I am really not impressed with the Harman Kardon sound system in my S550 and really miss the clarity and bass I got with the Bose Sound System in my Infiniti. Do any of you feel the same way about the stock system or am I alone here with my venting.

Does anyone know if MB will change the sound system in the new models (S550 and CL550) to BOSE or B&O or they plan on keeping what they have. I plan on upgrading to the CL in a few years and really hope that is not the case.

 

"No highs, no lows -- it's a Bose" (c)

Subjectively, I prefer the HK in W221 to the Bose in the 1998 W140 (at least based on my memories of it) and definitely to the HK in the 750; I'm still undecided on the RR's HK. However, the 1992 Lexus Nakamichi sound system is still best in my books.

 

Does anyone have a review of the optional $6500 Bang & Olufsen system in the 2011 S/CL ?

 

For the facelift, MB has an option for the CL and S, and standard for the SLS for Bang and Olufsen. I haven't heard or seen anyone with it yet, though.

 

I agree ... the HK in my W221 is better than the Bose in my W140, and definitely better than the Logic 7 in the E66 750Li (I had one ... left BMW for the S550V4); the 91 Nakamichi had to be the most crystal clear sound system I've heard in a car (the new mark levinsons aren't as good, IMHO)...

I have a 2011 S550V4 on order with a B&O sound system that's being built right now; should be in my hands by the end of March, I'm hoping I won't be disappointed!

 

Well that's utterly subjective. I don't think it'll be an option you find many people getting so on that basis not many people think it'll be worth the $$$.

If it's anything like the B&O system in the A8 then it should be great. My father's had three A8s now and got the B&O system on them all, it's superb.

 

I would be very interested in hearing your opinion. I have always considered B&O to be more marketing than actual value, but would be happy to change my view. Those 6 childhood years I spent studying music made my ears extremely sensitive, so a bad audio system is a deal breaker no matter how good a car is ;-)

 

I am a long time audiophile and currently have a 2011 e550 with the HK system, which is ok but far from very good, IMO. When sound systems were less integrated with all of the electronics, I used to look forward to putting true high end systems in my cars. I have a 2001 e55 with a $8,000 after market stereo with Focal Utopia speakers and Zapco reference amps. That's a sound system, real amps that you will never find even in the most expensive systems now. I test drove an Audi Q5 about a year and a half ago with the B&O system and it was very, very good. Most definitely had a high end kind of sound, transparent, good tight bass and crisp treble. I would be very satisfied if that system were offered in the Mercedes, definitely better than the HK, which is bass shy and lacking in true transparency. Regards. Ned.

 

I like the HK sys I have... my wife's X5 has the Bose and it sounds mediocre at best.

 

I would check to make sure the sub is working. My car had limited bass and it turned out to be a blown sub, something that is apparently common. Once that was fixed it was much better but still not great...

 

My dad bought a 2007 S550 and the HK sound sym is a complete disappointment!! My 97 S500 bose sound sym sound 100x better than his and my mom has a 2007 LS460 with the Mark levinson sound sym and that thing is unbelievable!!!! I'm sure this is why benz is starting to offer the B&O sound sym cause they kno they dropped the ball on this one!! But i have to admit that the benz does drive better than the lexus but i love music so the sound system kind of ruins the drive for me sometimes.

 

I know this is an old thread, but no BMW has ever had Bose.

 

the HK system in the s550 is very average, wouldn't use bad to describe it at all, but it's far from great

 

100% agree. There are way better systems available in other vehicles. Although the new HK systems in the new ML and the 2011 S class E class are a better improvement over the old ones.

Jag's B&W system sounds awesome for a reasonable price.

 

you can upgrade the H-K system. I just had a system installed in my CL600 that I am pleased with. Used some old JL amps and a JL T5 sub and some Boston Acoustic z-6 speakers connected to the output of the factory amp by an Audison Bit 10. Very nice sound except for one small issue. The head unit volume control has a mind of its own - when the sub is very active the unit sees it as road noise and increases the volume on its own. Still looking for the solution to that.

