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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Thanks. Very helpful. Love the RS5 - but you should have gotten the coupe!

Have you tried the A8 with ”noise compensation system”?

[Anonymous]

Oh - and have you tried the e-tron GT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Looking at available measurements on the Tesla Model S, it looks to have been well engineered to deliver the targeted Harman listening curve. This is why it sounds good to you because few home audio systems deliver this level of tonal balance. Even expensive audio gear would require careful component matching, placement, time alignment, and EQ-ing to come close. Of course, a home system will deliver far better imaging, and is a lower noise environment, but a well-engineered car audio system has a natural advantage in terms of frequency response, distortion, and dynamics.

That said, most of the better "premium" audio systems in German brands are designed this way, using a large number of drivers and DSP to achieve great audio performance. The Burmester and Bose systems in MB and Porsche cars certainly are. I'm not as familiar with BMW.

[Anonymous]

Lexus Levinson sound is widely considered the best

[Anonymous]

Mercedes w upgraded Burmeister sound system. Amazing!

[Anonymous]

Acura ELS Studio.

[Anonymous]

I always thought the Lexus Mark Levinson packages sounded amazing, but part of that effect was probably the relative quietness of the cars.