Any car/SUV with a better sound system than Tesla?

[Anonymous]

Looking for the best factory audio system. My friend has a Tesla and the audio sounds amazing, but I don't want to get a Tesla for various reasons.

Any car/SUV with a factory sound system better than Tesla? Or at least as good?

I don't trust the random "best audio" lists because my car is frequently on them and it isn't nearly as good as the Tesla.

[Anonymous]

Do you care about audio when you're driving 70 on the highway or when you're parked? Try a Mercedes S class or Lexus LS. Either will have enough insulation to deaden highway sounds and make the audio sound better at lower volume

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you care about audio when you're driving 70 on the highway or when you're parked? Try a Mercedes S class or Lexus LS. Either will have enough insulation to deaden highway sounds and make the audio sound better at lower volume

When I'm driving in the city and on the highway.

[Anonymous]

Have you tried bmw?

[Anonymous]

It's a combination of car insulation to block out the road noise + a quality sound system. I think it's always worth the money to upgrade to the premium system offered by the manufacturer.

Volvo has a great system with Bower and Wilkins.

Bose has premium speaker systems in a bunch of vehicle brands: https://automotive.bose.com/vehicles

[Anonymous]

No offense but Tesla is not that great and neither is almost any car, including the luxury upgraded sounds systems from B&W, Bose, and B&O. If you take apart these systems you will see insane stuff like paper cones, specially designed undersized drivers to fit in the door that make no sense - costly one-off form factors that could have used a larger driver, better quality standard speaker, etc. You couldn't sell individual speakers from these "EIGHTEEN SPEAKER SYSTEM!!!" for more than like 6 bucks per speaker in most cases. Best advice is just get the cheapest factory system possible and then have a car audio shop replace it with components that you select. For example, 12" subwoofer is a must for me - I have never heard a factory subwoofer that I don't hate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No offense but Tesla is not that great and neither is almost any car, including the luxury upgraded sounds systems from B&W, Bose, and B&O. If you take apart these systems you will see insane stuff like paper cones, specially designed undersized drivers to fit in the door that make no sense - costly one-off form factors that could have used a larger driver, better quality standard speaker, etc. You couldn't sell individual speakers from these "EIGHTEEN SPEAKER SYSTEM!!!" for more than like 6 bucks per speaker in most cases. Best advice is just get the cheapest factory system possible and then have a car audio shop replace it with components that you select. For example, 12" subwoofer is a must for me - I have never heard a factory subwoofer that I don't hate.

Maybe the components aren't that great, but it sounds amazing in a Tesla because the road noise is almost non-existent?

I did after-market systems back in the 80s/90s, but don't want to do it today.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No offense but Tesla is not that great and neither is almost any car, including the luxury upgraded sounds systems from B&W, Bose, and B&O. If you take apart these systems you will see insane stuff like paper cones, specially designed undersized drivers to fit in the door that make no sense - costly one-off form factors that could have used a larger driver, better quality standard speaker, etc. You couldn't sell individual speakers from these "EIGHTEEN SPEAKER SYSTEM!!!" for more than like 6 bucks per speaker in most cases. Best advice is just get the cheapest factory system possible and then have a car audio shop replace it with components that you select. For example, 12" subwoofer is a must for me - I have never heard a factory subwoofer that I don't hate.

Maybe the components aren't that great, but it sounds amazing in a Tesla because the road noise is almost non-existent?

I did after-market systems back in the 80s/90s, but don't want to do it today.

Teslas are notorious for terrible road noise, but obviously have basically zero "engine" noise. The audio isn't great either, not sure why are you mounting Tesla on a pedestal for their audio characteristics. Source: I own a Tesla.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No offense but Tesla is not that great and neither is almost any car, including the luxury upgraded sounds systems from B&W, Bose, and B&O. If you take apart these systems you will see insane stuff like paper cones, specially designed undersized drivers to fit in the door that make no sense - costly one-off form factors that could have used a larger driver, better quality standard speaker, etc. You couldn't sell individual speakers from these "EIGHTEEN SPEAKER SYSTEM!!!" for more than like 6 bucks per speaker in most cases. Best advice is just get the cheapest factory system possible and then have a car audio shop replace it with components that you select. For example, 12" subwoofer is a must for me - I have never heard a factory subwoofer that I don't hate.

Maybe the components aren't that great, but it sounds amazing in a Tesla because the road noise is almost non-existent?

I did after-market systems back in the 80s/90s, but don't want to do it today.

Teslas are notorious for terrible road noise, but obviously have basically zero "engine" noise. The audio isn't great either, not sure why are you mounting Tesla on a pedestal for their audio characteristics. Source: I own a Tesla.

I was just shocked at how great the sound was in my friend’s new Tesla plaid on a recent road trip. And there was no road noise. Maybe you have an older or lower-end model.

