Luxury cars partner with high-end audio brands to build sound systems tuned for their cabins: Burmester in Mercedes-Benz, Bowers & Wilkins in BMW and Volvo, AKG in Cadillac, Bang & Olufsen in Audi and Genesis, Naim in Bentley, Meridian in Land Rover and Jaguar, Mark Levinson in Lexus and Revel in Lincoln. The best systems use dozens of speakers, digital signal processing and, increasingly, immersive formats like Dolby Atmos. A great system sounds clear at low volume — ideal for passengers who want quiet music or a clear podcast.

Who partners with whom

Audio brand Car brands (examples)
Burmester Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-Maybach
Bowers & Wilkins BMW, Volvo, McLaren
AKG Cadillac
Bang & Olufsen Audi, Genesis
Naim Bentley
Meridian Land Rover, Jaguar
Mark Levinson Lexus
Revel Lincoln
Bose Many brands

What makes car audio hard

A car cabin is small, full of reflective glass and absorbent seats, and the listeners sit off-center. Engineers use digital signal processing to time-align speakers so sound seems to come from in front of each listener, and tune systems to the specific interior.

Features of top systems

  • Many speakers — 20 to 36 or more — including headliner and headrest speakers.
  • 3D or immersive sound with height channels; some cars support Dolby Atmos.
  • Seat transducers that let you feel bass (Mercedes calls it “4D”).
  • Noise compensation that adjusts volume and EQ with road speed.

The Escalade’s AKG system

Cadillac’s AKG Studio Reference system offers up to 36 speakers in the Escalade. Read Escalade technology.

For passengers

In a chauffeured car, you can usually connect your phone by Bluetooth or ask the chauffeur for a station — or silence. Read quiet ride and conversation and the history of the car radio.