shenry500

So ive been heavily researching and shopping a newer body f sport gs for a long time. I am somewhat of an audiophile and have had many aftermarket systems in my day. I know there are many on this form that would disagree with ever changing the Mark Levinson as they believe it is better than anything you could buy on your own. I used to have an 08 IS with Mark Levinson and although it was pretty good for stock it was nowhere near the power and clarity of my old $3000 aftermarket system. That was a stereo you could FEEL.

I am willing to compromise some sound since putting an aftermarket system in these newer cars integrating with factory navigation is a royal pain. However has anyone installed a moderately priced after market system in a non-Mark Levinson car? This would make my shopping much easier since most newer Lexuses are not the mark Levinson . If I could get new speakers front and back, amps, and sound processor along with a simple 10 inch sub for under two grand installed I would be down for that, but I’m not sure that’s possible.

jagsfan201

I am curious to see this answer as well, although my thought is ML will win

spoogenet

If you were buying brand new and planning to keep the car a while, I'd say aftermarket can be a considerably better deal given the high price tag of ML. In the used market, it doesn't really command much more than a non-ML car.

If you search the forum, you'll find lots of folks have done aftermarket in the 4GS with varying degrees.

For example, a good sub/amp thread:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...p-install.html
and another:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ny-advice.html

shenry500

thanks ill have a look. The ML seems to win in terms of initial cost and resale. Aftermarket would certainly blow it away but at what cost to me? Im certainly not interested in dumping $4-5000 on an aftermarket system...

jtrue28

ML in the GS isn't very good.

jdpdata

I concur! ML in my 2015 GS 350 F-Sport is weak compared to ELS sound in our new 2017 MDX.
The bass is virtually non existence in the Lexus. I don't like how I can't tweak the Subwoofer volume.
ELS sound is much clearer to my ears and I can tweak, bass, treble, and sub separately.
As I turn the volume up on the GS, bass roll-off starts around 40 on the dial...after that it starts to distorts and rattles.
In the MDX, I can go all the way up, with zero distortion or bass roll-off that I can hear.

But my $3K aftermarket system in my 2006 4runner beat the pants out of both of these systems.
I'm running a Pioneer NEX 4201 with Alpine PDX-V9 driving Image Dynamics ID65CS/ID65 set and JL 12" sub.
Sound Deadening all doors and hatch. Bass hits really hard! And I got Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.

Too bad we can't do much to the audio system in the GS. Adding a just a sub is such a PITA project!

shenry500

Do you think I could add a good system to the non ml gs for $2000 or less? I already own 2 good amps. 4 channel and 2 channel sub

jdpdata

I have no clue. You probably can't replace the factory HU with anything aftermarket.
IMO, if you're planning to do audio mods, don't buy the GS with plans on doing that.
You probably will need to spend way more than $2K on a custom system.

Rozay604

iTrader: (1)

U need a good digital sound processor if u want your GS to sound good. That alone will cost u anywhere from 1-2k.

Runamok81

I've owned several aftermarket systems and trust me when I say the ML system is phenomenal. The clarity, separation, and sound staging is excellent. I've enjoyed every minute of it. Indeed, the bass does roll off at higher volumes. This can be corrected with an after market sub.

Yes, you could improve on the ML by replacing everything with aftermarket components, but it's going to be diminishing returns. It would take about $2.5K worth of components to really out do the ML: DSPs, amps, subs, sound deadening materials, installation costs, and LOTS of speakers replaced. DIY and you might be able to lower the price some. If you go that route... post it here. Would love to see it! However, for minimal cost and hassle the ML+Sub combo is hard to beat. It's surprisingly good.

jic

ML seems to be good enough for me. So it gets my vote unless you have cash burning in your pockets.

Heatboy05

I have a '16 and the Mark Levinson is amazing. As with any high end audio system, in the car or at home, to really appreciate it you have to listen to high quality audio. The satellite radio doesn't sound great because it's ultra compressed. Put something lossless like FLAC or ALAC and you'll hear it shine. Normal CDs or remastered tracks of course will sound great.

I'd also question resale with an aftermarket system - trust me, I've installed many aftermarket systems back in the day but not sure our cars really suit them. Just my .02

pacmanmmc

ML just needs an aftermarket sub and it will do quite well unless your listening to satellite radio .
Not better than a top notch high end aftermarket system but it's the easiest way to go for good sound quality .

junglechkn

I think the factory ML system is awesome. Id like to add a good 12 inch sub but other than that, i personally wouldn't change a thing.

shenry500

What if I bought a non-ML GS instead? My current car is a newer model Ford Taurus SHO. The factory Sony amp is not too bad. Even though this is a compromise on what I really want, I spent about $240 on replacing the front and rear speakers with mid-level kicker components, and another $240 on a powered Rockford Fosgate sub in the truck. I installed and dynamatted it myself. It sounds tremendously better than it did before. I’m not sure why I can’t do something similar in the GS if it’s a non-ML?

For the next level, I would really like to add my 2 phoenix gold amps to that set up but I understand I need a quality processor that would run me 600-800 bucks before install such as the audison bit ten.