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

[BCT1]

The following is not my information. This is copy/paste explanation.

Active noise cancellation will emit white noise from the vehicles audio system to attempt to keep the noise profile in the vehicle as normal as possible. It tries to eliminate road and wind noise.

 

[Toxicdog]

Has anyone figured out why the bass cuts for a few seconds? It's like some type of protection feature that turns on a HPF. It's extremely annoying and makes this the worst factory upgraded stereo I've ever heard. No point having strong bass for the first 1/3 of a song.

Where is the factory amp located? I'm looking into installing a powered sub and wondering where I should tap the speaker wires from.

I've been playing it loud and I don't think i've ever gotten it to start clipping and trip the protection circuit. What settings are you using? I believe the ML amp is a 330W class D amp.

 

[JBHorne]

I know this is a GX forum, but this is relevant even though I own a TX 500h. The ML system in the TX is very similar to the GX and is terribly tuned, specifically as low to mid volume. I have been leading a forceful initiative with Lexus to get this addressed, and have created a group with lots of info. In fact, I have a meeting later today with representatives from Lexus and Mark Levinson who are flying in. We will see how that goes and I will be posting an update later. I invite those from this forum to join my group, which I may expand to more models as this action progresses. There are also instructions on how to submit an executive case, which helps demonstrate to Lexus that this is an issue they must resolve.

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[nopantz]

I know this is a GX forum, but this is relevant even though I own a TX 500h. The ML system in the TX is very similar to the GX and is terribly tuned, specifically as low to mid volume. I have been leading a forceful initiative with Lexus to get this addressed, and have created a group with lots of info. In fact, I have a meeting later today with representatives from Lexus and Mark Levinson who are flying in. We will see how that goes and I will be posting an update later. I invite those from this forum to join my group, which I may expand to more models as this action progresses. There are also instructions on how to submit an executive case, which helps demonstrate to Lexus that this is an issue they must resolve.

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Happy to be part of this as a GX550 and a high-end home audio owner. However, I don't do FB.

 

[L-GX550-P]

I've been playing it loud and I don't think i've ever gotten it to start clipping and trip the protection circuit. What settings are you using? I believe the ML amp is a 330W class D amp.

Bass is set to about 3/4. Try listening to Celine Dion Power of Love above volume 40.

 

[L-GX550-P]

Carista made a big difference for me. For $14.99 (already owned the dongle) I was able to turn off the fake engine noise and ANC. This change much improved the bass, and fullness in system. I only listen to Spotify, adjust to Loud and Acoustic EQ playback.

Still not great, like my 2015 LX ML system was, but much better without the ANC and fake engine noise setting. Not sure how those settings affect the speakers, but they do. Even my wife commented on how much better it was.

Is there any other platforms that allows you to disable fake engine noise and ANC? Is the fake engine noise the same as Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE)?

 

[BCT1]

Correct, ESE is the fake engine noise I was referring to. As for other platforms to turn those off, I believe so but I don’t have any experience with other options. Maybe someone else can answer?

 

[Toxicdog]

Bass is set to about 3/4. Try listening to Celine Dion Power of Love above volume 40.

I didn't experience it with that song, but I had my bass set to 3/4, treble and mids to 1/2. I did play a very subbass and bass heavy song at around 45 volume, how to destroy angels - the space in between, and I did catch that the subbass dropped out near the end, so I was able to get protection mode.

With some settings I posted earlier of setting bass to 1/2, treble to 1/8th and mids to 1/4, as well as turning off the auto sound levelizer and surround sound, I could not get it to drop out even going to 50 on the volume through the whole song.

My worry is that the amp being buried under the carpeting will suffer early heat death like some earlier lexus models with the ML system.

 

[L-GX550-P]

I'll give that a try and see what happens. I already have the surround sound off.

What is the intent of auto sound levelizer? I misinterpreted that as the speed volume option.

 

[vraa]

Celine Dion Power of Love

This is such a good song but I like Whitney Houstons I Will Always Love You just a little more
But damn Celine Dion is so good.. so so so good.

 

[L-GX550-P]

This is such a good song but I like Whitney Houstons I Will Always Love You just a little more
But damn Celine Dion is so good.. so so so good.

Yep, we got to see her in concert days before the world shut down for COVID. Power of Love was our first dance song for our wedding in September.

 

[aidanb10]

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

I am SO glad to hear that it's not just me! My husband thinks I'm being too picky and comparing it to my GMC Yukon Denali, which has a Bose system. I just had an amp and sub installed and it STILL sounds terrible. Like with you, Lexus says it's all normal and that since I have the Luxury+, it is the top of the line. It is one if the very few things that I dislike about the truck and I'm super bummed. I was starting to think that the speakers/system were defective. I also just saw two wires, one black and one white, literally hanging out above and around the accelerator. I assume this is not normal? I'm an old (51) lady and don't know much about cars.

 

[JBHorne]

I am SO glad to hear that it's not just me! My husband thinks I'm being too picky and comparing it to my GMC Yukon Denali, which has a Bose system. I just had an amp and sub installed and it STILL sounds terrible. Like with you, Lexus says it's all normal and that since I have the Luxury+, it is the top of the line. It is one if the very few things that I dislike about the truck and I'm super bummed. I was starting to think that the speakers/system were defective. I also just saw two wires, one black and one white, literally hanging out above and around the accelerator. I assume this is not normal? I'm an old (51) lady and don't know much about cars.

That's unfortunate you had an aftermarket system installed, because there is a fix on the way, but you will most likely have to remove all of that in order to be eligible. When you install an aftermarket amplifier you are piggybacking off of the OEM amplifier using a line output converter. This adds delay to the audio chain, and any problems that the existing amplifier has in the audio processing (DSP algorithms), are simply amplified by the new amplifier.

