Stereo / Audio System Brand - Poll

[anestech*]

I’d add Mark Levinson to this poll, I’ve been quite impressed with it in our Lexus RC350 F Sport. 17 speakers, 1800 watts, 7.1 architecture (in a 2 door coupe!). Sounds great, especially when fed Spatial Audio mixes from Apple Music. Yes, I know they are degraded when not hooked up to a licensed device, but I’m telling you, they sound better than the standard 2 channel mixes of the same song.

As long as they have licensed Dolby Atmos, true HD/Hi-Res audio,playback, I don’t really care what premium brand they use.

 

[JohnT]

With today audio system it mostly comes down to speakers.

 

[anestech*]

Not true at all

 

[Cherry Pair Customs]

Macintosh would be a nice possibility to see as an option but I voted for B&O which is always an impressive setup. Long trips with a quiet cabin and quality sound is a must!

 

[MadGreek]

Looks like top 3 preferences so far are:

Scout in-house: 24.8%
Bang & Olufsen: 19.0%
Bose: 15.2%

 

[timmyhil]

Looks like top 3 preferences so far are:

Scout in-house: 24.8%
Bang & Olufsen: 19.0%
Bose: 15.2%

Make a new poll with only those three and make it be one vote per person.

 

[cornbeef]

I've had a bunch of the upgraded systems. I voted HK as it was the best overall from my experience. Bose depended on the car, JBL & Infinity were ok. My current one has a Meridian. There have been a bunch of complaints about it sucking online but I really think its due to set up - it can't handle maximum base but once its set up right its great.

I guess the HK was the most idiot proof, which is why I voted for it, but a lot of it depends on how you set it up too.

 

[smrpilot]

Either way, make sure it has an HD radio tuner

 

[dinger74indy]

So long as it is a kickin’ system, I do not care. I want to keep my 80’s playlists thumping.

 

[dleepnw]

B&W, Mark Levinson, Meridian - in that order.

For those that say name don't matter, it does, if you want the highest quality sound. And if they go in-house, it matters even more. Go read any Rivian thread on their in-house system and you'll see what a disaster its been.

Sound, like seats, quality of the interior, NVH, key fob interaction, etc are important and things you interact with daily while using the vehicle. Scout, please don't go cheap here. Would easily give up "gimmicky" features for a kick-ass audio system.

 

[maynard]

So long as it is a kickin’ system, I do not care. I want to keep my 80’s playlists thumping.

It "Back in Black" in that list?

 

[dinger74indy]

It "Back in Black" in that list?

It sure is!

 

[It's Electruck]

My most recent purchase was between a Ford F-150 lightning and a Chevy EVlanche (Silverado EV) and one of the biggest factors of my choice came down to the audio system. IMO the Bose system in the Chevy was "trash" compared to the stock lightning audio system. My previous Alpine system in my 2016 Ram with subwoofer under the rear seats was my favorite. That's why I voted Alpine. However, as long as I can feel my music, with good quality sounding speakers (subwoofer a plus), I don't care who makes them.

Ideally it will be trim based.
Base trim = paper (upgrade yourself)
Off-road = marine speakers preferably "in-house" 🤿
Premium = take my money (2 subs please )

 

[Forrest]

Anything other than Bose, please! That company is dead to me 100x over. I would consider canceling my reservation if Bose was the audio provider.

They were a great company 20 years ago, but in my opinion they are all hype and very little substance now. That and the careless proprietary approach to their tech, the massive drop in quality, and the shitty software/firmware support, and I refuse to be a customer again. I've wasted too much money.

 

[E90400K]

Audio brands owned by Harman (Kardon) International: JBL, AKG, Infinity, Lexicon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Bang & Olufsen (automotive), Becker, BSS Audio, Crown, dbx, DigiTech, JBL Professional, AMX, Arcam, Martin, Harmond Karmond, and Soundcraft.

All now under the parent, Samsung.