Car Audio & Electronics: Lexus Mark Levinson vs. Audi Bang & Olufsen vs. Acura ELS
09-10-07, 09:16 PM
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Car Audio & Electronics: Lexus Mark Levinson vs. Audi Bang & Olufsen vs. Acura ELS
An extensive comparison, eight clickable pages, from Car Audio & Electronics magazine. The B&O system begins on page 2, the ML system on page 4, the ELS system on page 7. The scores are as follows:
http://www.caraudiomag.com/testrepor...reo/index.html
Summary final paragraph/section, with references of ergonomics details and scores of each:
Individual reviewers' specific evaluations follow, with interesting details on the pros and cons of each system. Based on this review, the Lexus ML system is the most well-rounded of the bunch, with good sound quality, easy to use, and also an overall sense of excellence. It is the closest yet to approaching the capabilities/narrowing the gap with top aftermarket systems, based on this article.
Thanks also to CL member AM1 who first spotted this article in Car Audio magazine; the article was just posted online according to search listings. The comparison is officially titled Luxury Car Premium Stereo, and I guess these three systems are some of the best exemplars on the market.
http://www.caraudiomag.com/testrepor...reo/index.html
Summary final paragraph/section, with references of ergonomics details and scores of each:
Lexus LS 460 L Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound System:
Lexus did a praiseworthy job in regards to the ergonomics of this car, especially considering the amount of technology involved. With everything in easy reach and of a large format, concentration can be focused on the road. And then there's the audio system. It's the best performing OEM offering I've heard to date and is worth much more than its asking price. One thing's for sure, with Mark Levinson in your Lexus, you won't mind being stuck in traffic.
Sound Off
Average score
Audio: 8
Ergonomics: 9
Navigation: 9
Lexus did a praiseworthy job in regards to the ergonomics of this car, especially considering the amount of technology involved. With everything in easy reach and of a large format, concentration can be focused on the road. And then there's the audio system. It's the best performing OEM offering I've heard to date and is worth much more than its asking price. One thing's for sure, with Mark Levinson in your Lexus, you won't mind being stuck in traffic.
Sound Off
Average score
Audio: 8
Ergonomics: 9
Navigation: 9
Audi S8 Bang & Olufsen Advance Audio System:
For an S8 buyer the $6,300 ($500 more for the optional Sirius satellite radio) for the B&O system probably won't seem like a lot of money. At less than 10% of the car's purchase price, it's reasonable - proportionally speaking, of course. Perhaps some owners might want DVD playback at that price instead of the iPod tray with the USB connection. Frankly, I'd take the latter and perhaps add some all-in-one DVDs for the headrests for the little one. That would probably about do it. All in all, this is a dream car for most and definitely a vehicle worth dreaming about.
Sound Off
Average score
Audio: 6.7
Ergonomics: 7.2
Navigation: 7.5
For an S8 buyer the $6,300 ($500 more for the optional Sirius satellite radio) for the B&O system probably won't seem like a lot of money. At less than 10% of the car's purchase price, it's reasonable - proportionally speaking, of course. Perhaps some owners might want DVD playback at that price instead of the iPod tray with the USB connection. Frankly, I'd take the latter and perhaps add some all-in-one DVDs for the headrests for the little one. That would probably about do it. All in all, this is a dream car for most and definitely a vehicle worth dreaming about.
Sound Off
Average score
Audio: 6.7
Ergonomics: 7.2
Navigation: 7.5
Acura MDX ELS Surround Premium Sound System:
The daring Acura showed by including DVD-A playback and using more optimal speaker placement is counteracted to some degree by the sound quality of the system. It lacks power and dynamics. In other words: It's a bit bland or "safe," as though Acura/Panasonic didn't want to offend anyone. The system sounds better when listening to DVD-As than when playing regular CDs, but considering that many of us still have most of our music collections in the latter form, we would want an audio system that excelled with both formats. [...] Still, the wealth of features in the MDX is not something to easily dismiss. When you consider what you get for the price, this has to be the best vehicle in its class overall.
Sound Off
Average score
Audio: 6.7
Ergonomics: 6.5
Navigation: 7.8
The daring Acura showed by including DVD-A playback and using more optimal speaker placement is counteracted to some degree by the sound quality of the system. It lacks power and dynamics. In other words: It's a bit bland or "safe," as though Acura/Panasonic didn't want to offend anyone. The system sounds better when listening to DVD-As than when playing regular CDs, but considering that many of us still have most of our music collections in the latter form, we would want an audio system that excelled with both formats. [...] Still, the wealth of features in the MDX is not something to easily dismiss. When you consider what you get for the price, this has to be the best vehicle in its class overall.
Sound Off
Average score
Audio: 6.7
Ergonomics: 6.5
Navigation: 7.8
Thanks also to CL member AM1 who first spotted this article in Car Audio magazine; the article was just posted online according to search listings. The comparison is officially titled Luxury Car Premium Stereo, and I guess these three systems are some of the best exemplars on the market.
Last edited by encore888; 09-12-07 at 12:17 AM.
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09-11-07, 07:54 AM
#8
Lexus Champion
I have yet to hear the ML system in the LS460.
I'd really like to though.
I'll say from the sounds of it, it must be a huge improvement over the ML systems found in other Lexus models. I've heard the ML in the 3rd gen GS and wasn't that impressed.
I'd really like to though.
I'll say from the sounds of it, it must be a huge improvement over the ML systems found in other Lexus models. I've heard the ML in the 3rd gen GS and wasn't that impressed.
09-11-07, 11:43 AM
#10
B&O have always been known to be more flashy than functional.
The Acura's system did pretty well for a panasonic system. I was never too fond of Panasonic OEM system. However, the Acura costs less than $50k so the system seems to suit it pretty well.
The Audi's system is overpriced. Then again, the $6k is nothing for people making 6-digits a year.
The Acura's system did pretty well for a panasonic system. I was never too fond of Panasonic OEM system. However, the Acura costs less than $50k so the system seems to suit it pretty well.
The Audi's system is overpriced. Then again, the $6k is nothing for people making 6-digits a year.
09-11-07, 12:56 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
When coupled with a touchscreen, there is a major improvement in the Acura system, it seems. The review here wished for one like on the LS. They also said the general setup was difficult; maybe the **** configuration doesn't help.
They did like the GS ML that they tested earlier.
They did like the GS ML that they tested earlier.
09-11-07, 02:02 PM
#14
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Actually not. What makes B&O special is that they combine eye-catching design and unmatchable ergonomics with top-notch sound and picture quality.
What surprises and impresses me is that the Acura system was included in this comparo, and that it did so well considering how much less expensive the vehicle is.
What surprises and impresses me is that the Acura system was included in this comparo, and that it did so well considering how much less expensive the vehicle is.
09-11-07, 02:29 PM
#15
Exactly. B&O has that eye-catching design, but for the price you pay, the sound quality is not up to par. The B&O is no slouch when it comes to audio, if you factor out the price. The majority of the price is coming from the exclusive designs.
Match up the B&O against some B&W of the same price, I will gladly take B&W. The B&O sounds nice, but not nearly nice enough to warrant the hefty price tag.
Then again, I'm not made out of money
Match up the B&O against some B&W of the same price, I will gladly take B&W. The B&O sounds nice, but not nearly nice enough to warrant the hefty price tag.
Then again, I'm not made out of money