Rivaling the Lexus LS in terms of in-car hardware and sound quality is not easy but Hyundai has done it with the Genesis thanks to a new Lexicon audio system.
If you're not an audiophile, all you need to know is that Lexicon is the same brand audio system used in the Rolls Royce Phantom. The Lexicon stereo in the Genesis is provided by Harman USA, the parent company to in-car brands like Harman/Kardon, JBL and Mark Levinson. To drive that point home, Hyundai invited a few journalists to Capitol records in Hollywood to sample the car's new system and the results are astounding. This Lexicon system is easily one of the top five when it comes to in-car audio.
The top of the line system (found in the Technology Package on the V8) is good for 528 watts and it pumps sound through 17 speakers with a 7.1 surround sound architecture. Each speaker has a metallic cone which means less distortion and better response. Logic 7 signal processing is on board too and that mimics surround sound when listening to typical two channel, stereo CDs. It also plays true surround sound recordings like DTS, 5.1 DVD-A and DVD-video discs.
Thanks to two subwoofer channels producing 80 watts each (with 10% total harmonic distortion) bass is deep and sharp, never messy or boomy. Those metal cone speakers mean clean, clear highs that never squeak or hiss. One listen and you'll be hooked, in-car audio like this is why you like music in the first place.
The 17 speaker stereo adds an extra $4,000 to the Genesis bottom line but it includes things like navigation, a rear parking camera, adaptive headlights and a cooled driver's seat. Still, add a bunch of options to the $38,000 base price of the rear wheel drive Genesis V8 and you're still at about $42,000.
Those who recently named the 2009 Hyundai Genesis North American Car of the Year may not have been thinking about discrete audio or surround sound but it's a big part of what gives the Genesis a truly luxurious feel. - Brian Moody, Senior Automotive Editor
hondacura4 says:
07:12 PM, 01/22/09
Although I didnt get to sample the Lexicon upon my inspection of the Genesis, the cars build quality and material quality were very....very impressive. Everything felt solid and meaty...almost Germanic.
estreka says:
07:29 PM, 01/22/09
I can't wait to get one of these.
billt9 says:
07:36 PM, 01/22/09
I've seen several Geneses on the road, and they're quite inconspicuous on the outside. You have to look for them to see them.
They're not Camry-bland, but they fit right in and don't stand out. Handsome, in a casual I'm just an average joe kind of way.
smokeonit says:
09:49 AM, 01/24/09
the front grill is a blatant attempt to copy mercedes!
it has failed & it's a very ugly attempt, but anyone saying that this is NOT a copy is straight out lying!!!
briancam says:
06:17 PM, 01/24/09
The Genesis may be a copy in a lot of ways but it's a darn good copy - and for the price, I can live without the pointed star on my grille.
billt9 says:
11:50 AM, 01/25/09
This car sounds amazing. It's essentially the identical audio system as the S-Class, LS460, and the BMW 750. Only available on the top of the line cars.
If only they started putting Harman 17-speaker setup on lower cars...
billt9 says:
11:53 AM, 01/25/09
Imagine a Chevy Aveo with a Harman 17-speaker setup... oh ya...