Mark Levinson 25 speaker sound quality is horrible.

[Eric Sorensen]

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. You can confirm this my fading all the way to the rear speakers (bottom of the touchscreen chart) then turning the volume up. All the ceiling, door, and rear speakers output only "echo/surround". TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! ME=PISSED! And this holds true in Normal, 2D, and 3D settings. ME=PISSED!

I love my LX700H, too, but the stereo system is unacceptable. I contacted Lexus USA and they are working on getting me a $2600 refund in the form of dealer credit for the lack-luster ML system. I'm planning on getting aftermarket woofers in the 2nd row doors (They have a speaker grill BUT NO SPEAKERS!). I think that will help. Maybe replace the 6 inch "subwoofer" in the very back. It's pitiful. I almost regret not getting an Escalade for the same price.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Just emailed my dealer res on this. Pursuing a credit.

 

[Eric Sorensen]

Just emailed my dealer res on this. Pursuing a credit.

You will need to go through LEXUS USA, and probably have your truck looked inspected by the dealer. They didn't offer me a credit at first - they said how can they make it right. I said fix it or get me my $2600 back. They've been working on this credit for 3 weeks, and it still isn't final. They have to get approval from higher ups due to the amount. I still may not get it, but my case manager says it looks good.

 

[Eric Sorensen]

There is a thread on the GX 550 site about the Levinson in it... it might offer you some insight: https://www.lexusgxforum.com/thread...dio-sounds-terrible-on-the-gx-550-luxury.463/

That was a good read. The exact same problems exist in my LX700h. My biggest problem, since I don't sit anywhere but the front seat, is the lack of bass (below about 100hz).

 

[Eric Sorensen]

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. You can confirm this my fading all the way to the rear speakers (bottom of the touchscreen chart) then turning the volume up. All the ceiling, door, and rear speakers output only "echo/surround". TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! ME=PISSED! And this holds true in Normal, 2D, and 3D settings. ME=PISSED!

I'm going to have to add some aftermarket speakers in those 2nd row doors with the "dummy" speakers, plus a decent subwoofer.

After going back and forth with Lexus USA and having the dealer check the system, I DID GET A $2600 DEALER CREDIT. When I spend money at the dealer, I send my invoice in and Lexus USA reimburses me with a check, so that is something. They know how wimpy the system is. Next, I'm going to complain to Mark Levinson. They need to know, too.

I wish someone could check that amp, because there is NO WAY it outputs 2400 watts like the LX570 did.

And if anyone is wondering, the speakers are broke in with my 2000 miles on it. And the tweeters and mid-ranges sound better since new, but still no deep bass and all the sound is up front only.

 

[El Chorizo]

Audiophiles are a different breed About the only thing I've ever changed in my vehicles is adding a sub... I added a couple 12's once and it was too much bass for me. Even with the sub knob turned all the way down.

I did have all the speakers in my 2003 Lightning replaced --- but that was just as much about age as it was sound quality. I admire your dedication to getting the sound just right, I don't think my ears are that well trained or sensitive to really notice the difference.

 

[El Chorizo]

It came up again on the Lexus GX550 site.... figured I'd link y'all..... more information always helps:

Mark Levinson upgrade disappointing

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...

www.lexusgxforum.com

 

[Obi Wong Kenobi]

I'm going to have to add some aftermarket speakers in those 2nd row doors with the "dummy" speakers, plus a decent subwoofer.

After going back and forth with Lexus USA and having the dealer check the system, I DID GET A $2600 DEALER CREDIT. When I spend money at the dealer, I send my invoice in and Lexus USA reimburses me with a check, so that is something. They know how wimpy the system is. Next, I'm going to complain to Mark Levinson. They need to know, too.

I wish someone could check that amp, because there is NO WAY it outputs 2400 watts like the LX570 did.

And if anyone is wondering, the speakers are broke in with my 2000 miles on it. And the tweeters and mid-ranges sound better since new, but still no deep bass and all the sound is up front only.

If you ever figure out how to tie in aftermarket speakers where the dummy speakers are, let me know. It’s pretty pathetic and I’ve already messaged Lexus USA about it and brought it to the dealer to no avail.

 

[DWN2RTH]

There is a thread on the GX 550 site about the Levinson in it... it might offer you some insight: https://www.lexusgxforum.com/thread...dio-sounds-terrible-on-the-gx-550-luxury.463/

I have exactly this issue in my new 700h. Apparently Lexus moved the sub from the driver's side to passenger when configuring for the battery. When they did, they removed the large back enclosure of the sub housing and replaced it with a tiny shallow enclosure that's about 2.5" thick, so there's no room for the air to move the bass. I showed this to the Service Manager today at Scottsdale, they were somewhat surprised by this oversight by Lexus. I wanted them to dig further, so I left the vehicle and got a new 2025 TX350 - no Mark Levinson. The bass is louder, fuller, and warmer than the $2700 ML in my LX, even though the rest of the audio doesn't quite match up to the ML. We also looked at the rear passenger door lower speaker - they were blanks like in the GX. I checked the 600's on the lot, same story. Lexus and ML have some explaining to do. This is unacceptable!

 

[El Chorizo]

Sounds just like laziness on their part.