Aston Martin Bows New Audi-like Bang & Olufsen Audio System

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Seems Aston Martin has been rummaging around in Audi's parts bin. The Bonded British automaker announced yesterday that Danish audio and design icon Bang & Olufsen will begin supplying the Aston Martin DBS with a "bespoke" sound system.

If you want an idea of what the BeoSound DBS system will look like, check out the B&O Advanced Sound System in the Audi A8.

While it's not unusual for competing automakers to share audio technology -- German rivals Mercedes and BMW both offer Harman/Kardon's Logic 7 surround sound -- the "new" system in the DBS at first glance seems like a carbon copy of the B&O system that debuted over three years ago on the Audi A8.

The BeoSound DBS system includes two signatures of the A8's B&O system: "acoustic lens" tweeters that rise out of each corner of the dash when the system is turned on and sleek aluminum speaker grilles. Such focus on aesthetics obviously appeals to almost anyone willing to pay over $250K for a car, but B&O's design focus has caused some in the tweaky high-end audio community to question whether the company emphasizes style over substance.

Also like the Audi A8 system, the BeoSound DBS system includes B&O's ICEpower amplifiers and DSP to contour the sound from 13 speakers to the interior of the Aston Martin DBS. A B&O spokesperson told Inside Line that the BeoSound DBS differs in that it's "completly customized" to the interior of the car, and the system includes "automatic optimization" for the number and positions of the vehicle's occupants. Sound for the backseat passengers is the same for the driver, according to B&O, and the system will also compensate for every source of ambient noise -- down to the sound of "rain on the windshield."

We also learned from B&O that the system will come standard on the DBS (the Audi's A8's high-end B&O system is a $6,300 option) and that it will be unveiled at the upcoming LA Auto Show.

Maybe then we can find out if it sounds as good, if not better, than the Audi system.

Permalink | Comments (3)
Posted by: Doug Newcomb September 16, 2008, 11:30 AM
Categories: Aston Martin, Audi, Car Tech
Technorati Tags: Aston Martin DBS, Audi A8, Bang & Olufsen

3 Comments

By ateixeira

on September 16, 2008 12:22 PM

$6300 option? That's 8 times what I paid for my first used car. LOL

By hondacura4

on September 17, 2008 6:30 AM

I prefer the ELS/Panasonic system in the Acura TSX as its easily the best system Ive heard (DVD-A)in all the luxury cars Ive been in.

By ne1butu2

on September 17, 2008 9:39 PM

The cost is perfectly in-line, and considerably cheaper than many good custom systems. So buyers of Aston Martins and hi-end Audis will naturally want this. But when you're getting a B&O system in your car, pop-up tweeters and aluminum speaker covers really don't have the visual wow factor as their amazing home systems. Conversely, maybe you don't want that in a car.