Autos with stock awsome sound systems; Recomend?


Howdy. My wife & I are due for a new car. While I am happy with the JBL system in my Avalon, my wife is less than enthused with her 96' Lexus. Since we are going to be spending major $, anyone really impressed with their stock system in their cruiser? We are not talking concert levels here, just an impressive system from the showroom floor.
Thanks for any input,
John
jsd52756
I have been lucky enough to spend some time with an Audi A8 equipped with the Bang & Olufsen "advanced sound system", and it is by far the best audio system I've ever heard in a car, period . . . whether stock or aftermarket/custom.

I second that. Too bad is sooo expensive. The tweeter towers popping up from the dashboard are awesome.

The other excellent system I have heard is a Naim system in my neighbour's Bentley Continental GT Speed.

Mark Levinson systems that can be found in variuos Lexus models are all overrated IMO (heard one in LS460 and SC), although still better than bose from my Audi, whcih is a complete crap.

(I'm a former car audio "Pro 600" champion and GASCA - German Auto Sound Challenge Association judge).
Thanks for all the input. I reckon we'll take a cd along with us on the test ride. That way we can drown out the car salesman in the back seat trying to hawk his way into our pocketbook. Of course we could always test drive a 2 seater...
-John
Stock systems - especially the dreaded "optional" upgraded systems - are grossly overpriced regardless of how good they are. You can likely build a better system on the aftermarket for less money. Just something to consider.
For the most part, the last car system I heard that sounded any good at all was a circa 1975 Nakamichi a/d/s biamped Mobile Fidelity System.

I have heard many after market systems most of which were pretty bad but I am with Cruz123 - most stock systems, especially the upgraded ones are TERRIBLE.

Albertporter, I am shocked. I heard the BMW system in a new M5 earlier this year and thought it as TERRIBLE. Maybe the one you heard was significantly different.

Bose systems? Forget it. TERRIBLE.

And "Mark Levinson" systems? TERRIBLE. No relation to the real Mark Levinson whatsoever.

I have noted only one exception as mentioned by Audiojedi:

Although I bought the car for the interior and the performance, I have been pleasantly surprised with the system in our '07 Volvo V70 R wagon.

It is not boomy or bloated at all, the flat settings on the tone controls sound surprisingly neutral, and in general it is remarkably smooth and fatigue free for a car system. Yes, I believe the speakers are made by Dynaudio.

Have not heard the B&O system or the megabuck Naim systems, but maybe they are good.

Not sure if the stereo was the same, but the substantially similar Volvo R wagon has been made since 2004 so you could search around for a bargain. Practical, nice interior and can easily be tuned to 400 HP.