I have an '04 UL with the Mark Levinson and navigation. When talking over Bluetooth, audio only plays out the driver side front speaker. Is that normal or is something wrong?

Also, where is the microphone located?

 

Yes, that's normal... Please refer to description given in Owner's Manual (circled in red) below.

 

Well, that's disappointing. I was actually hoping something was wrong so I could fix it lol.

I love so many things about the LS but this was a really stupid design decision. It's sad when it is more pleasurable to talk hands free in my parents Ford Escape than my Lexus lol.

 

Sorry to bring the bad news... It was probably cutting-edge technology 14 years ago lol.

 

Haha, that' okay. Actually, thank you for pointing it out to me.

I'm thinking I might upgrade to one of those Android navigation replacements at some point so hopefully I won't I won't have to rely on the factory navigation system's Bluetooth forever.

I am curious why Lexus designers/engineers chose to have audio come out of only one speakert though.

 

So the sound would come out next to the driver, not bothering others in the car. Why annoy your passengers with your own calls while driving? Smart design in my opinion.

 

I thought of that except why would anyone use BT with passengers to begin with? Unless you are with family and talking to family, you don't want others to hear your phone call. Even if sound is only coming from the driver side, the other occupants will still hear the call, which will not only eliminate privacy but also disturb passengers. Thus, I have never taken a BT call with occupants in the car.

So passengers still hear your conversation and you end up with the awkward sensation of single speaker sound. So I'm still left wondering what they were thinking lol. Maybe they just really failed to put this all together...

 

They're still using this design. My '13 GS operates the same way.

 

This is what I tell ppl on the rare occasion that they are riding in my car and start long phone conversations.