While the sound might not make your choice the Base model sound system does not have a cd player.

 

When set up properly, the standard audio system (330W) is very good.

 

I think I remember you mentioning the B&W should also be tuned after pick-up. I had thought that was the point of B&W working on it in the first place. Can you explain what else the user needs to do?

 

I thought the B&W system sounded incredible. I have an upgraded Alpine system in my current Land Rover and the B&W blew the doors off what mine sounds like (and I thought mine sounded great). I see a lot of people commenting that thew B&W system is "expensive." But it's relatively inexpensive in my view. Or better said, it's a good value. Go to any other luxury SUV manufacturer and look at what their upgraded sound systems cost. You don't have to look for too long to find a few that are North of $4,000. Several online reviews ping the B&W to be the best they have ever heard. That might be hyperbole but you get the point.

 

Had my XC90 FE since Tuesday. I'd say no tuning required. The B&W is awesome when you put it in Gothenburg Concert Hall mode. It gives voices an echo, but music sounds better than any other car audio system I've had from Audi, BMW, Mercedes or Acura. I'd definitely go for the B&W!

 

I've had mine on the same sound stage setting as you and am not as impressed. I'm not discounting what you and others have experienced. I guess I was just expecting more "wow." And it's surprising how I have to turn the volume to about 50% to get my default listening level (Paradox noted this too), when it only have it at about 20-25% on my basic Honda sound system. None of those in my family are audiophiles so I'm sure for such people it must be amazing. I surveyed my family and a few other people I have given rides too, none of whom had any preconceived knowledge of the B&W sound system, and they are all pretty much, "yeah, it's fine." But none were, "wow, this is great!"

Bottom line for me, if I had been specifying the features instead of getting the FE, I wouldn't have splurged for it. But then I wouldn't have no those other cars as either. So some new making this decision should first try to hear for themselves and if they can't they should decide if they are a big audio fan or not. The audiophiles all love it.

 

Gothenburg Concert Hall mode is fantastic but not a panacea with all music. It can make certain types of music sound echoed and, certainly, not appropriate if you are listening to Satellite of global radio talk shows.

Try Studio mode, after you have set up the equalizer properly; you will be equally impressed.

 

I tried Studio too, but didn't mess with the equalizer. What settings would you suggest?

 

It's only option I didn't order! My logic is our regular drive is 10-15 minutes and it's not worth it. On long trips couple times a year I will use my USB stick with music we like and it was working fine for the family.

 

The stock system was suprisingly good, and I consider myself somewhat of an audiophile. The B&W sound system was more neutral and less harsh in the high's. Both had decent bass but if you want tight, thumping bass, you'll need a separately amp'd subwoofer regardless of which system you go with. I would say that for 85% of people, the stock system would be fine. Additionally, what Volvo is charging for the B&W upgrade is actually pretty reasonable. If I ordered an XC90, I would have gotten it, however I ordered a BMW X5 35d and the B&O sound system option was an additional $4500, which is absolutely ridiculous.

 

I have not heard the B&W system but the XC90 in my road test had the standard system.
I found it quite impressive and for most purposes would be fine for me where normally I would never say this!

 

Somebody could make a fortune selling recordings of V8 engine sounds for four cylinder haters!

 

I haven't heard the B&W but I have played with the base system, which by the way was made by Harmon Kardon. It sounds incredible compared to the Professional system in my '11 BMW X5d.

 

One detail I like about the B & W system is that you can just glimpse their characteristic yellow Kevlar speaker cones through the speaker grilles.

 

The car will arrive in my country in the last week of June. So, I'm so enthusiast to test the sound system . To me it's one of the most important option as I missed the dyne audio system in my C70.

 

I actually came away disappointed with the B&W system because of the simple fact that it does not maintain the 5.1 channel assignments in my FLAC files. All channels seem to come from front and rear speakers. This destroys the surround experience that was carefully crafted in the mixing process. Here's hoping that they can update the software.

On another note, the new Audi 2016 MMI can play these perfectly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

it sounds great and looks great. the equalizer has suggested adjustments

 

I was just in the dealer for the launch event tonight and had a chance to connect my phone to an Inscription with the B&W stereo. I thought it sounded pretty amazing on several different types of music -- the Gothenburg Concert Hall setting is spectacular. And the speakers all over the car just LOOK really amazing. It does seem spendy for a car stereo, but percentage-wise in the price... I will use it all the time I'm in the car, so, it means as much to me as the tires. ;-)

 

I'll speak to it a little more later. But sufficed to say, this is the greatest $2300 stereo option in any car, ever. Period.

