Audi Extends Bang & Olufsen Audio Systems to the A5 and S5

Combining the perfect listening experience with the perfect driving experience has always been the goal of the collaboration between Audi and Bang & Olufsen. This time the two partners have come up with another unique sound system in a matchless car. Meet the Bang & Olufsen Sound System designed specially for the Audi A5 Coupe.

Within the industry and among end-users, Bang & Olufsen is considered the most prestigious consumer audio brand in the world. In recent years, the company has strengthened this brand position by entering the automotive audio industry. Our sound systems have made Bang & Olufsen the most desirable brand for automotive audio systems, and today Bang & Olufsen is a world leader in quality-driven sound systems for high-end cars.

This position has been achieved by combining decades of experience in developing superb sound with complete born-with-the-car integration of sound and visual design. Last year, the Advanced Sound System for the Audi A8 and S8 won one of the most prestigious car sound system awards, and leading car magazines like Auto, Motor und Sport and Auto Express have characterized the Advanced Sound System as nothing short of a revolution surpassing all other automotive audio systems.

Tested and proven
The Bang & Olufsen Sound System for the Audi A5 comes from a fine line of sound systems developed especially for Audi. Like its precursors, this innovative audio system offers the perfect combination of sound and vision with its strong performance, integrated operation and dynamic design that matches the sporty look and feel of the Audi A5 perfectly.

Music is an indispensable part of modern life, and so good sound reproduction is more important than ever. With the sound system for the A5, there is no compromise in this respect. Surrounding the driver and passengers with sound from its 14 speakers, the 500 watt system completes the driving experience much as the unique design of the aluminium rings integrated in the speaker grills merge seamlessly with the cool interior of the Coupe.

The quality of the sound system has been tested and proven by the best Tonmeisters in the trade. And the audio system for the A5 incorporates the same proven technologies, competencies and philosophy as the Bang & Olufsen Sound System presented in the stunning Audi R8. In other words, yet another car-audio system has been added to the family of high quality automotive audio systems from Bang & Olufsen.

New standard in this segment
"With the recent introduction of the Bang & Olufsen Sound System in the R8, we introduced a new audio platform as a supplement to the successful Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System in Audi A8 and S8. Now, we are very pleased to build on our R8 audio platform in the brand new Audi A5," says Jens Peter Zinck, Managing Director for Bang & Olufsen Automotive.

"By so doing, we are able to set a new standard for fully integrated and attractive sound in this segment - a sound that is designed to please not only the ears but also the eyes of the owners," Jens Peter Zinck adds.

Expanding on the extremely successful cooperation with Audi, the Bang & Olufsen Sound System for the Audi A5 Coupe is the first high-end, integrated system in this class of car. Most of our competitors offer sound systems, not integrated solutions, but to Bang & Olufsen and our end-users standard is not an option. We'll settle for nothing less than the best sound along with integrated design and operation, and that is one of the reasons Bang & Olufsen offers unique brand-value.

answer - 2/27/2007 1:42:16 PM

+1 Boost

Hell yes!

A5 news gets better and better. I'm glad they aren't only offering it in the S5 as well.

Between this and the R8 Audi should have a pretty nice 2007.

GermanNut - 2/27/2007 1:44:21 PM

+3 Boost

Jesus....Audi is on a model assault. First the new TT, now the R8, we have confirmation of both A5 and S5 models. The Q5 coming next year in addition to the Audi RS6 with twin turbo V10 and an A7 which will be a 6-series competitor and to top it off an R8 with V10 pushing around 500hp.

webguy - 2/27/2007 1:47:44 PM

-4 Boost

That's some nice press release spin. I wish Audi would have chosen someone else. B&O is just more expensive Bose... if you could imagine such a thing. Probably chosen by Audi for the mainstream recognition and insane mark-up the brand name commands, but it’s far from a respected audiophile (or in my case, a mere "enthusiast") brand. Too much focus on the psychology of good sound instead of sonic accuracy. I’m sure the system will sound great, and look even better, but it will cost about 3 times more than it should. I’m betting Lexus and ML will still hold audio crown, especially in that segment.

Chip - 2/27/2007 4:01:28 PM

0 Boost

Great, but will it cost $6,000 like in the A8/S8/R8 ?

S4cabriofoxone - 2/27/2007 5:18:46 PM

+1 Boost

No. Look at the speakers- they're not covered in aluminum and it probably won't have electronically-retracting tweeters. I'd say it will be more in the $1-2K range.