I have an entire group on this if you're interested and posted about it above.

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

The following is not my information. This is copy/paste explanation. Active noise cancellation will emit white noise from the vehicles audio system to attempt to keep the noise profile in the vehicle as normal as possible. It tries to eliminate road and wind noise.

www.lexusgxforum.com

 

[aidanb10]

That's unfortunate you had an aftermarket system installed, because there is a fix on the way, but you will most likely have to remove all of that in order to be eligible. When you install an aftermarket amplifier you are piggybacking off of the OEM amplifier using a line output converter. This adds delay to the audio chain, and any problems that the existing amplifier has in the audio processing (DSP algorithms), are simply amplified by the new amplifier.

I have an entire group on this if you're interested and posted about it above.

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

The following is not my information. This is copy/paste explanation. Active noise cancellation will emit white noise from the vehicles audio system to attempt to keep the noise profile in the vehicle as normal as possible. It tries to eliminate road and wind noise.

www.lexusgxforum.com

It would've been nice if Lexus would have mentioned this to me instead of telling me that they've heard of no issues. I was actually planning to uninstall the sub because I've started having random, seemingly wiring, issues since the install. Do you have any idea what the "fix" will be for this? Will it be made available to everyone like a recall would be? Thanks so much for the reply and the info. I'll definitely check the group out.

 

[ISU3GX]

It would be/will be great if there is a proper tuning/update for the ML system. I, like many here, am disappointed in it especially as a paid-for feature.

I’ve opened a case with Lexus customer experience regarding ML tuning/shrill sound, shrill/thin audio for phone calls, disappearing bass when you set any fade adjustment to the rear and the roof rack wind noise.

My interim work around for music is the Spotify equalization settings in Spotify premium. I’ve found that to be an improvement.

Unfortunately that means Spotify sounds lousy on all of my other devices. My solution limits my Spotify streaming to the GX and Amazon or Pandora streaming to our RX, my phone and my home system.

Come on Lexus, fix it already.

 

[bigbwb]

That's unfortunate you had an aftermarket system installed, because there is a fix on the way, but you will most likely have to remove all of that in order to be eligible. When you install an aftermarket amplifier you are piggybacking off of the OEM amplifier using a line output converter. This adds delay to the audio chain, and any problems that the existing amplifier has in the audio processing (DSP algorithms), are simply amplified by the new amplifier.

I have an entire group on this if you're interested and posted about it above.

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

The following is not my information. This is copy/paste explanation. Active noise cancellation will emit white noise from the vehicles audio system to attempt to keep the noise profile in the vehicle as normal as possible. It tries to eliminate road and wind noise.

www.lexusgxforum.com

Thanks Justin for chiming in here, I’m following the Facebook group on this as well. My 2025 GX550 only has 600 miles. So not ready for a service yet but when I do, I’ll mention it to my dealer. Do you know for a fact that the GX along with the TX is getting an update/fix?
Again, thanks for your initiative on this!

 

[killy]

not to ruffle feathers but I drove my GX for the first time in a few weeks ( summer car season ) and I felt like the sound was actually a fair bit better?

Maybe it’s all relative as the stereo in my summer car is basically a placeholder but still.

Wonder if some OTA update got pushed out?

 

[RickBullotta]

It would be/will be great if there is a proper tuning/update for the ML system. I, like many here, am disappointed in it especially as a paid-for feature.

I’ve opened a case with Lexus customer experience regarding ML tuning/shrill sound, shrill/thin audio for phone calls, disappearing bass when you set any fade adjustment to the rear and the roof rack wind noise.

My interim work around for music is the Spotify equalization settings in Spotify premium. I’ve found that to be an improvement.

Unfortunately that means Spotify sounds lousy on all of my other devices. My solution limits my Spotify streaming to the GX and Amazon or Pandora streaming to our RX, my phone and my home system.

Come on Lexus, fix it already.

As I understand the situation, it might require a physical swap of the amplifier rather than just a software update.


On mine, it's 100% repeatable with any source, and all the tuning in the world won't fix it. At volumes above 45 or so the bass/low range will drop out for 10 seconds or so, then come back, then drop out again, and continue to do so.

 

[RickBullotta]

not to ruffle feathers but I drove my GX for the first time in a few weeks ( summer car season ) and I felt like the sound was actually a fair bit better?

Maybe it’s all relative as the stereo in my summer car is basically a placeholder but still.

Wonder if some OTA update got pushed out?

It's volume dependent in my experience. If you're generally listening at low levels (below 30) you won't likely notice the cutout (even though it sounds like crap at low volume levels). And I don't think it is fixable via an OTA. Also, I'd think you would get a notification that an OTA was installed.

 

[susan]

Just got the 2024 Lexus GX 550 Luxury +, and the sound from the "Mark Levinson®* 21-speaker, 1800-watt Surround Sound" is simply terrible. In one word, I would describe it as sounding "anemic". For comparison, our GX 460 sounds very full, with good bass, and overall sounds rich and visceral.

This is after trying various audio inputs (lossless audio via Apple Music, Sirius XM, FM radio, podcasts) and with various adjustments to the audio settings (adjusting the treble/mid/bass settings, turning surround on/off, turning off the volume leveling).

I am just wondering if I am the only one noticing this, or if there are any reasonable modifications? For the cost of this vehicle, I simply expect much better than this..

I completely agree with you! I was actually going to post about this as well. For a 1450.00 upgrade it’s terrible!!! I have the overland + and it’s disappointing at best.