Mark Levinson vs Standard Audio System
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 117
From: ca
This sounds like a lot of hot air. Harmon & Lexus failed to address the morbid XM reception that often sounds hollow & cuts out. We are on our 2nd premium radio & the Lexus is the ONLY vehicle I’ve owned with terrible XM reception. I sure as hell would not waste any money on the Mark Levinson system. The Audi B&O system, the Hyundai Lexicon system & the Volvo Bowers & Wilkinson System are all better in almost every way to the Lexus system. I haven’t looked at an Acura in the last 4 years, but their ELS system was pretty good. Even the GMC Bose system wasn’t too bad. The only thing I can say I like about the Lexus RX radio system is the giant 12” screen. Mine does sound good on everything other than XM. We decided to discontinue our XM subscription because it does not include any Sirius channels & what we like is always being effected by AT&T towers, weather & who knows what else. MP3/MP4s, CDs & HD radio all sound really good.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,449
Likes: 948
From: IL
This sounds like a lot of hot air. Harmon & Lexus failed to address the morbid XM reception that often sounds hollow & cuts out. We are on our 2nd premium radio & the Lexus is the ONLY vehicle I’ve owned with terrible XM reception. I sure as hell would not waste any money on the Mark Levinson system. The Audi B&O system, the Hyundai Lexicon system & the Volvo Bowers & Wilkinson System are all better in almost every way to the Lexus system. I haven’t looked at an Acura in the last 4 years, but their ELS system was pretty good. Even the GMC Bose system wasn’t too bad. The only thing I can say I like about the Lexus RX radio system is the giant 12” screen. Mine does sound good on everything other than XM. We decided to discontinue our XM subscription because it does not include any Sirius channels & what we like is always being effected by AT&T towers, weather & who knows what else. MP3/MP4s, CDs & HD radio all sound really good.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 215
From: Texas
We like our RX for its diversity & quiet ride. There are a lot of things that I’m disappointed about, but not angry. We also LOVE the Matador Red & Mocha combo! It’s a very good car, but not up to the hype that Lexus touts. That may change if the car ages extremely well. For the money we paid, I think we got a good deal on a vehicle that meets our needs.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 121
Likes: 11
From: Maryland
I have the premium but I added a small powered subwoofer and now I think it sounds better than the ML I had in my IS. I got the Kicker Hideaway and definitely recommend it. Now if you're looking for rattling bass where everyone in the neighborhood knows you're coming home, you'll need a more powerful unit. This one just adds a nice satisfying thump.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Quebec Canada
I have an RX350 FSport with the premium sound system (12 speakers) and I also believe that it delivers a very good sound providing you feed it with quality input (Garbage in, Garbage out). I use SACD's (DSD64 and 128) and HD Flac ( 24 bit and 192KZ) for Jazz and Classical input from my Cell phone (Android) equipped with an attached DAC and Pre-Amp (Digital to Analog Converter from SMSL Idea) hooked to the Auxiliary input of the car sound-system (Inside the Console box) . I can assure you that the quality of the sound is amazing, the quality files and Pre-amp seems to multiply the quality compared to Bluetooth transmission...or XM Radio. I dont use USB and MP3. I think it beats the ML from what I was able to observe in the Lexus Showroom. Other then that I love the quiet and smooth ride of the RX350.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,047
Likes: 135
From: AB
I have an RX350 FSport with the premium sound system (12 speakers) and I also believe that it delivers a very good sound providing you feed it with quality input (Garbage in, Garbage out). I use SACD's (DSD64 and 128) and HD Flac ( 24 bit and 192KZ) for Jazz and Classical input from my Cell phone (Android) equipped with an attached DAC and Pre-Amp (Digital to Analog Converter from SMSL Idea) hooked to the Auxiliary input of the car sound-system (Inside the Console box) . I can assure you that the quality of the sound is amazing, the quality files and Pre-amp seems to multiply the quality compared to Bluetooth transmission...or XM Radio. I dont use USB and MP3. I think it beats the ML from what I was able to observe in the Lexus Showroom. Other then that I love the quiet and smooth ride of the RX350.
