Hello, i just got my TX 350 Lux and got the factory sub replaced with Kicker 8" and added a 2nd sub (Kicker 12" Compaq series)..both are connected to separate amps. what i figures was the ANC was interfering with the new Sub..i hear hum when music is not played. the technician disconnected the ANC which increased outside noise. did you encounter something like this? how were you able to achieve your 8" hit hard as my Kicker 8" gain had to be decreased to lower the interference with ANC. any guidance will be helpful. thanks in advance.

 

Here's a pretty good YouTube review of the RX's ML sound system which is basically the same as the one in our TX. Even he noticed the downgrade from the prior ML systems. He gave it a C rank where the prior ML systems he reviewed got around A rank for their price points.

 

Is the base stereo which I think is from Pioneer even worst than the ML? Knowing now how the ML system is like in the TX, if any of you could, would you have opted out of the ML and just stick with the base stereo system?

I am surprised the rear doors don't have any speakers in the bottom of the door (woofer speakers) regardless if you got the base or ML.
I would suspect anyone sitting in the 3rd row would have a harder time hearing the music playing.

 

I tested the base stereo and it wasn't that bad on the TX. I like the TX ML more. In the NX, the base stereo was way under powered.

 

The 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system in the current RX and TX cars is OK but not fantastic. Right from the factory, its set to "plain-Jane/vanilla/flat". In addition, Sirius XM OTA transmission have limited bandwidth, dynamic range and almost no imaging. So your phone, a memory stick or even HD FM is usually the better choice.

The way to get the best out of the MLS system:

1. Pick a good source - the system will accept an iPhone, Android phone AND either a memory stick or (very) late model iPod and can run two at once - one wireless the other via the USB data port. MOST owners do not realize this.
2. Adjust source device built-in EQ (iPhones, Android phones and iPods have adjustable EQ) to emphasize bass and and whatever other frequency band you prefer.
3. Adjust the MLS/Lexus 3-band EQ to emphasize bass and as above - whatever other band(s) you prefer. Its basically a bass/treble/midrange control.
4. This is important - In the MLS/Lexus audio controls set the sound center to be equal left and right, but located BEHIND the front seats. This effectively enhances the passenger and driver woofer action - they are located in the lower front door panels. More savvy Lexus salespersons sometimes do this in advance. Other are clueless.
5. STORE the tonneau cover in the back hatch area and keep the back hatch area CLEAR of items against the subwoofer port on the drivers side.

There is a fairly good review of the MLS here - it rates a "C" based on price vs. performance or A- to B+ overall.

 

I took out the TX 350 Luxury model for a test drive. The ML stereo was underwhelming. I didn't like it at all. I remember my old GX 450 twenty years ago and the ML system was fantastic. What happened? Also the TX 350's power was .... lethargic to say the least. I don't think I can take driving something so lumberingly slow so I ended up buying a TX 500h F Sport Premium. I was going to buy the Luxury version but I don't need the panoramic sunroof in the Florida heat, the ML sound system is lack luster and I didn't like the weird steering wheel controls. Thus I bought the Premium with virtually all options such as puddle lights, tailgate lights, F Sport entry lights, nicer wheels, etc.... It is VERY quick and fast.

 

I have noticed that the source does matter, FM being the worst. Still, none are great. Today I installed a radio app to use through Android Auto, and it is much better than just FM on it's own. I also use Amazon Music (I have Prime, so I get it ad-free), which is ok, but still not great.

 

I bought the 2026 TX 500h Premium. Got a decent discount. Originally I preferred the Luxury package for the ML stereo. However after driving one I was shocked at how hollow the ML system sounded. The base system sounded better which is odd and disappointing. In addition the Luxury package is very difficult to find in the color (interior and exterior) that I wanted so I went with the Premium. The only thing I wish it had is the HUD. However the steering wheel controls in the Luxury package that are displayed in the HUD are so weird and adjusting to them takes time. Unfortunately with the Luxury package you are paying for things that just flat out don't work well and I could not care less about a sunroof.

 

Meant to post this here but ended posting in another thread lol