Expert: Cleggsan - 11/23/2009

Question
Car: 2004 Lexus LS430 Ultra - with Mark Levinson 7 speaker reference sound.

We have two car with the same system, one year apart. The system in my wife's car is much fuller and sound is more dispersed or surround sound than mine. You actually feel music surround you and you can pinpoint any direction of the sound. Plus the bass is much fuller and balanced with other speakers.

The sound in my car what I call "dead". It has plenty of bass but but if is not blended with the other sounds. As stated earlier the sound not dispersed. It actually sounds like mono.

The car dealer can hear the difference but cannot determine what component is causing it. They thought maybe the amp, not not sure. They will not agree to install one to see it that is the problem.
Thanks

Answer
First, I would not take it to a Lexus dealer unless they have on staff an entertainment specialist.  Few of them do.  Best to take it to a local car install/repair shop.  They can check it out quickly if they know what they are doing.

But here is what I want you to do.  I think you can determine if I am right or not and if not what may be going on.  I think the amp that drives the tweeters is bad -  not working.  You can check this out by listening to some music that has lots of high frequency sounds.  Set the audio level at normal range; then go around with your ear as close as you can get to each speaker and listen for sound coming out or not.  If you hear no sounds from the tweeters then the amp must be checked.  (This system is bi-amped and there are separate amps for the tweeters, the mid ranges and the subs.)

It is possible, too, that one amp for the mid range speakers is out and you are not getting full sound out of the main speaker, either.  So, as above, listen with your ear very close to each speaker.

Then let me know how it goes.  If my guess is wrong we can try something else.  But, I know this car and if the sound system were working correctly it would sound exactly the same as any other with the Levinson work up. I am quite sure that you will find a fuse out or a wire off on the amp or something like that.  And, I am hoping you can find it and fix it by yourself.

Good Luck.