Bowers & Wilkins v Harman Kardon
 

I know this has been discussed previously but thought it interesting to see both systems mentioned in a top-20 list of all car manufacturer / audio system combinations.

Summary seems to be they are both good, comes down to money and diminishing returns

Volvo and Bowers & Wilkins
...if you’re after the best sound experience in a new Volvo, the Sensus Connect with Premium Sound by Bowers & Wilkins is one of the finest systems at any price. Available in the larger models, this 1,400-watt, 18-speaker system even contains a Gothenburg Concert Hall sound setting, which has to be heard to be believed.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/owner...anntp#image=12

Volvo and Harman Kardon
The 600-watt Premium Sound audio in the Volvo XC40 is the latest in-car system from Harman Kardon and includes 13 speakers, 7.1-channel surround sound, vehicle noise compensation and automatic level adjustment. At £550, it’s a no-brainer.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/owner...anntp#image=11

Problem is the difference is so big many cannot justify it, myself included, even though I could have easily afforded it, it is a lot of money to pay to listen to music in the car.

I think B&W is just an extravagance option. It is the most expensive option available for all CMA and SPA. A total waste of money imho.

The other day I had a chance to try B&W in V60 but I was not very much impressed, probably my audio source was not good or something. Anyway, I cannot justify its price (2500EUR) so I will opt for HK instead (800EUR), mainly for the subwoofer and then also for the hope that it will sound better than the standard system.

Has to be why the introduced the HK option, still a very nice system. I went for the B&W because I had the HK in my previous V40 and was disappointed. I do like the detail you get throughout the whole range of frequencies without distortion and the signal delay to create a better stereo sound stage for the driver. You are right that a good lossless source is required, DAB doesn't cut it and without a CD player, lossless audio sources are difficult to come by.

But is it worth £2,500? No.

Good quality in-car audio system is top priority for me due to the amount of tie I spend inside. I have experienced a few top end systems (Burmeister, H&K, B&O etc) and have to say at the moment B&W is the best overall. Consistent performance in all ranges.
Shame I can't get FLAC files to play however Spotify at High quality is also really good.

£3k in XC/V/S90 !!
Having had all the upgraded sound systems in various cars, I am convinced B&W is the best in so many ways, close second being the original Dynaudio from c.2008.
The later Premium Sound and H-K were good but a little disappointing by comparison.
But would I buy it new at full price? No!
Just lucky to have got it in a really high-spec used car...! :music-smiley-005:

I haven't tried FLAC on a USB stick, is the Sensus supposed to be able to play FLAC?

I agree that Spotify set at high quality gives the best depth and range

Answering my own question I now realise that FLAC is supported along with other media formats - https://www.volvocars.com/uk/support...bat-2019-18w17

Although it would appear it is more than a little fussy with tagging and possibly USB sticks - https://forums.swedespeed.com/showth...d-no-AM-radio-!

I've played FLAC files from a USB stick without any problems.

The tagging issue relates to all formats (mp3, m4a, etc) and seems to be to do with how Sensus treats the Artist and Album Artist tags.

Unfortunately, it's not possible to access music files on USB simply by folder structure.