Has anyone heard the optional ML audio and been able to compare to the optional premium audio?

We're going to be ordering one very soon and I'm not sure that the ML is worth the extra cost. We haven't had a chance to go listen to them side by side yet (and dealer inventory is limited anyway) so I'm interested to hear others' opinions.

Thanks!

 

if you want to watch DVD from your front screen you must buy the ML audio. I have had them both and the sound is not that much better to me but the DVD issue may be for you

 

I'm not terribly interested in the DVD in the front. I have access to an RX with the premium system at work and I wasn't terribly impressed. If the ML isn't much better, I won't waste the money.

 

Dont waste your money then. The ML system sounds great on the LX and the LS, because its a ML reference system. The rest of the ML are just marginally better than the Lexus sound system.

 

I agree the audio system is not that great in the RX. I believe a lot of the problem is the placement of the speakers in the rear area.

 

To me it was worth the extra cash I yes a can tell the two apart. Can not stand to drive a loaner car without the ML in it

 

did you actually check ML in RX or is this your general idea? Because I love ML in my GS and its part of the luxury feel of the car that would be missing without it.

 

regular 9 speaker system shouldnt be too good.

12 speaker navigation package adds two tweeters to the rear of the car, which again shouldnt make too much of a difference since they are just tweeters, but it addresses the fact that most of the sounds comes from the front.

 

I drove a tester RX (fully loaded) with ML and it sounded good enough for me. Mind you I just used my iPhone music and radio as source. Again, the sound is only as good as the source.

If you use MP3 music, even at high bit rates, may not be the best source.. Try putting in a SACD in it and see (or hear) for yourself.

Blu-ray would've been a good option (loss-less audio).. perhaps a 60" plasma inside.. LOL

 

too bad the dvd player in the 10's is not a Blu-ray

 

I found the ML in a GS to be quite bad.
The center channel speaker overwhelms all the other speakers and there's no adjustment.


I've never heard the ML in a RX.

 

No, I never listen to the ML system in the RX, but I have in the GS. About a years ago when I bought my GS, I was trying to decide rather to get the ML system in my GS. Armed with my own CD, I went to the dealer and sat in both back and forth for about 45 mins. I can tell very little difference between the 2, I was expection a lot of diff. for the extra $1500. The ML system had a little bit less distortion at the very top end, but I never listen to music that loud anyways. Like I said earlier, the only ML system worth buying is the one in the LS and the LX, the one in the GX is not bad too.