General Forum

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

murcieme — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 13:03:42 GMT

Evan:
Mike,What car forum do you belong to?!

A number of the Auto Magaine website forums such as caranddriver.com and autoweek.com . My favourite used to be www.leftlanenews.com but it seems the discussion forums there have been overrun with trolls: Children who have too much time on their hands, unreasonable brand loyalty and unfounded biases...

Ah well.

mike!

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

Evan — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 12:06:46 GMT

Mike,

What car forum do you belong to?!

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

murcieme — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 02:11:03 GMT

Evan:
@murciemeA lot of Acura dealers have been color matching the beaks on the TL to the rest of the car. It really reduces the jackolantern look.To be honest I don't much care for the current TSX, it has a bloated look to me, especially when it's parked next to the prev generation TSX. Oh and btw if you haven't heard already, the TSX wagon is coming to the US! I really support Honda and love them to death (clearly!) but this whole saw tooth thing has gotten out of hand. They have ruined a fleet of incredible cars. ----------------------I really want to go and listen to one of the B&O systems after reading all this!

I've seen a number of TL's here in Toronto with the beak painted. It's a bit of an improvement I think. I don't really have a problem with it's styling to tell you the truth, but I thought the previous design was one of the best looking Japanese sedan's ever. I was hoping they'd improve upon it, but it seems like they made a bit of a caricature out of it instead. It's a fantastic car though...

I'm looking forward to seeing the TSX wagon too, though I also think the previous model was better. I used to love Acura, but I think they've lost their way a bit... I hope they find their way back.

Do yourself a favour though, and check out the B&O system's in some Audi's. I find even the 'base' B&O system in the A5 sounds pretty damn impressive!

mike

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

Evan — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:51:34 GMT

@murcieme

A lot of Acura dealers have been color matching the beaks on the TL to the rest of the car. It really reduces the jackolantern look.

To be honest I don't much care for the current TSX, it has a bloated look to me, especially when it's parked next to the prev generation TSX. Oh and btw if you haven't heard already, the TSX wagon is coming to the US!

I really support Honda and love them to death (clearly!) but this whole saw tooth thing has gotten out of hand. They have ruined a fleet of incredible cars.

----------------------

I really want to go and listen to one of the B&O systems after reading all this!

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

Matthew — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 18:31:38 GMT

kruppking:

A friend at work has B&O in his Audi Q5, I drive a Porsche Cayman and I have to say that the system in the Q5 blows you away. Its superb.

That's good news! Our Q5 arrives on the boat today, optioned with the B&O system. We tested it at the dealer on an A5 and I thought at the time it was clearly worth stumping up the extra for. Can't wait to test it out!

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

kruppking — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 13:35:53 GMT

A friend at work has B&O in his Audi Q5, I drive a Porsche Cayman and I have to say that the system in the Q5 blows you away. Its superb. The porsche system on the otherhand is a complete let down and is painful to listen to at high volumes. I wish B&O would join forces with Porsche as I love the cars.

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

BeoFab — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 10:48:56 GMT

Alex:

Blackrix:

A bit of background on the B&O system. The DSP is different for every type of car. For the longer version of the Audi A8 (which is 20cm longer than the normal version) a new DSP program was made since the acoustics of the car are different. So B&O takes this very seriously! Last year I heard the first Audi A8 in which the B&O system was installed and I was not very impressed by the sound (too much base), but that must have been an adjustment somewhere, since I have heard the system several times before and in those cases it sounded totally great! Or I must have been distracted because of the beautiful blonde Danish girl that demonstrated the system the last time.... Hmm, actually, I think I am going to try to arrange another listening session.......

Bass-heavy in a car is good IMO as it helps the low-end cut over the top of the tyre rumble, and this is coming from somebody who generally likes a bass-light sound!

Where can I get this demonstration?

Nice cars, danish blonde girls and B&O....I want that too!!!

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

Roger — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 04:35:41 GMT

First of all I think one must beware that Audi has two systems from B&O, the plain B&O and the advanced sound system from B&O. The advanced sound system is superb, but costly.

On the Audi A4/A5/Q5 you only get the plain B&O system, which is a good system at a decent price. On the Q7/A7/A8 you can only get the advanced sound system at 5-7 times the price of the B&O setup in the A4/A5/Q5-series, and in the Q7/A7/A8 you can step down and buy the Bose system for the same money as the plain B&O in the A4/A5/Q5 sells for.

In my mind, the B&O in the A4/A5/Q5 is about the same quality as the Bose in the Q7/A7/A8 - offered at the same price. The advanced sound system in the Q7/A7/A8 is a different story, but at 5-7 times the price it should be, too.

Roger

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

beoaddict — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 03:21:04 GMT

I had several Audis and Porsches fitted with the bose system, as it was simply the best you could get of factory. It sounded better (but very bass rich) than standard, but not impressive at all.

We also had several BMWs with the Harmon Kardon system, which I rated above the Bose system as it was more crisp and accurate.

