Concerning high end audio names in new cars
It made sense to me when high end audio manufactures started selling their brand names to the likes of BMW. I really had to look twice when I saw the Jeep Grand Wagoneer on a commercial with large blue MacIntosh meters on the dash! I went to the website just to make sure my eyes weren't deceiving me. It's just fluff of course. I've been in several vehicles with supposedly high end audio systems. I wasn't impressed with any of them. I wonder what impact if any the Mac meters will have on the general public. I hope audiophiles steer clear of this model car as it could prove to be a distraction for sure.
I was just at a media event where I got to spend some time with the new Grand Wagoneer and Grand Cherokee with the McIntosh systems. I ran a series of FLAC files through the system hardwired to my phone. That system is legit. Songs I ran through it: Back To Black - Amy Winehouse Before Today - Everything But The Girl Don't Know Why - Norah Jones Graceland - Paul Simon Invisible Sun - The Police Mosaic - Art Blakey
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Car audio is not 100% marketing ploys. I happen to know a sound engineer that works for a major auto maker and has work for several. While sometimes the systems can be not that great or potentially marketing, some of these designers are really working to put great sound in cars. I would caution against making opinions about the sound of what’s in the Wagoneer without hearing it first. It is a truly high-end vehicle and I venture to guess that they use some serious engineering before sticking that sound system in there. |
I drive an Audi RS7 I bought used - it happened to come with the 19 speaker B&O, which is an $8000 msrp add-on. The speakers were crap, so I replaced 11 of them. I absolutely do not expect it to sound as good as my home hifi system but it does sound OK now. I drive a lot so at least want it to be decent sounding. |
Back in the day we were very happy with an 8 track head unit and a pair of 6x9s mounted on the rear deck. Fond memories. @jbhiller One of my buddies brother is a sound engineer and works for a year on a design cycle for a vehicle sound system. So I get it. @artemus_5 My C7 has a premium Bose 11 speaker system including sub-woofer I’ve only listened to it a few times as it’s not the reason I bought the car. But, to all you Bose haters out there, it sounds dam good sittin’ in the driveway. Regards, barts |
Before I retired I drove 2500 miles a month. Sound was very important. My then Mercedes e class had a Harmon Kardon system that sounded great. I traded that for a 2018 with the new Burmester system—miles ahead of the HK. It still surprises me now and then with its imaging. I listen mainly to radio jazz fan from Poland or KCSM from San Mateo. And I’ve got about 600 mp3s on one card and another card with flac files. Anyone ever heard the Boze Panaray system on a Cadillac sedan? |
