The new GS has an optional 330 watts through 14 speakers including a subwoofer and they claim that it is unmatched by any other mobile audio system. What do you guys think? How does it match our TL system of the RL system? How will the 5.1 hold up against the7.1? I hear Mark Levinson is pretty good. I hope I will get the chance to hear one.

 

it will rip the TL's system a new asshole

 

Have you ever heard the regular Mark Levinson system(non surround)? I haven't but I hear it sounda real good.

 

we barely have movied encoded in Dolby 6.1 let alone 7.1
we're lucky enough to even get our favorite artists in 5.1
so, this is HIGHLY overkill

 

I didn't think of it that way but

 

At the end of the 1990s, Lexicon developed Logic 7 which was a DSP mode on their home theater processors. It can take even a two-channel analog source and do quite a fantastic job of developing 7 channels from it. I have the Lexicon MC-1 unit at home and it does a great job of making ANY sound source sound AMAZING, whether it's analog, digital, 2.0, 5.1, etc... I assume the Mark Levinson system will do something similar with 2.0 digital sources (CD) and 5.1 digital sources (DVD-A). Frankly, it looks like an amazing system, but of course, that remains to be heard.

 

The magic word here is "optional". Our TL's come with one of the best stock sound systems that I've heard. The Mark Levinson system in the the GS is being offered as optional. You have to buy a package which includes a voice activated Nav system, backup camera, run-flat tires, and of course the ML system mentioned at a list price of $6249. Add that to the base price of the GS430 RWD of $51,125. I don't know about you guys, but there are other cars that I would spend $58K on first before the GS.

 

Valid points but I still would like to hear it on a 7.1 demo disc.

Oh and by the way I would rather get a E500 for $60,000 than a GS.

 

The TL's sound system was in the top 10 sound systems of all cars currently in some review article I read recently on OEM stock systems. It was also compared w/ the Lexus LS430's mark levinson system (which came in #1) .. the believe the TL/RL came in 5th place... but they said it was real hard for novices to tell the differnce b/w the subtle differences and that a lot of what made the Lexus better was that it was more insulated from exterior road noises and what not... not necessarily because it was such a phenomenally better sound system.

 

I'd rather get a GS for $60,000 than a E500 and know that I'll have one of the most reliable cars around .. even after four years.

 

Good luck with your Mercedes:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...kBYdU&refer=us

 

for $6249 it better be good.

plus a simulation is never the same as the real thing.
A real 5.1 DVD-A disk depicts channels exactly as the authors really wanted you to hear them.
A simulation logic can vary depending on the electronics and design.

 

5.1 or 7.1 in a car is just blah.

 

All I know is that my TL's sound system sounds GREAT! I am not sure I would ever need more power, or more speakers. 225 watts and 8 speakers is plenty for me.
I have spent enough time listening to music in my TL to know that the it's system is among the very best stock audio systems available in sub 50k cars.
Yaesumofo

 

i work for Acura and the stock TL system is made by Panasonic. it is a great stock system and im sure if Acura had an optional one it would be that much better.
but why confuse the consumer with much unneccessary equipment at such inflated prices.
a 7.1 system using simulated surround will not sound as good by filling 2 more channels with sound than an origional dsp processor system made for 5.1,. trust me peope this car and system at this price, there is nothing out there that can rival it, highest resale value in the industry, and highest reliability factor also, with no options, other than navigation, come on , whos the nit picker here.
Jeff from Acura vancouver.
p.s. anybody that wants to spend 10k more on a car that will loose more value in 4 years of ownership, let em come back to me in 4 years and ill show em black book values for their worthless car.

 

Says who?

 

I would get the GS430 also. I made this comment before I went to the car show this past Sat. and saw the 2006 GS430. Man what a looker. Oh and the reason you said too.

 

Thats why the Lexus GS have consistently had better depreciation ratings then that of the TL...see consumer reports and edmunds.

 

check reports on newer TL specifically 2004 and 2005 models.

 

I Did....this is for 2004. The TL ranked 9th (46%) , the Lexus GS ranks 7th (48%).

And it is Depreciation not depretiation.

