Not too sure about the head unit but I have the premium system and I added a small powered sub woofer. With the sub handling the lows I think it sounds a little better than the ML I had in my 2015 IS. The sub woofer I got is a Kicker Hideaway and it's not earth shattering/rattling bass but just the right amount of thump where I'm not waking up the neighborhood. I have only played my mp3's through bluetooth so I don't know about playing them through the dvd disc.

 

Wow, all great questions, OP. I'd like to know the answers too. I could help by copying mp3s to a dvd-r to try this weekend. But why can't you use a usb which is very cheap these days?



Is this (adding your sub woofer) an diy project? Or better left to a pro shop? Do you have a write up to share? Thanks

 

I put a music DVD into my RX with ML last night. Now I know what kind of sound can come out of the ML. It was very close to live concert. Before that I was playing FM, SAT music and was not that impress. I guess the source makes a big different. This makes me wonder about the claim of restoring music with Clari Fi (or whatever that is)

 

I went to Best Buy first and got this JBL pictured above but the tech did a **** poor job, wires exposed and levels were all maxed out so the amp blew within two weeks. I'm glad I bought the extended warranty (something I never do) because I got this one replaced and I'm keeping it as a back up. I searched online for the best recommended auto sound guys in the area and found a place that installed the Kicker subwoofer for just under $400 (everything included) and the difference between this pro shop and Geek Squad is night and day. Plus this guy went through each genre of music to adjust the levels to perfection and the Kicker sounded much better than the JBL. I would recommend going to a pro shop unless you're good at DIY projects. I'll take a picture of the Kicker when I get the chance.

 

[QUOTE=My450H;10170470]Wow, all great questions, OP. I'd like to know the answers too. I could help by copying mp3s to a dvd-r to try this weekend. But why can't you use a usb which is very cheap these days?

Copying Mp3's to a DVD-R or a USB Key will work but remember that you will only have MP3 quality in terms of music. If you want to get the most out of your sound system, you need to input quality files, MP3 is the lowest quality while Flac or SACD are the best quality. Your phone can read them and output them via the 'Auxiliary' port in the Console. Good luck.

 

[QUOTE=ramiot;10171026]How do you get a phone to decode SACD (DSD)?

 

[QUOTE=Mike728;10172019]I only have Flac (24 Bit- 192,000HZ) and SACD music in Jazz and Classical and I listen to it in my RX350 from my Phone equipped with 2 Micro SD 128GB cards.
If you have a Android phone use ''USB Audio Driver'' this site will explain ( https://www.extreamsd.com) how to use it. I can listen to music using the internal DAC (Digital to Audio Converter) of my phone (Nokia) or use a external DAC from SMSL to improve the quality of conversion. If you have a IPhone from Apple a software called ''NE Player Lite ''works in the same way. I only use MP3 for Audio books via the USB Port. Hope this helps.

 

Sorry, but if you love quality music, a car (Especially Lexus) is an excellent place to relax and listen to beautyfull music... and enjoy the 12 speakers provided by Lexus...

 

imagine how good the MLsounds with a good source. I have 0 regrets in opting for it. Plus the cost wasn't much more in the 450 with nav and the big screen .

 

Real music, I am an advanced amateur musician for many, many years. Play in local concert band. Audiophile quality 2 channel stereo properly set up is enough to enjoy real music. Number of speakers does not mean anything when listening to music. Home theater is different which has to simulate cinema hall. Visit AVS forum? See what kind of system members are discussing every day over there.

 

Please share your Kicker subwoofer info - this is something that I will probably due down the road
Thanks

 

So I'm pretty sure you can't read MP3s from a DVDR - I tried different DVDs and none seem to work. It might be different for the ML system (I have the base model).

I'll try to use USB stick. Initially when I connected it (through the armwrest inlet) - it couldn't read the USB drive. I will try to find what format I need to have it and if there are any limitations.

 

This is the model I got. $219.99 on Amazon I believe. I got mine directly from the sound guys for $400 with installation. Sorry I haven't been to my car all week so I haven't had the chance to take a picture but basically looks like the JBL but with a much more cleaner install. There are no wires hanging out and the sound was exactly what I was looking for.

 

 

From my experience with 13GS ML and 18 RXL premium audio, The new RXL actually sounds really good with standard equipment. The mid-tweeter on dash is a softdome version so the sound is much smoother. The dash speaker is far deep into the dash so the sound stage is great. I had previous 13ES ( totaled due to an accident), the stock amp/headunit quality is just bad. I swapped out a couple of dash speaker but it doesn't help. I even did a heavy double layer of sound deadening on both doors and it improves a little bit. However, all that work is gone due to an accident. I swap out the dash speaker from JBL GTO 3" series. THe JBL is pretty much a direct fit except with removal of the plastic frame outside the dash. Sound quality wise it's alot clearer tweeter is more tamed and less "metal sounding" compared to stock.

The stock dash location can benefit some sound dampening. The 13GS ML system was a bit too harsh for me on the tweeters and midrange is a little bit hollow. What I did was fill in the speaker hole pieces of medical cotton ball that is torn thin out. If you google some "Polyfill speaker box" then you will understand the concept of what I am doing here. To reduce the treble harshness level, I also add a small piece of cotton on top of the tweeter. These damping method will help with the harshness and resonance of sound bouncing on plastic chamber of the car mounting location.

I have not yet playing with the RX premium audio since the stock sounds pretty good for me with some tuning. : Treble -1 , mid 0 , bass -2.

Like above posts that one user use a dac/amp from the phone out to the headunit AUx in , that is great way to get the best out of the system. I had tried a high res audioplayer along with headphone ampt and played it through AUX of the 13GS ML system and the sound quality improved alot better than with mp3. CD player source also sounds great as well. (Mp3 burn to CD doesn't count lol ) . I have a large collection of FLAC and they sounds great on CD. I have not yet test on the RXL so i will burn a CD to test out on their premium audio.

Here is one CD "Absolute Sampler" that you can download and burn to CD or play through your tablet/phone to test out the system. This CD has been with me through many car audio meets, home audio shops, and impressed many first time listeners.

http://www.mediafire.com/folder/5vf3...91zaavd/shared

More Info on my installation on the ES350 , the process is similar on other lexuswith dash speaker.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...build-log.html