I recently leased a 2018 IS350 F-Sport with Mark Levinson. This is the 3rd IS350 for me (previously leased 2012 and 2015). It didn't take long to notice that the sound was distorted at all volumes. It is most noticeable when listening to SirusXM, but is present using all sources. Has anyone experienced this? If so, how was it resolved? I've discussed with the dealer, but failed to prove my car was any different than others we compared on the lot. At the moment my only options are to suffer for the next two years until my lease runs out, or replace the stereo for 5-10K with no guarantee that the problem will be solved (they start after the head unit)

 

And what about the other two leases, both had ML and no distortions?
No distortion in my 2016 IS350 with ML.

 

 

When you say 'distortions' are you referring to muddied audio/playback? Or are you talking about the audio sounding like they're coming through broken or blown speakers? I know this is mundane to ask but did you adjust the treble, mids and bass settings for all sources?

I have an '18 IS350 F-Sport as well and also with ML... with the settings customized, it sounds pretty darn good.

 

Correct, no distortion in my 2012 and 2015 IS350s. If I were to guess, I would say the signal is being boosted too much through eq, or the input sensitivity at the amp is set too high.

 

It's definitely a fuzz. While working through this issue, I've set eq for all sources to flat, and turned off all DSP. And until this car, I agree with you. I was very happy with the ML in my 2012 and 2015 IS350s. I would go as far as to say, they were the best factory stereos I've ever had.

Can I ask if you listen to SirusXM? I do notice the distortion with all sources, but it's most noticeable with XM, I would call it undeniable.

 

I listen to Sirius XM 99% of the time.

 

I still have my 3 month trial with SiriusXM and it sounds fine.

 

All sources means iPhone bluetooth as well?

Off topic, as I don't have ML or SirusXM, but it took me a a while to figure out why terrestrial radio sounded "funny" in my new IS.
It was the HD radio signal. Too me, HD radio sounds a bit distorted.