I will pick up my first Lexus, a 2013 GS 350, on Monday. During my test drive the other day (among one the many things I loved about it) was the sound system. I'm not sure if it's ML or not (I didn't know about the logo on the front or to look for it), but I DO know it was the best sound system I've ever heard in a car, custom or otherwise. So crisp, clean, full, and immersive. I didn't know about ML system until I started researching it after hearing the stereo, but if it's not, I'll take this stock system all day long. Phenomenal.

 

I brought our TX 350 in for the 5k service and mentioned the issue with ML system. The advisor asked me to call Lexus which I did to file a case. I just spoke with the case manager who is looking into it and I mentioned it's across models with the ML system based on numerous feedback (TX, GX, RX, etc). I was provided a 24 RX 350 loaner with the stock 12 speaker system. The richness on the stock system is far better than the ML 21 speaker in the short time I was in it. Even with tweaking the TX as much as possible (with high, mid, low, and also focus), there's no low end whatsoever with the ML. It just sounds flat and tinny. Hopefully Lexus is looking into it with a remedy because for a $1k+ option, it's poorly designed.

 

Was there any results from Lexus? I tried to submit to https://support.lexus.com/s/questions-comments select Multimedia Tech > Other for topic > sub-topic but it shows up with under maintenance for over a week now.

 

I still don't know if mine is ML or not. My dials kinda appear white more than silver (but not "white" by no means) and I have the center dash speaker but I don't see is the ML label anywhere. But like I said it has the best sound I've ever heard in a car audio system. I guess the only way to tell is to go and count the speakers Lol. So what was the issue you were having with your ML? You're the second person I've seen that say the non-ML premium sound is better.

 

Lexus called me back today. I have the ML sound system on the TX (it has the ML logo on the front door speakers as an indicator). The case manager stated Lexus is looking into an issue with those speakers cutting out at high volume and a fix is due in Q1 of 2025. The case manager would not say what the possible fix is.

They would not acknowledge that the ML has an issue with sound quality as a whole, only that they are looking into an issue with the amp cutting out at high volume. I brought up that the fact RX 350 loaner provided to me with the standard non ML system (12 speakers instead of 21) was much better sounding than the ML at a normal volume. The ML just lacks bass and sounds very flat at a standard volume (even after adjusting various eq settings).

I believe a few other people have mentioned that the ML on the 2024 models (RX, TX, etc) may have an issue with with amp cutting out so it appears to be a known issue but it's still unclear if the fix in the works will only apply to vehicles where the sound cuts out at high volumes.

 

New TX owner here. I've had my vehicle for two weeks and love it overall. But man the tinny sound of the ML system is annoying (and shocking, given the additional price). I emailed my salesman and left a comment on Lexus' Brand Engagement Center. The salesman said the issue was new to him, but he is asking their tech expert. The Lexus Brand Engagement Center said they couldn't help me until/unless I take in the vehicle to have the sound system looked at. That feels like a waste of time given that so many people on this forum have experienced the same issue.

Has anyone gotten any intel from Lexus about a potential fix for this issue?

 

Hi all, I'm new to Club Lexus but I thought I would share an update. I am taking the sound quality issues with the ML system in the TX head on with Lexus. I started a Facebook group where I am sharing all of the details. I made a pretty significant post today and will have an additional update tomorrow. I was able to perform extensive testing on the Mark Levinson system, and got my hands on a TX with the base system today for comparative testing.

Join the Facebook group here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18Hq8sWcUp/
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18Hq8sWcUp/
If the link doesn't work, search for this group.



​​​​Thanks!

 

It's definitely the worst sound system. I found out that many TX owners with the ML 21 speakers are voicing out the same thing. Lexus' customers come from a level of income wherein our vehicles are in the luxury division for a long time. Lexus cannot play deaf on this. Your customers do not deserve this.

 

I just turned off the "surround sound" option and my ML sound system instantly got 5x better.

 

Keep us posted of the result.... thanks.

 

Also, spotify is *** for the ml sound system through android auto. However I used PLEX and a media player called POWERAMP on android and it also improved the sound quality.Not technically inclined but somehow it seems the audio is not as compressed using either the PLEX(free) or POWERAMP(paid) app on android. I'm using AndroidAuto wirelessly. I have my spotify quality settings at highest even on mobile network and I'm in an area where I get 5G around town no problem.

Hope this helps, sorry if it doesn't, take everything with a grain of salt.

 

I just posted as a separate thread -

Lexus TX-350 Mark Levinson Audio – No bass - Lexus's Desired Escalation Process

This is the process Lexus would like us to follow to continue to escalate the issue for higher priority with the leadership team.

I am hoping the mods will post it as a sticky for greater attention rather than getting buried in this thread given a major fix is needed.

Lexus TX-350 Mark Levinson Audio – No bass - Lexus's Desired Escalation Process - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion

 

I appreciate your sharing the above process but I have to say that I've reported this issue to them through multiple channels now, as I'm sure many others have as well, and I'm quite certain at this point that Lexus is very well aware of the issue. What they are asking is frankly just burdensome at this point, and putting aside all of the feedback I know they've already received, all they really have to do is have any one of their technicians turn on the audio for 1 minute and it should be painfully obvious. It's as if they never had anyone turn on the audio while building this sound system to see if it works which is mindboggling. It's not like this is easy to miss. It's literally painful to listen to the audio unless it is coming from your phone. I tried listening to the radio again last night just to remind myself and couldn't take the sound for more than one block. It's not that it's just bad, it's that it's extremely irritating. At this point, I feel like they are mostly just blowing this off and using delay tactics because they don't want to deal with the problem. Given the sound is decent when it comes through the phone (there are still issues, including low bass at low volume), I feel like they could make some simple software adjustments and improve the situation greatly. They just don't seem to want to spend the time to do this.

 

@Bluemus - I completely get what you're saying. Yes - their process is burdensome and it does feel like getting blown off. Nevertheless, what I described is Lexus' specific process to escalate issues. Japanese companies have different philosophies to address issues in this regard in many cases.

It may take a long time for the bass issue to be resolved (if they do actually fix it or choose not to fix it) but the only way to move things forward is playing by their rules.

 

I have a 24 rx350 with the 21 speaker ML. It is a huge let down compared to my ‘18 RX with ML. This needs to be remedied by Lexus because I agree this is unacceptably poor sound. I hope this will be taken care of soon!