I use to gut every audio system in every car I've had. Including going down the rabbit hole with full dynamat, fiberglass speaker boxes, MDF sub boxes with sealed/ported/various alignments. Big 3 wiring upgrade, caps, big amps, big outputs. The LX is the only car I've not touched.
Not to say it's the end all or be all, but the LX ML plays in a different arena and is dialed to a pretty high level. One thing I've learned to appreciate over the years, is not just raw watts or output, but the finer things of staging, clarity, alignment, nuance, and balance. I find most typical consumer systems to be tuned hot or sporty, to lend some perceived audio excitement. They're dialed for a different type of listener. It sounds louder and more raucious, with a thumping narrow bandpass bass note, and muddy transient/attack performance. That to me is typical of Toyota JBL systems I've had in the 4Runner, Rav4, Camry, and loaner cars I've had. Like consumer grade sound bars or BT speakers. Tuned for casual listening for the typical consumer. FM or satellite can sound good on these types of systems as they emphasize the good and mask the bad.
The ML system in the LX is a finer instrument.
Con first is that it's still a factory effort with solid power, but not superfluous power that is typical of an aftermarket system. Now that my car has more mods, and AT tires, it's harder to appreciate audiophile qualities at speed because the noise floor is higher. Where the EQing of a consumer type system may have an advantage. But parked and give it a great source, especially CDs where it is fed through a high quality DAC and audio path, and the sucker sings. One thing I do enjoy is it's real surround abilities. My kids often watch their kid movies on roadtrips, and I judge the movie by the soundtrack. The ML system is impressive for this.
I personally don't like audio systems that color the music with its own signature, to lend "excitement". The ML system is balanced and transparent, much more faithfully reproducing the source as it was intended. Balanced highs and lows, with strong vocal performance. Close your eyes and there's actually a sound stage to speak of, and not just generic surround. Percussive bass, like snares actually attack in the bass and mid-range, both time aligned, while maintaining clarity of other notes. Qualities of an audiophile type system actually come through.
Yet systems like these, can perform worse for bad inputs as it exposes all the good and bad. Which is why it's critical to feed it a quality source. I personally can't listen to FM or satellite as the quality just kills the experience for me on any system. Like someone spoiled on fine coffee or wine, it's hard to enjoy normal systems again. The notes and overtones one finds satisfying is different than the mainstream, so depending where one lies, there might be a different preference.
