06 Mark Levinson mediocre sound quality
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From: Texas
06 Mark Levinson mediocre sound quality
I've tried every adjustment possible on my 06 LS430 Mark Levinson radio and to me the quality just isn't good. In fact my sons has a 10 year old 4 runner sounds better. I just rented a 2013 Chevy with Bose which also had much superior sound to mine. This is particularly true listening to FM. CD quality sounds better. Might there be something wrong with the system? Any input will be appreciated.
Im not an audiophile by any means, just an average person. But I think the ML is decent. I only listen to my ipod through the vais sl2vi I have installed and it sounds good to me. I admit after listening to radio, it sounds like crap but cds or ipod modules are good. I also have 2 8 inch subs in the trunk added also. you can always upgrade if you like to improve sound.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Western Australia
I've tried every adjustment possible on my 06 LS430 Mark Levinson radio and to me the quality just isn't good. In fact my sons has a 10 year old 4 runner sounds better. I just rented a 2013 Chevy with Bose which also had much superior sound to mine. This is particularly true listening to FM. CD quality sounds better. Might there be something wrong with the system? Any input will be appreciated.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 169
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From: PA
I no longer like to listen to loud music while driving as I prefer to be able to hear what's going on outside the car. Like the sound of a oncoming fire engine or screeching brakes so I can be better prepared for preventive action if need be. Now once I'm stationary at home now that's when I let my system rip. Later!
Last edited by Prochamber; Jan 25, 2014 at 07:25 AM. Reason: Corrections
The ML's sound quality isn't all that great. My 93 SC300 sounded better and so do most other cars I've driven.
The ML system in my 09 GX470 sounds pretty good though. It has much more bass and sounds a little bit clearer.
The ML system in my 09 GX470 sounds pretty good though. It has much more bass and sounds a little bit clearer.
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I would have to agree about the sound quality of the Levinson system. I love my LS430 but hate the sound quality of the system. I thought it would sound better than the Bose system in my wife's Mercedes. Well, I was wrong. It didn't matter what I played, the sound quality did not match the quality of the car. I was told that the amplifier could be a cause. In any fact, I decided to have the system upgraded. Don't like loud music, just a quality sound. Have the amplifier checked.
The ML systems are not good quality systems at all, nor do the speakers last. If you have the ML, you can count on having speaker issues at some point. My 97 Accord beater's stock system sounds better than my ML.....thats rediculous.
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From: Texas
Thanks to everyone for their input. It's sad they put a mediocre radio in a great car. The 460 radio is much improved but my experience is the 460 is not near the bullet proof vehicle as the 430. Summary, I'll take the radio!
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,550
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From: SC
Something must be wrong with your cars. Mine sounds incredible. Not a good as the ML in my old 460, but still way better than anything factory during the time of the 430. In fact, the ML in the 430 was universally considered the best you could get from 2001-2006.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,550
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From: SC
Here's a review from back in the day.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/t...-for-2005.html
If you want earthquake bass, this system isn't for you. If you want a system that can cleanly and accurately reproduce just about any type of music, the ML is one of the best from the factory.
http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/t...-for-2005.html
If you want earthquake bass, this system isn't for you. If you want a system that can cleanly and accurately reproduce just about any type of music, the ML is one of the best from the factory.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,489
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From: AZ
So, what was once revered as the standard for luxury cars, is now considered to be pure junk. Shocking!
I have a theory as to why this perception exists. I suspect that most of the people who post on this site are of the younger generation. It is possible that they have a hearing deficiency caused by excessive volume levels from years of iPods and other personal listening devices as they grew up. This has been known for some time and warnings have been given many times.
Consequently they just can't get the volume high enough to enjoy the system.
I have a theory as to why this perception exists. I suspect that most of the people who post on this site are of the younger generation. It is possible that they have a hearing deficiency caused by excessive volume levels from years of iPods and other personal listening devices as they grew up. This has been known for some time and warnings have been given many times.
Consequently they just can't get the volume high enough to enjoy the system.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,146
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From: Illinois
Good point Jay. And, neither ML system nor can any traditional OEM speaker-based car system can match the sound levels from headphones, Beats, plugs, etc. that many folks listen to music on today - even while driving! The ML 9-speaker in my '01 sounds great, and even better with 11-speakers in the '06. CDs, digitally recorded music (iPod, or any USB connected storage device) as well as internet radio (iHeart, TuneIn) sound excellent and distortion-free through the MML digital audio sound adapter. FM stereo radio music (which was the best sound quality back in the day) is just ok compared to the pre-recorded digital audio. The complaints here about ML make me wonder if folks don't know how to adjust the sound equalizer levels on the ML system.