High-end Lexicon Sound System - Anemic Bass?

[morsegeek]

I just wanted to add to the data on the 14 speaker Lexicon. After reading this thread I checked to see if the EQ resetting problem was occurring on my system. It is, and now it's annoying. I don't think anyone with a 14-speaker system in this thread has reported that they don't experience the problem. It seems to be across the board, definitely a software issue, and easily fixed by a software update.

 

[Yama1yzf]

I just wanted to add to the data on the 14 speaker Lexicon. After reading this thread I checked to see if the EQ resetting problem was occurring on my system. It is, and now it's annoying. I don't think anyone with a 14-speaker system in this thread has reported that they don't experience the problem. It seems to be across the board, definitely a software issue, and easily fixed by a software update.

Yep, it is annoying for sure....that's the good and bad about these forums, you think everything is rosy and then you find out that maybe all is not well. At least I only drove a month or so without experiencing the incredible sound of the stereo. But man was I perplexed when the sound would dissapear when I turned the volume UP!

 

[GripperDon]

I have the 17 speaker Top Lexicon system. My car was built in April 09. I have no, Nada, zero problems with the system. Good on XM music, Better on high quality CD, Even Better with the new Ipod Nano, best on fast USB stick with high sampling rate music.

I have had S class Mercedes, A VW Phaeton ( boor mans Bentley) this system blows them all away. Very good with Violins, Pianos sound perfect and when their is bass content present the system can really reach down with strong lows.

I am so impressed, I have full range 6.1 Logan Electrostatic with 15 sub in the house and this systems only second to it. Excellent transient response, amazing considering the near field positioning of the occupants, extremely small enclosures (if any) and problematical speaker placements.

Rate it a 9.5 for auto sound. Instead of sound meters to read db vs HZ, IMO listening to a wide range of music, types and encodings is the way I like to judge I have come across systems that measure great but to my ears fall flat. Also I made my listening test on a favorite smooth long straight road section near my home that is at 1500 feet and rises to 3500 in pretty much a straight line. Used up pretty much a tank of gas and was traveling at about 50 steady, did some other testing idling. I really love this system a lot. I set the fader to favor the rear by 2 bars, which to me compensated for a bit of front seat bias in the system.
WOW can't wait for my new tires to take a cruse over to Palm Springs while being wrapped in a wonderful sound field.

 

[Lonny 53]

The sound is different depending on what you are listening to. I have found that the AM/FM has the worst sound. The XM is better, but the best sound comes from DVD audio discs. That is where you can really hear the benefits of the Lexicon system.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

The sound is different depending on what you are listening to. I have found that the AM/FM has the worst sound. The XM is better, but the best sound comes from DVD audio discs. That is where you can really hear the benefits of the Lexicon system.

Shhh! Don't tell him. The prices will only go up on EBay and Amazon with another buyer out there!

Btw, I don't know where I've been for the last decade or 2, but finally discovered a group called Porcupine Tree. If you've never experienced DVD-A, try their "Lightbulb Sun". It'll blow you away.
(FWIW, I 'fade' 3 clicks to the rears with 'flat' EQ for DVD-A listening.)

 

[wberryment]

Hello all,
I bought a Hyundai Genesis on 09-09-09 and so far I've been enjoying it.
I also have a Volvo S60 with Harmon Kardon speakers. I'm finding that the low's and the bass are somewhat weak in this car. My Volvo is a factory installed system as is this one. I just can't seem to find the sweet spots to bring out the bass. At first I thought maybe someone prior to my buying it had blown a speaker or something. Seemed like most of the sound was from the front seats up. I adjusted everything such that the sound is equal to the front and the rear. I even tried the presets in the Equalizer settings. I also turned on the Surround Sound but not to much difference. I'm thinking that maybe the Surround Sound should be off except when listening to DVD video disc's.

So I guess I'm going to have to agree with the poster on this one. I'm going to try and find all 17 speakers and make sure that there is sound coming out of each of them.

wayne

 

[dond13]

The sound is different depending on what you are listening to. I have found that the AM/FM has the worst sound. The XM is better, but the best sound comes from DVD audio discs. That is where you can really hear the benefits of the Lexicon system.

I have tried making DVD Audio disks several times and it never turns out right. I don't get a display of the individual disks folders) that I am copying and I can't select individual songs on the DVD. When it displays a list of the songs on a CD, they are unselectable and it just cycles through song after song. I have tried using the Windows Media Player, Nero and Cyberlink and none of them will produce a good DVD.

What software have you used to make your DVD's.

 

[dataguy]

If the end result has anything in the VIDEO_TS folder, then it's not a DVD-Audio disc. DVD-A's use the AUDIO_TS folder. There can be a hybrid DVD (content in both), but unfortunately, the Lexicon system treats those discs as Video discs.

