Toyota Aristo Serves as a Prompt That Car Audio Could Be Superior Now, Yet it’s Less Enjoyable

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Toyota’s meticulous focus on in-car audio quality has always been appreciated. The Japanese automaker’s commitment to audio quality stretches back to the 1990s, or possibly even earlier, with vehicles like the Toyota Aristo and Sera, which my colleague Adam discussed at Jalopnik. Similar to the Sera, the Aristo boasted impressive audio features, including physical DSP controls that could apply various filters to your music, altering your listening experience. While these controls may not be missed by most people in today’s audio systems, especially with the prevalence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, they underscore how car audio has become less about fun and experimentation.

The Toyota Aristo, known as the predecessor to the Lexus GS, was referred to as such in its home country of Japan. Equipped with a DSP button on the dashboard, the Aristo allowed users to switch between modes like Hall, Live, Cathedral, and Dome. These features sound more fitting for a high-end home stereo but Toyota found it essential to incorporate DSP controls directly on the dashboard of the Aristo, as demonstrated in a brief video by the YouTube channel, Battles Digital:

Whether the average person would utilize these modes in their daily listening routine is not the main point; it’s more about Toyota’s foresight in recognizing the necessity of such an audio feature. Imagine being one of the designers of the Aristo and contemplating, “You know what would enhance this car? A button that makes Donald Byrd’s albums sound live, darn it!” It epitomizes redundant controls, yet there is a sense of nostalgia for them.

In today’s era of car audio that likely surpasses anything from the 1990s and early 2000s, audio systems nowadays lack the element of enjoyment. It’s almost as if they have become too refined for their own good, simply playing second fiddle to Apple and Google interfaces. While audio quality has objectively improved, it hasn’t necessarily translated to more enjoyable listening experiences.

One aspect that often goes unmentioned is how CarPlay and Android Auto have standardized in-car audio systems for the sake of convenience. It offers a seamless experience, indeed, but one that is intentionally predictable, thereby eliminating the potential for pleasant surprises like a “Cathedral” DSP button. Just envision experiencing Martin O’Donnell’s Halo score or Howard Shore’s Lord of the Rings soundtrack with that setting—it’s a thrilling thought.

However, let’s divert attention back to the audio systems that once facilitated such exhilarating listening encounters. Perhaps more so than the internal combustion engine, automakers seem to have perfected the car stereo. I am frequently astounded by the capabilities of new car stereos, which is precisely why I find the default car audio experience so irksome. I’m referring to wireless Apple CarPlay, the epitome of convenience. How monotonous! Give me something to tinker with; provide me with options to adjust—preferably with a dedicated button on the dashboard, akin to the Aristo.

You may have gathered by now that I am, indeed, an audiophile. Yes, I am aware. I acknowledge that I find it slightly bothersome, but indulge me. Modern Lexus models flaunt Mark Levinson Audio, while upscale Toyotas include JBL. Evidently, audio quality holds significance, with automakers leveraging it to command higher prices for specific models.

The impressive audio quality found in most modern cars prompts me to question our infatuation with all things wireless—wireless charging, wireless CarPlay, and Android Auto. Today’s car interiors are saturated with unseen, unconnected signals coursing through the air for the sake of convenience. My concern lies in the fact that even most of the latest Bluetooth protocols cannot adequately transmit high-quality audio wirelessly, let alone lossless or hi-res audio files that Apple proudly boasts about.

What good is Apple Music’s free lossless and hi-res content if it’s being piped through Bluetooth to your car’s head unit? You inevitably sacrifice fidelity, albeit not excessively noticeable in a car. With too much external commotion as the world flies by, the nuances of low- and high-frequency ranges that wireless transmission forfeits for ease of use go unnoticed. Then, what purpose do all those speakers, crossovers, and amplifiers that come integrated into your costly Lexus or Toyota serve?

Once, I inquired Toyota about whether their native interface, known as the Audio Multimedia System, would uphold the resolution of audio streamed through built-in apps like those from Apple or Amazon. I also raised the question of potential support for services like Tidal or Qobuz in the future. If there ever was a scenario where that sophisticated Mark Levinson system would shine, it would be in streaming hi-res audio, right? Unfortunately, Toyota could not provide a satisfactory response, implying that their concern for the quality of their inherent music apps may be lacking. Consequently, I tend to lean towards using CarPlay, which I find both irritating and mundane.

It’s disheartening that dedicated DSP buttons akin to those in the Toyota Aristo are no longer prevalent, alongside diminutive equalizer sliders correlated with various frequencies in our music. At most, you can delve into settings behind a large touchscreen and tweak the bass or treble, as well as the fade and balance settings. However, the element of enjoyment seems to have dissipated. It appears that these exceptional car audio systems are all dressed up with no particular place to go.