ML Audio

i would not be suprised that ML was simply a label. personally, i am not impressed with the ISF ML system. it is not bad, but i am not sure it deserves the ML name. comparing to my wife's SC430, her ML system seems to sound more natural.

Many owners posted about their mediocre satisfaction with the ML system on their F.

crazee said:

Many owners posted about their mediocre satisfaction with the ML system on their F.

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Many owners have also posted their satisfaction with Mark Levinson systemas well. I have read arguments on both sides. Most seem to like it quite well. It really needs a good input source to shine it's brightest IMO.

I should reword what I mention earlier it's "few owners expressing mediocre satisfaction with the ML system on their F not many." So Doug do you have any info about the head unit itself being from a different company other then ML?

crazee said:

I should reword what I mention earlier it's "few owners expressing mediocre satisfaction with the ML system on their F not many." So Doug do you have any info about the head unit itself being from a different company other then ML?

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I do not have any info at this time of the head unit being manufactured by a different company. The way I understand is that Harman is the parent company of ML and is also the parent company of several other high end brands. When you stop and think about this subject for a moment, regardless of who actually manufactures the components, Mark Levinson has put his name/stamp of approval on this system. The ML company has obviously worked closely with someone( maybe even in house) to manufacture parts to put his name on and is confident in their ability. Lexus standard system is the premier sound system and is made by Pioneer. I wonder if Pioneer is actually manufacturing that head unit? Might be farming it out, might not. What were you interested in getting to the bottom of Crazee and why?

I spoke with an owner at a local shop that specializes in car audio system and other car accessories/upgrades. He sells Eclipse Audio head units and other Eclipse brand components. I mean they're a good brand nothing bad about them just curious about it. He told me that the head unit itself is easily hacked by the same software as the one they use for the Eclipse Audio. Just seeing if there was any compatibilities and whether what that owner is telling me is the truth or not.

The headunits and amp is a Eclipse (Fujitsu Ten) brand made unit. However, I am pretty sure it is not something you can "hack" easily.. I could keep the headunit, add on a Cleansweep from JL Audio, replace the speakers and add a sub. All being powered by a diffrent amp of course. Just my 2 cents.

ISFChamp said:

The headunits and amp is a Eclipse (Fujitsu Ten) brand made unit. However, I am pretty sure it is not something you can "hack" easily.. I could keep the headunit, add on a Cleansweep from JL Audio, replace the speakers and add a sub. All being powered by a diffrent amp of course. Just my 2 cents.

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upgrading is easy, but will be very costly. kind of defeat the purpose of having ML system in the first place.

it seems to me 14 or 13 speakers for a small cabin is a bit overkill. two tweeters, 4 door speakers and one subwoofer should be adequate to provide good sonic imaging and coverage of frequency range. i have a feeling that 14 speakers are put in as a maketing tool. 14 speakers cost more money for hardware and installation, they also add weight. to compensate, they have to use cheaper speakers to save weight and cost. just my hypothesis. maybe other people have a better explanation.

Thanks Andy for providing me with the info that I was looking for. What I meant by hack is being able to watch dvd while the vehicle is in motion and also using the cell phone. Another thing is that I was thinking that since it's an Eclipse unit it gives me another alternative option to get say the hack and also the ipod interface kit.

crazee said:

Thanks Andy for providing me with the info that I was looking for. What I meant by hack is being able to watch dvd while the vehicle is in motion and also using the cell phone. Another thing is that I was thinking that since it's an Eclipse unit it gives me another alternative option to get say the hack and also the ipod interface kit.

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I got a TV/Navi Kit bypass that works great and I would recomend it to anyone that wants to be able to use the Nav system and phone to it's fullest while the vehicle is in motion. I bought it on Ebay, just do a search and it should pop up. I chose to buy this instead of cut/splice wires the way some posts here and CL show the bypass. I decided on this because I can always remove it without a problem.

The audio HU is made by F-Ten. The speakers and amp are made by ML and the Navi ecu is made by Denso.

F'n around said:

I got a TV/Navi Kit bypass that works great and I would recomend it to anyone that wants to be able to use the Nav system and phone to it's fullest while the vehicle is in motion. I bought it on Ebay, just do a search and it should pop up. I chose to buy this instead of cut/splice wires the way some posts here and CL show the bypass. I decided on this because I can always remove it without a problem.

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seems to me one would still have to cut some wires to install a bypass.

I don't think I know F-Ten

Lou

F-Ten is Fujitsu Ten which also manufacturers Eclipse for the aftermarket industry...sorry

micaISF said:

seems to me one would still have to cut some wires to install a bypass.

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Nah...all you have to do is un plug a couple harnesses and plug this in. No wire cutting. Nothing permanent, it took me about an hour to install.

thanks for the info. i looked up on ebay, but could only find a bypass for ES or GX series. did you find one specifically for ISF or was it a universal one? did you install the bypass behind the nav/stereo system or was it some other location?

micaISF said:

thanks for the info. i looked up on ebay, but could only find a bypass for ES or GX series. did you find one specifically for ISF or was it a universal one? did you install the bypass behind the nav/stereo system or was it some other location?

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Check your PM. I sent you a link.

F'n around said:

Check your PM. I sent you a link.

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can you send that link to me too?

thanks!

I would really appreciate it if you could send me the link also.
Thanks!