DVD-Audio discs are quite complex to author and typically require professional (i.e. expensive) authoring software, not to mention multi-channel source material. The absolutely best and easiest way to acquire high def music is to buy pre-recorded DVD-A's. There are many recommendations in this thread.

Alternatively, you can use traditional DVD-Video tracks, but since the video-in-motion restriction is in place, it's hard to navigate while not in park.

 

[GripperDon]

I just included the top end Lexicon sound system in the discussion of the top ten auto sound systems

Sound wise it is the best, Hyundai did a Good Job here so I give them their Cudos!

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

I just included the top end Lexicon sound system in the discussion of the top ten auto sound systems

Sound wise it is the best, Hyundai did a Good Job here so I give them their Cudos!

Couldn't agree more, best feature of the car.
Got the new Porcupine Tree DVD-A "The Incident" 2 days ago. Cranked it to 15 or so and was blown away! A perfect 5.1 mix, boosted to 7.1 by the Lexicon... All speakers, all the time.

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[nearwater]

I just spent about an hour going through all the posts here.

I think I understand the issue where the EQ falls back to default(all 0s) after a power cycle.
And that some owners are not too satisfied with their bass output.

I didn't see any confirmation that this EQ reset issue is an isolated problem for the 14-speaker Lexicon system.
Did anyone w/ the top end Lexicon system encounter this same issue?
Is it safe to assume that this issue only applies to the 14-speaker systems?

I have the 17-speaker system, and honestly I didn't notice any problem with the EQ setting.
I used to like bass-heavy musics in the past, but definitely grown to appreciate accurate sound reproduction.
IMO, the bass reproduction in the Genesis Lexicon system(tech pack) is superb.
Although I sometimes miss the pounding bass of the aftermarket systems I had in my older cars, I have to say I'm 99% satisfied with the stock Genesis system.

I have to admit that I have the bass set at +8 for the CD/MP3/AUX and +6 for DVD-A.
When I listen to musics at nominal level(11~20), the bass is tight and deep.
Only thing is, when I turn the volume higher(20+), I can feel the lack of bass compared to highs/mids.
It would be great if I could add a 10" or 12" sub with a decent amp replacing the stock 8", but I'm afraid that it'll screw up the balance of the whole system.
Plus, I'm not even sure if just adding a sub will be a remedy for the lack of bass.
It could be 100hz~300hz range that's lacking, which a sub wouldn't fix.

It was a great read, this thread. Will spend more time listening to the system and check back later for updates.
Thanks, all.

Dan

 

[scottdk]

Well, I just installed the new Alpine amp in the car. Hooked it up 1 channel. All I can say is wow! The car is too well insulated for my previous amp to actually send enough power to the subs. What a difference. Accurate, precise sound.

Downside. I found out that 1 of the 2 10" subs was blown. It's garbage now, but I got 10 years out of it, so I got my money's worth.

My plan now is to sell the dual 10" enclosure and the 1 good sub. Then puchase a single sub and box, more than likely a 12" Square Kicker and be done. This would give me a bunch of trunk space back, and would have plenty of power and quality vs my current setup, and also being a square sub moves more air, it would be noticable with all the sound dampening material in this car.

Anyone want to buy a single 10" MTX sub?

 

[nearwater]

Well, I just installed the new Alpine amp in the car. Hooked it up 1 channel. All I can say is wow! The car is too well insulated for my previous amp to actually send enough power to the subs. What a difference. Accurate, precise sound.

Downside. I found out that 1 of the 2 10" subs was blown. It's garbage now, but I got 10 years out of it, so I got my money's worth.

My plan now is to sell the dual 10" enclosure and the 1 good sub. Then puchase a single sub and box, more than likely a 12" Square Kicker and be done. This would give me a bunch of trunk space back, and would have plenty of power and quality vs my current setup, and also being a square sub moves more air, it would be noticable with all the sound dampening material in this car.

Anyone want to buy a single 10" MTX sub?

Scott,
Would you mind giving me some tip on how to wire a sub/amp into the Lexicon system?
I'm quite familiar with audio systems, I just want to know where I can pull a pre-amp signal from.
Or did you use the amplified signal from the factory sub?
Did you disconnect the stock sub or just added the aftermarket one?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan

 

[DanTheMan]

Hi All--

I'd posted the following to a similar thread back in January. There's a factory defect (in my opinion) in the 14-spkr. Lexicon system that, when the car is shut down, and ultimately re-started, the system responds just as it was when the car was shut down. However, when adjusting the volume, a re-set of the EQ occurs. According to Hyundai, it's a factory design, and nothing can be done to change it. You'll get like I do--when I get in the car, I start her up, fasten my seat belt, and go to the EQ settings and make a quick manual adjustment to the bass response so I can enjoy whatever program material is my choice for the day.

