Mark Levinson vs Standard Audio System
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 701
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From: NSW
As an audiophile since I was in my teens, I believe that most audiophiles would agree that the ideal is to reproduce sound as it "should" be. The goal is to reproduce sound as though you were there, watching and listening to a live band. Therefore, the band should be in front of you and the original idea of "surround sound" was to place the acoustics of the venue in which the performance took place. So therefore, if you're really looking for that, most of the sound should emanate in front of you and the reflected sound should appear as though it's from the rear. Of course, this is from the ideal of listening at home, not in a vehicle.
Cars are far from ideal listening environments, but I suspect that Mark Levinson, an audiophile brand, did its best to work within the tough confines of a vehicle. If you want something else, there are controls to tweak for your preference.
One of the few things I miss about my ML system in my LS 430 was the ability to select the driver's seat as the "sweet spot" for listening. However, I find the ML systems in both my LS 460 and RX 350 to be quite satisfying on the road.
Cars are far from ideal listening environments, but I suspect that Mark Levinson, an audiophile brand, did its best to work within the tough confines of a vehicle. If you want something else, there are controls to tweak for your preference.
One of the few things I miss about my ML system in my LS 430 was the ability to select the driver's seat as the "sweet spot" for listening. However, I find the ML systems in both my LS 460 and RX 350 to be quite satisfying on the road.
It's like a 4K TV, give it 4K material and the picture can be stunning, give it older standard definition material and all it does is shows up how bad standard is.
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Joined: Sep 2019
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From: NY
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 506
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From: NJ
The premium in the IS and RC is quite excellent. ML is very good too in both but not noticeably much.
Ironic that the ML on the RC has 17 speakers, but the ML in the RX has 15 despite being a much larger cabin.
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Joined: Sep 2019
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From: NY
I just bought a 2020 RX450h with Premium package. I have to agree with you that some of the "HD radio" stations sounds really nice.
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: NSW
What type of signal/input are you feeding it?
What do you "absolutely hate" about the system?
6th Gear
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 6
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
Just picked up my 2020 RX350 today. Compared the ML in this vehicle to the highly lauded Panasonic ELS system in the new Acura RDX. ML is much cleaner. The Acura employs ANC (active noise cancellation) that means not only are your speakers playing music but they're also playing signals that are out of phase to road noise being picked up by cabin microphones. I think the ML is extremely clean in the mids and highs (controls all set flat). The bass does not extend extremely low but instead creates an ample amount of midbass which makes it a little too punchy actually.
My solution, like some others on this thread will be to add a 10"-12" sound quality subwoofer that will work in a fairly small (1cu ft) enclosure in the rear cargo area and a class D mono amp that can be hidden under the rear deck or in a rear side panel. I will cross that over fairly low (60Hz or so) to just extend the bottom octave and fill out the sound. I think I will be very happy once I do that. I'm a 59 yr old audiophile and I've never been happy with a factory system but this one is very close.
My solution, like some others on this thread will be to add a 10"-12" sound quality subwoofer that will work in a fairly small (1cu ft) enclosure in the rear cargo area and a class D mono amp that can be hidden under the rear deck or in a rear side panel. I will cross that over fairly low (60Hz or so) to just extend the bottom octave and fill out the sound. I think I will be very happy once I do that. I'm a 59 yr old audiophile and I've never been happy with a factory system but this one is very close.
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 28
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From: Il
2020 ML Sound Pkg vs Standard Sound
Is the extra cost worth it to purchase the Mark Levinson package vs just taking the standard sound package that comes with the new 2020 RX350? I have heard some folks say they can't hear the difference and others say there is. I'd love to get some feedback because $3365 is a lot extra for Mark Levinson package. Incidentally, I have noticed tha more FSport packages have the ML package rather than the RX350.
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 21
From: Colorado Western Slope
We have the ML system in our 2018 and it sounds MUCH better than the standard system that was in our 2015. You absolutely MUST try both yourself and see what you think. Everyone's ears are different and what I hear may be very different from what you hear.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 506
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From: NJ
the rear helps a lot.
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 701
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From: NSW
IMPORTANT - Have a good source signal, pointless trying to adjust with radio or Bluetooth connected device. Don't use a USB thumb drive type device either. The best thing to do is use a known good audio device (iPhone), connect via USB and adjust sound settings with well recorded material. Trust me the system sounds crap with Bluetooth or USB thumb drive, all that does is amplifies the poor material and you hear more of the poor quality. It's like watching a standard definition TV program, say an older one on the latest 4K TV, all you see is the poor quality, put through a 4K signal and you get a fantastic picture.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,404
Likes: 215
From: Texas
Turn off Surround Sound and set everything at their mid-points and then adjust GRADUALLY each setting until it sounds good to you.
IMPORTANT - Have a good source signal, pointless trying to adjust with radio or Bluetooth connected device. Don't use a USB thumb drive type device either. The best thing to do is use a known good audio device (iPhone), connect via USB and adjust sound settings with well recorded material. Trust me the system sounds crap with Bluetooth or USB thumb drive, all that does is amplifies the poor material and you hear more of the poor quality. It's like watching a standard definition TV program, say an older one on the latest 4K TV, all you see is the poor quality, put through a 4K signal and you get a fantastic picture.
IMPORTANT - Have a good source signal, pointless trying to adjust with radio or Bluetooth connected device. Don't use a USB thumb drive type device either. The best thing to do is use a known good audio device (iPhone), connect via USB and adjust sound settings with well recorded material. Trust me the system sounds crap with Bluetooth or USB thumb drive, all that does is amplifies the poor material and you hear more of the poor quality. It's like watching a standard definition TV program, say an older one on the latest 4K TV, all you see is the poor quality, put through a 4K signal and you get a fantastic picture.