Best factory stereo you've heard?

The best stereo I remember new had to be the 1998 cadillac STS with the bose option. That thing had like 420 watts and a 10 inch subwoofer. Which at the time was serious power.
Erik

 

Porsche "Exclusiv" department custom ordered BOSE Hi-Fi CD system........400 watts, special amps and speakers....etc....etc.....custom designed for the 2002 GT2 interior (acoustics done right down to the lack of rear seats and different carpets and headliners in the car)..............it was an $11,000 extra on the window sticker............

You could rock the block with this car !!

 

the monsoon system on the hummer H1 could bump as well. I think the lex 430 with the mark levinson is one of the best all round systems
Erik

 

Agree on the Caddys with Bose options. I sat in a DTS at the Chicago Auto Show a couple of years ago that was truly impressive. The 5.1 system in the new STS is a notch above that. 15 speakers.

Lexus with Mark Levinson option is only slightly better than the STS system. Those 2 are probably the best out there right now.

A notch below those are the 5.1 system in the new Acura RL, and the ProLogic system on some Volvos.

 

Although it's not a "booming" system, I really like the Harmon Kardon Logic7 system found in Range Rovers. Quality of sound is very good, without being overbearing. I haven't heard the system in the Lexus SC 430, but I would like to hear it.

 

I especially love the addition of the echo to the audio. Makes music sound more full.

 

Whatever they have in the Landrover Rangerover is awesome!!

 

Mark Levinson Lexus LS430

 

The Linn stereo in the Aston Martin Db9 is perfection for a stock sound system. On a much cheaper car the 300c has a option that is fantastic.
my .02
///MK

 

Our CTS has the entire Bose system in it and it sounds incredible.

 

There is a saying in high-end car audio circles....

Bose, no highs no lows.

I have a factory Bose system in my Audi S4, and I think it sucks.

Now, the logic 7 option on the new RangeRover, has simply amazing sound quality. (for a factory system anyway)

 

The Lexus Mark Levinson stereo is nothing great. I've got it in my 05 Lexus and it's no big deal.

The upgraded stereo in a new Jeep Cherokee is far better.

 

this may seem totally lame and stupid. But I was at the Toyota dealership a few weeks ago. There was an Echo Hatch back with the stero up grade option on it. A sub woofer is mounted in the hatch. It sounded awsome for such a little car.

another car that has some good sound system. Is mini cooper. Not bad ethier.

 

I don't know who makes Chrysler stereos, but they sure do a great job. Every Chrysler Infinity (Infinity just does the speakers, right?) system I've ever heard has sounded great. The one in my father's Dakota sounds much, much nicer than the Bose system in my Mercedes. Imagine that.

 

Guys, Bose sucks, the big one. I work in the AV biz, NO ONE uses them. Bose doesn't published frequency response charts--there is a reason for that. Their sound wave is more jagged than a wood saw. No professional recording studio uses them either. Bose's motto is, "Better sound through engineering", but the joke is, "Better sound through marketing."

 

best factory stereo I've heard was the Maybach bar none........another great one was the volvo c70 dolby digital pack. It had dynaudio speakers all around.

If you ever want to upgrade your car look into the dynaudio 3way systems they are the best you can get as far as I'm concerned.

BOSE=no highs no lows

 

I used to work in pro audio. Bose pro sound and home systems are crap. Bose is a marketing company, not a technology company.

However, I'm guessing the Cadillac system is not done by them, but they paid Bose to put their name on it for whatever reason. Several independent reviews agree with what I heard. Believe me, I was suprised, because I have never heard a Bose system that I like.

My guess is that Delco developed the system, but didn't want to pay up for a high-end name like Mark Levinson or McIntosh, so they decided to use the Bose name on it. I would be suprised if they actually used Bose components.

 

Personally I'm going to have to agree with ciao baby and say that the Linn audio systems in the Aston Martin DB9 are by far the best car audio I've ever heard. That 950 Watt system made me have to change my pants...

And surprisingly, the audio system in the Ferrari 360 with the extra woofers is actually pretty decent. Generally its not on though.

Other than that its not very often that I'm satisfied with stock car audio systems.

 

I have logic7 in the BMW and its decent nothing out of this world but its good. The Bose system in S/Cl/SL Mercedes Classes are IMO cheap and yah well cheap. Dissapointment to have that Bose system in a 180k Cl65/SL65. The Bose System in Porsche's Turbo/ Turbo S isnt impressive either.

I have a custom MBquart system in my Jeep and IMO it sounds better then all of the stock systems I have heard in cars even those of the highest calibur.

How are the systems in Ferrari's ? I have never heard one

 

There is a subwoofer (factory option) in the 575 and I do not find it very impressive. Thank god the F-car engine makes enough beautifull music to make up for it.
///MK

 

Note that the 21-speaker factory sound system in the Maybach is a Bose system, making your first and last statements somewhat contradictory.

-Giovanni P

 

The 15-speaker Studio Surround sound system in the Cadillac STS is a Bose system with Bose components.

Surprised?

Giovanni P

 

No idea on the Maybach, but your right on with the C7. My mom had one a few years ago and the stereo was pretty f-ing nice. As for the car...that sucked! The stereo was the only thing that didn't fall of the car!

J