Has anyone did a side by side comparison of the standard LS 500 audio versus the 23 speaker ML audio?
I am looking at getting an LS and should I be concerned if the one I end up with has the ML Audio or not.
If you have comapred, please share your honest opinion.

 

I have listened to both. While the standard audio is very good, the Mark Levinson system is on another level. Your concern should be based on how important music quality is to you. This would be a difficult question for anyone to answer for you.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Yes very important indeed. I guess I was hoping that folks would confirm that there is a difference worth paying for. I found a 500 and it does have the ML audio so I guess that I am going to go with it. Thanks though

 

I have owned both and now would not buy an LS without ML.

 

I am a definite audiophile, for me, the ML was a natural choice. It really is that much better than the standard audio. Best of luck with your new vehicle.

 

my problem is that now i would not buy any car unless it has an upgraded sound system! ML ruined me 😭

actually, i was ruined by infinti’s m37 upgraded sound system. But the ML on my LS is a whole different level.

you can only appreciate it when you get in a car with anything else.

 

agreed. at any listening level (especially lower-mid range volumes where the surround can be utilized fully) the ML is a huge feature.

 

Probably the most important factor is that the noise floor on the LS500 is extremely low. So you are actually able to discern the differences between the ML and the base system. Most cars/SUVs/trucks are just too noisy for it to make sense to invest in high-end audio for the vehicle, but the LS is quiet enough for it to sometimes make sense to get the ML. I don't really enjoy listening to music in the car, so I didn't get it. The base system is fine for the podcasts and books on CD that I listen to in the car. I love high-end audio, and have spent >$100K on my home 2-channel system, but for the car it just didn't make sense for me (also because the LS is my wife's car).