I don't have a solution yet. I've been using Boom on iOS for an EQ through my phone and then streaming Tidal with it. It's a vanilla 16 band EQ on top of the Lexus settings. It's not great but it's somewhat of an improvement. It's not scalable to other streaming sources like YT Music or native sources since iOS doesn't allow global sound setting permissions. Working with the Boom Carplay app is a bit buggy and the UI sucks.

As the vehicle gets older and I get more time, I might explore aftermarket options for replacement but if Lexus would just program a customizable parametric 16-32 band EQ and give some control over the DSP, that would a sizeable improvement. I feel there's enough power but there is just no mid bass to be found. I'm going to see if something like the Qudelix-5K can work with the car but from what I tried, I haven't gotten it to work. If only they kept a damn Aux input, then we would be golden.

If you guys have something, please share.

 

Adding a couple woofers in the rear doors would probably fix most of the issues with the ML IMHO.

 

The ML does well for spoken word, news and podcasts, however. Clarity is very good.

 

I just posted to the "ML Sound Imbalance" thread so my apologies for any redundancy.

IMHO more lower-mid to lower end sound output is needed. As I stated in the other thread, to me the sound is overall "tinny", "hollow" and lacks depth. So more or better woofers. I have read that placing woofers in car doors is not the ideal location, and while this makes sense to me, this could be completely false. Perhaps placing one or more woofer(s) somewhere on the main body of the car would help??? And a REAL equalizer would be a great addition.

After a year of ownership, I am still extremely disappointed in this sound system. All of my vehicles over the past 15+ years have had better sound systems that came standard with the vehicle and didn't cost me add on $$$$.

 

Yeah, I listen to Audible sometimes, and other times I listen to Linkin Park & Wu Tang...

For this kind of "upgrade", there should be tunability for music as well as talk and discussion.

 

Agree that the ML is ok but nothing special. I said that over in the NX forum and one of the members said that statement was nothing more than buyer's remorse for not having the ML when he had no idea if I did or didn't have the system. I do have the ML but was just saying that other systems out there are better IMO. Then he said maybe I just bought the wrong car lol. Really? Voicing a simple opinion is unacceptable? SMH...

 

I really wish it was a Bose system instead of Mark Levinson.

 

I have ML in 2016 RX abs it sounds much better than the ML in 2024 RX.
It sounds like they went thru some cost cutting on all it's Components.....

 

IME the branding of audio components in vehicles is just a name. The high-end makers MIGHT help design them, but the actual results vary all over the place.

I wish our cars sounded half as good as my audio system at home....

DISCLAIMER: I KNOW that an automotive sound-stage is totally different than a house.

 

Pass, I've not had good experiences with Bose systems in cars either. I do know that there are a few vehicles were the Bose gets great reviews but it seems most are just meh reviews.

 

Good read/resource for those unhappy with their Mark Levinson System

Since so many folks are unhappy with the quality and sound of their Mark Levinson, click the link above and have a quick read. I have it in my 5RX and it seems ok, but I am no audiophile, but would of course appreciate if the system were higher quality than it currently is. My wife's TX does NOT have the ML and there is a distinct difference in the quality of the 2 systems. I know they are different models and interior sizing, but the TX to me is essentially an RX L and the sound quality is noticeably different.

 

My 2023 RX is my 4th with the ML system. It hasn't improved a bit since 2007. I am skipping the ML on my next Lexus. It isn't worth it.

 

I am moving from Acura and Cadillac with Bose system, and I can say that Lexus beats them all by miles, but you have to adjust it. This is what worked for me and made a huge difference:

​​​​​​Treble: move the slider 3/4 up
Midrange: movr slider two clicks down from normal
Bass: 2 clicks below full

I have also found (oddly) that the best quality for music being pumped out is YouTube Music. They must do some sound processing or audio separation that makes the music sound markedly better than Apple Music or Amazing music (both with premium settings / full bandwidth).