If anyone wants a tl:dr version of this thread, here it is:

Get the ML if you care enough about audio to use CD/DVD or a phone/music player with lossless files and an external DAC. Otherwise, the premium audio is just fine and may even sound better to many ears.

I personally use my phone to play FLAC files through a Schiit portable DAC outputting into the AUX port. The Schiit DAC can be charged by the car (has 2 USB ports with 1 used for charging) while my phone can be charged with a Qi wireless phone charger/holder. This way my battery won't be drained too quickly. ML sounds pretty incredible this way.

 

As an longstanding audiophile with a $10k+ home audio system, I would completely agree with this with one caveat. The typical dealer available Rx's that are equipped with the ML premium audio system probably will cost about $7,000 more when you include the other equipment that you will be forced to buy on the ML vehicles on the lot. The benefit that you will get from the ML system will come at an extremely high price compared to what you would get, for example, on a home audio system. The cost / benefit ratio will be very high.

 

Do you use Schiit Modi or Modius?
Does this set-up sound better in ML with audio played from phone going through DAC vs phone to aux?

 

For the 2021 MY, many dealerships are offering RXs that only include "Premium" sound/Nav System/12.3" screen above and beyond the typical "base" model equipment of Premium package, AWD, etc. Still, the "Premium"/Nav System/12.3" screen is a $2,200+ option by itself. If you want to add the ML sound system, the package price goes up to around $3,300 and those RXs are usually also equipped with other options (panoramic moonroof, 20" wheels, etc.).

We use CarPlay with Waze as our nav software, so we have no need for a built-in nav system. Waze is free; easy to use; updates are automatic; and, the Waze display is uncluttered. The standard sound system does just fine when connected to the audio files on my iPhone. Besides, the "standard" screen is much less (potentially) distracting than the 12.3".

If Lexus offered an RX equipped with just the ML sound system as a standalone option (no nav system or big screen, or other options) at a reasonable price, I might have been interested. But not when bundled with things I would never use.

 

I actually use the Fulla for several reasons. One, it's DAC performance is similar to Modi's but it has an Amp too so I can use it for my headphone as well. Two, the acoustic environment in a car has significant inherent limitations, I don't believe a higher end DAC than the Fulla/Modi will make a difference.

As for whether it's an improvement over the phone, it's a pretty big difference, especially at higher volume! The clarity and separation is quite remarkable. It might depend on the phone though, some LG phones have a pretty good built in DAC though I've never tried them, I have a S8.

 

Wondering if you know you aren’t really using the ML it is actually coming thru your FM so ML is used minimally

 

Not sure which person you're replying to but the recent conversation has in it, "outputting into the AUX port" - that's not through the FM.

 

TLDR: My question is of those that have had experience with ML audio systems in the RX and ES, what are your thoughts and comparisons of the two? Of those that have had both by comparison do you feel the RX or the ES has the superior ML system?

I know the LS has an even more powerful ML system with I think 2100 watts plus additional speakers. Logic tells me the 2100 watt system of the LS would be better than the 1800 watt of the ES and the ES would be better than the 800 watt system of the RX.

Within a few months, I'll be including a RX with Mark Levinson audio to my stable of vehicles. I'm trying to get a sense, from user perspectives, of those that have or have had experience with ML audio from both a RX and an ES 350. Each of my ES 350s have had ML audio. I consider myself an audiophile in the sense that I can discern audio quality differences and typically use high quality content sources. I LOVE the ML audio in my ES and wouldn't have an ES without it. That being said, I'm not as familiar with the equipment side of things. The wattages of each system is quite different with the ES having an 1800 watt amp and the RX ML having an 800 watt amp. I use high quality content from Amazon Music, Tidal, and my own person FLAC files. My question is simple. Of those that have had experience with both audio systems in the RX and ES, what are your thoughts and comparisons of the two?

FYI******
It appears my thread was merged into this existing thread but for clarification, my post has nothing to do nor do I need any info regarding the standard audio system.

 

And thats weird to me, even the GX has LESS watts than the RX has, but interior volume is more in the GX and RX has more than the ES.. Even the NX has more watts..

 

That is interesting! I will have to do a deep dive to try and figure it out. Thanks for the input.

 

I’ve had a couple high end systems before (Arc Audio).

Take my advice:

Sound deaden all doors including trunk.

Add 2 10” JL Audio W3 in a sealed box. Use a quality amp (I used a RF 700 watt). Use quality gear (hi/lo, wiring, etc.)

You will get AWESOME sound with the ML. I mean beyond your imagination.

I was initially Very disappointed with the ML in my 2021 RX 350 F-Sport. Also road noise.

The sound deadening made a h-u-g-e difference on the stock system. The 2 10 inch subs brought in high quality bass - MUST be in a sealed box.

No rattles. Everything left stock, even stock sub still fires. Way less road noise. Insane boost on the performance of the stock ML. Quality subs to fill in the lows.

I took this to the same shop that’s handled my last 4 installs. The guy runs his shop with passion and pride.

 

Thank you for your response. I am a novice when it comes to sound system tech. details. So the ML has an 1800 w amp. the RX ML has an 800 w amp. I admit that the sound output quality on my ES with ML is impressive with high quality sources. How much and what do you lose with the smaller 800 amp vs the 1800 amp? It seems like an obvious answer but I'm asking anyway. Thanks in advance.

 

1800 watts or 800 watts, none of it matters because neither one is true. A "real" 1800 watt sound system would hit *very* hard. A "real" 800 watt sound system would also hit very hard. Neither figure is real if you ask me.

To clarify once again, the modification I suggested yields a very (VERY) large increase in the performance of the stock ML in a RX 350. The system is now comparable to $5K I spent on an Arc Audio system that was installed by a true professional, that system had pure quality and power - the current setup in my RX 350 matches that and then some.

You must sound deaden all the doors, including the rear trunk or hatch (whatever you want to call it). The subwoofer you put must be sealed. The equipment you use must be quality.

 

Did you do the sound deadening yourself or did the shop?

 

The shop did all 4 doors and the rear hatch.