Mark Levinson upgrade disappointing

[PlumberCrack]

I just purchased a 2025 GX 550 Luxury Plus with the upgraded Mark Levinson system and I'm disappointed. When listening to music it sounds great for about 45 seconds then seems to wave into a tin can sound losing all the bass and go all treble. This constantly happens no matter what genre we listen to. Very annoying. Is anyone else experiencing this? Is there a fix for it per the dealership?

 

[greenspacemarine]

That's just how the system sounds. I found it to have decent clarity on the highs and mids but really lacks on the low end. Also the sound stage just sounds off. Like all of the volume is focused up front and doesn't fill the cabin evenly if that makes sense? IMO it could definitely use a better subwoofer/amp combo. Not sure what could be done about the spacing of the sound... maybe some sort of "re-tuning" on the system or reposition some speakers? Overall it is VERY underwhelming considering the upcharge and the 21 speaker count they advertise.

 

[ISU3GX]

Be sure to inquire of the dealer ‘is it working right?’ and have them document ‘working per design’. Then call Lexus owner experience and express your disappointment in the ML sound system. With enough ‘I’m dissatisfied’ calls to Lexus (1-800-255-3987) they will hear something needs to be done. I was told via a side discussion that there is a hardware change (new amp) coming. Call them and apply pressure.

 

[Toxicdog]

I just purchased a 2025 GX 550 Luxury Plus with the upgraded Mark Levinson system and I'm disappointed. When listening to music it sounds great for about 45 seconds then seems to wave into a tin can sound losing all the bass and go all treble. This constantly happens no matter what genre we listen to. Very annoying. Is anyone else experiencing this? Is there a fix for it per the dealership?

I’ve been messing with the settings, and found some 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 nad better bass response in the rear seats. Surround sound is give or take, but I prefer it off. I also turned off the active noise cancellation (dealer can do this).

The mark levinson amps in previous lexus models have been known to cause some issues, I hope that curse doesn’t travel to these models. Give these settings a try.

 

[RickBullotta]

There is a known issue with the amps in the GX and TX models (different amps) - poor overall sound and bass/midrange cutout at high volumes. A new amplifier is in the works and will be replaced under warranty. Let your service department know you have an issue and they will open a case/ticket.

All the settings in the world are just a workaround to a flaw in the system.

 

[Balsa]

The system is supposed to self-calibrate. RickBullotta is probably right about amp issues, but there may also be a software issue causing PlumberCrack's sound to change a few seconds after the music starts. It could be the self-calibration readjusting the sound after it is able to take a sample.

 

[RickBullotta]

The system is supposed to self-calibrate. RickBullotta is probably right about amp issues, but there may also be a software issue causing PlumberCrack's sound to change a few seconds after the music starts. It could be the self-calibration readjusting the sound after it is able to take a sample.

I think there may be other software issues in the mix as well. With the ten billion annoying warning bells and beeps that the GX has (even with most of them disabled), there seems to be integration that lowers the sound system when those warnings would have been activated, even though no warning chime is played. That's my theory on some of the more random sound cutouts.

Ironically, the Lexus system does not lower the volume ENOUGH when Siri is activated. It's a real mess.

 

[GX550Key]

Apparently there is a fix on the way according to the Facebook Group - Lexus TX Mark Levinson Sound System Owners Group

 

[YellowLab]

Be sure to inquire of the dealer ‘is it working right?’ and have them document ‘working per design’. Then call Lexus owner experience and express your disappointment in the ML sound system. With enough ‘I’m dissatisfied’ calls to Lexus (1-800-255-3987) they will hear something needs to be done. I was told via a side discussion that there is a hardware change (new amp) coming. Call them and apply pressure.

I've found the reps at Lexus NA to be completely worthless to address anything

 

[jeffhardee]

Agreed. The sound system in my top of the line GX is just a cheap stereo. Nothing more. (But it does have a micro SD card to record your private info!)

 

[nopantz]

There is a known issue with the amps in the GX and TX models (different amps) - poor overall sound and bass/midrange cutout at high volumes. A new amplifier is in the works and will be replaced under warranty. Let your service department know you have an issue and they will open a case/ticket.

All the settings in the world are just a workaround to a flaw in the system.

Service confirmed it is "working as expected", which I needed confirmation to open a case with 800-25-LEXUS. How do I now get them to agree its flawed and ask for this new amplifier??

 

[BETN]

Separate issue, but related, well not really an issue but more of a comment. I have had my GX since November I haven’t seen a single software update come through. In a new vehicle, they have to be working on bug fixes constantly. Lexus should be pushing out updates once a quarter to make the user experience better.

 

[El Chorizo]

There is a great thread about this same topic on the LX 700h forum as well you might be interested in:

Mark Levinson 25 speaker sound quality is horrible.

I'm not hearing good things about the sound quality in the new LX. I had an 2015 LX570 and it was excellent. I'm curious what new owners say about it.

www.lexuslxforum.com

 

[YellowLab]

There are clearly some major misses on the GX - I need to call Lexus NA and log the stereo issue.

 

[El Chorizo]

There are clearly some major misses on the GX - I need to call Lexus NA and log the stereo issue.

I hate to do this to Toyota/Lexus but between the various models and the price you pay for that upgrade, a class action might be in order. Someone may want to communicate with the various sites/owners and see if it is worthwhile.

 

[GX550Key]

At times it sounds like a single speaker am radio.

 

[YellowLab]

At times it sounds like a single speaker am radio.

It does not say much for ML when I cannot fade the sound into behind the drivers seat and hear anything beyond crappy distorted sound.

 

[usuzukuri]

the owner from LX forum stated Lexus refunded his money in dealer credit form. Anyone successful with this? My ML system sucks! Even my 2019 Honda Ridgeline has better sound that this.

 

[YellowLab]

I'd be shocked if anyone is getting refund checks from Lexus - why would they do that which is basically admitting fault?

 

[usuzukuri]

link here:

Mark Levinson 25 speaker sound quality is horrible.

So I love my week-old LX700h. What a ride! But the ML stereo SUCKS! It is NOT a full-length, 3-row system. ONLY the front speakers put out the main sound. From there all the way back the speakers just output "surround sound". So the 2nd and 3rd row folks just get low-volume "echo" sound...

www.lexuslxforum.com