Got 2024 LC500 coupe a week ago. I have other vehicles with premium factory fitted sound systems (Porsche Burmester, Bose MB Burmester etc) and with CarPlay plugged into iPhone via wire, the sound quality becomes better vs Bluetooth in all of those vehicles. However, for 2024 LC, with CarPlay on, the sound quality is exactly the same whether plugged in through the USBc or Wireless Bluetooth. Am I missing something? Does Lexus keep the sound quality on Apple CarPlay to be at par with Bluetooth if iPhone cable is plugged in to usbc port inside the armrest? Note that, phone does charge (like systems in other cars) but no sound quality change (unlike any other car).

Any insights?

 

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Wireless CarPlay is using bluetooth only to establish the connection, it then switches to WiFi for more bandwidth. With the wireless CarPlay you are getting 16bit/48kHz audio quality.

I think the issue with somewhat low audio quality is caused by the ML system itself.

 

I am trying to get lossless, 24bit/192Hz, to play, through Apple Music. I have to admit, the sound system isn’t too bad given it is wireless. I’m going to try few things and report back.

 

there is no way in this car that audio can go through the wire. I tried what you suggested and apple CarPlay doesn’t play without Bluetooth and WiFi on. Also, there is no way to listen to music on iPhone without Bluetooth. I haven’t tried connecting through standard USB cable (I have been using USBc lightening for my iPhone 12 Pro Max), which I’ll try and see what happens. It seems like only through USBc tho, you can charge the phone.

 

The system sounds amazing with lossless music. I try not to listen anything but on it.

 

I used the Apple Carplay lossless and the SiriusXM before storing my ‘24 vert for the winter. Both provided similar sound quality; it was good. Volume levels seemed similar.

I wish the ‘24 had the CD player. I’d be curious to hear from ‘23 and prior owners whether there is a noticeable sound quality difference between CD and Apple Carplay/SiriusXM.

My daily driver sedan has an optional B&O system with a CD player. CD’s, wireless Apple Carplay, and Sirius all sound fantastic - in the very quiet sedan - so my ear may not be fine tuned enough to hear the differences.
Interestingly, in the sedan I’ve noticed occasional varied volume levels using the wireless Apple Carplay, I expect due to the wireless signal strength.

 

You can listen through the wired connection. You have to use usb-a, not usb-c port. Just tried, it allows to use iphone as USB devices, no carplay.
No change is audio quality that I can detect.

 

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^^ for wireless carplay this is exactly how it works, you need both bluetooth paired to the car, which will allow the car and phone to make a wifi connection.

not sure how you're sure of that (i don't know either way), but there's no need to. the wifi connection to the car can deliver way more than enough bandwidth.

if the phone is connected via working data usb cable, then high quality audio will come through the car even if bluetooth and wifi is turned off. how do i know? i tested it.

not sure specifically what you're saying here. do you mean no way to listen to music from the iphone to the car without using bluetooth? without a wire that's true.

obviously i don't know exactly what lexus is doing, but i don't see that 'standard' usb (usb-a) is any different than usb-c. mine being a '21 it doesn't have usb-c though.

 

Can it support 24bit/192Hz Lossless?



Can you please share how you tested it? Note that, I got 2024 LC500 with new infotainment. Older one has CD player as well, 2024 one doesn't. When I connect and disconnect the wire I notice no difference and I CAN tell a difference I am picky and bit of an audiophile .

 

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i made a typo in my earlier post (now fixed).

i meant to write: (on my '21 at least and i suspect all pre-'24s) if the phone is connected via working data usb cable, then high quality audio will come through the car even if bluetooth and wifi is turned off. i tested that.

as for audio quality via wire vs just bluetooth, it's hard to really compare but i *think* it sounds better through wire.
i just got a wireless carplay adapter whcih i'll try on my car too soon.

 

I'll be interested in what you think of the wireless carplay adapters. I have 2 and both work well but for one important exception.... terrible audio delay when using the phone. I get about a 1 to 2 second delay that makes ther conversastion difficult. I'm by no means an audiophile so sound quality for me is just fine.

 

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