Audio issues

River · June 3, 2021

Hi all, first time user of a forum! I took delivery recently of my first Lexus, having distance purchased.

There’s a lot to like about it, but the standard audio system on my model is just so awful that I am thinking of returning the vehicle. It never crossed my mind that on a premium car it would be so, so bad. Has anyone had any problems?
It’s not about volume or pumping bass, just quality, richness and depth of sound. My ten year old Merc had a bog standard base audio system that was leagues ahead. I’m so disappointed!

ColinBarber · June 3, 2021

It isn't great and I'm not sure I'd put up with it without some form of upgrade but my wife is fine with it, and it's her car. I guess it comes down to expectations, tolerance and priorities.

Play around with the base, mid, treble adjustments which are set per source input and also the fader. I found the high end too bright so I've upped the mid and bass a little and faded more to the rear.

River · June 5, 2021

Thank you for your reply. I did try adjusting the settings but didn’t find it made much difference. I asked the dealer about upgrading the audio but they said it isn’t possible as a retro fit. They said they are shocked I have a problem with the sound as no one has ever mentioned it, which I find quite surprising! I have to make my mind up by Monday on returning the car. It’s such a shame. It makes the car feel cheap.

paulrnx · June 5, 2021

6 hours ago, River said:

Thank you for your reply. I did try adjusting the settings but didn’t find it made much difference. I asked the dealer about upgrading the audio but they said it isn’t possible as a retro fit. They said they are shocked I have a problem with the sound as no one has ever mentioned it, which I find quite surprising! I have to make my mind up by Monday on returning the car. It’s such a shame. It makes the car feel cheap.

If quality audio means so much to you then I would think you’d be better off returning the car. I imagine it would improve things by fitting better quality speakers but you may not want to go down this route.

ColinBarber · June 5, 2021

If you cannot live with the basic 6 speaker audio system with integrated amp then for 2019 models you either need an F Sport with the Premium Plus pack which has the 8 speaker system (pioneer headunit, extra speakers are a sub in the boot and centre speaker + separate pioneer amp), a standard UX with the Tech & Sound pack - which includes the 13 speaker ML system, or a Takumi grade which has the ML system as standard.

In 2020 the Premium Pro Pack became available which also includes the ML system.

LordByronUK · June 6, 2021

I have tried the UX with ML and UX with standard 6 speaker setup. The ML was leagues ahead of the standard system, but (as I've commented on before) both cars had terrible vibrations/rattles in cabin when listening to loud bassy tunes, and that for me was a UX show stopper, bad build quality and I would never risk getting one for that. However, some say theres is fine, so a mixed bag me thinks. Anyway, what I recommend is upgrading to a Takumi grade with ML when they have one available used, then test the **** out of the sound system and make absolutely sure there are no Rattles within the cabin before buying.

aeparker · June 8, 2021

On 6/5/2021 at 11:33 PM, ColinBarber said:

If you cannot live with the basic 6 speaker audio system with integrated amp then for 2019 models you either need an F Sport with the Premium Plus pack which has the 8 speaker system (pioneer headunit, extra speakers are a sub in the boot and centre speaker + separate pioneer amp), a standard UX with the Tech & Sound pack - which includes the 13 speaker ML system, or a Takumi grade which has the ML system as standard.

In 2020 the Premium Pro Pack became available which also includes the ML system.

I have just taken delivery of the UX 250h Takumi with ML 13 speaker system and the audio is awful. I can adjust the volume but the treble and bass are unresponsive. Dealer seems at a loss to know how to fix it. Can it be something as simple as a fuse or bad connection?

Herbie · June 8, 2021

Don't worry guys, just wait until you get older when your frequencies drop out and other things happen to your hearing - you'll be happy to just hear anything then :laughing:

I suppose it depends on how much you like the car itself. After all, that makes up about 99% of the product you've bought, the sound system 1%, and Lexus make cars not sound systems, so if you don't like what it left the factory with audio-wise, you could have a third-party system fitted by a car audio system specialist maybe?

aeparker · June 8, 2021

When I buy something it's paid for by money that down to the last penny is 100%. I expect everything purchased to be also to that standard.

Herbie · June 8, 2021

1 hour ago, aeparker said:

I have just taken delivery of the UX 250h Takumi with ML 13 speaker system and the audio is awful. I can adjust the volume but the treble and bass are unresponsive. Dealer seems at a loss to know how to fix it. Can it be something as simple as a fuse or bad connection?

I suppose it could be a fuse integral to the head unit maybe but the fact that it powers up shows that it isn't a 'simple' fuse problem. The fact that you can adjust the volume but not the other parameters you mention would suggest a fault with the head unit, which should probably be replaced.

aeparker · June 8, 2021

Many thanks for your suggestion.

First_Lexus · June 16, 2021

On 6/8/2021 at 4:21 PM, aeparker said:

When I buy something it's paid for by money that down to the last penny is 100%. I expect everything purchased to be also to that standard.

Part - or most - of the issue here is having to distance purchase because of COVID. With something this important to you as an individual buyer it’s clear you’d have checked it out on a test drive and, by the sounds of things, would have chosen a car with an audio system in line with your expectations even if other elements of an alternative car were inferior.

Herbie · June 16, 2021

On 6/8/2021 at 4:21 PM, aeparker said:

When I buy something it's paid for by money that down to the last penny is 100%. I expect everything purchased to be also to that standard.

