When I bought my 430 I had to have the Mark Levinson Stereo. I am, to say the least a audio addict. I don’t like mp3 format or any compressed music and I must be able to hear the highs and lows like they were meant to sound in the studio. I told my buddies I didn’t buy a car I bought a superb stereo on a great set of wheels. Well I am not one bit disappointed in my decision. The Mark Levinson stereo is everything that a music lover could want in a sound system built for an automobile. I just want to keep on driving. Am I the only guy on the planet that thinks this way?

 

Nope - I love my Levinson as well. It's really nicely balanced and just has this seductive sound to it. I have all my audio controls set to the middle normal settings, DSP off in "all seats" mode.

 

I agree-I have Bose systems in all my other vehicles and I think the ML is vastly superior to those. The sound is clearer, is able to be turned up louder without distortion, and the bass is better. Now if it wasn't linked to such a sucky navigation system

Steve

 

The sound is good but the base is disappointing.

 

guess I'm odd man out,, the S500 I had prior this 430 had Bose and it was far superior to the ML system in this car,, better bass, surround, separation, just better over-all,,

I run a Marantz SR9600 in our home theater and listen to a fair amount of music as well as being a classical guitarist,, think my ear is still in tune,,

Derry

 

I am old and I too am a musician, Bose is top drawer for sure. Better at sound separation as well. the theory behing ML is to give you the impression that the music in playing all around you. I have a Denon at home with Nuance speakers. Can't get that type of sound in a car but the Ml is close

 

Interesting how can we be totally opposite.
I hate the bose in my S500. It's not as clear and clean as the ML. However, the ML in my GX was much better than the LS. Not saying that the LS is not any good but the GX was better.

For one thing, the tweeters in the GX was directional (angled and pointed towards the driver and passenger) where the LS fires up at the front windshield.

 

I used to own the 98 S500 and would say the Mercedes have a lot more bass than the 430 but the ML in 430 is a lot more clearer in sound.

 

The ML in my GS has TONS more bass, but the clarity in sound lacks in comparison to the LS.

 

If you go to the ML site they talk about Toyota re-designing the Ls body to help with their sound system.... that's quality at it's best

 

It is okay but not great - does CD's okay (don't know why, but it does the iPod through Vais Tech SLI really well depending on the source of music on the pod at the time).

I have a decent ear. Home system is Levinson pre-amp (as well as a Spectral pre-amp, Quad power-amps, Nakamichi ZX-7 (doesn't get a lot of use anymore), Linn Sondek LP12 with Linn Ittock arem, valhalla board, Goldmund Relief Mat.

The Bose in my wife's car is far better than the Levinson. I would like to know just how much input Mark Levinson had in this deal - did he design it & they sourced the components? Did he design, spec, and they had to buy whatever he spec'd.

Audi has the option on some of their cars - Bang & Olufson system $6,000!!
I can't imagine what you get for 6 big ones, but I imagine it better be good really good,

 

http://www.marklevinsonlexus.com/

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