599 sounds system

Not sure about the 599 but the 612 uses a bose system-check out bose's site and they'll explain how the system works etc. very impressive, never heard it in person though as I've yet to see a 612 in person.

 

It is BOSE unfortunately.

You know, the Buy Other Stereo Equipment choice.

Terrible choice for such a fine car.

 

It is not BOSE if you opt for the standard audio system, which is BECKER. Quite the most awful, non-intuitive radio I have ever owned.
There are no basic buttons to tune the radio or adust the basic sound settings. Everything is menu driven AND voice driven, so that every time you try to access a menu it goes into voice prompt mode and you can't do anything until you tell it to "cancel"
The manual is obviously an English translation of an Italian translation of the original medieval German.
Nothing makes sense and you can sit with the manual in your lap, follow the written instructions precisely over and over for a particular action and never get the same outcome twice in a row.
When you do eventually tune into an FM radio station the sound quality is just fine and the 6 CD changer works quite simply.

 

and they've been hit or miss over the last few years... more often "miss" in my opinion. I'd buy it with the stock system and replace everything.

Aston Martin's systems are Linn now, and they're incredible. I rode in a DB9 recently and the audio was fantastic... as was the exhaust

 

Linn is a Scottish defense contractor that started making high end audio equipment. They are a bit over the top, and they amortize some of their defense development costs through the audio componentry.

I do not believe they are doing business any longer in the US>

What's makes their products sound so good, especially in car stereo environment, is that each product is very precisely constructed unlike what you get with the product that rhymes with NOSE!

The NOSE product uses what many refer to as "toilet paper" cones in their drivers with very small voice coils. Their resistance is 1/2 Ohm. Since the cones are so light, the lower voice coil resistance allows a smaller amp module to drive it. They use 30-40 watt amp modules.

The down side to this is that the amp never develops its full output potential, and most know what such a system sounds like!

$100K for a M-B CL500 with the famous NOSE system, and an $8K GMC truck has a better sound system!

It's doubtful you'll see LINN in many other car audio systems.

 

Every bose system I've heard I've come away fairly impressed but I'm not a big audio guy. I also like alpine systems of which I actually have owned one, thats probably my fave.

 

And that's exactly what they count on when selling that so called audio equipment.

You should hear the sound system in my CL500! The radio module was replaced under warranty in October, and the results are barely noticeable. You think what you have in your Ferrari is bad?

Remember: Buy Other Stereo Equipment!

 

Bose puts all of their money into marketing to convince folks thay have good sound rather than into product development to actually get high quality sound.

No highs, no lows...must be Bose

 

Great point and well stated!!

 

You are right in that you probably will not see Linn's products in the car audio segment. Linn is a true high-end audiophile company with many decades of experience. In fact they are HRH (Her Royal H'ness) audio system and official sound system with Harrods.

As an audiophile/photojournalist (see www.EnjoyTheMusic.com ), a past IASCA sound quality judge, (insert other credentials here)... Have heard the Linn mobile audio system and as Nismo says, it is far better than others mentioned. The great thing is that Nismo and others truly do HEAR the difference. The world of marketing and style over substance is a sad fact. It is NOT if a product is good, it is the PERCEPTION of good and how the company can spin things. Linn does not do heavy marketing with lofty claims or spin, unlike other companies.

If it was me getting ANY new car, go for the radio delete feature and find a proper mobile audio installer. NO, not the bling lame guys you see on MTV, as their installs range from totally horrible to nothing more than an infomercials at best. Linn carefully analyzed the A.M. to understand the environment and designed a proper system accordingly. In the aftermarket things can get tricky, as car audio is MUCH harder than home audio due to the vehicle's challenging environment.

In the end it saddens me to see Ferrari go with what is perceived by many to be lo-fi when much of their competition goes with Linn, Burmeister, etc. But i guess Ferrari is catering more to the mainstream and dumbing down to appease.

Another system you may enjoy is that within the Buggatti or Bentley. These are made for people with a more refined taste and, most probably, higher quality demands who understand the difference between a Timex, a Rolex, and a Patek Philippe.

