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.