Bang and Olufsen
07-23-07, 12:57 PM
#16
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07-23-07, 01:26 PM
#17
Both systems are quite good in their own right. However, reviews take into account their sound quality, cost, etc.
In MSN Auto's comparison of best car audio systems, the LS 460's ML ranked first and the B&O was mid-pack:
http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....tentid=4024826
Similarly, Edmunds' reviews are telling, when comparing the $2,500 LS 460 ML system to the $6,300 S8 B&O system:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=103459
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=119449
It's no surprise that the ML system has taken the #1 spot in Edmunds' back-to-back comparos lists (yes, lot of those were before the B&O came out); the latest reviews from them show that the ML system is still "the standard" but the B&O system is not bad either.
However it's a different case between the two, given that the ML system is much easier to acquire, and available across the entire range (albeit in different forms). So it's not surprising that Lexus has gotten its reputation with the Nakamichi and now ML partnership, and such high-end audio partnerships are seen increasingly. Not only does Edmunds like the Lexus-ML system in every Top 10 list 2002-2005, others such as LA Car (cited by VW press releases as well for their mention of the Phaeton) list it as well:
http://lacar.com/modules.php?name=Ne...rticle&sid=303
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/...7/article.html
In MSN Auto's comparison of best car audio systems, the LS 460's ML ranked first and the B&O was mid-pack:
http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....tentid=4024826
2007 Lexus LS 460—$71,480
When Lexus added Mark Levinson sound systems to its vehicles in 2000, it raised expectation for all carmakers' premium audio offerings. The Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound Audio System in the 2007 Lexus LS 460 sets a new standard. The 19-speaker, 450-watt system not only plays DVD-Audio and DVD-Video surround-sound discs and CDs, but also incorporates a 8-gigabyte hard-disc drive that allows creating a personal music library of up to 2,000 songs. It's one of the best sounding systems available today, and the LS 460's ultra-quiet interior makes for a perfect venue. The system is also easy to operate thanks to the large touch-screen in the dash and one of the best voice-recognition systems on the road. One minor quibble is that with the steering-wheel audio controls at the 8 o'clock position, they aren't as easily accessible as others at 3 and 9 o'clock.
Sound Quality: 5 Ergonomics: 4
2007 Audi S8—$110,170
As easy on the eyes as it is pleasing to the ears, the Audi S8's Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System includes tweeters that rise up out of the dash and cool aluminum grilles in the doors and rear deck. And at $6,300, the 14-speaker, 1,000-watt system should give you something to show off. But at times I felt that the system looked better than it sounded. I noticed that when I moved my head to one side the sound changed, likely due to the position of the tweeters on the dash. You can optimize the sound of the system so it's best for the driver, front or rear passengers or for all the occupants in the vehicle, as well as vary the amount of surround-sound. But the occupant modes gave the music an unnatural sound, and I preferred listening with the surround mode turned off. The system was easy to operate thanks to Audi's Multi-Media Interface in the center console and the bold graphics on a small screen that slips into the dash when not in use. I also liked the rotary volume ***** on the center console and the steering wheel, but stashing the six-disc CD changer in the glove box seems so 20th century.
Sound Quality: 3.5 Ergonomics: 3.5
When Lexus added Mark Levinson sound systems to its vehicles in 2000, it raised expectation for all carmakers' premium audio offerings. The Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound Audio System in the 2007 Lexus LS 460 sets a new standard. The 19-speaker, 450-watt system not only plays DVD-Audio and DVD-Video surround-sound discs and CDs, but also incorporates a 8-gigabyte hard-disc drive that allows creating a personal music library of up to 2,000 songs. It's one of the best sounding systems available today, and the LS 460's ultra-quiet interior makes for a perfect venue. The system is also easy to operate thanks to the large touch-screen in the dash and one of the best voice-recognition systems on the road. One minor quibble is that with the steering-wheel audio controls at the 8 o'clock position, they aren't as easily accessible as others at 3 and 9 o'clock.
Sound Quality: 5 Ergonomics: 4
2007 Audi S8—$110,170
As easy on the eyes as it is pleasing to the ears, the Audi S8's Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System includes tweeters that rise up out of the dash and cool aluminum grilles in the doors and rear deck. And at $6,300, the 14-speaker, 1,000-watt system should give you something to show off. But at times I felt that the system looked better than it sounded. I noticed that when I moved my head to one side the sound changed, likely due to the position of the tweeters on the dash. You can optimize the sound of the system so it's best for the driver, front or rear passengers or for all the occupants in the vehicle, as well as vary the amount of surround-sound. But the occupant modes gave the music an unnatural sound, and I preferred listening with the surround mode turned off. The system was easy to operate thanks to Audi's Multi-Media Interface in the center console and the bold graphics on a small screen that slips into the dash when not in use. I also liked the rotary volume ***** on the center console and the steering wheel, but stashing the six-disc CD changer in the glove box seems so 20th century.