PS: Linn can be found at www.linn.co.uk
Burmester can be found at http://www.burmester.de/

 

You are right in that you probably will not see Linn's products in the car audio segment. Linn is a true high-end audiophile company with many decades of experience. In fact they are HRH (Her Royal H'ness) audio system and official sound system with Harrods.

As an audiophile/photojournalist (see www.EnjoyTheMusic.com ), a past IASCA sound quality judge, (insert other credentials here)... Have heard the Linn mobile audio system and as Nismo says, it is far better than others mentioned. The great thing is that Nismo and others truly do HEAR the difference. The world of marketing and style over substance is a sad fact. It is NOT if a product is good, it is the PERCEPTION of good and how the company can spin things. Linn does not do heavy marketing with lofty claims or spin, unlike other companies.

If it was me getting ANY new car, go for the radio delete feature and find a proper mobile audio installer. NO, not the bling lame guys you see on MTV, as their installs range from totally horrible to nothing more than an infomercials at best. Linn carefully analyzed the A.M. to understand the environment and designed a proper system accordingly. In the aftermarket things can get tricky, as car audio is MUCH harder than home audio due to the vehicle's challenging environment.

In the end it saddens me to see Ferrari go with what is perceived by many to be lo-fi when much of their competition goes with Linn, Burmester, etc. But i guess Ferrari is catering more to the mainstream and dumbing down to appease.

Another system you may enjoy is that within the Buggatti or Bentley. These are made for people with a more refined taste and, most probably, higher quality demands who understand the difference between a Timex, a Rolex, and a Patek Philippe.

PS: Linn can be found at www.linn.co.uk
Burmester can be found at http://www.burmester.de/

 

I have always been well please with Bose systems. They do not have the artificial boomy bass/lows and tinny treble/highs like some other systems that the juvenile ghetto crowd seems to like so much...Bose systems produce a much more natural sound like you would get a live club performance...not like you get 2 feet from the speakers at a rap or rock concert...in any event, the best sound system in a Ferrari comes from the engine anyway...

 

Those systems are for juviniles, agreed. They are usually installed like that by the owner's choice. An install of a high quality system IMO is not like those, but this is MY personal preference for natural sound versus those you mention. Please attend an ISACA event and pay special attention to the SOUND QUALITY cars. Yes, you will see cars with 160+dB of bass, but that is for SPL competitions. There IS sound quality cars and not just those you mentioned.

That is a general statement. It depends on the concert and how the sound guys have the system tuned to the venue... and the venue's acosutics. Have hear HORRIBLE sound at amplified concerts and very impressive sound at amplified concerts. As a classically trained drummer/percussionist i find the best way to compare sound is by enjoying countless hours of live, acoustic music.

Amen.

FYI everyone, below is a press release dated Jan 8 2007. ALSO, i forgot to mention Dynaudio, a very highly respected audiophile and recording studio loudspeaker company, offers mobile audio components.


Jaguar Partners with Bowers & Wilkins
Taking In-Car Entertainment to New Heights

Exclusive collaboration reveals exciting audio entertainment innovations

Detroit, MI - January 8, 2007 - Jaguar's new C-XF concept car, unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, features next generation audio solutions from renowned sound expert Bowers & Wilkins. Emphasizing the company's reputation for audio excellence and innovation, Bowers & Wilkins' first foray into the automotive entertainment arena reveals a range of technologies, materials and techniques, many of which make their debut.

Applying over 40 years of experience to the challenges of achieving great sound in the automotive environment, Bowers & Wilkins' engineers have developed a unique in-car audio system, featuring Micro-Matrix speaker panels, 'Bass Beam' low-frequency driver technology, Kevlar® cone midrange speakers, diamond-dome tweeters, selective-directivity arrays in the rear passenger compartment, and a rear deck panel featuring a full complement of bass and wide-dispersion drivers.

Within the C-XF concept car, Bowers & Wilkins demonstrates a clear understanding of the challenges in reproducing sound effectively in-car, combining high-performance materials and technologies and integrating them into the Jaguar's luxury interior. "The in-car environment is very complex," says Martin Lindsay, Senior Business Development Manager at Bowers & Wilkins Automotive. "Restricted space, differing materials, and the need to satisfy multiple entertainment needs pose unique and often conflicting requirements." Bowers & Wilkins has been involved in the concept car's development from the start, and each element of the system has been devised using technologically-advanced concepts aimed at ensuring the best possible sound experience throughout.

