How are the 12 speakers quality compared to 9 speakers?
02-23-19, 11:06 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
How are the 12 speakers quality compared to 9 speakers?
For those who bought the navigation package, is the audio quality from the 12 speaker system better than the 9 speaker system that comes standard? Worth the upgrade just for the audio?
02-23-19, 11:23 AM
#2
Here is my 2 cents and advice. The sound of the car, no matter which one i bought was VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. Of course you have to decide how much that aspect of the car is important to you and weigh it accordingly. I carried around a cd with me and played it in various cars in various dealers. For, me personally, I LOVED the Mark Levinson system. To be honest i didn't even try the regular one in the RX. So I bought mine with the Mark Levinson and a year later still LOVE it! But your mileage may vary. You really need to listen for yourself and you will NOT get a fair comparison if you just listen to the radio because of different reception capabilities at different times and different broadcast qualities etc. You need to bring a CD or usb with your music and A-B it that way. You will also read many comments in other sections that say that people cant hear the difference etc etc. Its really REALLY subjective! (Only you can really tell what you like)
02-23-19, 03:02 PM
#3
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Here is my 2 cents and advice. The sound of the car, no matter which one i bought was VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. Of course you have to decide how much that aspect of the car is important to you and weigh it accordingly. I carried around a cd with me and played it in various cars in various dealers. For, me personally, I LOVED the Mark Levinson system. To be honest i didn't even try the regular one in the RX. So I bought mine with the Mark Levinson and a year later still LOVE it! But your mileage may vary. You really need to listen for yourself and you will NOT get a fair comparison if you just listen to the radio because of different reception capabilities at different times and different broadcast qualities etc. You need to bring a CD or usb with your music and A-B it that way. You will also read many comments in other sections that say that people cant hear the difference etc etc. Its really REALLY subjective! (Only you can really tell what you like)
02-24-19, 12:32 PM
#4
ok, sorry, i misunderstood the situation. i wasn't sure about speaker count. i thought there was only 2 possibilities. That is regular or Mark Levinson. so I just assumed the dilemma was between the "standard" system or the "Mark Levinson". It sounds like there is a 3rd option i was unaware of.
02-24-19, 01:20 PM
#6
I'll leave a plug for the Mark Levinson system - I just got a 2016 CPO with the ML system and I'm truly enjoying it. I had a 2016 IS 200t with standard audio, and there is a noticeable difference.
02-27-19, 06:13 AM
#7
Just picked up a 2019 RX 350 with the premium package yesterday after really debating between base (9 speakers), premium (12 speakers) and an F-sport (ML system). I did side-by-side comparisons and while the ML system was nice I thought the 12-speak premium system was surprisingly good. Compared to the 9 speaker I though the 12 speaker did sound significantly better than the 9 speaker system - a little more "full" sounding.
Ultimately, I chose the premium package because the stereo was certainly good enough and I didn't like the bolstered seats on the F-sport.
Ultimately, I chose the premium package because the stereo was certainly good enough and I didn't like the bolstered seats on the F-sport.
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Oldernu (05-03-19)
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02-27-19, 06:55 AM
#8
I have the 12 speaker in my 17 RX 350 and I think it sounds pretty good. The ML in my IS was better but not by much. I added a small powered sub and upgraded the speakers in the doors and I really enjoy it now.
02-28-19, 07:43 AM
#9
Here is my 2 cents and advice. The sound of the car, no matter which one i bought was VERY VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. Of course you have to decide how much that aspect of the car is important to you and weigh it accordingly. I carried around a cd with me and played it in various cars in various dealers. For, me personally, I LOVED the Mark Levinson system. To be honest i didn't even try the regular one in the RX. So I bought mine with the Mark Levinson and a year later still LOVE it! But your mileage may vary. You really need to listen for yourself and you will NOT get a fair comparison if you just listen to the radio because of different reception capabilities at different times and different broadcast qualities etc. You need to bring a CD or usb with your music and A-B it that way. You will also read many comments in other sections that say that people cant hear the difference etc etc. Its really REALLY subjective! (Only you can really tell what you like)
02-28-19, 07:52 AM
#10
As others have said it depends on your ear! I listened to the 12 speakers & ML and could not justify the upgrade based on the sound. This is me, other perhaps with more attuned ear may justify it.
IMO the 12 speakers if more than good enough for a car.
IMO the 12 speakers if more than good enough for a car.
03-08-19, 11:10 AM
#11
Recently I got a rx350 loaner without the ML and in my opinion, it did not sound as good as the ML system which I have on my 2018 rx350. The music just seems more alive and clear. Really glad I got the ML.
BTW, may be not a good comparison here, for what its worth, the RX ML system sounds much better than my old gx470 ML system.
BTW, may be not a good comparison here, for what its worth, the RX ML system sounds much better than my old gx470 ML system.
03-08-19, 11:26 AM
#12
Lexus Champion
Recently I got a rx350 loaner without the ML and in my opinion, it did not sound as good as the ML system which I have on my 2018 rx350. The music just seems more alive and clear. Really glad I got the ML.
BTW, may be not a good comparison here, for what its worth, the RX ML system sounds much better than my old gx470 ML system.
BTW, may be not a good comparison here, for what its worth, the RX ML system sounds much better than my old gx470 ML system.
Easiest way to improve quality of sound is replacing those El Cheapo speakers with good quality ones. In my case to enjoy good music I do it on my home stereo or home theater set up.
03-13-19, 03:06 PM
#13
Couldn't agree more on what you said. To me, the ML system in the RX is worth whatever extra Lexus is charging. I'm an audiophile and very impressed with the sound quality. the new ML processor in the RX is way better than my other ride 17' GX with ML system. Overall, ML system is the way to go if you care about audio quality.
03-13-19, 04:43 PM
#14
I don't dispute that the ML system is better. What I wonder is it $1,200 better or whatever the option cost.
In Canada in 2017 to get the ML one had to go to the top of the line a $12,000 increase vs my Luxury package (midlevel) certainly NOT worth that cost.
As Htony suggested better to replace the speakers and also cheaper.
In Canada in 2017 to get the ML one had to go to the top of the line a $12,000 increase vs my Luxury package (midlevel) certainly NOT worth that cost.
As Htony suggested better to replace the speakers and also cheaper.
03-13-19, 04:52 PM
#15
I don't dispute that the ML system is better. What I wonder is it $1,200 better or whatever the option cost.
In Canada in 2017 to get the ML one had to go to the top of the line a $12,000 increase vs my Luxury package (midlevel) certainly NOT worth that cost.
As Htony suggested better to replace the speakers and also cheaper.
In Canada in 2017 to get the ML one had to go to the top of the line a $12,000 increase vs my Luxury package (midlevel) certainly NOT worth that cost.
As Htony suggested better to replace the speakers and also cheaper.
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Cocal (03-13-19)