Mark Levinson audio
Rookie
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 31
Likes: 34
From: Texas
I have a 2018 coupe that had similar issues emanating from the sub. Took it to dealer during routine service and they fixed it, no questions asked. Not even sure what they did but definitely fixed it.
lexus service is excellent, I wish Alfa took some notes!
lexus service is excellent, I wish Alfa took some notes!
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 169
Likes: 71
From: GA
After reading this, I listened for it and heard it on my 21 convertible as well. Not sure I will cut the plastic off. I think I will wait for Lexus to fix it. It is not that bad at this point for me anyway. Should be easy to do.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 361
Likes: 125
From: Arizona
ATL, I am pretty confident all verts have this issue. Its a bad design. I took the recommendations off this forum and my old man clipped off the bottom portion of the grill plastic where it rubs. And add some insulation to keep the plastic from touching the metal. I already took it to Lexus 2x and they won't fix it. They gave me a new cover to see if that helped (here's your sign lol). Read the fixes and try the ones that don't require cutting and I bet you will like the results. I only listened to my modified grill on way to airport yesterday but did sound much better. Doubt Lexus will retro fix the 2021's. But if you get them to do it let us know.
Pit Crew
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 169
Likes: 71
From: GA
ATL, I am pretty confident all verts have this issue. Its a bad design. I took the recommendations off this forum and my old man clipped off the bottom portion of the grill plastic where it rubs. And add some insulation to keep the plastic from touching the metal. I already took it to Lexus 2x and they won't fix it. They gave me a new cover to see if that helped (here's your sign lol). Read the fixes and try the ones that don't require cutting and I bet you will like the results. I only listened to my modified grill on way to airport yesterday but did sound much better. Doubt Lexus will retro fix the 2021's. But if you get them to do it let us know.
was disappointed by (ML) audio system, update added
was cruising along listening to various tracks and the sound quality was just terrible. too bright and no bass, or if i play with the 3 band settings it doesn't help or makes it bad in another way. and the fader/balance only makes things worse too.
what am i missing?
my less than half the price hyundai suv has a better system.
UPDATE: after a lot of testing (USB files, different music), i've changed my assessment some.
so when i said i was cruising and listening above, it was almost all 'old' music, a lot of live performances, such as billy joel's live performance of new york state of mind. first.
i've now tested with pristine studio tracks (although with the car stationary and engine running since time was limited) and it definitely sounds better. however...
i now see that i must have been 'experimenting' and has the 'surround' setting turned on, and to me, this just makes everything worse, overly bright mids and highs, fake reverb/echo in it, etc. turning that off helped everything some too, even good ol' billy joel live.
what am i missing?
my less than half the price hyundai suv has a better system.
UPDATE: after a lot of testing (USB files, different music), i've changed my assessment some.
so when i said i was cruising and listening above, it was almost all 'old' music, a lot of live performances, such as billy joel's live performance of new york state of mind. first.
i've now tested with pristine studio tracks (although with the car stationary and engine running since time was limited) and it definitely sounds better. however...
i now see that i must have been 'experimenting' and has the 'surround' setting turned on, and to me, this just makes everything worse, overly bright mids and highs, fake reverb/echo in it, etc. turning that off helped everything some too, even good ol' billy joel live.
Last edited by bitkahuna; Sep 20, 2021 at 10:29 AM.
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the source is high quality mp3's on my phone, playing via android auto (USB connection, not bluetooth).
i am going to dump some music i know is crystal clear onto a usb thumb drive and plug that sucker in and try it soon.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 16
Likes: 5
From: FL
Bit - let us know what you find out with higher quality tracks. I use YouTube Music streaming and it sounds excellent to me. I get zero distortion at high volumes from my Samsung Phone via BlueTooth (I don't use the USB because it was constantly accessing the phone storage, contacts, etc and was driving me crazy). Frankly I'm afraid to crank the volume higher but it really has impressive capability.... a good test song is Thunderstruck over blue tooth from Youtube Music - plenty of treble but base is loud and punches where it should.
I do think I tweaked the sound for a while when I first got the car, and my girlfriend has an ear for how everything should be and she changes the setup on occasion. When I play EDM vs Country VS rock i do notice it requires tweaking, but by and large this system sounds as good as my Bose Home theater (that might indicate I'm not a true audiophile...but I love the sound in my car.)
I do think I tweaked the sound for a while when I first got the car, and my girlfriend has an ear for how everything should be and she changes the setup on occasion. When I play EDM vs Country VS rock i do notice it requires tweaking, but by and large this system sounds as good as my Bose Home theater (that might indicate I'm not a true audiophile...but I love the sound in my car.)
Last edited by davej948; Sep 16, 2021 at 04:05 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,962
Likes: 4,291
From: Alberta
i am going to dump some music i know is crystal clear onto a usb thumb drive and plug that sucker in and try it soon.
Pit Crew
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 131
Likes: 76
From: Pennsylvania
was cruising along listening to various tracks and the sound quality was just terrible. too bright and no bass, or if i play with the 3 band settings it doesn't help or makes it bad in another way. and the fader/balance only makes things worse too.
what am i missing?
my less than half the price hyundai suv has a better system.
what am i missing?
my less than half the price hyundai suv has a better system.
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 53
Likes: 33
From: QC
I actually find the system quite good. I listen to Sirius and other than a few hip hop stations with ridiculous bass, everything else sounds pretty good. Its not the best system around by a long shot...my Kia has better audio......but I don't find it bad at all. It took some fiddling with settings to get it to where I like it..... but no complaints now.