This collaboration marks the beginning of Bowers and Wilkins' relationship with Jaguar and selected partners to develop and deliver next-generation premium audio solutions. The system created for the Jaguar C-XF attests to Bowers & Wilkins' acoustic expertise and signals the company's commitment to bringing audio innovations to the car. "We recognise that consumers demand high-quality sound reproduction in their cars as well as in their homes," continues Lindsay. "Achieving great sound in the car is viewed as the latest technological challenge for us, and we look forward to realising next-generation sound systems that set new standards for in-car entertainment."

Bowers & Wilkins' custom 'audio concept' system includes:

Jewel-like front and rear speaker panels utilizing patented Micro-Matrix material, designed to deliver improved stiffness and damping properties. The material adds strength, avoids vibration and makes a good use of the limited space typically available in the interior of the car.

'Bass Beam' low-frequency driver components, mounted in the doors, promoting structural integrity and superior audio imaging. Finding an ideal space for subwoofers in the car has always been problematic. This innovative design makes incorporation within the car's doors possible and provides an optimal implementation for the achievement of forward stereo imaging and concentrated 'up front' bass.

Incorporation of Kevlar® cone drivers in the dashboard and doors, designed to achieve smoother response throughout its frequency range. The end result is that these speakers deliver more fine detail to the listener and eliminate off-axis tonal-balance problems.

Diamond-dome tweeters combined with award-winning Nautilus technology deliver unmatched high-frequency performance. The elements in the C-XF are taken from Bowers & Wilkins critically-acclaimed 800 Diamond Series loudspeakers. The tapered Nautilus™ tube is now replaced by a compact, spiral version which damps unwanted reflections from the rear side of the tweeter element.

Selective-Directivity arrays under DSP control accurately direct full-range audio, creating improved clarity for back seat passengers while avoiding driver distraction. These components help achieve the goal of soundstage optimization in response to changing passenger entertainment needs. These can be used to cover all listening conditions. For multichannel surround entertainment, these drivers help to deliver a seamless presentation front to rear.

Rear deck panel designed to create an even sound experience with a central-mounted bass driver and two flanking wide-dispersion drivers

About Bowers & Wilkins

Founded in the UK in 1966, Bowers & Wilkins manufactures an award-winning range of loudspeakers. The company is world-renowned for its audio innovations, pioneering the use of Kevlar® and Diamond Dome tweeters in its quest to design the perfect loudspeaker. Bowers & Wilkins' patented Nautilus™ technology, featured in its top-of-the-line products, won the company the coveted Queen's Award for Innovation in 2005. B&W Loudspeaker systems serve as the 'audio reference' in leading recording studios worldwide, including London's Abbey Road. Its Steyning Research Establishment - often described as 'The University of Sound' - is widely recognised as being at the forefront of acoustic innovation.

Bowers & Wilkins produces the Nautilus™ loudspeaker, which is an innovation and design statement in its own right and widely regarded as "possibly the best loudspeaker money can buy."

Bowers & Wilkins is part of B&W Group, Ltd which also owns Classé (a Montreal-based company offering a complementary line of high-performance components including amplifiers, surround processors, and AV source components).

Bowers & Wilkins products are sold through a global network of over 3,000 dealers in 62 countries.

Further information about Bowers & Wilkins in-car entertainment may be found at:

www.bowers-wilkins.com



ADDED NOTE BY ME: Note the use of B&W, Dynaudio and such in recording studios. Feel free to call professional recording studios and ask about what loudspeakers they use for far and nearfield listening. Then ask about Bose and see what thyey say. Let the PROs, guys who do this for a living, help you understand why none i know of use Bose in the recording studio.

Try newsgroups such as rec.audio.tech and rec.audio.pro

 

Huh, I thought the 599's sound system was the 6 litre V-12 located 4 feet away from the drivers head.

I guess I don't know as much about Ferrari's as I thought.

 

Shhh, Brahms is playing on NPR.