 

oooooooooo! 2%. Wouldn't you still save more money buying a TL? A GS base price of $45,000 with a 2% difference in only $900 where as the difference in price the TL is a 24% to 27% difference, which is equilvalent to $10,000 to $12,000. You still would come out cheaper buying the TL. The ES or IS would be a better comparison.

And I hope I spelled everything wright(right).

 

It is all relative. You would actually get a better percentage on your return with the GS (you get 48% of your money back with the lexus vs. 46% with the TL), but the TL is less expensive. This has gotten out of hand....I own a 04 TL and the new 06 M45, and love both cars, but it drives me crazy when we get these idiots in here that bash any other car if it doesn't have a A on the hood. Then they start making all of these ridiculous statements like "anybody wants to spend 10K on a car that will loose more value in 4 years of ownership, let em come back to me in 4 years and ill show em black book values for their WORTHLESS car," and treat them as if it is fact, when it is absolutely not true just really pisses me off. I agree with you that the ES or IS is a better comparison to the TL, you can't compare a 50,000+ car with a 30,000 car, but I didn't do that...all I am saying is that the new GS is nice, I think better than the old GS, and that the Mark Levinson system is very highly rated. That doesn't make me feel any differently about my TL.

 

I totally agree! I love Acura's but some people get mad when you point out maybe some downfalls of Acura products. I always say call a spade a spade. If the shoe fits wear it. All automakers have they flaws. They should just be ready to except the criticism. Look at what the demands of the people are and go back to the drawing board.

Anyway give some details on the new M45. How do you like it?

 

Simply but Unbelievable! I test drove the GS, RL, and M and the M just has it all...total luxury with out sacrificing the sport, they really nailed it in my opinion.

 

Sorry to pick a sore spot with some folks , but as ive seen so far taking all in stride that is said. the TL still hjolds higher value in BC with wholsalers than any other car thus far, a brand new model you cant place a value on it yet. The new gs is still so new that it hasnt had time to depreciate. but from what ive seen on 2004 TL's and any other model from 2004 , the TL has more value based on price and resale.
bottom line, that may change this year, but whos to say till its time, maybe another 3 or 4 months well have a bettir idea, i agree the m infiniti is a great car , but still infiniti is a nissan and they kind of have a dark cloud from past looming , remeber resale value is supply and demand, and the demand is high for a Honda motor company product.Mostly based on reliability and maintanence costs.
people really love the use Acura product.
and i still think the gs is going to fall short this year, ive looked at the new Avalon and its not as good of a product that ive come to expect from Toyota this year. Sorry but that is my own opinion.

 

one more note onthe 7.1 system, i havent heard of one dvd audio disc in 7.1 sound as of yet, so why buy a car based on asystem just for 2 more channels of filler sound, its not discreet its just dsp. there is a big difference, i have a 7.1 home system and that works with 7.1 discs great, but for non 7.1 it doesnt make a difference.
maybe in the future when the format becomes more available.
but for the meantime i still think at the 30k mark the TL system is unmatched.

 

i guess ill start with my apology to the gs fans in the room, but i go by the kelly blue books values which are not affected by the publics views whether good or bad. the kelly blue book which is the bible for the insurance and wholesaler industry for car values rated the TL highest in North America. bottom line.
But i do say that the gs is in a diferent class, one Acura does not have yet. its between the TL and RL.
maybe things will change i am a Lexus fan myslef and believe the cars are great. maybe what i said was out of context and was unwarrented, but i have to defend my product , i really do think that Acura makes the worlds most reliable and dependable products.
i look forward to more conversdation on this matter any input is good.

 

i guess ill start with an apology, Lexus makes a great product and the gs430 fills a spot that Acura does not have a car for yet, i rate the values of cars on the kelly blue book which is used by insurance companies and wholesalers for car values and it rated the TL highest . i dont disbelieve the other ratings but the kelly blue book is not hampered by manufacturer voice.
i am sorry for the stab at Lexus and i really do believe that Acura makes the most reliable and dependable cars on the road today.
my apologies and i hope we can continue this conversation at a new level of professionalism.
Jeff