John Carver

Hi,
This is a question for any of you who've driven the new SL with the Bose speakers fitted, and who can compare it with the Mark Levinson stereo in the Lexus SC430. I borrowed this Lexus yesterday for the day, and it's the most incredible stock stereo system I've ever heard - absolutely beautiful sound. How good is the SL system with the Bose speakers - does it come close? If I wanted to get sound in my SL as good as the ML system, would you recommend I get a stereo system custom made for the car, or is this not recommended? Who makes the best custom audio systems for this type of market?

Juke-box

haha...d00d...that's Mark Levinson hi-end audio! i'm pretty sure the BOSE will not hold a candle to it. i know the one i have in my E430 doesn't. i'm not sure about the S, but i would bet my underwear that it wouldn't be as good as the MarkLevinson.

if you want a nice Stock stereo system, look into Volvo and they Dynaudio...then that would be a competition. Dynaudio's a very very good hi-end audio company as well, infact so well that Marklevinson has to use its Woofers in his RedRoseMusic products.

Juke

DtS

Probably not. I've read in some auto-mag that you get the car for free, when you buy a Lexus. Thats how much the Mark Levinson stereo would cost if you choosed to buy it aftermarket.

karl k

Here is the BEEF:

Mark Levinson Amplifier Processor:

7 channel, 240 watt, continuous average power, all channels driven, at 0.01% THD, 20 - 20,000Hz

http://www.marklevinsonlexus.com/sc430specs.html

http://www.audiorevolution.com/equip/lexus/

MB's power: 140 watt??

1SICKLEX

Bose is really not an Outstanding quality speaker. It's the NAME BOSE, that attracts. Bose can be found from GS cars, to Nissans to the new Benz's.

karl k

Correction:

I was at Autohaus Pompano yesterday and with the salesperson looked up the audio specs for the 2003 SL 500.

It does have 240 watts - same power as the power amp by Mark L. in Lexus.

vraa

i remember seeing something about the bass not being responsive in the sl500.. that was a wrong statement.. the bass is awesome.. lol it just rocks your feet

i think that comparing the 2k3 sl500 to the 1994 Nakamichi LS400 to the 2000 Honda Oddessy the oddessy wins.. lol

the vans bass is excellent and the treble is perfect ..after a tad bit of tweaking.. i'll have to go to my cousins house and mess with the 2k2 LS400 to see what the MarkL sounds like..

victoryroad

I do not doubt that the Levinson system is better than the Bose. The bose in my 02 CL 500 Sport is miles better than the one I had in my 00 CLK 430, and can be adjsuted to suit my listening needs quite well. I drove the SL for an hour last March and thought that the CL system sounded better, if only because the CL is a quieter car, but I am not buying the SL for the sound system. The rumble from the SL exhaust is music to my ears, although not nearly as satisfying as the Porsche Sport Exhaust on my 02 C4S. BTW, the Porsche also has Bose, which will get a more powerful amplifier in 03 models. If you want the best sound system, do not buy an MB or a Porsche. BMW and Lexus seem to have the best sound systems. In fact, my 95 BMW 740i has a much better system than the CL or Porsche, but is nowhere near as much fun to drive.

karl k

What are the specs on the 2003 poweramp in the new Porsche?

vraa

Just wondering but how hard would it be to get more power from the speakers or is it the fault that lies in the amp for the 2k3 sl500? Maybe the dealership might be able to tweak it! :P I'm desperate, as a teenager that is less then a year away from a learners permit i gotta have the sound system. lol. I guess i'll stick to the lexus heh

blueSL

I used to listen to music in my car and through headphones which was too loud. Now, 25 years down the road, I have tinnitus and can barely hear above 4kHz. Believe me, the output power of the SL sound system will be more than adequate and the extra volume just was not worth what I have to put up with now. Look after your ears!

karl k

Well put!

240 watts are more than adequate for 99 % of the car enthusiasts, for a mobile audio system on wheels.

For concert hall fidelity, consider ML home systems for $20,000,- and up.

victoryroad

I hope that your attitude about how you drive your Lexus does not hurt anyone. Cars can be replaced, people cannot, no matter how much money you may have.

vraa

i think i know what you mean. You just took my sig the wrong way. I'll change it. What i meant is that i can use it as a learning car. I am not going to race that car. It has 225 hp if i remember correctly so thats another reason.

I have MK and Denon together as my sound systems upstairs and downstairs, are they worth it? I know its off topic but i just want to know what everyone thinks about them. Heh. :P