base sound system better than lexicon

[Genentec]

anyone else feel this way ? I had the chance to experience both and IMO the base system sounds more complete. the bass is fuller in the base model and it does not sound peaky in the 5000k to 15000k frequency range.

dont get me wrong, the bass for both trims are not that good to begin with. it is missing the lower notes that a mark levinson system can put out.

 

[jonjon72]

Totally different experience. I've been given a base Genesis loaner from the dealership and the 5.0's sound had more clarity and bass IMO

 

[cagilber]

I had a chance to compare a 14 speaker Lexicon system versus my 17 speaker Lexicon system and I thought the 17 sounded much better. I haven't had a chance to hear the base system.

The 17 speaker system sounds better than any system I've had, including the ELS system in my last Acura. If you can get a hold of a DVD-Audio disc the 17 speaker system will blow you away.

 

[Genentec]

the lexicon is peaky in the 5000 to 15000k frequency range and does not hit the low notes. even the base 3.8 would hit some of the lower notes. I have my mids set back to -5 amd the highs set to -5 as well...this cimes closer to a more balanced sound but still not linear.... u need to hear a levinson system.

Totally different experience. I've been given a base Genesis loaner from the dealership and the 5.0's sound had more clarity and bass IMO

 

[Mark_888]

anyone else feel this way ? I had the chance to experience both and IMO the base system sounds more complete. the bass is fuller in the base model and it does not sound peaky in the 5000k to 15000k frequency range.

dont get me wrong, the bass for both trims are not that good to begin with. it is missing the lower notes that a mark levinson system can put out.

Are you talking about 2015 Genesis? Is it a V6 or V8?

If V6, what Trim Level was the car:

• Base
• Signature Package
• Technology Package
• Ultimate Package

If V8, the Trim Levels are:

• Base (similar to Technology Package on V6)
• Ultimate Package

 

[Genentec]

theres only one base trim for the 2015 genesis.

also the 5.0 is a base trim. so im gjessing it has the 14 speaker lexicon

 

[Mark_888]

theres only one base trim for the 2015 genesis.

also the 5.0 is a base trim. so im gjessing it has the 14 speaker lexicon

OK, just checking. Not many think the 7-speaker system is better than the 14 or 17 Speaker Lexicon systems. The later two might sound better if the simulated surround sound processor is set to off (Stereo).

 

[Genentec]

all settings for all trims were in stereo, only way i prefer my music is in stereo. a little rear fill is ok but i prefer stereo with a "front of me" bias.

I guess lexicon tailored towards gimicky side with peaky frequency ranges that tailor to certain crowds. I wasnt impressed at all. Maybe the 17 speaker system is better.

OK, just checking. Not many think the 7-speaker system is better than the 14 or 17 Speaker Lexicon systems. The later two might sound better if the simulated surround sound processor is set to off (Stereo).

 

[Nikgen]

all settings for all trims were in stereo, only way i prefer my music is in stereo. a little rear fill is ok but i prefer stereo with a "front of me" bias.

I guess lexicon tailored towards gimicky side with peaky frequency ranges that tailor to certain crowds. I wasnt impressed at all. Maybe the 17 speaker system is better.

I find the 17 speaker Lexicon to be excellent. You do realize that the subwoofer is in the rear, so it you bias your sound to the front, I'm thinking you are lowering the sub out put as well? I had a Sonata loaner earlier this week and, while it had more bass, it was very boomy bass. I prefer the tighter bass I get in my Genesis.

 

[Genentec]

low frequencies below 100hz are unidirectional. its very hard for human ear to detect the direction of low frequencies.

actually for my eq settings i have my bass frequency setting at +4 and the mid and high settings at -4 to -5. I dont like to bend the sound by that many db's going both ways

I find the 17 speaker Lexicon to be excellent. You do realize that the subwoofer is in the rear, so it you bias your sound to the front, I'm thinking you are lowering the sub out put as well? I had a Sonata loaner earlier this week and, while it had more bass, it was very boomy bass. I prefer the tighter bass I get in my Genesis.

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[Nikgen]

low frequencies below 100hz are unidirectional. its very hard for human ear to detect the direction of low frequencies.

actually for my eq settings i have my bass frequency setting at +4 and the mid and high settings at -4 to -5. I dont like to bend the sound by that many db's going both ways

I know how bass frequencies work. My point was that you indicated you faded your sound mostly to the front. Therefore, that might mean the sub, which is located on the rear deck, could be getting little signal with the sound faded to the front?

 

[Genentec]

ok I hear ya. ya with the base trim i actually had to turn the fader two notches to the back...with the lexicon on my base v8 I had to turn it 3 notches to the front. I was very rear bias. even with 3 notches to the front, it was still slightly rear bias. I didnt want to push it to the front no more to avoid losing ubwoofer output.

