Sound Quality of the Lexicon 16 speaker system - Has anyone upgraded?

[jnsmith79]

I really like the GV70 (and GV80 for that matter). I've driven a 2022 and 2023. I was hoping the audio was updated for 2023. I'm an audiophile and an automobile enthusiast. I'm hoping someone has found a factory looking replacement to get better sound (Louder volume and more bass). I'm in a Volvo with a Bowers and Wilkins, which so far, to my ears, has been the best car stereo I've heard. I'm sad that there isn't a more premium option. So far All I've found that has similar (but not as good) sound is a Mark Levinson system in a Lexus, and the Revel system in the Lincoln. The Lincolns I've test driven have had quality issues, plus are overpriced, and there isn't a Lexus in stock with the Mark Levinson. So I'd really like to get a 3.5T and upgrade the stereo. I've searched forums and all I've seen are aftermarket plain boxes sitting in the cargo area. I want something that will look factory installed, or replacement speakers/amp in the current speaker locations that will give the power and quality and volume I'm looking for.

Has anyone had aftermarket speakers or amp installed? If the radio were even half as good as the Bowers and Wilkins I would make the switch as I love the way it drives and the interior.

 

[DaleNet]

I have the GV80 with the 21 speaker Lexicon system and I like it. Granted, I am not an audiophile and I have old ears now, but the live version of Hotel California does rock when you turn the system up.

 

[JCtx]

I've owned several V8 Lexus vehicles with the Nakamichi (3) and Mark Levinson (3), and was never impressed with neither one. The best audio system I've heard was my 2021 Tesla, and next best my brother's Meridian on his 2021 Land Rover Sport SVR. The Volvo is really good too; definitely better than all Burmesters I've heard on Mercedes vehicles, and my ex-Porsche too. At any rate, I used to mess with audio systems, and used to install them in my college years as well, but not anymore. The one on the G70 is nothing to write home about, but it's not that bad IMO, at least at moderate volume levels (like I use). And talking about that, how many speakers does it have? It doesn't say anymore on the 2023 window sticker. I think it was 15 (or 16?) before, no? So it should be the same now, I'd guess, since it's basically the same car, with the same old platform, and same interior. Freaking Hyundai couldn't even put the full dash, like they did on the also old Kona platform. Or put the new 2.5T engine, like they did on the Kia Stinger, with the same old platform as the G70. And the G70 is supposedly the premium brand. Yeah, right! Ha ha.

 

[Volfy]

As far as car audio systems go, the brand is nowhere as important as the way a particular car's system was designed and executed. From what I have auditioned, Mark Levinson can more than stand up to the best of them. The Mark Levinson in my old '09 Genesis is bar none the best factory audio system of any car I've owned. The Mark Levinson in my '21 G70 does well in dynamics and frequency separation, but sound stage and stereo imaging pail in comparison to my old Kimchi Mercedes.

That is a function of the locations of the various front drivers. For some reason these days, car mfrs no longer place the high-frequency drivers up in the front sail panels, like in my '09 Genesis. For good sound stage and stereo imaging, you need to have the drivers as far forward as possible, aimed at the opposing front seat in a crossfire pattern. You can doctor it with DSP to correct path lengths to some degree, but you can only optimize for either driver or front passenger- not both. I suspect the reason car mfrs only put drivers in the door cards these days, is probably equal parts interior styling and side curtain airbag placement.

If you simply add amps and replace the driver with aftermarket ones in the same location, you might get even better frequency response and dynamics, but no amount of $$$ spent will likely improve the sound stage and stereo imaging.

As for bass, well... like what we used to say in the 12V-audio world - "there is no replacement for displacement", and "there is no substitute for cubic foot". Tiny lil' subs burried in the floor pan isn't going to do what a nice long-excursion sub loaded into a properly designed and constructed box can. The question is how much trunk space you are willing to sacrifice upon the Altar of Bass Response.

 

[JCtx]

The window sticker of a 2021 G70 in top trim said 15-speaker Lexicon, so it's probably 15 now. Where did the 16th come from??? Well, it's probably a lot less than 15, since manufacturers cheat (as always), counting drivers as speakers, so counting a 3-way speaker as 3, for instance. I think my car has 10 actual speakers total, but need to physically count them again, in case I missed some. And yes, I counted the 2 mini subs under each front seat . Oh, there could be the difference, no? Will try to feel them, to make sure there's an actual driver on each side.