Base Stereo?

[Gadgetguy]

Hello all,

I am considering to buy a Genesis 3.8 base model.

All reviews I have found describe the higher end models 3.8 + tech package or the 4.6 version.

Has anyone the 3.8 base model? How is the 7 speaker stereo in it for day to day use?

Is the Lexicon 14 speaker worth the $4K (CAN$) difference?

Thank you for sharing your experience...

( I apologize if this was already asked. If it was: can you please tell me where so that I can read the post and the replies?)

 

[QQ007]

I have a 4.6 with tech package. Love that Lexicon 17-speaker system. I just happened to have 1 day experience with the 3.8 base model as a loaner from my dealer. I would say the base audio is as good as my Bose system in my Acura MDX.

I suggest you bring your iPod (or your own personal test CD) to the dealer and test them out yourself. Audio system is a very subjective topic.

 

[ttsig]

I have a base model. I thought I wouldn't care about the Lexicon since just about any radio was an upgrade from the stock unit in my Ford Ranger pickup. If I had it to do over again I would pay for the upgrade to the premium package, although admittedly here in the US it's less of a dollar difference and you get things like the leather dash insert, which I don't think you get in Canada.

I guess I'd put it this way, the stereo is tolerable, but certainly pales compared to the Lexicon, and I think about it almost every day during my >1.5 hour commute (round-trip).

 

[VivienM]

Hello all,

I am considering to buy a Genesis 3.8 base model.

All reviews I have found describe the higher end models 3.8 + tech package or the 4.6 version.

Has anyone the 3.8 base model? How is the 7 speaker stereo in it for day to day use?

Is the Lexicon 14 speaker worth the $4K (CAN$) difference?

Thank you for sharing your experience...

( I apologize if this was already asked. If it was: can you please tell me where so that I can read the post and the replies?)

Are you looking at 2009s or 2010s?

In 2009, the 14 speaker system wasn't offered in Canada. The Premium V6 car got the base system; the tech package gets the 17 speaker Lexicon.

In 2010, I think the Premium car has the 14 speaker system like the U.S. one. And maybe the leather dash too.

 

[Sayantsi]

I have the "lesser" Lexicon found in the premium package on the 09, and its a great system. No opinion on the base system though.

 

[warp08]

Hello all,

I am considering to buy a Genesis 3.8 base model.

All reviews I have found describe the higher end models 3.8 + tech package or the 4.6 version.

Has anyone the 3.8 base model? How is the 7 speaker stereo in it for day to day use?

Is the Lexicon 14 speaker worth the $4K (CAN$) difference?

Thank you for sharing your experience...

( I apologize if this was already asked. If it was: can you please tell me where so that I can read the post and the replies?)

In my humble opinion, if you are an audio or music enthusiast to any degree, it will be the best money you'll ever spend. Compared to the cost of similar or in some cases the very same upgraded audio system in some luxury competitors such as Audi, Lexus, etc., you get this system for a fraction of the cost those companies charge. It's a steal at $4K, whether you're in Canada or the US, not even counting the other upgrades you get for that money that are part of the tech package. For example, replacement cost of the Lexicon 7.1 Amplifier ALONE is about $3,700 (US) and change. The DVD-changer/head-unit should ring in around $2,500 or more and I have no idea what the cost of the speakers might be.

It's just one of the examples how the Genesis brings down luxury features previously out of reach for many customers. The availability of the 17-speaker Lexicon sound system was one of the key factors why I decided to buy the car the first place. In the congested roadways during heavy commute, I utilize the sound system far more than, say, the Tau V8 engine power. But it's nice to have both.

 

[Gadgetguy]

Thank you all. I will see what price I can negotiate late spring next year (which is when I need a new car).

Any suggestions from people in Ontario - how to get the best deal?

 

[CHRIS GREEN]

Disappointed in 17 speakers Lexicon. my Bose in my Maxima and Altima sound much better. I am current working on changing my sound system.

 

[knight]

Disappointed in 17 speakers Lexicon. my Bose in my Maxima and Altima sound much better. I am current working on changing my sound system.

It's so subjective. For me, I test drove the Lexus LS460 and then drove the Genesis, I thought the sound in the Genesis was better and the interior quieter which is what I was looking for (mostly) in a luxury car. I'm very happy with the sound system overall, it's definitely the best sound system in any car I've ever owned.

-knight

 

[MichaelOne]

Hello all,

I am considering to buy a Genesis 3.8 base model.

All reviews I have found describe the higher end models 3.8 + tech package or the 4.6 version.

Has anyone the 3.8 base model? How is the 7 speaker stereo in it for day to day use?

Is the Lexicon 14 speaker worth the $4K (CAN$) difference?

Thank you for sharing your experience...

( I apologize if this was already asked. If it was: can you please tell me where so that I can read the post and the replies?)

The Premium package ($2500) comes with the 14 speaker system, and IMO it has awesome sound.

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[VivienM]

The Premium package ($2500) comes with the 14 speaker system, and IMO it has awesome sound.

Not on 2009 Canadian cars. (Yes, I'm being a little stubborn about this, but Canadians need to realize they get screwed on equipment and price...)

 

[scottdk]

Not on 2009 Canadian cars. (Yes, I'm being a little stubborn about this, but Canadians need to realize they get screwed on equipment and price...)

C'mon, I work for a Canadian company and you guys get crazy vacation time and a ton of "holiday off" days compared to the U.S. folk.

 

[VivienM]

C'mon, I work for a Canadian company and you guys get crazy vacation time and a ton of "holiday off" days compared to the U.S. folk.

