I am about to buy either an '04 or '05 LS and I'd prefer not to have the stock Lexus Nav ... preferring to use my Garmin with Traffic.

Two questions:

1. Is the Levinson appreciably better in terms of sound quality and volume than the "premium?"

2. Are there ANY options for upgrading the premium? Crutchfield says no ... my local car audio says not without any major mods to the dash (with aftermarket) or adding amps/processors/etc. Are even the speakers easy to upgrade???

Thoughts?

 

NON lev stereo sounds pretty good IMO Very loud and very clear

 

Long story ... but I was so psyched to get a Levinson I never tried the stock stereo. I finally did and ended up resetting my "minimum" that I'd accept ... I purchased my '04 LS430 yesterday! The 7.1 system sounded great ... much better than my $1k upgraded Honda Accord system!

I will never know (well, maybe not never) if the Levinson is THAT MUCH better but I know I'll be more than happy with the Premium system!