Mark Levinson Auto Self Leveling like DIRAC?
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1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2026
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Mark Levinson Auto Self Leveling like DIRAC?
I have been playing around with the system turning on and off 2D, 3D and changing Bass, Mids, Treble, Faders with different music and though I resisted ASL because I always think of that feature as only for increasing volume, it appears to do some detailed frequency leveling, which is exactly what audiophile room correction like DIRAC does. Is anyone else noticing the ASL seems more sophisticated than a typical generic volume leveler?
I've read some folks on here have frequency swept their systems. I wonder if ASL would show a somewhat predictable and respectable response curve. Compare that to ASL off. That would be interesting.
I've read some folks on here have frequency swept their systems. I wonder if ASL would show a somewhat predictable and respectable response curve. Compare that to ASL off. That would be interesting.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 491
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From: VA
I can't provide Sweeps or directly answer your question, but this article (below) has the full breakdown of the Mark Levinson system in the LS500.
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2017/09/...hnical-review/
"The complexity of this system is insane — the ML system in the fifth-generation LS is the world’s first automotive use of Quantum Logic Immersion, which digitally separates audio into individual streams – vocals, instruments, and spatial sound information. These streams are then remixed throughout the LS to match the original arrangement of musicians on stage or in the studio, placing each sound in the area you would expect to hear it in a live performance. The ML system also uses Clari-Fi technology, which helps to correct compressed digital music from streaming services and satellite radio or other broadcasts." - Kevin Watts
In my research in/around the LS500 i've not seen anything to indicate that Automatic Sound Leveling (ASL) changes the sound signature with increasing vehicle speed. No reference in the owners manual either. It's possible they're doing some noise floor sound correction, but usually they will mention it in their press releases or user manual that it has audio corrections applied. I'd guess that the noise floor of the LS500 is so low as to not need any active noise cancelation. Likely what you are hearing is just a loudness offset that is perceptively raising certain frequencies with the increasing (but small) exterior sounds. Are you hearing lower level-mid sounds being reduced with vehicle speed, and the higher brighter tones sticking out more? ASL is just playing louder then it sounds better, not because it's doing active freqency correction, but just because it's louder. Louder music always sounds better than quieter.
https://lexusenthusiast.com/2017/09/...hnical-review/
"The complexity of this system is insane — the ML system in the fifth-generation LS is the world’s first automotive use of Quantum Logic Immersion, which digitally separates audio into individual streams – vocals, instruments, and spatial sound information. These streams are then remixed throughout the LS to match the original arrangement of musicians on stage or in the studio, placing each sound in the area you would expect to hear it in a live performance. The ML system also uses Clari-Fi technology, which helps to correct compressed digital music from streaming services and satellite radio or other broadcasts." - Kevin Watts
In my research in/around the LS500 i've not seen anything to indicate that Automatic Sound Leveling (ASL) changes the sound signature with increasing vehicle speed. No reference in the owners manual either. It's possible they're doing some noise floor sound correction, but usually they will mention it in their press releases or user manual that it has audio corrections applied. I'd guess that the noise floor of the LS500 is so low as to not need any active noise cancelation. Likely what you are hearing is just a loudness offset that is perceptively raising certain frequencies with the increasing (but small) exterior sounds. Are you hearing lower level-mid sounds being reduced with vehicle speed, and the higher brighter tones sticking out more? ASL is just playing louder then it sounds better, not because it's doing active freqency correction, but just because it's louder. Louder music always sounds better than quieter.