I wonder if any audio engineers actually sat inside to sound design the system with the interior acoustics.

I know how bass frequencies work. My point was that you indicated you faded your sound mostly to the front. Therefore, that might mean the sub, which is located on the rear deck, could be getting little signal with the sound faded to the front?

 

[Genentec]

just listened to it some more on way home. the more songs I hear, the more I can compare to the base system and my former levinson system, the more i realize that this system is lacking something.

the audio sounds filtered, like its missing something. lacks fullness. it sounds like they took a high pass filter at 80hz....there is absolutely no low end. the highs sound flat. everything lacks depth, very one dimensional.

 

[RN2X]

I find the 17 speaker Lexicon to be excellent. You do realize that the subwoofer is in the rear, so it you bias your sound to the front, I'm thinking you are lowering the sub out put as well? I had a Sonata loaner earlier this week and, while it had more bass, it was very boomy bass. I prefer the tighter bass I get in my Genesis.

The bass in the 2015 sonata infinity system is a lot more powerfull. If I run the bass level up to + 5 or higher it will thump you out of the car However, it is boomy and doesn't really create the bass as intended to sound but more just a rattle the windows type punch. I have the bass level at +10 on the Genesis and it is nowhere close to that. But I think the sound recreation is much closer to the intended sound in my music. I also found that the bass greatly improved on the Genesis after a couple thousand miles. I don't know if the speakers needed to "break in" or what but it did improve significantly.

 

[ksoze]

I have the bass level at +10 on the Genesis and it is nowhere close to that. But I think the sound recreation is much closer to the intended sound in my music. I also found that the bass greatly improved on the Genesis after a couple thousand miles. I don't know if the speakers needed to "break in" or what but it did improve significantly.

They do indeed need break-in and agree the bass (in the Ultimate) is not boomy and likely more true to the music. The mids are too high however and when lowered, help round out the sound. I have the mid at -5 and it helps the bottom.

 

[greekgeek]

One thing is for certain: EDM sounds incredible on the 17 speaker Lexicon, bass and all.

 

[quanva]

i highly doubt the base is better,there is no DSP happening in the base system, it's basically what you'll find on a sonata ..

I have the 14 system and the only issue i found was the free air sub was lacking, so i fixed it with a ported box..

System is almost as good as the Dynaudio i had before

 

[xsolara]

i highly doubt the base is better,there is no DSP happening in the base system, it's basically what you'll find on a sonata ..

I have the 14 system and the only issue i found was the free air sub was lacking, so i fixed it with a ported box..

System is almost as good as the Dynaudio i had before

Interesting... please share how you did it.... plans ????

 

[Mark_888]

i highly doubt the base is better,there is no DSP happening in the base system, it's basically what you'll find on a sonata ..

I have the 14 system and the only issue i found was the free air sub was lacking, so i fixed it with a ported box..

System is almost as good as the Dynaudio i had before

I am not trying pump up the quality of the Genesis Base Trim audio system, but here are some things to consider:

1. All Genesis Audio systems are supplied by Harman International, the largest supplier of auto infotainment systems to the auto industry.
2. Harman has purchased many small audio companies over the years, including Lexicon, Mark Levinson, JBL, Infinity, B&O, etc, in addition to the original Harman/Kardon brand. Some of these were speaker companies, some made electronics, some made both. They no longer operate as separate companies, and are now just "brand names" that are slapped on products that all come out of the same factories (most of which have been moved to lost cost production countries).
3. The Genesis Base Trim stereo system (with 7 speakers) shares some of the identical speakers with the 14 and 17 speaker system systems. Obviously the electronics are different on the Base Trim (no surround sound processing), but everything is made by Harman International. Lexicon never made any speakers before being purchased by Harman International.
4. What kind of signal processing exists in the Base Trim system is unclear. There probably is some minimal frequency response tweaking (even when tone controls are set to flat), but obviously not any surround sound processing.
5. By most accounts of members who have a 2015 and a prior Genesis with 14 or 17 speaker system, the 2015 is apparently not quite as good as before. Not sure what the cause for that is, but the prior Genesis had some reliability problems with the Lexicon systems (especially 17 speaker system), so maybe they dialed it back in an attempt to make it more reliable, or maybe it is just cost cutting.

 

[srobak]

Chances are the speaker drivers themselves are JBL or Infinity. Lexicon has made recording industry DSP gear in the past - so that is likely where the surround sound, crossover, eq and channeling comes from. Other bits probably come from other arms of H/K - but I can understand why they chose the Lex branding over JBL or Infinity. The latter 2 - are highlighted when their components are used in numerous cars over the years across a variety of manufacturers. But like the Mark Levinson branded cartainment systems - it comes from a much more exclusive background - and seems to lend more "weight" to using that name - as when people google it, all they will find is the Genesis and pro-studio gear. Must mean it's good, right? Yay marketing!