Lexus IS Audio System

kungfufi

Has anyone used an Ipod integration kit for their IS with navigation?
I think there are a few on the market at the moment: SoundLinQ, Neo ionSP and the DICE integration kit for the IS.
Wondering if anyone has used any of these on their IS and has any recommendations.

ajmtbm

what is the story with that AUX jack anyway? what do you need to buy to connect an ipod to the car?

getlex

you can buy a connector on ebay for like 5 bucks...it plugs into the lexus and ipod and you can listen to it via the AUX on the car....you still have to control playback and skips through the actual ipod....the volume also has to be put higher - I would go with the gold plated connectors for better quality (couple bucks more)

truckasaurus

I'm using my iPod with my '06 IS350. When I have it powered from the 12V outlet in the arm rest where the aux socket lives I get lots of electrical noise through the audio. If I disconnect the power adaptor so the iPod is powering itself it quietens down alot, but there is still a small whine that rises and falls in frequency in time to the engine revs. I'm using a Belkin power adaptor and Radioshack audio lead.
Any one else getting this?

maxidrive

I didn't notice any interferences with the same setup I have in my IS 350.

ajmtbm

while under its own power seems pretty clean.
owners manual says you may get feedback when using cars power, but i have never tried it.
maybe cable is no good?

yellowcar

This is a common problem when using vehicle power to a audio device. You will need to add a device called a ground loop isolator into the audio circuit. It will have RCA plugs for input and output. Check RadioShack, Best Buy, or other electonics sources. Easy to find!

monie

I have a 2003 IS 300 and want to install an ipod. Which one is better or does it matter? SoundLinQ, Neo ionSP and the DICE? Is it complicated or can I do it myself?

truckasaurus

Thanks for the replies. I'll look into the ground loop isolator.

Anyone getting the whine in time to the engine revs when the iPod is under its own power?

myis350

I tried to connect my iPod (5th gen) to AUX in 06 Lexus IS 350. iPod worked OK but no volume through Audio. Nav display just said NO CD! Any suggestions?

md_rocks

The "aux" is a separate input that I think the stereo thinks is discrete. It's more like "disc 7" in your 6 CD changer. I have to hit the "mode" button on my steering wheel to switch into aux input if I'm listening to a CD.

I'm not sure this helps as I don't have navi.

jerry k

Since it is virtually impossible to get the Levinson radio in a IS 250 in So. Cal - I was wondering if there was a major difference between the factory installed radio and the Levinson upgrade?

Also, has anyone had XM dealer installed and, if so, do you recommend it?

jerry k

Let me try this another way: I wound up not getting XM when I picked up my car - I was just wondering if anyone has installed the Lexus XM after having the car and also wondering if it needs to be done by a Lexus Dealer.

scuba077

Hi..what type of connectors on each end of cable ? are they the 2.5MM sim to headphone connectors ? thanks in advance

herbym985

i have a question i just got my lexus is350 one week ago and i want to get the XM radio installed in my car but i dont want to pay $800 from the dealer
the last ting i want to do is get an external XM recive and antenna please help

i want it to work with my NAV screen and my stearing wheel

DOES ANYONE KNOW A BETTER WAY TO GET XM RADIO IN MY 07 is350?????????????????????????????????????????????????

newlexus555

2nd that. Anyone know how to get Satellite radio without letting the deal screw you?????

souji3

What you guys think? worth the extra money? or is stock good enough?

kgk3

I'd go with the ML. The stock radio is good but not great.

Also, the XM radio which I had installed by the dealer SUCKS. It sounds like an internet radio broadcast. Brought it in 4 times, but they were no help and XM just was going down the algorithms. Their customer service is completely worthless. I'm not happy considering it cost $800. "Near CD quality" is a load of c--p!

Hope this helps...

applecore323

Since it is virtually impossible to get the Levinson radio in a IS 250 here - I was wondering if there was a major difference between the factory installed radio and the Levinson upgrade?

Also, has anyone had XM dealer installed and, if so, do you recommend it?

psylentstorm

Sorry this wont be of too much help, but I got the levinson upgrade... but i havent rode in a IS without it, i cant really tell you the difference.

I play the iPod using the aux port, but like everyone else with or without levinson, you have to increase volume on either the iPod or car, or both. I just ordered the Belkin Auto Kit, which lets you play the iPod through the dock connector, NOT the headphone jack. suppossedly this will improve quality.

newbuyer2008

Hi - I just got the 2008 IS 250 with Prem + Nav and the basic radio. I was under the impression that when I loaded the CD, I would be able to see the title of the album and the track names. I cannot see either. Do I need to do something to make this feature work? I am using real - original CD's, not copies or homemade or anything like that.
Thanks!

lowrdison20s

i have mine connected and it sounds great or as good as the song is in the ipod for instance cd will sound cd quality mp3 downloaded from net not too good depends on how much of an audio frek you are my sounds great but the deal is u must get the best cable to connect it to the sound is only as good as its sourse monster cable connector shoul be pretty good let me know

lowrdison20s

hi jerry no you dont need to pay the stealership for this you can do this your self in an hour or so there is instructions with pics on the club lexus website just ge there and im sure you http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297124will find a post on how to install it

lowrdison20s

i havent heard them side by side but i know that the ml system has a center channel regular system dosent plus the eq in the ml system is different so it makes it sound alot better it might have a little more power too im not sure on that but basicly its the digital sound processing in the ml amplifier that makes it sound better

12601

My 2008 IS 250 RWD was afflicted by the feedback problem when my MP3 player was plugged into the aux jack and simultaneously plugged into the power outlet next to it or to the cigarette lighter. Also happened if any other accessory, i.e., cell phone was plugged in for charging. There is a TSB for this problem. The car was in for 5000 maintenance and I mentioned this to the service tech who said he had not heard of this issue before. I doubt that. Anyway, they fixed the problem, n/c of course. They also did the brake pad TSB. Anyone else have this feedback issue?

mshawn

There is a default area on the nav screen that shows music CD titles, but does not work. Dealer says this feature is not available on "entry level" models. Then why would this screen indicate this? $47K entry level? other manf. cars have this feature on "entry level" models. Does anyone know if this can be unlocked or hardware update added to make this feature function? THanks in advance. Otherwise, car is very nice.

Dirtywater

I have the 250 with the basic audio. Instead of getting the XM through the dealer (quotes between 750-1200) I bought the unit from a Lexus dealer and installed it myself for $300. I am not good with that kind of stuff, but it was pretty easy. I think it sounds pretty good.

A far as the NAV showing the Artist/Song, etc., I find that it does not do it for normal CD's, only with mp3 CD's. The mp3's have metadata in their tags which is how the NAV unit reads it for display. I don't think (I could be wrong) that regular pressed CD's have that metadata in the tracks.

gpb59

I'm looking o buy a used 2007 or 2008 with nav. Are thes equipped with ipod interace (USB)?

trmartella

I have a 2011 Lexus IS 250 with tech package (Navi). When using XM radio the screen shows 6 channels that you may choose from. It does not show the song title or the singers name without touching the "text" switch in the lower left corner. I find myself toggling back and forth between the two screens. My Acura shows all the information on one screen. The FM screen on the IS, shows the six channels and scrolls the song/singer across the top of the screen. Anyone know of a fix for this problem.