Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio sounds terrible on the GX 550 Luxury +

As expected, my dealer said "the stereo functions as designed", so now I was able to call the 800 number to log a complaint with Lexus. They tried to tell me the same thing, to which I replied there is a design flaw that numerous others are complaining about.

I described it as:
  • Switch the fade to rear and there is almost no sound. Sounds like two 2" speakerphones, no bass. Though technically I hear sound out of the 4 speakers in the second row.
  • The only bass I can hear is coming out of the mid front door speakers.
  • Subwoofer in the hatch does nothing.
  • Of 6-7 new cars I've owned, none sounds this bad nor had an $1100 upgrade. Anemic was a good choice of words from another poster.
Has anyone made progress from Lexus on this? While I'd love a half-way decent system, I'd be happy with my $1100 back.

I've also thought of contacting Mark Levinson as it tarnishes their good name.

Rob
 
My dealer was well aware of the issue. Stated it has been brought up on regional calls for the Service Managers. Lexus Corporate also told me they are aware of the issue. Its not only on the GX...touches a couple models.
 
As expected, my dealer said "the stereo functions as designed", so now I was able to call the 800 number to log a complaint with Lexus. They tried to tell me the same thing, to which I replied there is a design flaw that numerous others are complaining about.

I described it as:
  • Switch the fade to rear and there is almost no sound. Sounds like two 2" speakerphones, no bass. Though technically I hear sound out of the 4 speakers in the second row.
  • The only bass I can hear is coming out of the mid front door speakers.
  • Subwoofer in the hatch does nothing.
  • Of 6-7 new cars I've owned, none sounds this bad nor had an $1100 upgrade. Anemic was a good choice of words from another poster.
Has anyone made progress from Lexus on this? While I'd love a half-way decent system, I'd be happy with my $1100 back.

I've also thought of contacting Mark Levinson as it tarnishes their good name.

Rob
What’s the 800 number?

Agreed. My wife was riding shotgun the other night and asked why it sounds so bad. I turned off the “surround” option and she said it sounded a bit better. She drives a Tesla Y and the sound is much better in her car without any premium sound system upgrades. I agree that the upcharge for the ML is a waste of money.

My sub does work. If you’re back there with your head near the sub you can tell that something is coming out, though it’s not impressive.
 
As expected, my dealer said "the stereo functions as designed", so now I was able to call the 800 number to log a complaint with Lexus. They tried to tell me the same thing, to which I replied there is a design flaw that numerous others are complaining about.

I described it as:
  • Switch the fade to rear and there is almost no sound. Sounds like two 2" speakerphones, no bass. Though technically I hear sound out of the 4 speakers in the second row.
  • The only bass I can hear is coming out of the mid front door speakers.
  • Subwoofer in the hatch does nothing.
  • Of 6-7 new cars I've owned, none sounds this bad nor had an $1100 upgrade. Anemic was a good choice of words from another poster.
Has anyone made progress from Lexus on this? While I'd love a half-way decent system, I'd be happy with my $1100 back.

I've also thought of contacting Mark Levinson as it tarnishes their good name.

Rob
Think a good approach would be for as many as we can get on the forum complain to Lexus - we could give them lots of direct pressure on this and other issues. Complaining one person at a time seems to do little
 
I’m loving mine so far. OT+ Solid and clean sound.
I think the people who like the ML system haven’t faded their system to the rear to understand there is lack of sound and bass. People who have an ear to good quality sound will notice this. I think the ones who don’t notice don’t care, and never really invested or heard what good quality sound system should sound like. For a $90,000 vehicle I expect superb sound and not Kia sound system
 
As expected, my dealer said "the stereo functions as designed", so now I was able to call the 800 number to log a complaint with Lexus. They tried to tell me the same thing, to which I replied there is a design flaw that numerous others are complaining about.

I described it as:
  • Switch the fade to rear and there is almost no sound. Sounds like two 2" speakerphones, no bass. Though technically I hear sound out of the 4 speakers in the second row.
  • The only bass I can hear is coming out of the mid front door speakers.
  • Subwoofer in the hatch does nothing.
  • Of 6-7 new cars I've owned, none sounds this bad nor had an $1100 upgrade. Anemic was a good choice of words from another poster.
Has anyone made progress from Lexus on this? While I'd love a half-way decent system, I'd be happy with my $1100 back.