I think Musk is a DB so I’m not getting a Tesla but I’m looking for something with similar audio experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No offense but Tesla is not that great and neither is almost any car, including the luxury upgraded sounds systems from B&W, Bose, and B&O. If you take apart these systems you will see insane stuff like paper cones, specially designed undersized drivers to fit in the door that make no sense - costly one-off form factors that could have used a larger driver, better quality standard speaker, etc. You couldn't sell individual speakers from these "EIGHTEEN SPEAKER SYSTEM!!!" for more than like 6 bucks per speaker in most cases. Best advice is just get the cheapest factory system possible and then have a car audio shop replace it with components that you select. For example, 12" subwoofer is a must for me - I have never heard a factory subwoofer that I don't hate.

Maybe the components aren't that great, but it sounds amazing in a Tesla because the road noise is almost non-existent?

I did after-market systems back in the 80s/90s, but don't want to do it today.

Teslas are notorious for terrible road noise, but obviously have basically zero "engine" noise. The audio isn't great either, not sure why are you mounting Tesla on a pedestal for their audio characteristics. Source: I own a Tesla.

I was just shocked at how great the sound was in my friend’s new Tesla plaid on a recent road trip. And there was no road noise. Maybe you have an older or lower-end model.

I think Musk is a DB so I’m not getting a Tesla but I’m looking for something with similar audio experience.

Most of the road noise at speed comes not from the engine, but rather air passing over the car and the tires on the road. Of course there is road noise in Teslas. You must've been caught up in their reality-distortion field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No offense but Tesla is not that great and neither is almost any car, including the luxury upgraded sounds systems from B&W, Bose, and B&O. If you take apart these systems you will see insane stuff like paper cones, specially designed undersized drivers to fit in the door that make no sense - costly one-off form factors that could have used a larger driver, better quality standard speaker, etc. You couldn't sell individual speakers from these "EIGHTEEN SPEAKER SYSTEM!!!" for more than like 6 bucks per speaker in most cases. Best advice is just get the cheapest factory system possible and then have a car audio shop replace it with components that you select. For example, 12" subwoofer is a must for me - I have never heard a factory subwoofer that I don't hate.

Maybe the components aren't that great, but it sounds amazing in a Tesla because the road noise is almost non-existent?

I did after-market systems back in the 80s/90s, but don't want to do it today.

Teslas are notorious for terrible road noise, but obviously have basically zero "engine" noise. The audio isn't great either, not sure why are you mounting Tesla on a pedestal for their audio characteristics. Source: I own a Tesla.

I was just shocked at how great the sound was in my friend’s new Tesla plaid on a recent road trip. And there was no road noise. Maybe you have an older or lower-end model.

I think Musk is a DB so I’m not getting a Tesla but I’m looking for something with similar audio experience.

Most of the road noise at speed comes not from the engine, but rather air passing over the car and the tires on the road. Of course there is road noise in Teslas. You must've been caught up in their reality-distortion field.

I noticed it as I switched back and forth with my own car (Q5) which had a ton of road noise and my audio sounded weak in comparison.

I don't want a Tesla. And I'd prefer not to get a Mercedes. From other lists, I can see that the A8 has a noise compensation system. And the Range Rover has noise cancelling technology and optional Meridian sound system.

Just wondering if anyone has recently evaluated audio systems - or has a very quiet car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No offense but Tesla is not that great and neither is almost any car, including the luxury upgraded sounds systems from B&W, Bose, and B&O. If you take apart these systems you will see insane stuff like paper cones, specially designed undersized drivers to fit in the door that make no sense - costly one-off form factors that could have used a larger driver, better quality standard speaker, etc. You couldn't sell individual speakers from these "EIGHTEEN SPEAKER SYSTEM!!!" for more than like 6 bucks per speaker in most cases. Best advice is just get the cheapest factory system possible and then have a car audio shop replace it with components that you select. For example, 12" subwoofer is a must for me - I have never heard a factory subwoofer that I don't hate.

Maybe the components aren't that great, but it sounds amazing in a Tesla because the road noise is almost non-existent?

I did after-market systems back in the 80s/90s, but don't want to do it today.

Teslas are notorious for terrible road noise, but obviously have basically zero "engine" noise. The audio isn't great either, not sure why are you mounting Tesla on a pedestal for their audio characteristics. Source: I own a Tesla.

I was just shocked at how great the sound was in my friend’s new Tesla plaid on a recent road trip. And there was no road noise. Maybe you have an older or lower-end model.

I think Musk is a DB so I’m not getting a Tesla but I’m looking for something with similar audio experience.

Most of the road noise at speed comes not from the engine, but rather air passing over the car and the tires on the road. Of course there is road noise in Teslas. You must've been caught up in their reality-distortion field.

I noticed it as I switched back and forth with my own car (Q5) which had a ton of road noise and my audio sounded weak in comparison.

I don't want a Tesla. And I'd prefer not to get a Mercedes. From other lists, I can see that the A8 has a noise compensation system. And the Range Rover has noise cancelling technology and optional Meridian sound system.

Just wondering if anyone has recently evaluated audio systems - or has a very quiet car.

