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Lexus NX Mark Levinson
http://www.autonews.com/article/2014...ic-in-your-car
These days, even small, inexpensive cars such as the Fiat 500 and Kia Soul can be bought with high-end stereo systems from prestigious brands such as Beats by Dr. Dre and Infinity. But why can't today's music match the sound of that old-time rock 'n' roll? It's not the speakers. It's the format. No matter how advanced the stereo system, it can't do much to improve the low-fidelity sound pouring out of MP3s and streaming Internet radio services such as Pandora and Spotify, says Jeff Poggi, vice president of global sales and marketing at Harman International Industries, which sells speakers under brands such as Harman Kardon. "All the new media is at a lower fidelity level than the CD was," Poggi says. "That's really the fundamental challenge that the industry is up against right now." It's fundamental because the sound of music is money. Automakers long have used premium audio offerings, such as branded stereo systems, to sweeten trim packages. Porsche, for instance, charges $2,120 for a Bose stereo in its iconic 911. Buyers of Mercedes-Benz's flagship S-class sedan can now pay $6,400 for a top-of-the-line Burmester sound system. And much of that amplifies the bottom line. "Out of all of the options you can add into a car, premium audio has the largest profit margin for an automaker," says Mark Boyadjis, a senior analyst at IHS Automotive. "There's not always a lot of cost involved in creating a premium audio system." But customers who prefer the convenience of low-fidelity formats gain little from such systems. So Harman is trying to meet customers where they are. Harman's solution is a software algorithm, originally dubbed Signal Doctor and now branded as Clari-Fi, that analyzes music files and restores what was cut when the file was compressed. The system will make its debut in the 2015 Lexus NX compact crossover, Harman announced in April. |
Can't wait to see how much this will cost.
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I posted this in the big NX forum, but it seems to fit better here:
What is your guess that the price will be for it? Since the ML in the RX is approx. $1k, I am thinking it will be $1200 -$1500. If it is more than that, most consumers will stick with the stock 10-speaker stereo. |
Originally Posted by Dreamlab
(Post 8532041)
I posted this in the big NX forum, but it seems to fit better here:
What is your guess that the price will be for it? Since the ML in the RX is approx. $1k, I am thinking it will be $1200 -$1500. If it is more than that, most consumers will stick with the stock 10-speaker stereo. Although, premium systems in 3IS and 4GS are also said to be excellent. |
Originally Posted by Dreamlab
(Post 8532041)
I posted this in the big NX forum, but it seems to fit better here:
What is your guess that the price will be for it? Since the ML in the RX is approx. $1k, I am thinking it will be $1200 -$1500. If it is more than that, most consumers will stick with the stock 10-speaker stereo. |
Originally Posted by darrelld
(Post 8533031)
That would be a fair estimate, I made the mistake of listening to some forum posters when I ordered my IS350 and did not get ML because the forum experts said there was little difference or not worth the cost. Later, I had to opportunity to listen to an ML equipped IS playing a DVD-A and the sonic difference was astounding. I said never again would I take the opinion of forum experts when it comes to evaluating a cars sound system worth.
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My understanding is that Mark Levinson has been developed for the NX but Lexus North America has chosen to NOT put it into North American vehicles. This is evident from what has been said about the Japanese right hand drive vehicle on display in Calgary having the ML sound system. One of the really nice things about owning a Lexus has been the ML sound system--which I have been sure to have included in my last 3 RX's as well as my SC430 and IS350C....I simply will not entertain the purchase of a Lexus without it...just because of a damned price point....So when Lexus finally understands this reality, I may look at an NX but until that time....not interested in the ugly little beast.
dentate Oshawa, ON and Port Charlotte, FL |
Originally Posted by dentate
(Post 8714900)
My understanding is that Mark Levinson has been developed for the NX but Lexus North America has chosen to NOT put it into North American vehicles. This is evident from what has been said about the Japanese right hand drive vehicle on display in Calgary having the ML sound system. One of the really nice things about owning a Lexus has been the ML sound system--which I have been sure to have included in my last 3 RX's as well as my SC430 and IS350C....I simply will not entertain the purchase of a Lexus without it...just because of a damned price point....So when Lexus finally understands this reality, I may look at an NX but until that time....not interested in the ugly little beast.
dentate Oshawa, ON and Port Charlotte, FL https://www.clublexus.com/forums/nx-...ml#post8614704 Regarding the ML systems, on paper the one in the NX really seems like a step up from what's in the RX. Well over double the total system wattage. |
Originally Posted by sg021
(Post 8715462)
Regarding the ML systems, on paper the one in the NX really seems like a step up from what's in the RX. Well over double the total system wattage.
More wattage makes it EASIER to send signals but the QUALITY of those components recieving the signal and what they can do with it is what counts. Please don't fall into that trap that more wattage is better. The reality is that a QUALITY speaker and a solid cabin design is FAR more important to audio quality than is shear power:) |
Originally Posted by bunka
(Post 8715800)
Only teenaged boys going through puberty are impressed by gobs of power in an audio system. More wattage does NOT equate to ANYTHING when it comes to sonic quality.
More wattage makes it EASIER to send signals but the QUALITY of those components recieving the signal and what they can do with it is what counts. Please don't fall into that trap that more wattage is better. The reality is that a QUALITY speaker and a solid cabin design is FAR more important to audio quality than is shear power:) |
Originally Posted by sg021
(Post 8715915)
We don't really know much of anything about the new system aside from the power, the fact that it's new, and that it's going under the ML name which maybe allows some inference of carryover in design principles. From that limited amount of information I'm merely speculating.
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Harmon now owns Mark Levinson.
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Originally Posted by sg021
(Post 8715462)
On the first page (2nd post) of the specs and pricing thread a list of missing features for Canada is listed.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/nx-...ml#post8614704 Regarding the ML systems, on paper the one in the NX really seems like a step up from what's in the RX. Well over double the total system wattage. |
Interesting edgy commercial (HaHa) but they may have just KILLED my wife's interest in the car. I've been trying to get her to like the newer styling but she HATES this guy's style of music so this will likely go over like a grenade with the pin pulled tossed into a room full of ISIS
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Will the NX be the only Lexus model in the USA without a Mark Levinson option?
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