enjoyingsilence
Been here awhile...
the first thing I looked for before purchasing my Genesis was a review of the premium / upgraded 17 speaker Lexicon system. I had only seen personal comments, which are excellent! I'm open to opinions, I have plenty of my own... Some may have read a few here 
---
While I don't consider myself to be an audio engineer, I do consider myself to be an audiophile. The words "Bose" and "great" (or any other word: fabulous, amazing, etc" should never be used in the same sentence. (told you I have opinions). I have Bang Olufsen equipment in my living room, some Linn speakers and amps in other parts of my home.
And personally, as a musician/vocalist, I record using Mark Levinson equipment, Shure Microphones, and playback with B&W Speakers. I am very familiar with Lexicon's lineup... however, for the recording industry, Mark Levinson is *almost* the same, and a lil bit cheaper. (no, I don't own a recording studio; goodness I wish).
Lexicon, is a division of Harman International & Harman Becker Industries (whom developed the interface to the DIS in your Genesis). Also, being the parent company of JBL (Toyota), Harman/Kardon (BMW, Mercedes Benz, Subaru, likely a few others), Infinity (our own, Hyundai, Chrysler, others), and several others, I was surprised to see a stereo system with speakers "manufactured by Lexicon"; As Lexicon is not in the business of doing so. Only line equipment, such as receivers, pre amps, amps, and disc players. I'd be willing to bet, the Genesis speakers are manufactured by Harman.
From a technical point of view, the stereo is a masterpiece and a work of art. 17 speakers. 3 in each door, a tweeter and midrange as a centre channel, and 3 rear speakers. This would mean 4-6 crossovers, internal and external, at least 2 sound processors, with Logic 7 codec, balanced topology, and between 20 to 20,000Hz, less than 0.1% THD. Which is amazing.
The sound processor is what separates this system from other "HiFi". In surround mode, it's ability to re-image and distribute the proper channels in the vehicle, on the fly is unrivaled. If I am correct, only the ZX-7 Amplifier for your home from Lexicon does this. Which, as of this writing, retails for around $6,200 USD.
----
In personal experience, I demoed the system with a DVD audio disc, of songs, I had recorded. It was, recorded in 5.1 surround sound, as it should've been, and professionally cleaned up. (which does not mean, enhanced vocals) I heard pops, and physical pressure changes in the chamber of the microphone I had never heard before; specifically on my acoustic recordings.
Additionally, I wanted to listen to a suite of complex synths with vocals, to test accurate reproduction. At full volume with the following songs, I never detected distortion.
I have to say, in many of these songs (which I have seen performed live for the most part) I heard things I had never heard before, even at home. Maybe it was the sound environment I was in, maybe it was the incredibly precise reproduction of the tracks. I'm leaning towards 50/50.
----
In summary, I hope this has provided some insight to one of the most sought after stereo systems in the automotive industry right now. And from my perspective, if you thoroughly enjoy your music, and have the financial power, this upgrade comes with high recommendations.
---
While I don't consider myself to be an audio engineer, I do consider myself to be an audiophile. The words "Bose" and "great" (or any other word: fabulous, amazing, etc" should never be used in the same sentence. (told you I have opinions). I have Bang Olufsen equipment in my living room, some Linn speakers and amps in other parts of my home.
And personally, as a musician/vocalist, I record using Mark Levinson equipment, Shure Microphones, and playback with B&W Speakers. I am very familiar with Lexicon's lineup... however, for the recording industry, Mark Levinson is *almost* the same, and a lil bit cheaper. (no, I don't own a recording studio; goodness I wish).
Lexicon, is a division of Harman International & Harman Becker Industries (whom developed the interface to the DIS in your Genesis). Also, being the parent company of JBL (Toyota), Harman/Kardon (BMW, Mercedes Benz, Subaru, likely a few others), Infinity (our own, Hyundai, Chrysler, others), and several others, I was surprised to see a stereo system with speakers "manufactured by Lexicon"; As Lexicon is not in the business of doing so. Only line equipment, such as receivers, pre amps, amps, and disc players. I'd be willing to bet, the Genesis speakers are manufactured by Harman.
From a technical point of view, the stereo is a masterpiece and a work of art. 17 speakers. 3 in each door, a tweeter and midrange as a centre channel, and 3 rear speakers. This would mean 4-6 crossovers, internal and external, at least 2 sound processors, with Logic 7 codec, balanced topology, and between 20 to 20,000Hz, less than 0.1% THD. Which is amazing.
The sound processor is what separates this system from other "HiFi". In surround mode, it's ability to re-image and distribute the proper channels in the vehicle, on the fly is unrivaled. If I am correct, only the ZX-7 Amplifier for your home from Lexicon does this. Which, as of this writing, retails for around $6,200 USD.
----
In personal experience, I demoed the system with a DVD audio disc, of songs, I had recorded. It was, recorded in 5.1 surround sound, as it should've been, and professionally cleaned up. (which does not mean, enhanced vocals) I heard pops, and physical pressure changes in the chamber of the microphone I had never heard before; specifically on my acoustic recordings.
Additionally, I wanted to listen to a suite of complex synths with vocals, to test accurate reproduction. At full volume with the following songs, I never detected distortion.
- Celine Dion - Power of Love
- Josh Groban - Remember When It Rained (Live)
- Imogen Heap - Hide & Seek
- Evanescence - My Immortal (Acoustic)
- Blue Man Group - Rods & Cones, I Feel Love, White Rabbit, Drumbone, And Above
- and several others
I have to say, in many of these songs (which I have seen performed live for the most part) I heard things I had never heard before, even at home. Maybe it was the sound environment I was in, maybe it was the incredibly precise reproduction of the tracks. I'm leaning towards 50/50.
----
In summary, I hope this has provided some insight to one of the most sought after stereo systems in the automotive industry right now. And from my perspective, if you thoroughly enjoy your music, and have the financial power, this upgrade comes with high recommendations.
In the eyes (and ears, lol) of an audio engineer) that makes it easy - closed quarters (e.g. a car). A home, a theatre, or studio, is entirely different. 
