Debut of Mark Levinson Discrete 5.1 Surround Sound System In All-New 2006 Lexus GS Sedan

Mark Levinson, premium audio system provider for Lexus automobiles and SUVs, introduced its "next generation" entertainment system to the U.S. in the all-new 2006 Lexus GS luxury sport sedan. This groundbreaking system introduces Lexus owners to a discrete 5.1 home theatre entertainment experience optimized for playback of music, music videos and movies in the luxurious, mobile environment provided by the 2006 Lexus GS.

"The Mark Levinson audio systems in Lexus vehicles are highly regarded," said Bob Carter, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "And this cutting-edge surround system blends perfectly with our intentions to make the new GS best in every category."

This first Mark Levinson Premium Surround System, designed specifically for the 2006 Lexus GS, is a high performance home theatre on wheels. A product of over three years of engineering and development, the system improves on every aspect of the original Mark Levinson Premium Sound System introduced in 2001. This 14-speaker, 330-watt* system features:

- Discrete 5.1 multi-channel playback via a 7.1 speaker topology
- Mark Levinson Surround (MLS) audio software with discrete 5.1 playback for Multiseat listening - providing a surround sound experience for stereo source material
- Full digital transmission from the digital source to the discrete output topology power amplifiers
- Proprietary metal cone midrange and tweeter transducers
- 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS decoding of DVD Video, DVD Audio and DVD-R discs

"Our latest generation of Mark Levinson systems for Lexus will advance the scope of sonic performance and features available yet remain true to our original mission to recreate the emotional response evoked by the original musical, and now cinematic, event," said Phil Muzio, director of acoustic systems at Mark Levinson. "I'm proud to be unveiling the first domestic Mark Levinson Premium Surround System in the stunning 2006 GS."

Mark Levinson Premium Surround Systems, featuring discrete 5.1 surround sound, were launched in the 2004 Toyota Crown Royale Saloon and 2004 Crown Majesta in the Japan market. A glimpse of this new Mark Levinson system, while under development, was provided in the Lexus IS 430 Project Car.


Features / Functions:

- 14 Speakers - Four 25mm tweeters, five 65mm midranges, four 16cm woofers, one 25cm subwoofer.

- 11 Channels, 330 watts - The all new Mark Levinson Processor / Amplifier in the GS will produce a total power output of 330 watts, all channels driven, 20-20kHz at less than 0.1% Total Harmonic Distortion.

- Discrete 5.1 Surround Sound Reproduced by a 7.1-Channel Surround Sound Speaker Architecture - Separate side and surround channels provide a greater sense of envelopment and depth for front and rear seat passengers.

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