Sound quality has always been a key consideration in the design of Lexus vehicles, from the solid, satisfying thunk of a closing door, to the refined note of the turning engine. It is the quality of the on-board sound system, however, that represents the pinnacle of the aural experience and in the new LS 460 this is taken to new heights.

Continuing a partnership with world-renowned hi-fi experts Mark Levinson that goes back to 1998, Lexus has commissioned a bespoke 19-speaker premium audio system for its new flagship limousine.

Mark Levinson’s engineers have always emphasised how the hallmark quietness inside Lexus vehicles enables their systems to deliver excellent sound reproduction. Where the new LS 460 is concerned, the degree of noise intrusion in the cabin has been reduced even further, opening the way for even better audio performance.

The original Premium Sound Audio System has grown into the new Reference Sound Audio System, a result of years of dedicated research and development by Mark Levinson aiming to provide the ultimate benchmark of in-car sound quality.


The components of the new Mark Levinson Reference Audio System, including the 15-channel amplifier and 450-watt speaker system, have been tailored perfectly to suit the dimensions and acoustic qualities of the new LS’s interior. By using an individual, all-digital signal path to each speaker or pair of woofers, distortion and time lag are virtually eliminated to give Reference-quality performance.

No matter where you sit in the car, the entire clarity of the system can be enjoyed to the fullest. Using sophisticated MLS audio software, with a 7.1-channel speaker architecture, ensures even rear-seat passengers experience sound from all around, rather than just from the rear as is usually the case. And thanks to Automatic Sound Levelling (ASL), volume is kept at a constant when on the move. Scientific measurements confirm that the quality achieved matches that of a top-end home audio system.

The Mark Levinson Reference Audio System is just one aspect of the all-round excellence and advanced technology in the new Lexus LS that promises to make it one of the most sophisticated and accomplished luxury cars in the world. motorists will be able to experience those qualities for themselves when sales begin early next year.