 

In Europe it cost around 4200$ alone & only if you ask for overseas delivery

& if you take it with technology plus package it cost around 3500$

And I'm sure for European citizens, it will cost much more

Is it really worth this price?
Is it only upgrade From 10 speakers to 19 speakers or there is a lot of other things ?

Or its better to spend this amount on accessories for the car? Because it almost cost the same cost of Urban style

 

The upgrade is more than just the speakers....the addition of 3channel sound (or surround sound if you like it) is a completely revolutionary experience in sound from stereo. It's a monumental difference. If it's a good value depends on your importance in listing to music. If you like music, it's the best money probably spent, as it's one of the best systems on the market at one of the lowest prices.

As far as it "needing" a separate subwoofer to sound good.....ummm, it has one!! Of unique design and separately amped, just as the poster indicated would need to be added. As far as saying you should leave the equalizer flat.....that's nothing more than personal taste. Some like the base to thump. Others like to hear the high pitch trills of a flute. Some of loss of hearing in certain frequencies and adjust the sound accordingly. There is no flat recommendation on what will sound best to every individual....hence why the equalizer.

When I first heard the system I was floored at the clarity. Plugged in my iPhone with some EDM and was very sad the hyped woofer design was pretty lame. Then I found the equalizer and turned up the bass....and it thumps to my liking. You may hate that. I love that. But if I want smooth jazz, I'll adjust the to another setting. I think this is why one "default" factory setting leaves some unimpressed, it's not set up to their taste. A few button pushes transforms that.

 

As far as saying you should leave the equalizer flat.....that's nothing more than personal taste. Some like the base to thump. Others like to hear the high pitch trills of a flute. Some of loss of hearing in certain frequencies and adjust the sound accordingly. There is no flat recommendation on what will sound best to every individual....hence why the equalizer.

When I first heard the system I was floored at the clarity. Plugged in my iPhone with some EDM and was very sad the hyped woofer design was pretty lame. Then I found the equalizer and turned up the bass....and it thumps to my liking. You may hate that. I love that. But if I want smooth jazz, I'll adjust the to another setting. I think this is why one "default" factory setting leaves some unimpressed, it's not set up to their taste. A few button pushes transforms that.

The flat recommendation is for those who don't want add extra fluff to the original sound. Much like how TVs in showrooms have extremely high brightness, contrast, and color to make them stand out despite tainting the original depiction of the image, an equalizer serves the same purpose. Me personally, I'll let the artist decide what part of their sound is supposed to be heard more than others.

I like this stereo a lot, think it's definitely worth the upgrade if you can swing it.

I have an issue with how the equalizer is accessed though- two issues really. From the media app view, you should be able to go into the sound settings directly. Also all the sound settings should be in one place. There's 'listening experience' or whatever, where you choose individual/studio/concert, and then the equalizer and speaker settings are hidden in another menu entirely.

If your active tile is music/media, swiping down from the top should add a "sound settings" button along with the normal "system settings" and "owner's manual". This works with any active tile. It's settings will be easily accessible from that top menu.

 

I like this stereo a lot, think it's definitely worth the upgrade if you can swing it.

I have an issue with how the equalizer is accessed though- two issues really. From the media app view, you should be able to go into the sound settings directly. Also all the sound settings should be in one place. There's 'listening experience' or whatever, where you choose individual/studio/concert, and then the equalizer and speaker settings are hidden in another menu entirely.

 

Nope, it adds a "Bluetooth settings" or Sirius XM settings. My other gripe is that if you go into the sound experience, the tone, balance, etc. should be there IMO. Instead, they are in a seperate menu (sound settings). Sound settings does appear in the drop down menu if you're already in "sound experience", like you're suggesting it should from the regular media tile. Anyway, I'm able to get around and no big deal but seems a little convoluted.

Frankly I think there should be a b&w app to go with the stereo.

 

I have also read (and talked to some audio techies) that many premium speakers need at least 100 hrs to break in. I never knew of such thing and I started looking around, online; the info is a bit limited but I have read the same in Tesla, BMW and AVS forums so there must be some truth to this. Which would explain some of the experiences above.

 

Compared to some other premium sound systems, the B&W is good value.
Sounds really good. If you are not an audiophile and don't want to spend on the B&W, the standard system is more than acceptable, quite decent quality. I listened to both side by side.