My neighbor bought this car with the ML system. If you haven't been in a Lexus it is quiet and very well insulated--but it's still a car and there's still a certain amount of road noise. I also have a Lexus with the Nakamichi premium system in it. The Nakamichi is an excellent auto system. Good tonal balance, tight bass, clear midrange, and good separation. What separates the ML from the Nakamichi is soundstage. It actual develops a bit of a soundstage in front of the front windshield--like you are driving into the orchestra (or whatever you are listening to). Everything else: clarity, tight bass, dynamics, etc are about the same. For $4000 (which is the price of the ML option) you can buy a really nice piece of Mark Levinson gear for your home system that will really make a difference in critical listening session. I think you would have to be an audiophile that spends most of your listening time in the car to justify the $$--which many people do have to do--much of my listening time is travelling--but on planes (headroom is a great company in my opinion). I also understand the the ML auto system is made by Harmon Kardon--not at Madrigal--I don't have proof of that, but perhaps someone else can verify if that is or is not fact.