I bought my DB9 a couple months ago and the sound system was in-op at that time. Just got the car back from FCI in Greensboro where it was repaired under warranty (it was a bad ground and a faulty wiring harness) and all I can say is: HOLY SH!TE!!!!!!!! I have never heard anything this good in an automobile ever b/f......

My wife and I had an Audi S8 with the B&O system and it didn't sound nearly as good as this one. We also had a Panamera with the Burmester and there is no comparison. This B&O FTW!!!!!

If you're looking at two AMs, one with the B&O and one without...... You know the answer!

 

Just as a point of reference, there are several people who would argue your point about the B&O vs the Premium system. Personally, not having heard the B&O, I can't comment of which is 'better'. I will say that you would expect the B&O to be better simply by its very high price premium, and it surely does look cool.

 

^^^ seriously?

arguing the base system sounds better or trying to justify in their own mind not getting an AM with a B&O? I cannot imagine the stock system sounds anywhere close.

 

I don't think he was referring to the base system but to the Alpine 700w Premium option which is very good as well.

 

XJRS is not talking about the "stock" system. There are actually 3 tiers of audio on the AM. The Premium Audio is the middle tier. Most people regard it as phenomenal and don't consider the slight improvement from this to the B&O to be worth the exorbitant price differential. The B&O unit is also less adjustable. Still, if you have it, enjoy it. The motorized tweeters are definitely high on the cool factor.

 

I have the B&O and previously had the premium stereo. Both are excellent. I'm not a true audiophile so I can't say that one is better than the other. I can say that if I were speccing a car, I'd get the premium stereo and pocket the difference between it and the B&O.

 

I must admit, I have not heard the Alpine setup and am sure it sounds really great. I was so impressed with the B&O when I heard it (for the first time this afternoon), I had to post.

I have not paid attention enough to know about everything that gets discussed here and certainly don't want to ignite a debate about which system is better......

Further, my post was/is directed more to those buying used.

Carry on.

 

I've heard good things about the b & o as well as the alpine... I couldn't tell the difference in sound quality myself, heck to me the 950w linn audio premium system is plenty great and can't tell the sound difference there either, I'm not really a car audiophile... I like a clean crisp sound and overall nice balance, I think I would be more concerned with home audio then in my cars, as for priority and factors when buying a car, audio system ranks fairly down there...many of the cars I consider to be desirable do not even have stereos or have very basic stereos... Think Ferrari f40, 288 GTO, Porsche 959, gt2 rs, etc...etc...

 

The first time I saw the B&O with those tweeters that raise and lower I was amazed. But when I listened to it and compared it to my Premium Sound 700 watt system I was disappointed there wasn't a bigger difference. The B&O sounded brighter to me. Probably because of the special tweeters. If I found one in a used car I would be happy but I wouldn't pay the extra money to order it on a new car. Like many others here, I just listen to the sweet engine sounds when out for a play run.

 

I have the B&O in my Vantage and have been quite disappointed. To me it sounds as though the EQ is seriously off. I'm hoping theres just something wrong since the auto volume also doesnt work. I'll have it looked at when it goes in for it's annual service next month (closest dealer is 300 miles).

 

Does AM use the same B&O system in both models? I also have a 12 Audi S5 w/B&O and it's not the same system my S8 had...... Just curious?

 

Each B&O system is set up for the car its going into, so the DBS, Vantage, A8/S8 all have different configurations

 

^^ thanks Michael, I am aware of that. I'm wondering if the components that make up those different configurations are also different? I'm certain they are when it comes to Audi as the cost of the B&O and the components that make up the system in the S5 is/was considerably less than the system in the S8. Not to mention, the sound quality is also considerably lower in the S5. True for AM too?

 

I agree with you the B & O is a very good system. I have the premium in one Aston and the B & O in the other. I have made several back to back listening tests and the B & O is better. Period. Is it night and day better, no. But you do have better clarity, soundstaging and depth. The bass is also less of a boom box. If you have two cars side by side compare the voices and you will see what I mean. I think the people that have a problem with the B&O expect it to be substantially better the the premium system because of the added cost. I have sold high end stereo and have a high end system in the house. The law of diminishing returns works here just like it does everywhere else. You get better sound with the B&O but you pay for it and the cost is not worth it to everyone. Just as the extra $50,000 for a V12 Vantage is not worth it to me over my V8 for a half second faster 0-60 time. It all depends on what you want and appreciate.
If I am specing a new car would I pay the extra for the B&O, maybe not. But, as I have said before, if you can get a deal on a leftover 11 or used car that has the B&O be very happy. I got a great deal on my leftover 11 which had every option including the B&O and couldn't be happier.

 

It doesn't look like there is a difference between Vantage and DBS, at least at the superficial level from the B&O site:

http://www.bang-olufsen.com/aston-martin-v8-vantage

The Rapide does get an additional 2 x 250w speakers over our 13 speakers