This stereo system is awesome. The fader is the key. Move the fader more to the rear and the system comes alive.

 

I feel bad no one answered your question. Lol
The top photo is the IS, the bottom is the ES.

 

I had a 2007 IS 350 with the ML system. It was my first Lexus and I was so impressed with that sound system. I really liked the extra tweeter in the door in the upper corner window for driver and passenger. I’m bummed that they removed those tweeters for the current IS.

 

This speaker is Mike’s better than B & O in my previous Audi S5 and better than my 2011 RX 350 which is fully loaded. Best speaker I have ever had tho was in my 2008 Acura tl type S

 

The highs in this car is bright enough, it really doesn't need more tweeters lol

I miss the 10" door speakers in my ES, the bass was a lot better.

 

As someone else said, moving the fader 3-4 clicks to the rear from center helps create a 'fuller' sound.
I'm not actually sure how 'center' could have been programmed to be so front-heavy; the rear seat passenger volume experienced when centered is super low compared with the front.
Having high-mounted a-pillar tweeters would be better than up at the windshield corners and the sub-woofer creates a rattle in the rear top deck; not something I can hear in the front, but seated in the rear, its very noticeable.
I actually want to compare this system to the standard one. In a select few cars I've had in the past, the base systems sound better.
Still, the biggest gripe is the volume difference for CarPlay/Android Auto compared with all other audio sources.

 

I have also adjusted the fade to a couple of notches to the rear as I found there was too much of a front bias. It is a bit surprising for the power rating of this system and how much they hype it that it is not much more amazing. I mean, it is good but when people have to tinkle with the fade to make it sound more balanced, you know something is a bit wrong.

I found the ELS in my 2012 Acura to be the best system based on my hearing preference but sound and how we perceive it is such an individual thing...

 

You can really feel the wattage with this system with respect to bass response. I just wish the rear panel free-air subwoofer was supplemented with under seat subwoofers instead. It would reduce the vibration and muddled sound rear seat passengers hear at times.
I'd say that dynamic range is one of the strongest advantages of the ML but the Harman Kardon system I have in my other car is a bit better balanced (but not as powerful).

 

I also feel it comes more alive with a higher volume. When I have it in the 10-20 volume range, it feels like it's just there. When I get to 30+, it sounds so much better.

 

My experience as well and I used the concierge service to get it optimized for Chill House and Electronic. I only listen to the radio 20% of the time, the v8 is my preferred soundtrack! 😎

 

Electronic and rap seem to really shine with this setup. Rock/metal depends on the song.

My music is always just low enough to hear the engine when I'm getting on it though

 

I've started listening to music less often now. I have a different soundtrack to enjoy.

But I agree, I feel rap and electronic/EDM/dance type music are amazing with this system. The strong bass and the crisp highs are perfect for these kinds of music.

 

Who listens to CDs? I think the system really shines with a good cd.
Compared to my LS430 the extra power is certainly noticeable but the balance isn't quite there. The LS system has a wonderful sound stage (when it's DSP equalization is set up for the driver) but the separation isn't as good. I have yet to try messing with the fader or balance but without the surround sound selected it improves the sound stage and I think instrument separation is very good but phase/ timing seems a little off, this could be my seating position, anyone else notice this particularly taller drivers?
While I appreciate the usb tethering for audio playback, it's kind of a shame they didn't offer wireless carplay/ android auto.

 

Funny. My kid picked up the new Gorillaz CD, and we popped it in my wife's RX450h to listen to it and the first thing I said was, "Man, I'd forgotten how good uncompressed audio files sound."

 

I still buy CD's, so yeah I listen to them plus USB does not do gapless playback which I use for mostly FLAC files.

So when the prog rock concept albums come out it's probably CD time because brief gaps between tracks that were not there don't happen on CD.