I want an IS with Mark Levinson.

I’ve heard many complaints about the new Lexus ES Mark Levinson system not having sound coming from the rear speakers. I guess the engineers who tuned the system thought it was a brilliant idea to do this and I hate it. I heard the Camry's And Avalon’s are tuned this way too smh. Whether you have the 2014 or the 2017 designed IS, can you please tell me if the rear speakers play equally and clear just like the front speakers?

Thanks.

 

I can confirm that the 2015 and 2017 Lexus IS350 F Sport with the Mark Levinson system had that front bias. My RC seems better in that respect but there is still a slight front bias.

 

I don't hear the rears, aside from fill. Sound systems are designed to have a front sound stage, like you're at a concert or performance, or like when watching a movie you have Dolby surround sound but the main dialog and sound is always in front of you. You can certainly use the fader if you prefer it more balanced.

 

You can also turn off the surround setting which basically centers the sound right upfront

 

I had no problem adjusting the "center" of the ML sound in my IS 2016 to my liking.

 

I remember intentionally setting rear bias when I initially picked up the car and things were fine. Eventually switched to front bias cause it just sounded better to me.

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know the part number of the plastic subwoofer cover at the rear?

 

Proper stereo (2 channel) is supposed to be front stage, rear fill. It's one of the reasons why there are more speakers and "better" speakers in the front of the car. When you listen to music, you want to be facing the "stage" and not have your back to it.

Savagegeese released an excellent video on the ins and outs of OEM audio system design. Everyone should add it to their YouTube play list.

 

That guy is one of the best car reviewers on YouTube and deserves more subs. He goes over all the details that matter including jacking the cars up and seeing the bottom panels.