Bowers and Wilkins sound is excellent!
#21
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Just turned in my 2010 Premium (standard sound system) for a 2011 S/C. with the B&W. The sound is definitely better when playing CD, I-POD,MP3. BUT: The radio and specially AM reception SUCKS!!!
I get terrible reception for the same AM stations I like to listen to during my morning commute. Really very dissapointing.
Any suggestions?
I get terrible reception for the same AM stations I like to listen to during my morning commute. Really very dissapointing.
Any suggestions?
#22
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I agree, the B&W system sounds great! I set mine on the 3D setting (I don't recall it's exact name), as it seems to provide the fullest, most spacious sound. Beautiful, detailed sound. Crisp highs and detailed midrange. Bass is full without being boomy. I have noticed, however, like others, that sometimes one of the speakers has a bit of a buzz on very low notes, even though I set my tone controls flat (no increase in bass, sub, etc.). Still the best factory system I've heard in any car. Not the best compared to aftermarket, of course, but it will easily hold its own against all but the very best aftermarket systems.
It seems that CDs sound just a bit better, more detailed than iPod music, although it could be the placebo effect (i.e. I assume CDs should sound better because MP3 music is compressed, so naturally my brain tricks itself into thinking CDs sound better). As a bonus, the CD player is a 6 disc changer. I didn't realize that until I actually fed one into it the other day (yes, I'm sure it's in the manual but who reads it, and until now, I've used an iPod so didn't notice).
BTW, as to the guy whose system keeps blowing speakers, I agree most likely there's a defect in the amp. A dirty signal from a bad amp can do that even if the volume isn't turned up much.
It seems that CDs sound just a bit better, more detailed than iPod music, although it could be the placebo effect (i.e. I assume CDs should sound better because MP3 music is compressed, so naturally my brain tricks itself into thinking CDs sound better). As a bonus, the CD player is a 6 disc changer. I didn't realize that until I actually fed one into it the other day (yes, I'm sure it's in the manual but who reads it, and until now, I've used an iPod so didn't notice).
BTW, as to the guy whose system keeps blowing speakers, I agree most likely there's a defect in the amp. A dirty signal from a bad amp can do that even if the volume isn't turned up much.
If the B&W system is as great as everyone describes it stands to reason that CD’s sound much better than an iPod. I have a fairly upscale home audio system (Anthem A/V processor, Krell amps, MartinLogan speakers) and the audio quality of an MP3 at 328kps is notably worse than CD or a FLAC file. Playing an MP3 at iPod’s default of 128kbs sounds awful. Yet if I were to compare a CD to an MP3 on a basic stereo it would be very hard to hear a difference. The truth is the higher the quality of any audio system the more important the quality of the source becomes. This would also go a long way to explain why AM radio in comparison may sound bad on the B&W as a few folks have said.
#23
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Now, I do know this guy who put a full MacIntosh system in the trunk of his M5, and it not surprisingly rivaled many home systems.
#24
#25
#26
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I just picked up an '09 XF SC. After coming from the '04 XJR that I had previously I was extremely disappointed with the highly touted B&W system - until I plugged in a USB stick or iPod. The system came alive. I'm not sure why the AM/FM tuner is of such poor quality. My reception seems decent, but the sound quality is very muddy and thin. After hearing it on a good source it's clearly a capable system, I just wish they had used a better tuner.
#27
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I just picked up an '09 XF SC. After coming from the '04 XJR that I had previously I was extremely disappointed with the highly touted B&W system - until I plugged in a USB stick or iPod. The system came alive. I'm not sure why the AM/FM tuner is of such poor quality. My reception seems decent, but the sound quality is very muddy and thin. After hearing it on a good source it's clearly a capable system, I just wish they had used a better tuner.
#28
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I understand the difference between AM/FM and other sources with a wider frequency response, but the tonal quality of the tuner in the XF (at least in mine) is far worse than any other I've heard in recent history. The quality that it's outputting is far less than what even FM is capable of.
I plugged a cheap $15 portable MP3 player that has a built-in tuner into the aux jack and its FM quality far surpasses that of the stock tuner.
I plugged a cheap $15 portable MP3 player that has a built-in tuner into the aux jack and its FM quality far surpasses that of the stock tuner.
#30
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Wow guys - the sound system in the 2011 XJ just BLOWS. it is a B&W and indeed i too have a passenger-side door that rattles even at 50db or so - not nearly loud enough to warrant a rattle. It's funny to hear guys saying how great their systems sound, but they rattle. NO cars with high-end audio systems like this rattle. Man, and the dynamic range of the system is about as wide as Kate Moss.
Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket stereo/navigation (is there a worse navigation system on any car?)/bluetooth system out there that would integrate well in to the car? Is it crazy to do this as it might void warranties?
thanks - great car, horrible electronics
Does anyone know if there is an aftermarket stereo/navigation (is there a worse navigation system on any car?)/bluetooth system out there that would integrate well in to the car? Is it crazy to do this as it might void warranties?
thanks - great car, horrible electronics
#31
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From page 299 of the XF manual:
The system will support devices with a
storage capacity up to 256 GB
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