As I recall, one of my cars has ASL and one does not, and I can't tell you which one because I don't know because they both sound the same to me. If one is increasing the volume in the presence of higher road noise, I can't tell the difference.

My guess is that they have the adjustment set pretty low.

This is not much of a feature, as far as I am concerned, which is a disappointment as it sure sounds good in theory.

 

I did a comparison between the ML and Standard system in the RX and the ML sounded fuller. I also noticed at higher volumes there was greater ear fatigue with the standard. I ended up with the ML. I can understand why some folks may choose to not go with it. Very subjective as to the system "being worth it".

I have also heard that there were "issues" with speaker placement in the RX? I don't however have any facts or details...but that explains why others have mentioned it sounding better in other models. I personally don't think cabin size played a huge factor, IMO.

The ASL is suppose to increase the sound level based on vehicle speed, I believe. It controlled with on/off and obviously one won't hear any difference if not moving. I have the feature in my 8.5 year old car where you can adjust different levels of "ASL" - 1 through 9 (I think). But I turn it off there too :-)

 

Let me put it this way, the standard, non ML, audio system on the GX sounds better than the ML system on the RX.

 

I second that!! The non-ML system in the GX is excellent. Much better than the standard stereo in the RX. The base GX system is 11 speakers with a subwoofer as opposed to the RX which is 8 speakers and no sub...

 

Yes. I can tell a difference when ASL is on. It is very subtle and not like a GM car where it is very noticeable (and annoying).


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when the asl is on it sounds like someone is muffling the speakers with a pillow

 

When my ASL is working, I notice a subtle increase (or decrease) in volume as the graphical bars on the display increase (or decrease). It sounds natural and there is no abnormal "muffling" or muting.


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Yup, saw that in mine, too.

 

The asl should not muffle the sound, all it does is turn the volume higher and lower.

 

I'm not noticing a big benefit to the center channel or sub...

 

Do we have subs? The non-ML set up, I mean.

 

I'm biased because I come to this system from crappy GM & Audi Bose systems. To my ears, the non-ML Pioneer unit is just fine. I A/B'd the ML system before I bought. While I did like it - the difference was marginal. The cost was too high to justify, and in my region it's not easy to get one without the RSES.

I've posted this in another forum, but my salesman explained the difference as the ML being eq'd to boost upper mids while the standard unit boosts lower mids. While I thought this might be mumbo jumbo, to my ears it sounds accurate. The standard system sounds great at 65mph, which was really the key thing for me. As others have noted, the RX is not the quietest vehicle in the Lexus fleet, so the ability to conquer the road noise-emphasized lower mids is a great thing. In this regard, I found the standard system to be superior to the ML.

Now, the ML in my wife's ES...what a terrific sound system. Had the one in the RX sounded that good I might've had to pull the trigger...

 

The ML system on the GX, LX, GS and the LS are the best stock system I have ever heard. It puts some aftermarket system to shame.

 

yep, I'm not sure if there is a sub. I wonder if that is a mod that can be done, if there is an output from the current system...