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We tried 4 of the best audio systems in cars - here's how they stacked up

BOSE: We've experienced Bose systems on a variety of vehicles, but we often find them in General Motors cars, like Cadillacs and Corvettes.

We tried 4 of the best audio systems in cars - here's how they stacked up

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

To my ear, Bose hits a very sweet, middle-of-the-road place. I'm not talking about the up-market Panaray version that Bose developed for the new Cadillac CT6, which takes what Bose does well to a new level.

Basically, Bose car audio systems always sound good, and unlike some other choices, they do it without requiring 1,000-watt outputs (the Panaray setup doesn't even get to 600). Depending on how many speakers a vehicle has, where they're positioned, and whether there are powerful bass speakers, they can sound significantly better than great.

The bass is full and robust, the midranges are well-defined, and the highs are bright. As anyone who has used Bose home speakers or the company's well-regarded noise-cancelling headphones knows, Bose isn't for bass-head listeners.

Rather, its car-audio systems will please the widest range of listeners. Rock lovers, pop lovers, hip-hop lovers, jazz lovers, blues lovers, classical lovers — everyone will be happy. The so-called "soundstage" is clearly presented, with good distinction among instruments or vocals and the position of players.

BEST FOR: Everything.

ANY COMPLAINTS?

ANY COMPLAINTS?

Even the Panaray system on the Cadillac CT6 doesn't quite rise to the sublime register as some other premium systems available in vehicles.

Bose is so broadly good that it misses out on going for it with, say, the detail you might want if you're listening to jazz or the captivating soundstage you might want if classical is your thing.

That doesn't mean a Bose system is in any way mushy. Quite the opposite — you can crank it up with no worry about distortion.

But it's not going to invade your dreams. Instead, Bose car audio will simply never let you down.

BOWERS & WILKINS. This British company has developed systems for automakers such as Volvo and Maserati.

BOWERS & WILKINS. This British company has developed systems for automakers such as Volvo and Maserati.

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

Sublime. Among high-end car audio offerings, the only one that has really outdone B&W for sheer "Wow!" is the Naim system that's in the new Bentley Bentayga SUV and other Bentley rides, which is for me the finest auto sound system money can currently buy.

B&W is all about detail, detail, detail. The bass is lush and resonant, the midrange is a veritable riot of musical information, and the highs have the piercing clarity of angelic falsettos.

If you like to experience your music deeply, then B&W has what you seek.

BEST FOR: Classical.

ANY COMPLAINTS?

ANY COMPLAINTS?

The B&W system doesn't quite recreate live performance or put you right in the recording studio like the system we'll look at next.

This makes sense. B&W is noted for its home systems, so to a degree its reputation is as a company that can maximize the experience of listening to recorded music.

The pristine sound reproduction can, at times, sound a bit technical.

REVEL: A high-end automotive system developed by Harman/Kardon and available on Lincolns.

REVEL: A high-end automotive system developed by Harman/Kardon and available on Lincolns.

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

A "base" Revel system and a more up-market "Ultima" version are available on new Lincolns. I've sampled it in several vehicles, most recently in the new Continental full-size luxury sedan.

Because Lincoln and Harman/Revel co-developed vehicles and their audio systems, the listening experience is incredible immediate. It sounds live. It sounds, possibly, better than live. It's the best system I've yet tried for jazz and blues — combos that feature acoustic bass, saxophone or trumpet, piano, and drums. Bee-bop and swing. Miles Davis and John Coltrane. B.B. King. You get the idea.

The warmth is intimate. It's almost like the virtual reality approach to car audio. Is the detail present, as with B&W? Not to the same degree. The bass is a little less lush. The midrange is a tad more muddled. The highs don't break glass. The soundstage is all around you rather than being neatly compartmentalized.

But boy, does the Revel system ever make you understand how music can make you feel alive.

BEST FOR: Jazz and blues.

ANY COMPLAINTS?

ANY COMPLAINTS?

The "you are there" quality of the Revel Ultima system in particular might be offputting, if you're more down with recorded music sounding, you know, recorded.

It can be, frankly, a bit weird. It's like you're sitting in the middle of jazz combo, or hovering somewhere above the lead singer, or wrestling the notes out of the Les Paul yourself. But that's the immersive vibe that Lincoln and Revel went for.

FENDER: The legendary maker of guitars and amplifiers has created an audio system for Volkswagen. We sampled it on a Dune Beetle.

FENDER: The legendary maker of guitars and amplifiers has created an audio system for Volkswagen. We sampled it on a Dune Beetle.

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

HOW DOES IT SOUND?

With a mere 400 watts and, in the case the of vehicle I tested the system out in — the compact Dune Beetle — a limited amount in interior space in which to commend itself, the Fender audio setup is nonetheless impressive for the thing it does best.

Because the VW system is the result of a collaboration with the legendary manufacturer of electric guitars — Telecaster, Stratocaster, Jazzmaster, Jaguar — and amplifiers that are renowned for their ability to deliver crisp tones and sweet, distorted crunch, it's ideal for rock and pop.

The nine-speaker, 400-watt setup, complete with a juicy subwoofer under the hatchback, is fantastic. I had heard that one of its best features is that it can be cranked and not produce buzzy or muddy sounds.

So crank it I did, with the assistance of my 13-year-old daughter and her Spotfiy account. For me, it was the Led Zeppelin catalog, particularly Led Zeppelin III, recorded in 1970 and featuring a pretty broad range of music, some mellow, some not. For her, it was Pierce the Veil and Nirvana, songs of lesser layering, but with lots of sonic intrigue.

BEST FOR: Rock 'n' Roll!!!

ANY COMPLAINTS?

ANY COMPLAINTS?

The cool thing about the Fender setup is how energized, detailed, and balanced the sound is — with the volume turned up. It doesn't have the lush delivery of Bowers & Wilkins, nor does it provide the interrupted excellence — no gaps, no holes, no weaknesses — the Bose is so good at. And it can't match Revel for concert-hall acoustics.

But boy, does it give you some lovely punch! The closest analogy I can come up with is that it's as if you're driving around in pair of terrific headphones: the music is just right there.

Audiophiles won't go for it. But they might not be the customers that VW has in mind for the cars it wants to use this system in.


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