Sound Quality: 3.5 Ergonomics: 3.5
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=103459
LS 460 Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound System
How does it sound: Stunning.
How does it work: The interface for using this complex and sophisticated system is surprisingly easy and intuitive. There are plenty of European luxury brands that could learn a thing or two from Lexus about making an in-car entertainment system easy to use without compromising features or quality.
Conclusion: The Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound system is the industry standard for in-car audio. It has just the right combination of features, dynamic sound quality, clarity and ease of use to make it the front-runner in an emerging sea of next-generation premium car audio systems.
How does it sound: Stunning.
How does it work: The interface for using this complex and sophisticated system is surprisingly easy and intuitive. There are plenty of European luxury brands that could learn a thing or two from Lexus about making an in-car entertainment system easy to use without compromising features or quality.
Conclusion: The Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound system is the industry standard for in-car audio. It has just the right combination of features, dynamic sound quality, clarity and ease of use to make it the front-runner in an emerging sea of next-generation premium car audio systems.
S8 Bang & Olufsen Stereo System
How does it sound: B-
In a word, the B&O system sounds good, but not great.
How does it work: A
Much of the credit for this audio system's ease of use is due to Audi's excellent Multi Media Interface or MMI.
At first it's a little hard to get used to scrolling the tuning wheel down in order to move up in track number, but we're sure Audi S8 owners will quickly adjust.
Conclusion: The only flaw in the Bang & Olufsen system lies in the price, as the sound quality doesn't live up to our expectations. The 12-speaker Bose system that's standard on the S8 is just fine, and you still get MMI and the option of an iPod connection.
How does it sound: B-
In a word, the B&O system sounds good, but not great.
How does it work: A
Much of the credit for this audio system's ease of use is due to Audi's excellent Multi Media Interface or MMI.
At first it's a little hard to get used to scrolling the tuning wheel down in order to move up in track number, but we're sure Audi S8 owners will quickly adjust.
Conclusion: The only flaw in the Bang & Olufsen system lies in the price, as the sound quality doesn't live up to our expectations. The 12-speaker Bose system that's standard on the S8 is just fine, and you still get MMI and the option of an iPod connection.
However it's a different case between the two, given that the ML system is much easier to acquire, and available across the entire range (albeit in different forms). So it's not surprising that Lexus has gotten its reputation with the Nakamichi and now ML partnership, and such high-end audio partnerships are seen increasingly. Not only does Edmunds like the Lexus-ML system in every Top 10 list 2002-2005, others such as LA Car (cited by VW press releases as well for their mention of the Phaeton) list it as well:
http://lacar.com/modules.php?name=Ne...rticle&sid=303
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/...7/article.html
07-23-07, 02:33 PM
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07-23-07, 02:43 PM
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Both systems are quite good in their own right. However, reviews take into account their sound quality, cost, etc.
In MSN Auto's comparison of best car audio systems, the LS 460's ML ranked first and the B&O was mid-pack:
http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....tentid=4024826
Similarly, Edmunds' reviews are telling, when comparing the $2,500 LS 460 ML system to the $6,300 S8 B&O system:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=103459
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=119449
It's no surprise that the ML system has taken the #1 spot in Edmunds' back-to-back comparos lists (yes, lot of those were before the B&O came out); the latest reviews from them show that the ML system is still "the standard" but the B&O system is not bad either.
However it's a different case between the two, given that the ML system is much easier to acquire, and available across the entire range (albeit in different forms). So it's not surprising that Lexus has gotten its reputation with the Nakamichi and now ML partnership, and such high-end audio partnerships are seen increasingly. Not only does Edmunds like the Lexus-ML system in every Top 10 list 2002-2005, others such as LA Car (cited by VW press releases as well for their mention of the Phaeton) list it as well:
http://lacar.com/modules.php?name=Ne...rticle&sid=303
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/...7/article.html
In MSN Auto's comparison of best car audio systems, the LS 460's ML ranked first and the B&O was mid-pack:
http://autos.msn.com/advice/article....tentid=4024826
Similarly, Edmunds' reviews are telling, when comparing the $2,500 LS 460 ML system to the $6,300 S8 B&O system:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=103459
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do.../pageId=119449
It's no surprise that the ML system has taken the #1 spot in Edmunds' back-to-back comparos lists (yes, lot of those were before the B&O came out); the latest reviews from them show that the ML system is still "the standard" but the B&O system is not bad either.
