Been thinking about just ordering an RX now b/c of how Lexus sends them to the lots ... don't really want rear DVD, yet thinking I may now want the Mark Levinson stereo. For anyone who has the stereo, how is it compared to other stereos you've had in your vehicles? How does it compare to the Levinson in other cars? Thanks ahead of time. I thought the base stereo was decent on the RX I test drove, so maybe I will just stick to that ... who knows?

 

The RX330 I test drove had Mark Levinson. The ML is nice, don't get me wrong, but it's not better than other nice stereos out there. I think it's overrated.

132-watt (base stereo) is economy car class IMO. It's good enough if you listen to radio, classic music on CD, Howard Stern, etc. For other stuff, you might want something better. I think Lexus put in a lame base stereo to force people to upgrade to Mark Levinson.

 

I thought I heard that the ML was being discontinued on the 05. Anyone else hear that?

I have the ML. I have only because it was in the color I wanted otherwise I would have been happy with the standard. I'm pretty lucky tht I don't have an expensive ear for good sound.

 

I don't have an RX 330 however the base system from a test drive I can tell you sounds good. I have heard the Mark Levinson in the LX 470 and LS 430 and I can tell you the performance is incredible but to a normal person not into audio will not notice much difference. The bass is and vocals sound much better.

 

Why are they discontinuing the Levinson for the '05 model? Where did you hear this from? I thought they would maybe tweak the levinson with maybe a subwoofer. Yeah, anyone else know any information on this? Was planning on getting an '05.

 

I have the ML system. Let me state that NO car has a great audio system. The noise and acoustics are just poor in any automobile. That said the ML is one of the best I've listened to. It is balanced. None of those loud over based thump boxes. Good balance and pure sound. Good presence and sound stage. Road noise takes it's toll but the ML system compensates pretty well. I have listened to several premium systems from MB, Acura, Infinity, and Caddy and the ML has the most accurate, pleasing sound, IMHO. The NAV is also one of the best available. I couldn't imagine buying a vehicle without NAV.

 

I heard it from one of the salesman I talked to when I was shopping for my RX. It could have been a load of I don't konw.

 

i have the mark levinson sound system and am very pleased with it. my lincoln had the premium jbl system and my corvette has the bose premium system. the mark levinson sound system is quite an improvement to both of these. of course jfelbabs reply was right on the money. go listen to any premium sound system in the showroom and then compare the same system with the car on the road going 40mph. the road noise takes away some of the sound image and impact. one nice thing about the rx is that it is so quiet on the road the levinson system compensates pretty good for whatever road noise sneaks in. like everything in the lexus world - its expensive but it is worth it! andy p.s. the ml system is close to my polk - integra system at home.

 

Here is the ML/Lexus web site.

http://www.marklevinsonlexus.com

 

That link finally explains how there are 11 speakers in a 330 ! I could never count more than 9, but it
seems that ML is counting the rear 2 "coaxial" spkrs as 4 ( ie 2 units w/4 drivers)