Sound Off
Average score
Audio: 8
Ergonomics: 9
Navigation: 9
Chris Yato
After previously listening to the Mark Levinson audio system in the Lexus GS430, I was excited to see how the ML system in the brand new LS 460L would compare. Because of the LS model's higher pedigree, I was expecting a better sounding system, but was not prepared for what I was about to experience. Simply put, the Mark Levinson 7.1 audio system in the LS 460L is the best factory audio system I have auditioned and better than the majority of the competition systems I have judged over the last 15 years. The tonal balance, imaging and staging were very impressive for all of my test tracks from vocals to rock to jazz, which showed how well-rounded the system is. The subwoofer output is smooth and strong, blending well with the front midbass drivers, tapering off only at the lowest frequencies. The exceptional build quality of the LS helps the audio system by keeping the interior free of unwanted resonances, even at high volumes. The $2,530 price of the ML audio system upgrade is a relative bargain and is a "no-brainer" for anyone who enjoys music. I applaud the engineers at Lexus and Mark Levinson for creating an OEM sound system that is easily the best offered to date.
Eric Holdaway
I only got to spend about an hour with the Lexus, but I found it to be the easiest of the systems to use and operate. I felt the Levinson system also had the best sounding high frequency reproduction; and it did a very good job in terms of midrange, just as all the cars did. But the bass reproduction was poor. The bass note beats sounded something akin to a cardboard box being beaten. After the first few moments of listening, I stopped and checked that all of the tone and loudness controls were set to flat. To my surprise and disillusionment, they were indeed all set to flat and the woofers really did sound "thuddy." Overall the system imaged and staged well, which was nice, and I found the system easy to listen to, with the main exception to that being the bass quality. Also on the pro side was how intuitive and easy to use the system was.
Ben Oh
One is likely to be so overwhelmed by the very fine audio reproduction capabilities of the Levinson system and the amazing graphics for the navigation system in the LS that one will fail to notice that the interior aesthetics actually leave room for improvement. That's about the only "shortcoming" on the vehicle, if you want to characterize it as such, that I could find. I can easily overlook that on a vehicle that also parks itself. Listening to various test tracks I was impressed by how well the Levinson system reproduced everything I threw at it. Across genres, it's the best OE system I've heard. It has true dynamics and sufficient power for those moments when you want to be engulfed in sound. Few are this accurate and powerful from the factory. Throughout the auditioning, across all types of recordings, the Levinson system performed most consisently. It exhibited superior power, linearity and staging. I don't know if Levinson put in the equivalent of $200,000 into the system, as they stated at a press lead, but obviously there's a lot more than a couple of grand in it, easily making it the best value.