home system
home systemcan improve existing system with additional effort. Car's cabin is not a good place to have music studio.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 215
From: Texas
I have an RX350 FSport with the premium sound system (12 speakers) and I also believe that it delivers a very good sound providing you feed it with quality input (Garbage in, Garbage out). I use SACD's (DSD64 and 128) and HD Flac ( 24 bit and 192KZ) for Jazz and Classical input from my Cell phone (Android) equipped with an attached DAC and Pre-Amp (Digital to Analog Converter from SMSL Idea) hooked to the Auxiliary input of the car sound-system (Inside the Console box) . I can assure you that the quality of the sound is amazing, the quality files and Pre-amp seems to multiply the quality compared to Bluetooth transmission...or XM Radio. I dont use USB and MP3. I think it beats the ML from what I was able to observe in the Lexus Showroom. Other then that I love the quiet and smooth ride of the RX350.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 215
From: Texas
So how many ordinary drivers are going to do what you are doing? I am in a position to understand what you are doing. I believe originally this thread started based upon the system as it comes. Of course anyone
can improve existing system with additional effort. Car's cabin is not a good place to have music studio.
can improve existing system with additional effort. Car's cabin is not a good place to have music studio.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Quebec Canada
You got my attention, but also went a little over my head. I looked around & didn’t find any apps for use on an iPhone, but there are some for use on a Mac. The programs are BitPerfect for $9.99 in the App Store & a program out of France called Audirvana that replaces iTunes management. Please tell me more about what you have rigged up. My XM reception is terrible & my FM is almost as bad. We don’t have HD Radio in this area.
Last edited by ramiot; Apr 10, 2018 at 03:30 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,047
Likes: 135
From: AB
Good point Htony! I think this would make a great stand alone thread. I believe the Lexus speakers are pretty decent. It’s the receivers that are questionable. Depending on cost, I want to hear more about this, reguardless if it’s a separate thread or not. Actually, a car's interior is a great acoustical enclosure. It’s the road noise that often messes that up.
At home we listen serious music on 2 channel stereo system based on hybrid tube amp and head. Movies or sports event, etc. we use 9 channel home theater controlled by HTPC.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 701
Likes: 166
From: NSW
I have an RX350 FSport with the premium sound system (12 speakers) and I also believe that it delivers a very good sound providing you feed it with quality input (Garbage in, Garbage out). I use SACD's (DSD64 and 128) and HD Flac ( 24 bit and 192KZ) for Jazz and Classical input from my Cell phone (Android) equipped with an attached DAC and Pre-Amp (Digital to Analog Converter from SMSL Idea) hooked to the Auxiliary input of the car sound-system (Inside the Console box) . I can assure you that the quality of the sound is amazing, the quality files and Pre-amp seems to multiply the quality compared to Bluetooth transmission...or XM Radio. I dont use USB and MP3. I think it beats the ML from what I was able to observe in the Lexus Showroom. Other then that I love the quiet and smooth ride of the RX350.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,555
Likes: 345
From: Ontario, Canada
I have an RX350 FSport with the premium sound system (12 speakers) and I also believe that it delivers a very good sound providing you feed it with quality input (Garbage in, Garbage out). I use SACD's (DSD64 and 128) and HD Flac ( 24 bit and 192KZ) for Jazz and Classical input from my Cell phone (Android) equipped with an attached DAC and Pre-Amp (Digital to Analog Converter from SMSL Idea) hooked to the Auxiliary input of the car sound-system (Inside the Console box) . I can assure you that the quality of the sound is amazing, the quality files and Pre-amp seems to multiply the quality compared to Bluetooth transmission...or XM Radio. I dont use USB and MP3. I think it beats the ML from what I was able to observe in the Lexus Showroom. Other then that I love the quiet and smooth ride of the RX350.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Quebec Canada
Yes but it only reads MP3's which comes with a significant reduction in quality of sound because of compression. Flac and SACD are compression free, they are lossless in terms of the quality of sound but they occupy more space on the Micro SD card or Iphone. A song on a best quality MP3 ( 320 KBPS) medium occupies about 10 MB, on a CD quality FLAC (16 bit, 44,100 HZ) about 20 MB, on a HD quality Flac ( 24 Bit- 192,000 HZ) about 170 MB per song and on HD SACD Hi-Res file a song at DSD 64 will take 500 MB and at DSD 256 it will be close to one GB. But the quality of sound (Output) is directly dependant on the quality of the input file. If you want to use MP3 make sure you get the 320 KBPS and not lower...
Last edited by ramiot; Apr 11, 2018 at 07:02 AM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 111
Likes: 7
From: CA
Base stereo questions
I have a base 2017 model (non 12.3" screen) and was wondering:
Thanks in advance
- Is the head unit the same across base, premium and ML? I know that premium and ML have additional speakers, sub and amps - but is the head unit the same?
- Can we play MP3s from a DVD disc? I tried a DVDR and got an error message - but maybe I need to dry a different brand.
- Has anyone upgraded speakers on their base model? I'm not looking to change the head unit - but maybe add an amp, some decent speakers and maybe a little sub down the road. I did a search and didn't find anything.
Thanks in advance