... and we also get paid less.

And every multinational company is out to screw us. Hyundai sells us decontented Geneses for more money (though they're improving in 2010, now we only get screwed out of ultra-premium leather on V6s, but they're offering the 14 speaker Lexicon, the leather dash, etc).
Dell sells us computers alone for the price of a comparable computer + monitor bundle in the US. Etc.

Add domestic companies (e.g. wireless carriers) also screwing us.

So, earn less, pay more. I say we get screwed. When the Canadian dollar was worth $0.65US, things were perfectly fine: we earned less, but paid less for lots of stuff. But at $0.94, not so much...

Example: the 2010 4.6 Genesis with tech has the same equipment (except TPMS) in both countries AFAIK. US MSRP is $43,000. Canadian MSRP is $49,999. At $0.94 exchange rate, that's $47,000.

So Hyundai is screwing us out of $4000 American dollars, assuming you pay MSRP in both countries (Americans end up getting much closer to invoice, in practice). And that's nothing: on a German car, it might be closer to $10K. I just priced out two identical (AFAIK) Audis. $43,625 US, versus $52,650 Canadian (or $49500 USD). So they screw us for $6000USD...

(Do I sound bitter yet?)

 

[Mark_888]

... and we also get paid less.

And every multinational company is out to screw us.

It is not the multinational companies, it is your government. Companies pay higher taxes, have to abide by more restrictive labor laws (such as when they fire people), and they pay higher tariffs for imported items (or cap imports at a certain percentage and force them to buy from domestic vendors at a higher price).

In exchange, Canadians get more government protection for their jobs, national health care, etc.

 

[VivienM]

It is not the multinational companies, it is your government. Companies pay higher taxes, have to abide by more restrictive labor laws (such as when they fire people), and they pay higher tariffs for imported items (or cap imports at a certain percentage and force them to buy from domestic vendors at a higher price).

In exchange, Canadians get more government protection for their jobs, national health care, etc.

Those prices are not counting sales taxes, though. And if people are paid less here, then that should be reflected in the costs that businesses face - sure, they may pay slightly higher taxes (though most of the revenue that funds health care and the like comes from income taxes on individuals!), but they also pay people less. So no, I think your theory is pure right-wing American propaganda.

And the thing is, why is it that 10 years ago, when the Canadian dollar was worth $0.65 cents, Americans were coming here to buy cars? If the government really was the problem, why is it that things used to be much cheaper?

And please? If you think Canadians have 'restrictive labour laws', you've never been to continental Europe.

 

[davparlr]

I have the 14 speaker Lexicon system and it is a very nice stereo system. I would like a speed sensitive volume though. The Genesis is so quiet, it would only be a small discrete change when the car is stopped.

I don't know what the difference is between the 14 and 17 speaker system except for the number of speakers and I would guess power although I have never seen the power of the 14 speaker system. Anyone have an idea of the differences?

 

[ImInPA]

I don't remember where I read it, but the 14 and 17 speaker systems have the same power in watts. The 17 speaker version is able to handle the discreet 7.1 amplification for DVD processing. The 14 speaker system does not have the ability to do this.

They are both pretty great systems.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

I have the 14 speaker Lexicon system and it is a very nice stereo system. I would like a speed sensitive volume though. The Genesis is so quiet, it would only be a small discrete change when the car is stopped.

I don't know what the difference is between the 14 and 17 speaker system except for the number of speakers and I would guess power although I have never seen the power of the 14 speaker system. Anyone have an idea of the differences?

I believe both process stereo or 5.1 to 7.1, but yours does not play DVD's, only the 17 speaker version does.

http://hyundai.lexicon.com/system.aspx

 

[tjc78]

I would like a speed sensitive volume though.

That drives me crazy in my GFs Elantra. On GM cars at least it is defeatable. I am glad it is not included on the Genesis.

 

[Mark_888]

Those prices are not counting sales taxes, though. And if people are paid less here, then that should be reflected in the costs that businesses face - sure, they may pay slightly higher taxes (though most of the revenue that funds health care and the like comes from income taxes on individuals!), but they also pay people less. So no, I think your theory is pure right-wing American propaganda.

And the thing is, why is it that 10 years ago, when the Canadian dollar was worth $0.65 cents, Americans were coming here to buy cars? If the government really was the problem, why is it that things used to be much cheaper?

And please? If you think Canadians have 'restrictive labour laws', you've never been to continental Europe.

I am not talking about sales tax. I am talking about taxes the companies pay, such as corporate income tax, property taxes, etc. They are also affected by import duties, which are usually higher in Canada than in the US.

I am not criticizing the Canadian system, it is simply a matter of trade-offs that the country has made. Obviously, citizens of Canada get a lot of benefits in terms of government provided services and worker friendly labor laws, in exchange for paying more for goods. There is no free lunch. To claim that my comments are right-wing propaganda is absurd.

For anyone to claim that multi-national companies are conspiring to screw Canadians, while giving better deals to Americans is crazy. If all these companies charge more in Canada for the same goods than they do in the US, then there is reason for that, and the reason is directly related to the cost of doing business in Canada, and not any kind of conspiracy.

McDonald's charges more for hamburgers in big US cities than they do in the smaller ones, and they probably charge more in certain US states that have labor laws more like the laws in Canada than in "right to work" states. I am aware that labor laws in many EU are extremely pro-worker (much more than Canada), which is one reason why many of those countries have perpetually high unemployment rates (business don't want to move there).