IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present) Discussion about the 2014+ model IS models

Issues with Mark Levinson

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 11:02 AM
  #1  
Tcarr85's Avatar
Tcarr85
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: NC
Default Issues with Mark Levinson

Hey all,

Recently purchased a 2017 IS350 F Sport with Mark Levinson. I think there is something wrong as after reading for some time before making my purchase there were nothing but good things to say about the ML sound system. I am not sure if I am missing some sort of setting or what is going on but even at max volume it seems like my iphone in the cup holder would be louder, also if i swap the sound to only come from the rear the music is almost non existent. Is there something I am missing here or is there a fault and i need to take it to the dealer? Thanks for any and all help!
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 11:40 AM
  #2  
Tcarr85's Avatar
Tcarr85
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: NC
Default

Just a small bit as well, I’ve read on the forums about all the “issues” people feel the ML system has in regards to the front staging and all that.... I don’t feel that’s the issue here as even as I sit in my car now playing with suggested settings from others at max volume I don’t feel like it is as loud as it should be or maybe it just doesn’t really get that loud as it takes away from the music not sure. Others have stated their sweet spot is around 25-30 on the volume, if mine is at 25 I can’t even hear it over the wind outside the car doing 45 on the road.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 11:58 AM
  #3  
pngo's Avatar
pngo
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 390
Likes: 82
From: San Diego
Default

Why not just take it to the dealer under warranty? If it really is only as loud as your phone in cup holder then there is something definitely wrong.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 12:15 PM
  #4  
Tcarr85's Avatar
Tcarr85
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: NC
Default Foolish

Well there is my welcome to the forums lol after doing more reading... and coming from an apple carplay system... I find that the music is reliant on the volume of my phone.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 12:46 PM
  #5  
pngo's Avatar
pngo
Intermediate
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 390
Likes: 82
From: San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by Tcarr85
Well there is my welcome to the forums lol after doing more reading... and coming from an apple carplay system... I find that the music is reliant on the volume of my phone.
Here’s a good thread if you want to upgrade to CarPlay

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...unit-from.html
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 04:01 PM
  #6  
azmojo's Avatar
azmojo
Instructor
15 Year Member
Photogenic
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 887
Likes: 172
From: AZ
Default

I recently noticed a bunch of issues with my ML system, which is strange since this is my 3rd IS with ML since 2014. But yeah, basically with the fader completely to the rear speaks the sound is crap. The front speakers sound pretty good. If you don't play with the settings the sound is OK, but if you fool around it isn't.
Try different audio sources also...
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 09:50 PM
  #7  
kj07xk's Avatar
kj07xk
Instructor
10 Year Member
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 418
From: IL
Default

Originally Posted by Tcarr85
Well there is my welcome to the forums lol after doing more reading... and coming from an apple carplay system... I find that the music is reliant on the volume of my phone.
I ran into the same thing with phone calls. Couldn’t figure out why I could hardly hear the other side, even with the car’s control cranked way up. Turning up the phone’s volume control solved it. I had thought, like other bluetooth devices, changing its volume just manipulated the phone’s control. Lesson learned.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2020 | 11:35 AM
  #8  
hsmooth21's Avatar
hsmooth21
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: CA
Default

I just upgraded my 2015 IS350 F-Sport (with ML Sound) to a 2017 with all the same features and am having the same issue with the rear speakers being almost silent. I thought it had to do with using Bluetooth vs usb connection (which does make a difference with the overall sound quality) but almost no change with the rear speakers.

Last edited by hsmooth21; Sep 17, 2020 at 11:37 AM. Reason: Adding details
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)

 Brett Foote
story-4

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Varlos
IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present)
4
Jun 26, 2020 10:05 AM
steezkeez
RC - 1st Gen (2015-present)
39
Jan 6, 2020 07:13 PM
lychee416
IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present)
11
Sep 13, 2018 05:55 PM
ryans78
IS - 3rd Gen (2014-present)
4
Oct 16, 2017 08:07 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:41 AM.

story-0
Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time

Slideshow: A five-car lineup spanning more than five decades of Toyota performance and engineering will tackle one of Italy's most celebrated automotive routes.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-15 16:53:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???

Slideshow: a quick review of the 2026 Lexus NX 350h F Sport Handling

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-18 14:36:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Lexus daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 11:14:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)

These five Lexus and Toyota models are the most sought-after on the market right now.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 10:47:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-6
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-8
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE