The Personal Journal (D) section of the WSJ has a front page story on high-end stereos being fitted to all sorts of new 2007 cars. Interestingly, BMW is only mentioned in passing, (as in mention of a high-end techy car, as opposed to be cited as having an advanced system.)

The most "news" to me was that Lexus (2007 LS460) will feature a Mark Levinson system with a HARD DRIVE for up to 4000 CD tracks, and 19 speakers! From there, the article drifts into Ford and DaimlerChrysler models and trucks with big tailgate power. The eye-popping $6,300 B&O system for the Audi A8 tops the sidebar list. The MB Hardon Karmann system will move up to 14 speakers from the standard 12 of this year.

Even Hyundai gets a mention with a $1,500-2,500 available package. But no word on BMW: Especially odd since the new 2007 models are imminent. Maybe we should look for news of them in Mother Earth News (air resources section).

Cheers,
Ray Hull

 

I saw that article. The Audi B&O system also has pop up tweeters in the dash! They forgot to mention the Bugatti Veyron system, which is standard, and costs something like $30,000!

 

I was never impressed with the Levinson system in Lexus.

And B&O, quite frankly, is not an upscale brand. BOSE, Boston Acoustics, Hardon Karmann are considered "mid-fi" in audiophile circles, along with B&O. High price does not equal great sound.

Isn't the BMW system a Hardon Karmann?

I'd like to see B&W do something with BMW. That's a natural. Maybe use Linn as a source. It'd be pricey, but would sound glorious.

 

Linn are tied into a deal with Aston Martin, I suspect it's exclusive arrangement

 

Bummer...

Naim? Krell?

OOoooooo! Maybe MBL could make some of those funky radial speakers! They're German...

 

When your best sound system is in your car, it's time to quit living there.

 

I don't think our L7 system is that great. The DVD Audio and Dolby Digital systems in luxury Japanese cars, like in the Acura RL, sounded much better to me.

 

B&W does not do car audio. B&W loudspeakers are good primarily because of their cabinet designs.

Since car audio speakers are sold without cabinets, this is not an area where B&W would necessarily be great.


The Logic 7 is by Harmon Kardon, and the other post describing Harmon Kardon as mid-grade was spot on accurate. Harmon Kardon, Bose, etc... these brands are well known names... but they are nowhere close to being "high-end."



Dynaudio would be a good choice for BMW to partner with... although I think Volvo is using them. But in the high-end aftermarket world, Dynaudio speakers are among the best you can find.

Some other good brands would be: MB Quart or Canton (although I don't consider either of those brands on the same level as Dynaudio)

But.... all of those names I've dropped just make speakers. Speakers are only going to be as good as the amplifiers running them. In the car audio world, the best amplifiers are all by american companies.

And then you need source units.... which the best are Japanese.

So... putting together a quality system made by a single company is not easy... and this is clearly what BMW is trying to do, to save on costs.

 

I am happy with my system...No LG7 but still it sounds good!

 

I have heard the Linn in the AM, and am quite impressed. I'm an older audiophile, and yes, most of those other systems are nothing but mid-fi, marketed as top shelf. The L7 in my car is OK, especially with good program material, but won't compete with the best. Yes, have seen the new system in the S550, and BMW better get to work.