I've also thought of contacting Mark Levinson as it tarnishes their good name.

Rob
If you can get through to someone at ML that “could” add some additional pressure on Toyota/Lexus. A friend who is in the industry and has worked with the Exec Engineers at ML said they would be mortified to hear feedback like this. That said, it takes a LOT to get a multinational brand to make changes for an issue like this that is probably very low on their priority list. I love this vehicle but have told at least 8-10 ppl to not buy it yet, wait until Lexus gets back to delivering higher quality in their product.
 
I’ve been messing with the settings again, and found some more improvements with adjusting the eq.

I used to have the bass at +4, mids at +1 and treble at -1. I had been hearing some clipping at higher volumes and was wondering if the amp could push better lows if i reduced the total system demand.

I’ve since switched the settings to bass at 0, mids at -3 and treble at -4. Fade is one click back. System sounds much more balanced at low volume. Surround sound is give or take, but I prefer it off. Give these settings a try.
 
I’ve been messing with the settings again, and found some more improvements with adjusting the eq.

I used to have the bass at +4, mids at +1 and treble at -1. I had been hearing some clipping at higher volumes and was wondering if the amp could push better lows if i reduced the total system demand.

I’ve since switched the settings to bass at 0, mids at -3 and treble at -4. Fade is one click back. System sounds much more balanced at low volume. Surround sound is give or take, but I prefer it off. Give these settings a try.
Thanks. I gave this a shot on the non-ML system and somehow it made the treble more clear to my ears. No idea if it's a placebo effect.
 
What’s the 800 number?

Agreed. My wife was riding shotgun the other night and asked why it sounds so bad. I turned off the “surround” option and she said it sounded a bit better. She drives a Tesla Y and the sound is much better in her car without any premium sound system upgrades. I agree that the upcharge for the ML is a waste of money.

My sub does work. If you’re back there with your head near the sub you can tell that something is coming out, though it’s not impressive.

800-25-LEXUS
 
I think the people who like the ML system haven’t faded their system to the rear to understand there is lack of sound and bass. People who have an ear to good quality sound will notice this. I think the ones who don’t notice don’t care, and never really invested or heard what good quality sound system should sound like. For a $90,000 vehicle I expect superb sound and not Kia sound system
I have been saying that for some time. It’s good from the drivers seat or passenger. Once you get in the back it sucks. Sucks sucks.

Does kinda suck to have paid for an upgrade
 
I think the people who like the ML system haven’t faded their system to the rear to understand there is lack of sound and bass. People who have an ear to good quality sound will notice this. I think the ones who don’t notice don’t care, and never really invested or heard what good quality sound system should sound like. For a $90,000 vehicle I expect superb sound and not Kia sound system
I have a $40k sound system at home and pay attention to sound. I also don't sit in the back seat and don't care what the rear of my car sounds like, I only pay attention to how it sounds in the driver seat...
 
I think much of this debate has to do with two different parameters: sound quality and projection/output.
Quality: if one adjusts the tuning (projection) to “Center” and the equalizer to zero, the quality of the sound isn’t bad. It’s not great, maybe a “B+” IMO. Then, there is the influence that the projection has on the sound quality.
If one likes the sound to come from the front or center dash, then you are likely satisfied with the overall sound as that’s the way Lexus is designing their audio systems.
However, if one likes a truly “centered” effect where most of the sound seems to come from the middle of the vehicle, then the ML 21 upgrade dramatically under performs.
For example, when fading the sound towards the rear 3 ticks to get it centered, there is a significant drop in quality and power. That’s because the system is not engineered to support a well-balanced, true-center projection.
That said, if you are in the true-centered camp, the only real fix is an aftermarket sound shop that can add more power and has the software capabilities to achieve the quality and balance we all expected from this “upgrade”.
 

GX550 Poll

  • Yokohama Geolandar 275/60 R20

  • Dunlop Grandtrek 275/60 R20

  • Other


Results are only viewable after voting.
Back
Top