Lexicon in the 2012 V6 not as good as the Lexicon in the 2010 V8

[Agm]

I'm driving a loaner while my 2010 V8 Tech is at the dealer. The loaner's a 2012 V6 with Premium and Tech packages and, according to the spec sheet, has the same 17-speaker Lexicon system my car has. But the sound is not the same at all. This car's 17 speakers are putting out about two thirds of the sound, the power, of my car's system, and I've already checked to make sure the settings are identical (surround, balance, fade, treble, etc.), with the same source of content.

Has anyone else noticed this? I'm going to mention this to the dealer because something may be wrong with this brand-new (4k miles) loaner's system.

 

[Aquineas]

It's hard for me to tell; I had aftermarket subs in my 2010 so it's like comparing Barry Sanders to Blair Thomas.

 

[Agm]

So the dealer told me, when I brought this up, that it had to do with the gain being different with the software changes made to the head unit in 2012 models. I still like mine better.

 

[genr8er]

Is the cabin shaped any differently? Gotta admit, I'm not terribly impressed with the lexicon, and I have the 2012 V6.

 

[Mark_888]

The cabins are not shaped differently. I am pretty sure that both 17-speaker systems (V6 and V8) are identical, at least for any given model year and software upgrade.

The volume (gain) control is relative, and by itself has no effect on the quality of sound, and might be calibrated differently from one year to the next (of one software release to the next).

When the volume is turned up to 50% you are only driving the amp to about 5% average output (or probably less) of the maximum power level of the amp. Part of the reason for this is because the relationship between volume control and decibels to your ears is logarithmic and not linear, and also because when the average power level is 5% of maximum, there may be momentary peaks that are close to 50% or higher of the amp max power output. Obviously, this is highly dependent on the specific music that is being played at the time, and the dynamic range of the recording.

 

[Mark_888]

Is the cabin shaped any differently? Gotta admit, I'm not terribly impressed with the lexicon, and I have the 2012 V6.

Where you listening to the Tech Package Lexicon with the 17-speaker system? If so, you need a DVD-A recording with a discrete surround sound recording to fully appreciate the quality of the system.

 

[gameday22]

There is a difference between the V6 & V8's in a 2010-2011, in my V6 the volume goes to 35 and in the V8 up to 40. I'm not sure if there is a difference in loudness or it's just a "software" change between the two.

 

[Mark_888]

There is a difference between the V6 & V8's in a 2010-2011, in my V6 the volume goes to 35 and in the V8 up to 40. I'm not sure if there is a difference in loudness or it's just a "software" change between the two.

So you are comparing a 2010 V6 and a 2011 V8? (or visa versa). As you mentioned, probably a software change from one model year to the next.

But even if the numbers on the dial (for head-unit/preamp) do go higher, that doesn't mean the system plays louder. Check the amplifier output specs. And even if there is a difference in maximum amplifier output, keep in mind that if you go above about 10% amplifier output power, the amplifier peaks will likely be clipping (driven to distortion at maximum output power), so in reality even when the system is very loud, it is not even close to using all of its amplifier output power.

 

[Jimmmmbo!]

I'm driving a loaner while my 2010 V8 Tech is at the dealer. The loaner's a 2012 V6 with Premium and Tech packages and, according to the spec sheet, has the same 17-speaker Lexicon system my car has. But the sound is not the same at all. This car's 17 speakers are putting out about two thirds of the sound, the power, of my car's system, and I've already checked to make sure the settings are identical (surround, balance, fade, treble, etc.), with the same source of content.

Has anyone else noticed this? I'm going to mention this to the dealer because something may be wrong with this brand-new (4k miles) loaner's system.

April Fools! The loaner is a stolen G that was returned without the Lexicon speakers and amplifier system!

 

[gameday22]

So you are comparing a 2010 V6 and a 2011 V8? (or visa versa). As you mentioned, probably a software change from one model year to the next.

But even if the numbers on the dial (for head-unit/preamp) do go higher, that doesn't mean the system plays louder. Check the amplifier output specs. And even if there is a difference in maximum amplifier output, keep in mind that if you go above about 10% amplifier output power, the amplifier peaks will likely be clipping (driven to distortion at maximum output power), so in reality even when the system is very loud, it is not even close to using all of its amplifier output power.

No sorry , meant to say I've driven both the 2010 & 2011 V6 and V8 as loaners while my car was in for repairs. The V6's were fully loaded tech/premium and yes I still think it's just a software difference between the two systems, though I'm not sure why they would do that.

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[Mark_888]

No sorry , meant to say I've driven both the 2010 & 2011 V6 and V8 as loaners while my car was in for repairs. The V6's were fully loaded tech/premium and yes I still think it's just a software difference between the two systems, though I'm not sure why they would do that.

It could be that the amps are the same, but they tweaked the head-unit volume control to not drive the amp to excessive levels that could damage the system.

 

[michaeldallen]

I just traded in my 2012 4.6 for a new 2012 5.0 and the sound system is DEFINATELY INFERIOR compared to the previous one. 2010 had a richer sound, deeper bass and fuller midrange. This one sounds like A.M. radio on anything I listen to (CD, DVD, FM AUX thumb drive Mp3. I've listened to these tunes (same discs, same thumb drive, same settings) for 3 years. Very dissapointed in the sound of this unit. True, max tollerable volume was about 15, whereas the new unit it's about 22. That's a non issue, it's the sound quality that has dropped. It's as if they used cheap transistors, resistors, capacators etc. It just sounds cheep, tinny and empty. Sadness.

 

[STREETS]

Yikes- love my Lexicon in the 2009- hoping for better in 2014

 

[michaeldallen]

I just traded in my 3 year old 2010 4.6 for a new 2012 5.0 and the sound system is DEFINATELY INFERIOR compared to the previous one. 2010 had a richer sound, deeper bass and fuller midrange. This one sounds like A.M. radio on anything I listen to (CD, DVD, FM AUX thumb drive Mp3. I've listened to these tunes (same discs, same thumb drive, same settings) for 3 years. Very dissapointed in the sound of this unit. True, max tollerable volume was about 15, whereas the new unit it's about 22. That's a non issue, it's the sound quality that has dropped. It's as if they used cheap transistors, resistors, capacators etc. It just sounds cheep, tinny and empty. Sadness.

I miss-typed.... I traded in old 2010 not a 2012