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Review: 2010 Audi S4

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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 06:33 AM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
Well, if you compare it to the fabulous LS460 Mark Levinson system, almost any car stereo is less-impressive to some extent. But that doesn't mean it's a bad unit. Today, car stereos have evolved to the point where it is rare to find a truly sub-standard or tinny-sounding unit. Even low-priced Hyundais and Kias have relatively nice units today.
The ML is fantastic in a LS but not great in a GS,IMO.I don't have ML is the RX but some have said it's not so great in that model.
It sounds decent in an IS.
I had the system in a GS 350 and the center channel was too loud and there issn't an volume adjustment which I felt was needed.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by mmarshall
MORE intuitive, though, are simple buttons and *****, that do one function without a bunch of scrolling.
Not always, I am a button and ***** kind of guy too but one look at those Acura dash control with a million ***** and buttons is enough to give me a headache
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 06:37 AM
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Originally Posted by rogers2
Thanks for the review mmarshall.
Sure. Glad to help.

All your minuses seem minor to me. So from your write up I conclude that it's a very nice car.
Yes, I found fewer negatives with this car than I often do with others. But, in reviews, I have to be complete and objective.


To be honest I'll probaly never buy a Audi b/c i'm officially a Mercedes guy. But everytime I see one i'm very impress by their exterior paint and interior. Thanks once again for the review.
Some of the people buying Audis now are ex-BMW and Mercedes people. But brand loyalty in German cars tends to be quite strong....especially with BMWs.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 06:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Joeb427
The ML is fantastic in a LS but not great in a GS,IMO.I don't have ML is the RX but some have said it's not so great in that model.
It sounds decent in an IS.
I had the system in a GS 350 and the center channel was too loud and there issn't an volume adjustment which I felt was needed.
Same with the B&O, it is fantastic in the A8 but some what disappointing in the A4 and the S4. On a side note, I though the lexicon system in the Genesis sounds pretty good.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 06:39 AM
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B&O makes Mark Levinson sound like a Fisher Price phonograph. Seriously.. Are you sure you were in a B& O equipped Audi?
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by DASHOCKER
B&O makes Mark Levinson sound like a Fisher Price phonograph. Seriously.. Are you sure you were in a B& O equipped Audi?
Dash,it depends on the vehicle.
The ML is my son in law's LS 460 was fabulous.In other models not so hot.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 06:43 AM
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Originally Posted by DASHOCKER
Good write up Marshall.
Thanks.


As far as the BMW I-drive, you need to check out the new I-drive. It is light years ahead of the old version in use & screen resolution. All of the traditional buttons to control the radio, AC are on the dash for the non-tech savvy old school folks. There is also voice command to control many of the functions if you don't want to mess with the I-drive controller.
OK....your opinions noted.

I've tried some of the voice-command systems....sometimes they work properly, sometimes not.

You and the stalks lol..
As far as the twin-stalks on the left of the column go, IMO, the Mercedes ones seem to be the most confusing. That is much less the case in Audis. German cars, though, in general, with some exceptions, seem to use rather thin, flimsy plastic for a lot of them.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 06:47 AM
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Originally Posted by DASHOCKER
B&O makes Mark Levinson sound like a Fisher Price phonograph.
B&O indeed makes an excellent unit for the S4, but check out the specific Mark Levinson unit used in the LS460.....not necessarily other Lexus products. There is a reason why that ML unit is considered the industry standard.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 07:42 AM
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Is the B&O sound system the same in the A4 and the S4? I had a chance to listen to the system in the A4 but not the S4.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by The G Man
Is the B&O sound system the same in the A4 and the S4? I had a chance to listen to the system in the A4 but not the S4.
According to the Audi specs, yes it is.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:35 AM
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Originally Posted by DASHOCKER
B&O makes Mark Levinson sound like a Fisher Price phonograph. Seriously.. Are you sure you were in a B& O equipped Audi?


Seriously that is preposterous.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 11:09 AM
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Hey, opinions are opinions.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 11:17 AM
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The B&O system in the A8 sounds better than the LS ML system in my opinion, more punch and same clarity. The A4's B&O lack clearity and not even as good as the ML on the GS.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 11:21 AM
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After thinking about if I would buy a S4,I think I'd rather go with a one or two year old low mileage M3 sedan.
More power and the wow factor to me.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 11:46 AM
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Well of course you guys would think it sounds better along with everything else
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