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

[ToyCruiser]

My FJ cruiser came with a better sound system in 2007. And even that was easily turned amazing with a couple sets of focals and an amp. Under 2k and you could turn the GX into a theater room. That said, I don't think the GX sounds bad. It just doesn't sound impactful or inspiring at all. The lack of tunability only makes it worse. The icing on the cake, turning ON the "features" makes it so much worse! I imagine that it has a full auto tune system in place and the only way to keep people from really mucking it up. Was to lock it "within a normal range" like everything else on the vehicle. Keeps them from having to work on it.

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

No please!

 

[Caiya]

We need more GX owners to report the issue so that Lexus headquarters takes notice and issues a TSB or software update.
There’s a fb group for the ML speaker issue. It used to be only for the TX, now TXs got the TSB. We should be the next.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/2026915874441881/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr

 

[Cajun Heat]

We need more GX owners to report the issue so that Lexus headquarters takes notice and issues a TSB or software update.
There’s a fb group for the ML speaker issue. It used to be only for the TX, now TXs got the TSB. We should be the next.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/2026915874441881/?ref=share&mibextid=wwXIfr

I reached out to Lexus Brand Engagement a couple weeks ago to let them know about the issues with the ML system. They asked that I make a service appointment to have it documented. I did the service appointment last Thursday. The service guy told me that they are aware of the issue but Lexus has not released a fix yet. Thinking they are trying to get through the TX's first.

 

[AGP]

I reached out to Lexus Brand Engagement a couple weeks ago to let them know about the issues with the ML system. They asked that I make a service appointment to have it documented. I did the service appointment last Thursday. The service guy told me that they are aware of the issue but Lexus has not released a fix yet. Thinking they are trying to get through the TX's first.
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Just got a call Monday to get in for the AMP and she said possibly head unit replacement on my GX OT+ with the upgraded ML system. Lexus is now releasing the AMP replacement. Scheduled appt to get the fix in July 18th assuming parts arrive in time. Sewell Lexus Dallas - they are an amazing dealer and service team.

 

[Cajun Heat]

Just got a call Monday to get in for the AMP and she said possibly head unit replacement on my GX OT+ with the upgraded ML system. Lexus is now releasing the AMP replacement. Scheduled appt to get the fix in July 18th assuming parts arrive in time. Sewell Lexus Dallas - they are an amazing dealer and service team.

Please share your service report once you get the work done. Would like to use that to show Westside Lexus.

 

[YellowLab]

My FJ cruiser came with a better sound system in 2007. And even that was easily turned amazing with a couple sets of focals and an amp. Under 2k and you could turn the GX into a theater room. That said, I don't think the GX sounds bad. It just doesn't sound impactful or inspiring at all. The lack of tunability only makes it worse. The icing on the cake, turning ON the "features" makes it so much worse! I imagine that it has a full auto tune system in place and the only way to keep people from really mucking it up. Was to lock it "within a normal range" like everything else on the vehicle. Keeps them from having to work on it.

No please!

I think the stereo from a mid '80's Yugo sounds cleaner - even the POS out of an AMC Pacer. I've logged a complaint with Lexus NA.

 

[RickBullotta]

My FJ cruiser came with a better sound system in 2007. And even that was easily turned amazing with a couple sets of focals and an amp. Under 2k and you could turn the GX into a theater room. That said, I don't think the GX sounds bad. It just doesn't sound impactful or inspiring at all. The lack of tunability only makes it worse. The icing on the cake, turning ON the "features" makes it so much worse! I imagine that it has a full auto tune system in place and the only way to keep people from really mucking it up. Was to lock it "within a normal range" like everything else on the vehicle. Keeps them from having to work on it.

No please!

Nah. It sounded bad. Really bad. And the bass cutoff was a showstopper for me. That was an expensive upgrade, and Lexus’ half assed response to the issue and to the major CarPlay flaws, combined with uninspired handling and performance, led to me trading in my GX.

