Bowers & Wilkins v Harman Kardon

[Duri13]

Originally Posted by PaulBendall

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.

No DAB in Luxembourg. CD takes half of the storage space in the central box, which means it is not on my order list.
So I will have to live with Apple Music streaming (BT, WiFi or cable) or USB
I kind of think that spending 800 for HK will be a waste money but I cannot help myself. The standard audio is OK but there is a tiny hope that HK will be noticable better...

[Volvower]

My new XC60 plays my lossless music FLAC files on USB stick over the HK system like a dream, but I’m sorry to find Sensus doesn’t recognise Apple ALAC audio files. It can see the track names and artists but it junks them in an Unknown folder rather than filing among the other alphabetical tracks and artists.

[simonjedrake]

Originally Posted by Duri13

No DAB in Luxembourg. CD takes half of the storage space in the central box, which means it is not on my order list.
So I will have to live with Apple Music streaming (BT, WiFi or cable) or USB
I kind of think that spending 800 for HK will be a waste money but I cannot help myself. The standard audio is OK but there is a tiny hope that HK will be noticable better...

To me the key benefit of the HK sound system is the sub-woofer which uses an air system within elements of the chassis......and is is pretty damm good. This then allows the large door speakers to be now used for more for midrange frequencies.

[WhatNext?]

https://www.harmankardon.co.uk/volvo.html

Always thought the subwoofer was in the centre

[Jackysi]

I went as far as Upgrading Bowers & Wilkins sound system in my Volvo V90 even higher by replacing original subwoofer with ESX QSB8 V2 and that perfected my sound experience in Volvo. I am not that happy with the car it self as the fuel consumption is 2L or more higher than it would've been on 3.0 Diesel (V6 or Inline), transmission reacts pretty slowly no meter what (I bought Polestar for D5 as well), noise insulation is really poor (I added a lot of insulation across the car and its better now, but still not match to E class or 5series), the UI is meh, the head up display could've show more stuff (like on BMW you can pick music through it...) the full adaptive LED headlights don't move in corners when in high beam, and many more small / big things. Not to mention I had to replace pistons, piston rings crankshaft bearings at 100.000km... But the sound is really perfect... that's the largest reason why I'm sticking with the car.

[nu11eaf]

LoL, reminds me of the time I had a 1969 Del boy Trotter van with an 8 track stereo, (radio's were useless in them) great audio, but was glad to get rid of the plastic pig when I passed my car test and got a Hillman Avenger, that 50 odd years have flown past.

[Carabind]

Interesting thread
I recently changed my 2017 S 90 inscription with the standard sound system for a 2020 V90 momentum.
This came to me in Dec 20 pre-registered on a 70 plate with 10 miles on the clock having sat in a compound somewhere for quite a few months, (tyres date back to mid 2019, and PDI was carried out on jan 20)
but it has a few nice extras on it including the HK system, 19in alloys , birch wood inlays , all round parking cameras and BLIS.

The HK system is better than the standard sound system but I’m not sure I would pay £800 extra for it !

One question I do have is that I can’t find the subwoofer anywhere , is it hidden?
I don’t doubt it is there as the bases is that improved that the other half commented on it but it’s not significantly louder.

[Vinesh]

in the XC60 - It's on the near side (left) in the boot. It is hidden behind the side panel. Think it is the same for the V90

[Carabind]

Originally Posted by Vinesh

in the XC60 - It's on the near side (left) in the boot. It is hidden behind the side panel. Think it is the same for the V90

Ta vinesh. I’ll have a look (when it’s a bit warmer )

[Bashy]

I wonder if they used to say the Dolby 5.1 was a just an extravagance back in the day. I remember when the 5.1 came out in Volvo at the time, some say it was the worlds most refined in-car entertainment system, i agreed too, the sound was amazing compared to the standard setup. If it was me and i doubt it ever will be but i would deffo want to hear both setups side by side so i could easily jump between the 2 to test, but i dare say the B&W will sound far superior and would be the one i would opt for, i mean, if ya getting a £££££ car, whats a few more quid make, but then thats just me....