However it's a different case between the two, given that the ML system is much easier to acquire, and available across the entire range (albeit in different forms). So it's not surprising that Lexus has gotten its reputation with the Nakamichi and now ML partnership, and such high-end audio partnerships are seen increasingly. Not only does Edmunds like the Lexus-ML system in every Top 10 list 2002-2005, others such as LA Car (cited by VW press releases as well for their mention of the Phaeton) list it as well:
http://lacar.com/modules.php?name=Ne...rticle&sid=303
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/...7/article.html
The Bang & Olufsen in-car entertainment system fitted to the Audi A8 has
been voted the world’s best sound system.At the seventh annual ‘Interior of the Year’ awards, conducted by Ward’s AutoWorld magazine in America, the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System specially designed for the Audi A8 scooped the top audio prize. A jury of 69 automotivejournalists voted it ‘best sound system’.
07-23-07, 03:38 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
The Bang & Olufsen in-car entertainment system fitted to the Audi A8 has
been voted the world’s best sound system.At the seventh annual ‘Interior of the Year’ awards, conducted by Ward’s AutoWorld magazine in America, the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System specially designed for the Audi A8 scooped the top audio prize. A jury of 69 automotivejournalists voted it ‘best sound system’.
been voted the world’s best sound system.At the seventh annual ‘Interior of the Year’ awards, conducted by Ward’s AutoWorld magazine in America, the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System specially designed for the Audi A8 scooped the top audio prize. A jury of 69 automotivejournalists voted it ‘best sound system’.
07-23-07, 04:00 PM
#21
Interestingly, the eight annual 'Interior of the Year' awards, held in 2007 and conducted by Ward’s AutoWorld magazine in Detroit, Michigan, had different categories, not including sound system. Rather, it was a holistic judgment of comfort, safety and design harmony. In that one, the LS 460 was named #1, Best in Show; it received the Best Overall Comfort award.
http://www.autointeriors.com/autoint...1%3A44%3A41+PM
http://www.minivans.autoblog.com/200...e-year-awards/
It's good that the luxury makes are placing highly in these interior awards, as they should. That Audi is now bringing premium audio from B&O to the table is a good sign, and it likely spurs Lexus to make sure its ML audio system is world-class as well.
http://www.autointeriors.com/autoint...1%3A44%3A41+PM
http://www.minivans.autoblog.com/200...e-year-awards/
It's good that the luxury makes are placing highly in these interior awards, as they should. That Audi is now bringing premium audio from B&O to the table is a good sign, and it likely spurs Lexus to make sure its ML audio system is world-class as well.
07-23-07, 06:04 PM
#23
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Sorry, but your opinions are worth the paper they're written on. Expert comparisons, documented evidence, heck even popular polling are all good ways to bolster one's case. But blanket statements of derision are neither helpful nor credible. Sorry.
07-23-07, 08:14 PM
#24
Lexus Champion
B&O is a serious sound company. I don't know about their car stuff, but their home stuff is definitely some nice but kinda quirky and proprietary stuff. I've installed a B&O multiroom system in a pain treatment clinic for the doctor to crank up to muffle the screaming of the patients being treated from those people outside of the room. LOL
Mark Levinson is honestly pretty overpriced in the home audio market - or at least VERY high priced - whether you have the golden ear to appreciate the tends of thousands of extra dollars worth of sound... well... I don't.
But ML stuff for Lexus vehicles seems to be MUCH more reasonably priced.
Bose - well.. I give them two big credits as a company - they make some really nice looking systems that are easy for just about anyone setup and not have to tune anything out of the box, and they're the masters of marketing.
Their systems cost about 3 times what they should cost based on sound quality and performance specs, but that's not to say the ease of setup and nice compact looks doesn't make up for that difference for SOME people (those who don't care as much about sound quality and price as they do about looks and ease of use).
I'm nearly positive that they don't.
I do remember hearing a couple of references to Pioneer as the supplier for base Lexus stereo systems - or at least for the ES and GS once upon a time - I dunno about now.
Mark Levinson is honestly pretty overpriced in the home audio market - or at least VERY high priced - whether you have the golden ear to appreciate the tends of thousands of extra dollars worth of sound... well... I don't.
But ML stuff for Lexus vehicles seems to be MUCH more reasonably priced.
Bose - well.. I give them two big credits as a company - they make some really nice looking systems that are easy for just about anyone setup and not have to tune anything out of the box, and they're the masters of marketing.