49 minutes ago, First_Lexus said:

Part - or most - of the issue here is having to distance purchase because of COVID. With something this important to you as an individual buyer it’s clear you’d have checked it out on a test drive and, by the sounds of things, would have chosen a car with an audio system in line with your expectations even if other elements of an alternative car were inferior.

I think it's the other way round.

This person seems to have a fault with the media system because it powers up and he can adjust some parameters but not others.

It's the OP 'River' who seems to want to reject the whole car based on the (working) multimedia system.

River · June 16, 2021

Hi everyone. Appreciate all your input and comments. I decided to exchange the car for a Takumi model, which the dealer agreed to as it was within 30 days. Due to collect next week. Fingers crossed!

River · June 25, 2021

On 6/8/2021 at 3:34 PM, aeparker said:

I have just taken delivery of the UX 250h Takumi with ML 13 speaker system and the audio is awful. I can adjust the volume but the treble and bass are unresponsive. Dealer seems at a loss to know how to fix it. Can it be something as simple as a fuse or bad connection?

River · June 25, 2021

How did you get on? I collected the Takumi, unfortunately after a 5 1/2 hr journey that should have taken an hour and a half! The dealership was just closing and there wasn’t time to fully test the exchange vehicle. I decided to go ahead and have faith in Lexus.

I can’t say I can hear much of an improvement with the ML. It still sounds tinny and sharp, and like it’s only coming out of one speaker.

The auto dim headlights are also not working and I keep getting flashed! The dealer doesn’t have an explanation, so I guess it will be a trip to the local dealer to investigate.

So far, so disappointed, regret my decision to buy Lexus.

Spacewagon52 · June 25, 2021

25 minutes ago, River said:

How did you get on? I collected the Takumi, unfortunately after a 5 1/2 hr journey that should have taken an hour and a half! The dealership was just closing and there wasn’t time to fully test the exchange vehicle. I decided to go ahead and have faith in Lexus.

I can’t say I can hear much of an improvement with the ML. It still sounds tinny and sharp, and like it’s only coming out of one speaker.

The auto dim headlights are also not working and I keep getting flashed! The dealer doesn’t have an explanation, so I guess it will be a trip to the local dealer to investigate.

So far, so disappointed, regret my decision to buy Lexus.

Don't give up on the brand yet!

River · June 25, 2021

1 minute ago, Spacewagon52 said:

Don't give up on the brand yet!

I don’t want to! There are a lot of positives. Usually the excitement of a new car has you on a high and maybe later you discover things you’re not so keen on. So far the experience with Lexus has been a bad one.

royoftherovers · June 25, 2021

32 minutes ago, River said:

How did you get on? I collected the Takumi, unfortunately after a 5 1/2 hr journey that should have taken an hour and a half! The dealership was just closing and there wasn’t time to fully test the exchange vehicle. I decided to go ahead and have faith in Lexus.

I can’t say I can hear much of an improvement with the ML. It still sounds tinny and sharp, and like it’s only coming out of one speaker.

The auto dim headlights are also not working and I keep getting flashed! The dealer doesn’t have an explanation, so I guess it will be a trip to the local dealer to investigate.

So far, so disappointed, regret my decision to buy Lexus.

Where did you buy it from and which is your local dealer River ?

River · June 25, 2021

3 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

Where did you buy it from and which is your local dealer River ?

Purchased from Motorline Tunbridge Wells, local dealer is Ipswich

royoftherovers · June 25, 2021

Just now, River said:

Purchased from Motorline Tunbridge Wells, local dealer is Ipswich

I presume you received a 12 month Lexus Warranty from Tunbridge Wells and IF SO Ipswich should fix ALL problems for free ?

Please keep us all update with how you get on.

River · June 25, 2021

1 minute ago, royoftherovers said:

presume you received a 12 month Lexus Warranty from Tunbridge Wells and IF SO Ipswich should fix ALL problems for free ?

Please keep us all update with how you get on.

Yes it does have a warranty. Thank you John, I will do!

Really appreciate everyone’s input. Far more impressed with the owners club than the car 😂

royoftherovers · June 25, 2021

1 minute ago, River said:

Yes it does have a warranty. Thank you John, I will do!

Really appreciate everyone’s input. Far more impressed with the owners club than the car 😂

It really should not have been released like that from Motorline Group. They need a kick up the proverbial as that is poor customer service.

Ipswich is owned by Steven Eagell Group.

When everything is fixed to your satisfaction I would not be surprised if the Lexus did change your driving style and attitude to other road users River.

Given the poor service from Motorline I would encourage you check that everything on the car is at it should be. Dealers like that do Lexus no favours whatsoever.

First_Lexus · June 25, 2021

1 hour ago, River said:

I can’t say I can hear much of an improvement with the ML. It still sounds tinny and sharp, and like it’s only coming out of one speaker.

^^ That’s very peculiar! I’ve not had a ML audio in a Lexus, but every user on here comments on how great they sound. Something isn’t right, that’s for sure…

PDM · June 25, 2021

Hi All,

Not sure if it is relevant, but I had UX300e as a loan vehicle for a couple of days recently with ML audio fitted.

I found the system had a noticeable crackle, particularly when talking on the phone over Bluetooth. (The same phone in other Lexus vehicles works fine...). It went away when you turned down the volume, but it had to be too quiet for sensible use for the crackle to go away.

When I went to get my own car back, I mentioned the crackle and the dealer said that was not the first time they had received that type of complaint for a UX.

I didn't really play any music whilst I had the car so can't comment on that.

Paul