A friend of my drives a S8 with B&O, and as far I can judge, that sound is far more impressive than the bose systems I'm used to. Its crisp, detailed and subtile in bass (but can be strong).

I wouldn't hesitate to order the B&O system, not for a second.

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

Alex — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:58:13 GMT

Blackrix:

A bit of background on the B&O system. The DSP is different for every type of car. For the longer version of the Audi A8 (which is 20cm longer than the normal version) a new DSP program was made since the acoustics of the car are different. So B&O takes this very seriously! Last year I heard the first Audi A8 in which the B&O system was installed and I was not very impressed by the sound (too much base), but that must have been an adjustment somewhere, since I have heard the system several times before and in those cases it sounded totally great! Or I must have been distracted because of the beautiful blonde Danish girl that demonstrated the system the last time.... Hmm, actually, I think I am going to try to arrange another listening session.......

Bass-heavy in a car is good IMO as it helps the low-end cut over the top of the tyre rumble, and this is coming from somebody who generally likes a bass-light sound!

Where can I get this demonstration?

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

Blackrix — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 16:39:16 GMT

A bit of background on the B&O system. The DSP is different for every type of car. For the longer version of the Audi A8 (which is 20cm longer than the normal version) a new DSP program was made since the acoustics of the car are different. So B&O takes this very seriously! Last year I heard the first Audi A8 in which the B&O system was installed and I was not very impressed by the sound (too much base), but that must have been an adjustment somewhere, since I have heard the system several times before and in those cases it sounded totally great! Or I must have been distracted because of the beautiful blonde Danish girl that demonstrated the system the last time.... Hmm, actually, I think I am going to try to arrange another listening session.......

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

SKApretto71 — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:51:54 GMT

Had Bose on my previous car, but felt nothing special with it.

Listened to an Audi with B&O... and felt in love. :)

For sure Bose systems are a wide range, and not the best in class can be put on a Mazda 6, but it's just my experience.

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

murcieme — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 01:57:22 GMT

SWISS_2:

I have a long-time collection of Bang & Olufsen since 1964, and admit myself clearly a card-carrying B&O enthusiast and supporter.

I also have a Bose system ( 14 speakers ) in a navigation system in ouir 2004 Porsche, and it is reliable and very impressive. Cd, DVD, Radio, and Mp3.

In 2005 and for the next 5 years, I was asked to periodically review the upcomng Porsche Panamera with a few select others. In 2005, I suggested the B&O touch screen feature for console controls ( request denied ), and in 2007 the incorporation of a B&O sound system, which was all videotaped by L&H Germany, who were running the review sessions.

As stated by the blindfolded tester in the YouTube segement, nothing beats or sounds better in a vehicle than B&O, versus Bose. Notice his use of the word " crisp, " which is consistent with modern or recent B&O product reviews.

I don't yet drive a Panamera, and getting home sometimes takes all-wheel + chains in the Cayenne, but I do wish I had a B&O lens sound system installed. It is simply superior.

Swiss, you'll need to check out the Burmester system in the Panamera and tell us all what it's like! Please! :)

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

murcieme — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 01:10:41 GMT

Evan:
I forgot that I actually own a Bose car system in our Acura RL. haha woops! We just got the car, I guess I keep forgetting about it entirely!!!Its a very meaty sound and I really don't care for it. It's really hard to bash your own car... The surround sound 5.1 mode sounds plain awful. The center channel is just lame. In stereo mode, yeah, it will make some noise. 10 speakers and 250 watts. Not the sound for me though.Personally I want one of those beaked Acuras!!! I have been listening to ELS since it hit the Acura scene in 04 in the TL. then it was 7 speakers and had SACD playback. When the RDX came out, it went to 10 speakers. And they started pointing the rear speakers at you instead of them pointing up at the glass.I had a 2010 TL all to myself for a day or so and all I could do was jam. Love it!

A bit off Topic, but I think The Beak definitely works on the TSX, even moreso the subdued Beak on the 2011. I can't get over The Beak (yes, it must be capitalized!) on the TL, but a subduing of that is coming next year too. It should be interesting. :)

Re: Bang & Olufsen vs Bose

Evan — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 00:56:20 GMT

I forgot that I actually own a Bose car system in our Acura RL. haha woops!

We just got the car, I guess I keep forgetting about it entirely!!!

Its a very meaty sound and I really don't care for it. It's really hard to bash your own car... The surround sound 5.1 mode sounds plain awful. The center channel is just lame. In stereo mode, yeah, it will make some noise. 10 speakers and 250 watts. Not the sound for me though.

Personally I want one of those beaked Acuras!!! I have been listening to ELS since it hit the Acura scene in 04 in the TL. then it was 7 speakers and had SACD playback. When the RDX came out, it went to 10 speakers. And they started pointing the rear speakers at you instead of them pointing up at the glass.

I had a 2010 TL all to myself for a day or so and all I could do was jam. Love it!