So the Q5 is a prime example of what I was talking about in my previous post about all audio systems sucking but especially subwoofers. The Q5 (and any Audi hatchback) is a particularly egregious example of underpowered speakers and subwoofer. Your subwoofer, if you have one, is buried in your spare tire well and is like a 6" passive subwoofer. Even an Audi A4 factory system will have probably twice the bass and fullness of sound. You really cannot buy an audi hatchback and not install an aftermarket sub if you care at all about sound quality. I am a huge Audi fan but they dropped the ball on this setup. If you have a lot of road noise you may want new tires or just better tires. I did not experience above average road noise in my old SQ5.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No offense but Tesla is not that great and neither is almost any car, including the luxury upgraded sounds systems from B&W, Bose, and B&O. If you take apart these systems you will see insane stuff like paper cones, specially designed undersized drivers to fit in the door that make no sense - costly one-off form factors that could have used a larger driver, better quality standard speaker, etc. You couldn't sell individual speakers from these "EIGHTEEN SPEAKER SYSTEM!!!" for more than like 6 bucks per speaker in most cases. Best advice is just get the cheapest factory system possible and then have a car audio shop replace it with components that you select. For example, 12" subwoofer is a must for me - I have never heard a factory subwoofer that I don't hate.

Maybe the components aren't that great, but it sounds amazing in a Tesla because the road noise is almost non-existent?

I did after-market systems back in the 80s/90s, but don't want to do it today.

Teslas are notorious for terrible road noise, but obviously have basically zero "engine" noise. The audio isn't great either, not sure why are you mounting Tesla on a pedestal for their audio characteristics. Source: I own a Tesla.

I was just shocked at how great the sound was in my friend’s new Tesla plaid on a recent road trip. And there was no road noise. Maybe you have an older or lower-end model.

I think Musk is a DB so I’m not getting a Tesla but I’m looking for something with similar audio experience.

Most of the road noise at speed comes not from the engine, but rather air passing over the car and the tires on the road. Of course there is road noise in Teslas. You must've been caught up in their reality-distortion field.

I noticed it as I switched back and forth with my own car (Q5) which had a ton of road noise and my audio sounded weak in comparison.

I don't want a Tesla. And I'd prefer not to get a Mercedes. From other lists, I can see that the A8 has a noise compensation system. And the Range Rover has noise cancelling technology and optional Meridian sound system.

Just wondering if anyone has recently evaluated audio systems - or has a very quiet car.

So the Q5 is a prime example of what I was talking about in my previous post about all audio systems sucking but especially subwoofers. The Q5 (and any Audi hatchback) is a particularly egregious example of underpowered speakers and subwoofer. Your subwoofer, if you have one, is buried in your spare tire well and is like a 6" passive subwoofer. Even an Audi A4 factory system will have probably twice the bass and fullness of sound. You really cannot buy an audi hatchback and not install an aftermarket sub if you care at all about sound quality. I am a huge Audi fan but they dropped the ball on this setup. If you have a lot of road noise you may want new tires or just better tires. I did not experience above average road noise in my old SQ5.

I'll also add that what you might be thinking is road noise may be the soundaktor in your Q5. I have no way of knowing if your specific model has a soundaktor, but it is a stupid thing installed inside your hood right on the backside of the steering wheel area with the sole purpose of creating vibration in your cabin that mimics a stronger engine noise. There is no way that I know of to turn it off without using an OBDeleven (https://obdeleven.com/en/latest-news/post/36_turn-onoff-or-adjust-soundaktor-in-audi-volkswagen-skoda-seat-vehicles.html?page_type=post). Basically you buy a little $100 OBD plug-in and use a cell phone app to tweak various settings on your car. If you can install an App on your iphone then you shouldn't have problem doing it. It will dramatically lessen your "road noise" if the soundaktor is indeed installed on your car.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I’ll look into the soundaktor.

Would still love recs though because I’m planning to get a new car/SUV soon.

What do you drive now? And you added after-market speakers?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks. I’ll look into the soundaktor.

Would still love recs though because I’m planning to get a new car/SUV soon.

What do you drive now? And you added after-market speakers?

I drive an RS5 sportback. I love it but it has the same crappy subwoofer problem. I got the B&O system but added a 12" sub and amp. A lot of people still complain about the B&O but they are good enough for me in this car outside of the sub. I changed out the door mid-range speakers but couldn't tell much of a difference.

I have heard the upgraded BMW systems are supposedly better but it's been years since I heard one - it certainly didn't stick out to me as being a great system years ago. My wife has a Porsche and for what it's worth, the premium system in that is maybe 10% better than the Audi B&O so not very substantial. I have heard the factory systems in the Audi E-Tron, A4 and the A6 (as loaners). I was not blown away by any of them. The A4 and A6 have decent bass in the factory system but are lacking in their dynamic range - everything just kind of gets muddied up. I've also heard Infiniti's upgraded sound system in their SUVs and it's got pretty clear sound but also lacking low end bass. That's just my opinion on these cars. I don't think there's a car where anyone is like "wow that's a GREAT system, really worth my money" lol