Lexicon Stereo...Really?

[David MPS]

The Lexicon system was originally designed for the Rolls Royce Silver Shadow (the only other car it has been installed in besides Genesis/Equus). I don't think people who drive a RR want to have a boom box in their trunk. That would not be "proper."

+ 1 !


For me the sound system is the best I never heard ! Since my WRX in 2006, I never change the sound system in my cars. Before when I was young, yes I got 2 x 12" sub in my trunk to get loose my trunk lid, bumper, etc.... , and for sure to shake my indoor mirror .....
Don't hear sound systems in Subaru cars, that's a crap never heard......

 

[sczac]

Wow some of you folks are very defensive of the Lexicon audio system. I think the thing would be perfect if instead of an 8inch sub, they added say a 10 inch sub (a 12 would be ideal), and if the current volume maxes out at 35, if the volume could go up to say 60 free of distortion that would make this audiosystem perfect. Seriously, I don't think my system can go above 105db, it would be nice to do at least 120db.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Don't get caught up on the numbers. The 35 is just a refference number they used. Some cars go 0 to 10. Others go 0 to 100. Some just go 0 to 50. It's just a number they used.

 

[Mark_888]

Permissible Exposure Time Guidelines − Sound Pressure Level - SPL

How long can a person endure a certain noise level before hearing impairment occurs?

Sound Pressure Level - Permissible Exposure Time

• 115 dB - 0.46875 minutes (~30 sec)
• 112 dB - 0.9375 minutes (~1 min)
• 109 dB - 1.875 minutes (< 2 min)
• 106 dB - 3.75 minutes (< 4 min)
• 103 dB - 7.5 minutes
• 100 dB - 15 minutes
• 97 dB - 30 minutes
• 94 dB - 1 hour
• 91 dB - 2 hours
• 88 dB - 4 hours
• 85 dB - 8 hours
• 82 dB - 16 hours

http://www.sengpielaudio.com/TableOfSoundPressureLevels.htm

 

[Mark_888]

Don't get caught up on the numbers. The 35 is just a refference number they used. Some cars go 0 to 10. Others go 0 to 100. Some just go 0 to 50. It's just a number they used.

In addition, the volume control on an amplifier is logarithmic, not linear.

 

[sczac]

Crusty, I am firmly aware, the volume number is arbitrary and means nothing compared to other stereo systems. However since we all have the same stereo, we all know what a 10, or a 20 volume sounds like on our systems/ i was using that only as an example. To be an awesome stereo.....Add 2x the bass and add 2x the volume...I would be a happy camper.

 

[Crusty Old Shellback]

Understand. Just some people think everything is the same.

For me, I'm happy with the system the way it is. A little more bass? maybe. A lot depends on what I'm listning to. And I listen to a lot of different styles of music.

 

[Jimmmmbo!]

The other part of this equation is the source material and its amplitude. I often find that CDs and ripped material to a USB stick are often much lower in amplitude than, say a radio station which always transmits using an amplitude boost/limiter system. So I can blare Metallica on Kxxx till my ears bleed, but from a CD it's only just loud enough at 30.

 

[Big_tugg]

Sound system is great but i'd have to say my best was in my Lexus GS 430 with the Mark Levinson Surround Sound System

 

[mhindenach]

I agree with your assessment. The system is quite good and quite possibly the best factory system out there which is one of the primary reasons why I have a 4.6. I have added a dual 12" MTX sub with a 500W amp to power it and this has provided the extra bass extensiona and punch that was missing. This has bumped the system from an 8 to an 8.5 or 9 in my opinion but it is still a bit lacking in the max volume levels. The only way you can get the system up past this level is to begin spending big money on a custom installation. Unfortunately this is out of my budget but the money I spent on the sub and amplifier was well worth it in my opinion.

Krunchy, how did you add the other amp to your system and sync it with the stock stereo? RCA to the back of the head unit or is there another way? I would like a little more kick myself.

Thank you

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[Mark_888]

The other part of this equation is the source material and its amplitude. I often find that CDs and ripped material to a USB stick are often much lower in amplitude than, say a radio station which always transmits using an amplitude boost/limiter system. So I can blare Metallica on Kxxx till my ears bleed, but from a CD it's only just loud enough at 30.

Correct. Also known as dynamic range. A well recorded CD has much better and more realistic dynamic range (more like a live presentation), but the average sound pressure level is lower to allow for extremely loud peaks. Whereas when the dynamic range is compressed, they raise the overall level, so there is not as much difference between soft and loud portions (similar to the way TV commercials are recorded, and why they sound louder than the regular programming).

 

[Mark_888]

Krunchy, how did you add the other amp to your system and sync it with the stock stereo? RCA to the back of the head unit or is there another way? I would like a little more kick myself.