 

[GKC my gx]

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 that the ML sound system is NOT GOOD at all. I love the car, but I’m terribly disappointed with the lack of a full range sound from this system. I owned a 2017 GX with the basic sound system and it was far superior to this ML system in my new GX. The low frequencies are only ‘fair’ however there is virtually zero sound coming from the rear sub. The high frequencies are ‘tinny’ and often sound like static coming from a cheap FM receiver. I have tried every possible combination of tuning, surround sound, etc. and nothing seems to improve the overall sound quality. My dealer technician tells me he cannot hear the static that I can clearly hear. Nothing they can do until and unless Lexus admits the system is substandard and finds a solution. This is the fourth Lexus I have owned and it is by far the worst sound system.

 

[stemo]

Same here. I thought the Mark Levinson system was going to melt my face off... instead, it politely tapped me on the shoulder and said, “I’m better than stock.”

 

[PKTGX]

Just got a call Monday to get in for the AMP and she said possibly head unit replacement on my GX OT+ with the upgraded ML system. Lexus is now releasing the AMP replacement. Scheduled appt to get the fix in July 18th assuming parts arrive in time. Sewell Lexus Dallas - they are an amazing dealer and service team.

Hi, would you message me and let me know the problems you have with your ML system? I use the same dealer and would be helpful to know how to relate these issues to them for the parts replacement. Thanks!

 

[Warrantero]

Hi, would you message me and let me know the problems you have with your ML system? I use the same dealer and would be helpful to know how to relate these issues to them for the parts replacement. Thanks!

Is there a TSB number?

 

[Cajun Heat]

Is there a TSB number?

There isn't a TSB for the GX's yet.

 

[Cajun Heat]

This is what I received from Lexus today.


Brand Engagement Advocate
June 25, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Dear Shawn

Thank you for contacting us.

As previously discussed in our previous exchange, we have created a new case on your behalf so your audio concern and dealer diagnosis is thoroughly reviewed.

We've assigned a Lexus Case Manager to review your concern. Though we can't guarantee a specific outcome for your request, your Case Manager will look into the possibility of assistance from Lexus. Your Case Manager has all of the information you've provided as well as your phone number. They are scheduled to follow up with you by the end of the day on 6/26/25.
Please know, we have documented your experience here at Lexus National Headquarters. If you have any other questions, please contact us.

Sincerely,
Joey
Lexus Brand Engagement Center

 

[M2L2024]

Just got a call Monday to get in for the AMP and she said possibly head unit replacement on my GX OT+ with the upgraded ML system. Lexus is now releasing the AMP replacement. Scheduled appt to get the fix in July 18th assuming parts arrive in time. Sewell Lexus Dallas - they are an amazing dealer and service team.

Make sure you read through the FB Group info mentioned above. There has been discussion regarding GX amps being replaced with the current model, whereas the TX are getting the new models first and the GX is supposedly being addressed this fall. There are part #s mentioned in the FB chat that document some GX owners raising the issue only to have the "fix" be a replacement with the current model. This may be old news but as long as it took the TX customers to get things moving, I suspect the same for GX customers.

 

[RickBullotta]

This is what I received from Lexus today.


Brand Engagement Advocate
June 25, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Dear Shawn

Thank you for contacting us.

As previously discussed in our previous exchange, we have created a new case on your behalf so your audio concern and dealer diagnosis is thoroughly reviewed.

We've assigned a Lexus Case Manager to review your concern. Though we can't guarantee a specific outcome for your request, your Case Manager will look into the possibility of assistance from Lexus. Your Case Manager has all of the information you've provided as well as your phone number. They are scheduled to follow up with you by the end of the day on 6/26/25.
Please know, we have documented your experience here at Lexus National Headquarters. If you have any other questions, please contact us.

Sincerely,
Joey
Lexus Brand Engagement Center

Let me translate for you:

“Blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah”.