 

Then when you're done, find out how many systems from these boutique brands are designed to withstand the salt, vibration, moisture, and other factors prevalent in an automotive environment. Bose has been in the business for 24 years and has installed millions of automotive sound systems. Do you really think the only reason for their success is good marketing?

Gio P

(disclaimer- I probably should have said "our" success...

 

Well since we're off topic, has anyone heard the Bang & Olufsen system available in the A8/S8? Like Bose, many of their audio systems are more focused on good looks than good sound. That being said, it's available as an option to replace the standard Bose audio, which is interesting if nothing else.

And if you think Bose car audio sounds good, get in a 350Z or pre-2006 G35. I've spent a lot of time in both and wind up going sans-music often.

 

Understood and knew the Bose representative would chime in. Car audio technology has been a known for many decades, so the environment is very much understood. McLaren went with a lightened system by Kenwood for their F1. Pioneer makes the Mark levinson branded car audio system. Just an added tidbit for those keeping track of what truly high-end car manufacturers use in their vehicles.

Again, wish for everyone here to seek out true audio professionals with years of experience and listen to what they have to say. This keeps a debate away from what i or a Bose company representative may say.

Pioneer, fyi, just released an amazing unit for the car audio segment that offers amazing potential far beyond the 'drop and go' plus is truly customized for the vehicle. This is for those who desire a really high-end custom installations. Would say more yet have plans to publish a technical article concerning this new development.

 

Many years ago, perhaps in the 80's, Alpine made a fine unit. Over the years the brand seems to have chosen to remain more mainstream, with lower-priced units versus top-line engineering/parts/performance. This appears to have really taken form when Alpine ?partnered? with Circuit City about a decade or so ago.

As much as saying the word "Sony" makes me ill to my core, one of the company's stunning achievements concerning mobile audio was in their XES complete system released about 8 years ago. At the time it was an amazing achievement. In some ways, to this day it holds some very valid application of various technologies and design ideas.

Fortunately, today's relatively inexpensive digital signal/audio chipsets allow a staggering amount of digital processing. When said processing power is mated to good programming that is easy for installers/consumers to use/implement it can allow for a staggering amount of correction and tuning of the original signal. Of course your system is only as good as its weakest link AND ALSO how/where the drivers (individle speakers) are installed.

The car audio environment is a very different and much more challenging than home audio. My best learning for system tuning and tweaking comes when i try my hand at yet another mobile audio system. The advantage of, say, the McLaren F1 is that the speakers are equadistant from the driver and the driver sits center within the car. This type of situation has many advanatages, some of which include time and phase alignment of the soundwaves as they reach the listener's (driver's) ears.

For best sound, buying a McLaren F1 would be a good starting point due to the afformentioned advantages, though if one has a McLaren F1 i have a feeling the sound reproduction system is far from a priority. For me, the engine, transmission, and other produced sounds would be more welcome than REproduced sounds from the audio system.

 

I just got back from CES having observed a number of audio manufacturers offering head units and signal processors that can phase-and-time-align signals to speakers in order to overcome the nearside/farside problem you refer to (and they're a darned sight cheaper than a Maclaren F1, too!). Some aftermarket companies have been doing this for a while- the Alpine F1 series is an example. There's also a company called Bongiovi (founded by the rock star's brother, apparently) that is advertising a system by which they individually tune for the acoustics of a particular make and model and sell you a JVC head unit with an EQ curve in it maximized for that particular car. Texas Instruments has another chipset that does this, but it's aimed at OEMs.

As you say, signal processing is allowing much more flexibility than was available before. But like horsepower, it's judicious use that gets you good results!

Gio P

 

The problem with replacing the factory unit in the 599 is the placement is deep in the dash with a huge metal overhang on the dash that prevents the use of units with a flip out screen. The space is also a single din size and you can't install a double din screen. Not a good outcome as it turns out.

 

The standard 599 radio is a Becker Cascade, labeled with the F logo.
Although initially quite complicated to understand, after having read the manual it is both very very powerfull in its various functions, and at the same time easy to handle.
All features and functions ever invented for radio, phone/bluetooth, colour screen and navi are there, but if you do not want them, they do not stand in the way.
I have one installed in my 456, and I am very happy with it.