Surveying the best car stereo OEM

http://www.laaudiofile.com/newcar.html

 

They didn't take into account the Mark Levinson system nor the Volvo (Dynaudio equipped) systems. OEM wise, I'd rank the Mark Levinson system as one of the best available. But, the ML won't compare with a high end aftermarket installation.

Percy

 

A lot of talk about Nakamichi in that writeup. I don't know which Lexus model they're referring to when they say you can crank the Nak system up all the way without distortion, but I just ran some tests on my '99 GS400 Nakamichi system (which actually has a (factory) Pioneer changer mated to it; I was a bit shocked when I found that it did not say 'Nakamichi'), with the following results:

With a CBS test disc playing a pure sinewave at the 0dBFS level (tip of sinewave reaches maximum digital level), I measured the onset of clipping at a volume setting of about 3:00, or about 3/4 of the way up. The result of this is that if you're playing a 'hot' disc, one that was recorded or re-adjusted to get levels that use all of the digital bit range (for best signal to noise) - and there are many - playing at loud levels with the volume turned most of the way up will be distorted. (It'll be loud, though!)

The other thing is that the GS Nak door speakers, while better than the Lex stock Pioneer speakers, are only 4" and leave a lot to be desired. The tweeters actually have a coating an them that looks like something between tar and plastic, not real great for linear HF reproduction. Don't know if other models have larger sized door speakers. This is generally the biggest problem with MOST of the OEM factory systems - the speakers just plain suck.

Though I have not heard it yet, my money would be on the Volvo, with the factory-supplied Dynaudios, as Percy mentioned, on speaker reputation alone.