ML is crisper with more clarity and better sound. But if you find the right car for the right price, not having ML would not be a deal breaker IMO.
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Old 11-08-22, 11:53 PM
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IMO it's a very well tuned system albeit light on bass. I added a Morel Primo 104 subwoofer so I can independently control the bass so it sounds great now.

The most important thing you can do for it is to feed it a high quality source like using your iPhone via USB on the iPod setting, an AUX jack, or a CD. Bluetooth sounds awful.
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Old 11-09-22, 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by pd7702
IMO it's a very well tuned system albeit light on bass. I added a Morel Primo 104 subwoofer so I can independently control the bass so it sounds great now.

The most important thing you can do for it is to feed it a high quality source like using your iPhone via USB on the iPod setting, an AUX jack, or a CD. Bluetooth sounds awful.
I'm no expert but I think the sound is very clean but yes the bass is not thumping which I could care less about really.

CD's definitely sound best. I've used bluetooth and it's definitely worse, haven't really tried USB I'll check that out today.
Old 11-09-22, 09:22 AM
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ItzFilyO
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USB sounds cleeeeaaannnn!!!
Old 11-09-22, 02:43 PM
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Get a ipod with either the Wolfson audio chip DAC or the Burr-brown chip DAC. Connect directly VIA USB. Download a high quality music format. On the ML you will find out it's not the ML lacking, it's only as good as your source. Then enjoy!
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Old 11-09-22, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by FH212
As someone who has had stereo systems in their vehicles since the late 80's, its not bad for a stock system. As long as you keep your expectations in check. Its not going to sound like you went to your local shop and added high quality mids tweets and subs with an Amp. But its decent for a factory set up. My GS has ML and my 2021 IS350 does not. I can tell a difference. The ML is crisper with more clarity and better sound. But if you find the right car for the right price, not having ML would not be a deal breaker IMO.
I agree. I’ve had GSs with both and they’re both great. I’m older, don’t listen to thumping bass or loud music as much anymore, and I appreciate the clarity of the ML.

Last edited by GS350MIKE; 11-09-22 at 06:57 PM.
Old 11-12-22, 05:59 AM
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I have the ML system on my 2020 GS and love it! However, it's extremely annoying when I get a vibration on the front left and right doors when playing songs with alot of bass. I even get a slight vibration in the overhead console.
Old 11-12-22, 11:54 AM
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fourgs
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Originally Posted by jgscott
Get a ipod with either the Wolfson audio chip DAC or the Burr-brown chip DAC. Connect directly VIA USB. Download a high quality music format. On the ML you will find out it's not the ML lacking, it's only as good as your source. Then enjoy!
DAC (digital to analog converter) works only when it’s creating analog signal and thats only through the aux port. When connected to usb, iPod simply works as a usb drive and the car dac is used.
Old 11-12-22, 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by fourgs
DAC (digital to analog converter) works only when it’s creating analog signal and thats only through the aux port. When connected to usb, iPod simply works as a usb drive and the car dac is used.
Yes tested with many other sources. The ipod's I mentioned sound the best all day long over other. Its still the source.

Yet still, nothing beats the CD.

Last edited by jgscott; 11-12-22 at 07:43 PM.
Old 11-12-22, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by pd7702
IMO it's a very well tuned system albeit light on bass. I added a Morel Primo 104 subwoofer so I can independently control the bass so it sounds great now.

The most important thing you can do for it is to feed it a high quality source like using your iPhone via USB on the iPod setting, an AUX jack, or a CD. Bluetooth sounds awful.
Not sure what your source is but bluetooth (iPhone/Tidal Hi Res) sounds fantastic in my 2018 GS350 ML system. It also sounded fantastic in my 2015 IS 350 which did not have the ML system


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