Their systems cost about 3 times what they should cost based on sound quality and performance specs, but that's not to say the ease of setup and nice compact looks doesn't make up for that difference for SOME people (those who don't care as much about sound quality and price as they do about looks and ease of use).
I do remember hearing a couple of references to Pioneer as the supplier for base Lexus stereo systems - or at least for the ES and GS once upon a time - I dunno about now.
07-23-07, 08:20 PM
#25
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ML is now considered the best in the business or near tops. I thought we had a thread talking about B&O recently and the A8. In reviews, it sounds (no pun intended) ML is superior to hear, B&O is right behind it but superior to "look" at.
07-23-07, 08:33 PM
#26
Other companies go for pure sound while BOSE focusses on technology to re-create the most life-like sound reproduction.
In other words, it's all artificially recreated. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing cause I've heard their Lifestyle sound systems and the top range sounds pretty damn good.
However, B&O is in a different league. They combine style and sound into one (expensive) package. I have their headphones and it sounds AWESOME for a small headphone. The vocals and the highs are crystal clear. The bass is somewhat lacking so you definitely want another headphone set if you want to listen to 50 cent but if you listen to music with a solid bass (for a lack of a better word) rather than the thumping bass of rap music, the B&O headphones work beautifully.
Oh and they're the most stylish set of headphones I've seen. I've yet to see another person with my headphones.
08-04-07, 10:44 PM
#27
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i had a summer job as a valet in a hotel/condo in miami... perks of the job, aside driving nice cars, was listening to kick *** stereos.
i dont think that the bose systems ive heard really stand much of a chance against B&O or ML. but between those two, regardless of price... i think theyre pretty equal, very high quality systems when the car comes with it.. i dont think id pay to have this installed in my car. the advantage that i feel these systems have over your regular subs amps and component speakers is that the OE equipped stuff is equalized to sound pretty damn good, where as when i heard aftermarket stuff in cars... there would always be either too much bass (mostly) and you get that nasty license plate rattle... or you just get off key sound... i dunno if what i wrote made any sense.. hehe but in any case, i think ML & B&O are pretty damn good... and pretty equal in quality IMO. although i do have a preferance for ML because i have a custom built home theater by them... three amp's, a sound processor, and a 15" woofer... the rest of it is made by diff companies but i love it anyways
i dont think that the bose systems ive heard really stand much of a chance against B&O or ML. but between those two, regardless of price... i think theyre pretty equal, very high quality systems when the car comes with it.. i dont think id pay to have this installed in my car. the advantage that i feel these systems have over your regular subs amps and component speakers is that the OE equipped stuff is equalized to sound pretty damn good, where as when i heard aftermarket stuff in cars... there would always be either too much bass (mostly) and you get that nasty license plate rattle... or you just get off key sound... i dunno if what i wrote made any sense.. hehe but in any case, i think ML & B&O are pretty damn good... and pretty equal in quality IMO. although i do have a preferance for ML because i have a custom built home theater by them... three amp's, a sound processor, and a 15" woofer... the rest of it is made by diff companies but i love it anyways
08-05-07, 04:42 AM
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i have to say that i also think BOSE is overpriced. indeed the lifestyle system is quite nice... but a similar system could be had for half the price.
and P.S. their car audio sucks *****
those noise cancelling headphones are pretty good though.
and P.S. their car audio sucks *****
those noise cancelling headphones are pretty good though.
08-05-07, 09:47 AM
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My opinion may not be worth much more than his, but I agree with the other 3 people. Bose sucks. Infact, I have yet to talk to any real audophile that would recommend a Bose setup... No highs, no lows, must be Bose.
08-05-07, 08:06 PM
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Anyone who would recommend Bose equipment obviously hasn't developed the ear or taken the time to listen to real audio equipment. I remember many years ago, a few of my dad's friends got Bose systems and they all liked to show them off when we would go over. When they came over to our house and listened to our ML system (the other ML, Martin Logan), they were completely blown away. It just takes listening to a real system once and then you'll realize just how inferior Bose is.
Don't get me started on their headphones. Noise cancellation is only good for construction workers.
That's because that's BOSE philosophy.
Other companies go for pure sound while BOSE focusses on technology to re-create the most life-like sound reproduction.
In other words, it's all artificially recreated. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing cause I've heard their Lifestyle sound systems and the top range sounds pretty damn good.
Other companies go for pure sound while BOSE focusses on technology to re-create the most life-like sound reproduction.
In other words, it's all artificially recreated. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing cause I've heard their Lifestyle sound systems and the top range sounds pretty damn good.
(They've tried though)