I took my 460L for a spin this afternoon for a leisurely 25 mile round trip just to enjoy the ride after a busy day at the office. I had listened to the ML sound system quite a bit over the last few weeks since I took delivery of the car. The first few days I sampled the music with the volume turned up to about the 40 level from the back seat while parked in my driveway and was very impressed with the concert hall sound from the back seat. I had thought the sound was better in the back than in the front. That was until today. I cranked up the sound to 45 and the quality of the sound was amazing. I am glad I spent the extra money to get the ML.

 

Glad you enjoy it, we love our ML system too and that's not the 19 speakers you have!

 

I like the ML too, I have the 19 speakers. What makes it really good is that it won't distort in higher volume levels which tells me there's some good engineering there. I wouldn't say the sound system is exceptional, but it's pretty good for being a factory installed system.

 

I love mine too.

Love to crank it up to around 60 on the volume. Problem is I forget to bring it back down when I turn off the car so the next time I come in and start the car, the blast from the speakers knock me over.

Love it much.

 

ML is the best. I have it on both cars and could not ask for anything else...

 

umm..u guys are making me regret not getting it.. thanks for nothing

 

I agree that the ML system is incredible!!! I used to work in the TV/Movie sound editing industry many years ago and have always appreciated a Great sounding car audio system. My ML system in the LS460L is the best sounding factory car audio system that I have ever owned or listened to so far. My teenage sons and their friends say that the rear seat even sounds better than the front. I have found it hard to drive from the back seat so I cannot confirm this while the vehicle is in motion.

I feel that the ML system IS DEFINITELY worth the $$$ and would not buy this car without it!!!

 

I almost bought the standard package with Nav because I don't need the power back seat option and the self-parking option that comes with the ML. However, the sound with the ML was so compelling that I took the power back seat option, self-parking, and other misc packaged options to get the ML sound quality and the ability to rip CDs to the hard drive.

I have no regrets!

 

I have found it hard to drive from the back seat so I cannot confirm this while the vehicle is in motion.

Yea, but if you can stretch your foot far enough, you can park it from the rear seat!

 

If you really want to hear how phenomenal the system is, play a DVD-Audio disc.

 

As close to flawless as you will find, love it!

 

You don't have to take the power back seat option to get the Mark Levinson system. I have ML and no power back seat...

Craig

 

Out here in CA to get the ML in the SWB, the Comfort Plus package (powered back seat) and Advanced Parking are part of the required packages. Prior to purchase, I wasn't terribly happy to be forced to purchase these extra options. But now that I've had the car for a few weeks..... I really do enjoy all the extra options on this car.

I also can't complain about price because my dealer a really good deal on my LS460 because I had so many issues with my prior ES350 .... so many issues that Lexus Corp gave me a full refund on my ES350.

 

I also have the SWB and don't have the power rear seats. I have advanced parking. That's werid they have different packages in CA. I wouldn't want the car without ML...

Craig

 

Funny how the marketing types package the options on Japanese automobiles. I know it has to do with regional projections, balanced off against the risks associated with manufacturing strategies, but when the sticker price for a high end model is as high as it is for the LS, they should consider breaking out popular items like the ML system. In Canada, ML is available for C$3,500.00 (US$3K), and that includes Nav - good value IMHO. In the US, ML is evidently used as bait for the full-blown US$10,860.00 option, including frivolities like APG. Those may be fine for some, but excessive for most, I think. I mean, how often will APG be used, once the novelty wears off, especially when its times have been demonstrated to lag well behind the average driver's capabilities? Not to mention that once the car is parked, it still needs the human touch to finish off the job. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a major technological breakthrough, and shows how far Japan has come along in engineering terms.