The ML system is one of my favorite things about the car and I think it's pretty amazing. I have a very nice audio setup in my house, and the ML rivals it imo.

 

Go for the ML if it's a single add on option.
If I'm not wrong , it runs on optic fiber providing a clean sound.
It shines when u turn up the volume as compared to the standard which I have in my car.
Unfortunately here in Singapore , ML only comes in the Luxury package together with other add ons like BSM, memory seats, GPS etc at an extra cost of S$16,000.00 !

 

I have had Acura ELS, Lexicon and now ML. ML is the best to me.

 

we had the Acura ELS in the TL and it was nice, but it lacked power. i would say the ELS with a digital audio disc was downright phenomenal even by aftermarket standards.
but the problem is digital audio discs are hard to find and my musical variety is much more vast and i hate changing cd's all the time.
i prefer to listen to pandora or ipod and anything in surround sound will be only simulated surround at that point.
so without the surround i think the point is moot between the 2.
but the lexus ML has way more power and more speakers than the ELS.

speaking of, does anyone know if the ML actually has 5.1 surround like the ELS does? if you play a dvd audio disc will you get discreet 5 channel output?

 

It's worth it IMO. I had a 250 without and got a 350 with.... soooooooooooo much better.

 

I'm going to end up getting a 250F and I didn't realize that there are no 250F's in the country that have ML installed... So it looks like I'm out of luck. After what everyone said, I was feeling alot better about the ML too...

Any suggestions on what to replace the stock speakers with?

 

for the 3IS ML isnt a standalone option anymore, you have to get Navi with it. So they have a Navi package and a Navi/ML package.

 

I asked my dealer for the Nav package with ML and he said that for the 250F, you have to submit a special order for that specific package. Since they would have to special order the car, I wouldn't be able to get much of a deal on it - So I would actually be losing over $2k just to get the ML. I might as well install my own system than hold out for the MLs.

 

Not sure if you have already seen this. It says there is a 7.1 channel architecture. However, since this is a little dated, I am not sure if that output is for our cars. The related files link on the site provides a little more insight.

http://www.marklevinson.com/Info/Story/49

 

And to add my 2 cents to the OP . . . . . . . . After being spoiled with ML in the past, I searched around for my previous IS-C specifically for the ML, had to have it on the incoming IS. I think getting the ML is worth it. I have had Bose, Lexicon, and Pioneer premium systems. I think the bass in the Bose was the best. But since I am beyond my thumping years, I think I like the true sound of the ML the best. The surround effect is great, and if you have the time to play around with the settings, there is no doubt you will find the ideal setting to play any style of music just the way you want to hear it.

 

worth it in my opinion, but be sure to listen in uncompressed or HD radio formats to experience the most ML can offer... sounds great in my 3IS!

 

In short, Yes. Yes it is . . .

 

I've always heard that Polk Audio and Boston Acoustics were the best car speakers. Does anyone else have any other recommendations? I know that the IS has a 15-speaker system.. what size speakers do I need to be looking for?

 

I had the same encounter - I went south. Picked the car up at a Savannah GA dealer - 'wanted' a RWD, U White w/ red interior, plus...
Seems in the NE everything was AWD - dealers were not that interested in locating a RWD.

 

surprised so many people are voting yes for the ML! guess they improved it from the 2nd gen IS

Majority of people I know who have the 2nd gen IS says the ML system sucks flat out!