Wrong. The base system in a previous Lexus and another current model was/is worlds batter. Not even close.
I have the Levinson system in my 2009 Lexus LS. It was way better sounding to me than the basic audio system. I listened quite a while to both. I wanted the better one. To me it was worthwhile upgrade and I have enjoyed it for years. It is still a car surrounded by glass. I did not buy it because of blue meters.