I should note that this is the only thing I don't particularly enjoy about the car--everything else is great! I've got over 35K miles on her already, numerous oil changes, and now a 2nd set of tires--and STILL love getting in and driving her!!

Here's the response I got from Hyundai:

I received a reply this morning (Friday, 1/15/10). The reply is as follows:

______________________________
Dear Daniel:

Thank you for contacting Hyundai Motor America.

This email is in response to your inquiry on the bass frequency level in your 2009 Hyundai Genesis's radio. We have researched your inquiry and found that with the standard radio (Non-DIS) bass setting does reset back to the default position with volume change or key cycle. We sincerely apologize, but there is nothing that can be done to make the radio operate differently.

We have documented your inquiry in our system. Your case number is 3795570.

Thank you for contacting Hyundai Consumer Affairs.

________________________________

Now we know...it's out of our control to change.

Dan :>)

 

[MichaelOne]

I don't know what to say to Hyundai's response. I've got the 14 speaker system and this has never happened to me. I'm forever tweaking the tone and position controls and they always remain as I set them.

The linking of the terms "standard radio" and "(non-DIS)" in the response you received suggests to me that maybe somebody over there doesn't know what he's talking about. The 14 speaker Lexicon (non-DIS) system is definitely not the "standard radio".

 

[tjc78]

I believe the base stereo and the 14 speaker Lexicon use the same head unit. Mine absolutely resets, its really noticeable at low volumes. When you crank it up a little, the system doesn't really need a bass boost, however at lower volumes I feel without a setting of +6 or +7 it sounds thin.

 

[nearwater]

I believe the base stereo and the 14 speaker Lexicon use the same head unit. Mine absolutely resets, its really noticeable at low volumes. When you crank it up a little, the system doesn't really need a bass boost, however at lower volumes I feel without a setting of +6 or +7 it sounds thin.

After reading the posts, I spent some time checking the setting on my 17-speaker system, and it DOES NOT reset.

I'm sure this EQ reset is a defect. If it was "design to behave" like that, then why not the 17-speaker system?

Glad mine is not behaving that way. If I were the owner of the 14-speaker system, I'd be PISSED.

Dan

 

[tjc78]

. If I were the owner of the 14-speaker system, I'd be PISSED.

Dan

Yeah, I am not happy about it. I was going to open up a complaint, but after reading the response from another one of our members I figured it was a waste of my time.

 

[nearwater]

I have found a weird EQ problem with my 17-speaker system.
I recently bought a audio DVD that also displays a still screen during music playback, which I think can be categorized as a video DVD.
The EQ settings don't reset, but I noticed something that's similar but backwards.

Whenever I receive a phone call or pause the music for a while and when the sound comes back, the bass is boosted big time.
I currently have this DVD's bass set at +3, while other discs(DVD-A set at +6, CD/mp3 set at +8) are set higher.
It sounds as if the EQ settings from other discs are applied, and as soon as I turn up/down the volume, the EQ sets back to the settings I have(bass +3).

It's not as annoying as the 14-speaker system's problem, but I do have to hear to the heavy bass for a few seconds after a phone call.
Anybody else notice this?

Dan

 

[ASHDUMP]

I have found a weird EQ problem with my 17-speaker system.
I recently bought a audio DVD that also displays a still screen during music playback, which I think can be categorized as a video DVD.
The EQ settings don't reset, but I noticed something that's similar but backwards.

Whenever I receive a phone call or pause the music for a while and when the sound comes back, the bass is boosted big time.
I currently have this DVD's bass set at +3, while other discs(DVD-A set at +6, CD/mp3 set at +8) are set higher.
It sounds as if the EQ settings from other discs are applied, and as soon as I turn up/down the volume, the EQ sets back to the settings I have(bass +3).

It's not as annoying as the 14-speaker system's problem, but I do have to hear to the heavy bass for a few seconds after a phone call.
Anybody else notice this?

Dan

Yup! This just happened to me the other day. But what I think happend in my situation and possibly yours has to do with the adaptive volume control. For some reason when I do what you mentioned above, the volume comes back nice and loud. Then once I hit the volume down button, it sounds has if I had hit the down button like 4 times. (but i really only hit it once)

So it seems like there is a glitch with possibly the AVC when a phone call comes in.... I usually keep it on volume 10 and when I come back from a phone call its like at volume 13 or 14.... I never looked to see how fast I was going or if this happens when I'm parked or not moving.

I'm glad you brought this up Dan.