Does anyone have experience going from a car without the acoustic comfort to one with or vice versa?

I ordered the package because I am wanting the most serene ride possible - but am curious as to other’s experiences with it.

 

Yes. I traded a 2020 which did not have acoustic comfort for a 2024 I ordered with it. I have less than 200 miles and have not yet driven it on the interstate, but I can say the difference is very noticeable.Absolutely worth the $1,100. It is a quiet as the Lexus LX470 I owned some years ago. An added bonus I noticed this weekend is that the Burmester system sounds much better. I don't know if is due to the additional insulation or if they changed something with the bass but the bass is much better.

 

They added Dolby Atmos badge to the new Burmester in MY24 so maybe the new DSP has improved the listening experience.

 

This acoustic glass also reduces IR, so you'll have a much cooler cabin on sunny days. An inherent benefit of the laminated glass is increased difficulty for smash and grabs too.

 

Note that if you have to have the screen replaced (mine cracked from a tiny chip), it's unlikely you'll get like for like. I'm about to get mine replaced again and will kick up a fuss with the glass place or the insurer.

 

Good to know. Does your replacement glass have the signature at the bottom?

 

Dolby Atmos only helps if the source material is Dolby Atmos. Not sure why the DSP would improve just because the ability to decode Dolby Atmos has been added.

 

No, I went with the insurer's recommended glass place.

 

You're right. Then I wonder if the person above was using a Dolby Atmos source material. I believe Apple Music and Tidal apps support Dolby Atmos; I wonder, does that get passed thru via BT or Carplay connections?

 

I noticed improved sound even on Sirius.I would think insulation could be the reason. I do use Tidal on Apple Car Play but I never intentionally selected Dolby Atmos. I have the high tier subscription which gives me MQA and I select that for my playlists when available. I understand that is now evolving into something else-- maybe it now includes Dolby Atmos when available.

 

I can't speak for the newer GLS that have wireless CP/AA now but plain BT doesn't have the bandwidth to pass Dolby Atmos and similar HQ MCH audio.

 

Atmos in cars is purely about the processing and upmixing. I wouldn't be surprised if it can't even play native Atmos files.

 

Marketing at its finest if true! I’ve been spoiled by Atmos tracks in the home theater so I would be disappointed by this revelation if I had a MY24 GLS.

 

No. Unless it is some odd-ball insurance (or not in the US), you absolutely should be getting a like windshield. All the glass places I've deal with look at the options on the car (HUD windshields can be different as well), and will get one that will work with the same options. Still might be non-OEM, but you should not be getting one that isn't of the same quality or meant for the same options. Traditional insurance (and I recognize there are many various policies to be had, so not ALL) covers like replacement. Getting one that doesn't have the same options as what you originally had is not "like".


This is also worth asking about if it is important to you. My insurance would not cover the OEM windshield (with the signature) but the price differences between the aftermarket version they approved, and the dealer version was slightly less than $100 and I agreed to pay the difference. I ended up not having to because the aftermarket glass was back-ordered at the time, so the only available glass was OEM and it became fully covered. So, it's worth asking if you don't mind paying the difference.

 

I have found that if I use a body shop for the windshield replacement I have a much easier time getting OEM glass.

 

For the next replacement, I'm kicking up more of a fuss. Although, hopefully the new car shows up before then and the dealer doesn't check the glass quality when I trade this one in...

 

One downside of this is the photo-chromatic glasses won't turn black even in the bright sunlight. But I will take the acoustic glass anyday.

 

So I actually had to replace my acoustic windshield recently and they gave me the regular one.

I did it all thru my insurance and Safelite. The first time I went there they didn't have the right windshield at all because it was missing some of the camera cutouts. The next time I went they installed the right one except they ended up cracking it so I had to come back a third time to install another one.

It doesn't have the red checkerboard on my original acoustic screen. I didn't complain because my lease was supposed to be up 3 months ago anyway.

 

Could you tell a difference in sound or in heath coming in the windshield from the sun?

 

No but I'm also not very good at noticing changes like that.

 

I'd second this. It's not day and night differences. To the point where I'm okay with leaving it off future cars.

 

Will the acoustic glass prevent me from enjoying the subtle rumble of the 580's V-8 engine? If so, I guess I could just get the 450 or, maybe, not get the glass.

 

No, it won't. What it helps with is transmission of outside ambient sounds and wind noise

 

Traded in my 2021 GLS 450 without the sound package for a 2024 GLS 450 with it. A significant improvement and well worth it

 

Do they have the same speaker count and wattage?

I'm trying to put together a list of all the Burmester systems ever offered, MB putting the 590w system standard in everything now is very confusing, I'm trying to find a E-Class with the older more powerful optional system but have no idea how to tell them apart.