Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio sounds terrible on the GX 550 Luxury + (5 Viewers)

[GeoloGXist]

I had a minor breakthrough in my GX this week and thought I'd share. The way the ML system in my GS350 works, I keep the system bass setting several ticks below max (maybe 66%) and use the tone control in Poweramp on my phone to further boost low frequencies (in the app I keep bass at about 28%) - this combo delivers the rich sound I'm looking for. As I've said, with the GX ML system, it seems to lack bass handling capacity and distorts on seemingly benign tracks.

This week, out of frustration, I cranked the ML bass setting to 100% and significantly reduced the bass tone control on Poweramp and it was like I had a new system installed. Suddenly there was a substantial low end, the rear sub was engaged and the whole thing just came to life - without distortion. I'm very happy with it now, this was my only disappointment with our GX. It behaves almost exactly opposite of my GS, apparently.

That said, I still think it's a poorly executed system, but to go from what sounds like a single-speaker AM radio to an actual modern sound system is quite a leap. Clearly there's a separate issue with amp failure that I haven't experienced, but this was a game changer for me.

Also note, I still prefer surround sound off and right now I have balance & fade set to center.

 

[ljn21]

That is a self powered model. So it has a built in 500W RMS amp inside already. Just run the power cables and use a line converter to tap in.

Where did you grab the signal and what wires did you tap into? What line converter did you use?

 

[Atomic Storm]

Got my 2026 OT+ in early March, and my casual listening a couple of times were disappointing. But as some have mentioned, there is a breaking in period for the ML speakers. So i will hold judgment until after the break-in period.

I have also noticed that playing lossless does indeed improve the sound quality. However connection via Apple car play is not ideal. I’m looking at possibly upgrading the connection with aftermarket equipment (?); need to do some more research and see if it’s a viable option to improve the stock ML system.

 

[DWallaceMD]

Not perfect, but found a pretty good solution! I have the upgraded amp, and it is a lot better than it was, but still couldn't get enough bass, despite turning the bass all the way up. Still pretty anemic on the low end. I was listening to music through Apple Music and pandora mostly. But I switched to Spotify, and it has a built in equalizer, and now if I use their "bass booster" setting, it actually sounds great. The speakers and amp have plenty of punch, but the built in equalizer can't turn up the low end enough without an external eq. Apple Music has an equalizer too, but it doesn't work through CarPlay, but the Spotify eq does. You can get a one month premium trial for free on Spotify, so check it out. You can also move all your playlists over from Apple Music automatically, so it is pretty easy. Obviously we shouldn't have to do this, but it works really well and I am finally satisfied with the audio! Good luck