Concerning high end audio names in new cars

I'm on my third Genesis and the Lexicon systems in the first two were pretty extraordinary, with a notable surround system (geared to DVD-A discs, for which options are limited, but when you score, it's magic).  I had an above-average home system over that time (Counterpoint, VPI, Dahlquist), but there were nights when me and my buddies left the house and spent some time in my car, grooving on that Lexicon system (which is ostensibly only otherwise available in Rolls Royce'...I've never bothered to validate that).  Yet I'm finding the Lexicon in my '16 Genesis to be less compelling, but that's likely 'cause I've since replaced the Counterpoints with PrimaLuna E400 separates and a REL S810 sub.  I'm staying in the house a lot more lately.  😁

Brand exposure, ie. Not a lot of the average population know McIntosh from Mark Levinson….

Also, I’ve never heard any car stereo that would be up to the standard of the average audiophile, also I don’t think automobiles are a great place for critical listening. That’s my two cents. 

Wrong. The base system in a previous Lexus and  another current model was/is worlds batter. Not even close.

I have the Levinson system in my 2009 Lexus LS.  It was way better sounding to me than the basic audio system.  I listened quite a while to both.  I wanted the better one. To me it was worthwhile upgrade and I have enjoyed it for years.  It is still a car surrounded by glass.  I did not buy it because of blue meters.

I have a new Alfa Romeo Giulia with the upgraded 14 speaker Harmon Kardon system and it sounds great. My previous Alfa had the same but the bass used to vibrate. That’s fixed in the new one. It’s not like listening to my home system but pretty darn good.

Those meters are ABSURD,. What a nice size GPS screen, I hope it has optional use. Have you seen a Tesla display, holy crap.

Any decent sound system, in a large car/truck should have a fader for front/rear balance, but it is nice if it is balanced by default. I often need to reduce the volume in my Volvo back seat when someone is there. I used to boost the rear in any vehicle when the kids were young.

The T-Birds, both old and new had settings to automatically lower the volume when you slowed down/stopped. The old one was a rheostat connected to the gas pedal, worked better than this new one.

The new one, 2005, you can tell it if 1 or 2 people are in, i.e. adjusts for the driver’s position.

Who the heck knows if another maker’s speakers would be better.

If you let my niece drive your car, you better know where to readjust the bass boost because she will find it!