 

I prefer Bose to Harmon Kardon! I have Bose speakers in my kitchen+There latest Noise cancelling headphones. I love them both! If you have the money, get the Bose.

 

The only thing Bose makes that doesn't suck is their wave radio - its the one piece of engineering they can claim. Every speaker they make is utter garbage time and time again. I can't comment on their noise canceling headphones. We had a 2002 E class a while back with the Bose sound system. The STOCK 6 speaker system in my 2005 C class at the time sounded far superior (seriously) we put the cars next to each other in the driveway and everyone agreed.

 

Bose is a master at making crap components sound reasonable for a huge markup and a master at marketing but nobody who knows anything about quality sound touts Bose. Besides I didn't choose Harmon-Kardon over Bose, that is what Mercedes. Hose as the stock OEM system.

The intent of my post was to inform people that there is an upgrade path for our late model cars where it is impossible to remove the headunit as it is an integral part of the car.

 

most of my friends who are into audio, they say bose = blows

i have never been very impressed by bose

 

I have Bose in the 2003 S430, HK is in the 2010 and my 2007 S. I compare them a lot, but HK wins IMO, but it's still missing something. I have yet to hear the B&O system.

 

I have a 2006 S500 that's being traded Monday for a 2007 S550. The 500 has the Bose system, which I hated at first. My prior car had a good high powered aftermarket set up with a much fuller sound.

But after a few months of listening to the same material on the Bose, I realized I was hearing a lot more detail, especially in surround mode. (I remastered my MP3s in 640kb Dolby Digital 5.1 on DVD). Individual instrument performances were distinguishable. It's kind of like watching TV with the colors and brightness maxed out... dialing them down to get better detail may look washed out at first by comparison, but eventually you'll come to prefer the latter. The mids and highs in the Bose were very clear and bright without any brassiness. The mid bass was a little weak, and the bottom was non existent.

I added an Infinity BassLink powered sub, picking up power and signal from the audio rack in the trunk. That did the trick, although the car is so well insulated, the sub needs to be blasting in the trunk to sound normal in the cabin. I think the Bose system in the S500 with the added sub is outstanding. I've really enjoyed it and I'll probably miss it in the S550.

I also have an iPod controller I installed in the S500. That, combined with a portable wifi hotspot lets me stream Pandora in 192KB stereo. By far my favorite source on the Bose.

In shopping for the new car, I've auditioned a lot of new high end systems. The Mark Levinson in the Lexus LS had a very generic and over emphasized mid bass sound, the highs were too muted and the bottom end was muddy. Also, the Lexus rides like a 70's era Buick. What is all the fuss about that car? I loved the sales guy, who started his pitch by looking at the low res navi screen and saying "So let's say you're in the mood for Italian!". Welcome to 2004, dude.

The HK system in the new BMW 535 was all midrange. I played with the limited controls but nothing helped. Bass, Treble and Fader controls only. My wife has a 2012 MDX with the ELS Surround System. It's tolerable, although every song sounds like it was recorded using the same drum kit. I did really like the standard system in the new Jaguar XJ, with the big three way components up front. I didn't audition their high end 1600 watt B&W
Dolby Digital System. At $2400, I was too afraid I'd like it. Luckily, it was in a Jag, which looks really cool but rides like an ice cream truck.

I'm a little nervous about the S550. It may be time for a JL Cleansweep and an amp/driver overhaul.

 

Waiting for someone to post how good or bad the new Bang and Olufsen system is in the S-550, the HK in my 08 was such a piece of crap I had to go aftermarket

 

Not sure if there have been changes to the HK system, but, I am mostly satisfied with the sound in my 2012 S. Certainly not a disappointment in any regard.

 

At first I was not satisfied with the sound from my HK, but after spending some time tweaking it and disabling the Logic 7 mode, it sounds much better to my ears.

 

How did you tweak the HK system? I have been looking at installing a JL Audio Clean Sweep module so I can add my own amps and replace stock speakers and sub.