The Ultimate High-End Car Audio Showdown: Lexus LS460L Mark Levinson vs Audi S8 Bang & Olufsen vs Acura MDX ELS Surround

Lexus LS 460 L Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound:

Lexus did a praiseworthy job in regards to the ergonomics of this car, especially considering the amount of technology involved. With everything in easy reach and of a large format, concentration can be focused on the road. And then there's the audio system. It's the best performing OEM offering I've heard to date and is worth much more than its asking price. One thing's for sure, with Mark Levinson in your Lexus, you won't mind being stuck in traffic.

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Average score
Audio: 8
Ergonomics: 9
Navigation: 9

Audi S8 Bang & Olufsen Advance Audio System:

For an S8 buyer the $6,300 ($500 more for the optional Sirius satellite radio) for the B&O system probably won't seem like a lot of money. At less than 10% of the car's purchase price, it's reasonable - proportionally speaking, of course. Perhaps some owners might want DVD playback at that price instead of the iPod tray with the USB connection. Frankly, I'd take the latter and perhaps add some all-in-one DVDs for the headrests for the little one. That would probably about do it. All in all, this is a dream car for most and definitely a vehicle worth dreaming about.

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Average score
Audio: 6.7
Ergonomics: 7.2
Navigation: 7.5

Acura ELS Surround Premium Sound System:

The daring Acura showed by including DVD-A playback and using more optimal speaker placement is counteracted to some degree by the sound quality of the system. It lacks power and dynamics. In other words: It's a bit bland or "safe," as though Acura/Panasonic didn't want to offend anyone. The system sounds better when listening to DVD-As than when playing regular CDs, but considering that many of us still have most of our music collections in the latter form, we would want an audio system that excelled with both formats. [...] Still, the wealth of features in the MDX is not something to easily dismiss. When you consider what you get for the price, this has to be the best vehicle in its class overall.

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Average score
Audio: 6.7
Ergonomics: 6.5
Navigation: 7.8
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david999 - 9/11/2007 10:02:12 AM

+2 Boost

No surprise here. All 3 systems are good, and are worthy units.

Kinger - 9/11/2007 10:14:53 AM

+1 Boost

Indeed, the Mark Levinson system seems to be the one to beat though. Has anyone heard the sound system in the latest S-class? I remember reading aboutit before it came out and the features sounded very impressive.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 9/11/2007 11:43:56 AM

+1 Boost

I have and it's brilliant. It's better than the BMW system by far. I think it's from HK.

Atenza28 - 9/11/2007 7:17:59 PM

0 Boost

I believe BMWs system is HK also. HK 7- Logic yet as you've said many have reported the S-klasse system is much nicer.

JUGNU - 9/11/2007 10:15:07 AM

-2 Boost

U r right but there are always some which are better than others.And here it's the Mark Levinson of Lexus.

I strongly agree because till now the best sound system i experienced was in my 2005 LX470.

Mark Levinson is surely the best (Sound System) u can get in a car.

JUGNU

S4cabriofoxone - 9/11/2007 5:05:12 PM

+1 Boost

I haven't had the same experience with the RX330's ML system. It can't do any highs, and sounds tinny almost everywhere. I prefer the Bose in my S4, but I'm sure the ML in the LS460 and the B&O in the A8 are both far better.

freeagent - 9/11/2007 12:41:38 PM

0 Boost

The ML system in the Lexus does indeed blow away the others. It's the main tempting feature of a Lexus. A pity BMW and the others don't get serious with a/d/s, Alpine or someone.

Star - 9/11/2007 1:48:16 PM

-2 Boost

BMW makes driver's cars. That means the stereo is something you could do without. Lexus on the other without the stereo and leather is just a plain Toyota.

Star - 9/11/2007 1:50:33 PM

-1 Boost

yeah Lexus...Sang, Sang...is that not all you have?

Denali - 9/11/2007 3:36:00 PM

0 Boost

before ML audio system came out on Lexuses other cars with Bose, JBL and infinity had killer stock systems, not sure which cars had them but the were good

brianlamar - 9/11/2007 8:18:32 PM

0 Boost

Lexus had Nakamichi as their premium sound before ML and that was considered the best oem sound system you could put in a car as well. I wish auto companies would be more into audio systems in cars. I wish Monitor Audio or Klipsch could negotiate a deal with BMW or Benz with Mcintosh head units and Nakamichi Amps. That would be stellar!!!!

mikeydred20 - 9/11/2007 8:42:29 PM

0 Boost

At last Acura is getting its props "this has to be the best vechicle in its class overall" well spoken

carcazy - 2/23/2008 2:23:14 PM

+1 Boost

I have heard the HK system in the s-class and the ML system in the ls460. I must say that the
ML is far better and it's noticeable straight away, the quality sounds more realistic and natural where as the HK sounds more artificial, HK system does sound good still but not amazing. As the Lexus has five speakers mounted on the dashboard it creates a better sound stage than the Mercedes' one centre speaker . In the Mercedes the audio sounds like its coming from the doors (speaker localization) which is bad and looses the surround sound effect, where as the Lexus sound more like a surround sound live performance. I have a mazda3 with Bose system and it's good but doesn't comes not even close to the the Lexus. The problem with the Bose system is that its sounds poor and tiny lower down the volume ranges, but sounds full and rich at higher volumes with no distortion at all. The Mark Levinson sound excellent through out the volume rages with brilliant tonal balances, totally amazing.