Thank you

On the Genesis, you would need to take the existing subwoofer speaker line and feed it into an amp that accepts speaker level input. This is not absolutely ideal (line level would be preferred), but for subwoofers should not be any problem since subwoofers by nature have high levels of distortion compared to midrange and highs.

 

[Jimmmmbo!]

Correct. Also known as dynamic range. A well recorded CD has much better and more realistic dynamic range (more like a live presentation), but the average sound pressure level is lower to allow for extremely loud peaks. Whereas when the dynamic range is compressed, they raise the overall level, so there is not as much difference between soft and loud portions (similar to the way TV commercials are recorded, and why they sound louder than the regular programming).

Yes, to a point. It all depends on how you are controlling the signal. If you're solely using a compressor, then it's purely about dynamic range as a purist talking point. If you're using a hard limiter which many radio/TV stations use as well, then it is also reducing dynamic range but not in a linear fashion like a compressor does.

Nit-picking, I know.

 

[Rogerf]

Waste of money in North Texas, they started re-paving the roads with re-cycled pavement and the noise ruins the joy of a radio. All you hear in what used to be a quiet car is a loud roar. I complained to TxDot and got a reply about the cost of re-cyled vs. new asphalt.

 

[Mark_888]

Waste of money in North Texas, they started re-paving the roads with re-cycled pavement and the noise ruins the joy of a radio. All you hear in what used to be a quiet car is a loud roar. I complained to TxDot and got a reply about the cost of re-cyled vs. new asphalt.

If noise is a lot louder, than tire wear is significantly more. But I guess TxDot doesn't care about that.

 

[mhindenach]

On the Genesis, you would need to take the existing subwoofer speaker line and feed it into an amp that accepts speaker level input. This is not absolutely ideal (line level would be preferred), but for subwoofers should not be any problem since subwoofers by nature have high levels of distortion compared to midrange and highs.

Thank you Mark.

 

[Jimmmmbo!]

Waste of money in North Texas, they started re-paving the roads with re-cycled pavement and the noise ruins the joy of a radio. All you hear in what used to be a quiet car is a loud roar. I complained to TxDot and got a reply about the cost of re-cyled vs. new asphalt.

Ya know, this is kind of a funny comment, because I don't know of any sound system that sounds equal while you're driving versus standing still with the engine off without destroying your hearing. (Flame away.) Of course, I've never been in a Rolls Royce ...

 

[deepcolor]

i have the lex 17 speaker and find the sound system plenty loud when you play a dvd-a - big diff compared to the radio, cd or mp3.

my collection of dvd a 's are

rush moving pictures
eagles hotel ca
queen play the game
elton john goodbye yellow brick road
beatles love
queensryche tribe
queensryche empire
neil young harvest

all sound awesome on the lexicon
so if you want the full power, volume and full potential of your lex 17 speaker,
get the dvd-a

 

[gameday22]

I think the system sounds great overall and for a stock stereo it's better than 90+% of the competitions offerings. The clarity level is amazing, put a DVD-Audio disc in it, or any High Definition recording and you will truly appreciate how this system was meant to be heard. I do agree in some instances that the bass could stand to be a bit deeper, but what bass it does offer is precise.

If your out for ear piercing volume levels then this is probably not the system for you...but if you enjoy clear, concise music at any listening volume it's hard to beat, and you couldn't come close to it purchasing something aftermarket for the same price. Also if your giving it a score of 8, then it speaks volumes for how well it performs.... I'll take quality of sound over sheer loudness any day.


17 speaker system (approximate sizes):


• Front door tweeter ×2 (1")
• Front door midrange ×2 (2.5")
• Front door woofer ×2 (6.3")
• Rear door tweeter ×2 (1")
• Rear door woofer ×2 (6.3")
• Rear deck midrange ×2 (4")
• Rear deck tweeter ×2 (1")
• Subwoofer ×1 (8")
• Center speaker ×1 (4")
• Center tweeter ×1 (1")


DVD-Audio Disc's that sound great on the Lexicon System:

The Beatles - Love.
Big Phat Band - Swinging For the Fences.
The Fixx - 1011 Woodland.
The Eagles - Hotel California.
Kenwood - DVD-Audio Demo Disc.
Silverline Inside The Music - New Wave.
Silverline - Classic Rock Masters.
Pink Floyd -The Dark Side of the Moon. Hybrid SACD-DSD.
Steely Dan - Gaucho.
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.. Remastered 5.1 DVD-A.
The Police - Every Breath You Take.
Acura TL - Audio Demo Disc (Fly Like an Eagle).


Just my 2 cents on the subject

 

[somethingwicked]

Interesting. I think the Lexicon system sounds fantastic. I'm almost always using my iPod (which has the volume maxed) and the comfortable volume setting for the Lexicon is 10 (I go up to 12 sometimes if the song's master recording is really low, or I have the AC blasting). Anything above that and it's unbearably loud..