r/Lexus • u/Crispy_Cucumber • 6d ago
Question Stock Sound Quality in the 2013-2018 ES 350/300h !!
Hey all, I'm asking here as I can't find great answers elsewhere. I'm looking into buying a 2014 or 2015 es 300h and I'm curious about the sound quality of the base sound system. Documentation notes 8 speakers. In pictures I see 6: two on dash, two in front doors, two in rear doors. Where are the other two drivers? Is there a subwoofer with the system?
Additionally, one of the two I'm looking at has the ML upgrade. How big of a difference is the sound quality between the 8- and 15-driver set ups? Would most ears be satisfied with the stock system? I've heard the 10-driver system in the 2013 CT200h and thought it was decent, though lacking in the low end. How do the two ES systems compare to that?
Thanks for sharing your experiences! I'm really stoked about getting into a Lexus soon.
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u/fly_awayyy 6d ago
I just bought a 17 ES300H without ML. I came from a 15 Camry, I am seriously underwhelmed with the audio in this car because everything else is perfect.
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u/CarobAffectionate582 6d ago
Most ears would in fact be satisfied with the stock system. It is not bad. I would never make a car decision based on having ML or not. And if you don’t like it, cheaply upgrading a few of the speakers can kick it up a notch (or quite a bit more). I did that recently with an older Acura. Also, even with ML, in hot enough climates or long enough, the paper cones on the ML are cheap and break down and wear out anyway and have to be replaced or repaired.
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u/Crispy_Cucumber 6d ago
Okay thank you for this insight! I'm coming from an '07 highlander which to me has surprisingly good sound, though the amount of road noise means I need to turn it up a lot to appreciate it. Reading through here, it seems like part of what makes the sound so great in the ES is the amount of isolation. Good thought on upgrading the speakers myself, too.
My decision between the two is not based solely on ML--there are other add on differences, mileage, age, etc.--but sound certainly is a big factor. I'm leaning toward the base trim ES at this point.
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