Chip - 2/27/2007 8:22:29 PM

+1 Boost

So it costs $4,000-5,000 for retractable tweeters? Right. S4Cabrio, your "know it all" attitude of the Audi brand gets seriously annoying.

The Logic7 in the 335i puts out 500 watts of power through 14 speakers (same as the Audi)....and guess what...its standard.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/27/2007 10:36:40 PM

0 Boost

AND ALL THE ALUMINUM TRIM. Do you have any idea how much it costs to cover the A8's 14 speakers in real aluminum? At LEAST $2,000. This will probably have about twelve speakers, which also lowers the price.

The logic7 is a fine system. But, as another poster claimed, it is not "free." It makes the 3 Series coupe more expensive than the A5.

image5 - 2/27/2007 5:44:12 PM

+5 Boost

When people make comments regarding Bang & Olufsen that appear devoid of content, I respond quickly so that some other people might recognize that Audi and Bang & Olufsen are doing something special. I know a little, biased as I am, because I am a REAL Bang & Olufsen dealer. I enjoy taking the the opportunity to educate those who would like to know more about the oldest audio and one of the leading exotic brands in the world.

If you want to experience the ultimate in pure automotive sound, experience the optional system in the A8 or S8. Until you have done that, you do not know the difference between that and a Bose system (I have Bose in one of my Mercedes, and it is just fine). To suggest they are the same level of component and sound quality is absurd. The A8 includes acoustic lens to spread the treble 180 degrees, and if you don't understand the significance of that, you should not study up. All the speakers feature active technology and most are driven directly by ICE power D-series amps (our technology and used in many top brands including Rotel and B&W). The design is meant to look elegant, and the aluminum grills exist for that reason. To suggest this is a normal system (and I consider the Lexus stereo to be Martin Logan in name only, nothing special at all) is a result of ignorance or unfairness or both.

Is it expensive? Absolutely, though I hear that the A5 and R8 systems are a bit less (smaller cabins, no doubt). Overpriced? Who but a real customer is qualified to answer that? Necessary? Absolutely not. But if you bought an eligible vehicle without the Bang & Olufsen option, you would be missing something. Check it out, bang-olufsen.com.

Like others, I am biased, but my comments are accurate. Enjoy the ride.

answer - 2/27/2007 6:05:25 PM

+5 Boost

Sorry, but that kind of informed, honest, and cordial post does not belong at autospies.

Your comments should focus on the degree of crap a car is or what design a car copied from someone else. When in doubt just post an argumentative knock at Lexus or Mercedes.

JRobUSC - 2/27/2007 6:13:18 PM

+2 Boost

I've heard the system in an A8 and it's pretty awesome, probably the best I've ever heard in a car. BUT I'd still like to see what it's going to cost in Audi's "lesser" models -- in a $100k S8 sedan driven by a very wealthy executive a $6000 stereo might not be a big deal, in a $40k coupe if it costs that much it's going to be an option box no one is going to ever mark, I don't care how nice it sounds. The main competition to the A5/S5 will be the 335i Coupe, which comes with the very capable Logic7 sound system standard. It's not as good as this one but it's still excellent and it's free, I don't see many people opting for a stereo in the A5 that costs thousands of dollars extra.

joeyc - 2/27/2007 6:18:45 PM

+4 Boost

Martin Logan in a Lexus??? Maybe you mean Mark Levinson...

If the B&O system in the A5 (and presumably B8 A4) sound anything like the system in the A8/S8 for $1-2K, I'm getting it for sure in my B8 A4. Too bad no pop-up acoustic lens tweeters though.

webguy - 2/27/2007 8:03:22 PM

+2 Boost

Fair enough, but I still stand by comments, and opinion.

My comparison to Bose was not in component or sound quality. I realize the offerings from B&O sound better. They should, they cost several times more. The comparison is was in marketing and company philosophies. Both companies sell on psychology of how the components "fit into your lifestyle," and marketing with patented, slickly labeled "revolutionary technologies" that cost several times more than they should. After sitting through the demo, the spiel and price gouging revelation at the mall, it’s clear both companies’ priorities are marketing, design, and then sound. That’s backwards to what an audio purists brand should be.

Take, for instance, the Acoustic Lens. Great idea, yes I understand the significance, but in a car?... It is absolutely pointless; and I’ll leave alone the fact that similar solutions have been devised on speakers costing 1/3 of the price of the BeoLabs. The problems the Acoustic Lens solves are for a large room, but seating positions in a car are fixed and in a very small space, rendering them unnecessary. Quality sound in a car calls for good-old fashioned high quality components, proper speaker placement, and sound deadening in the right areas. I’ve had only a brief encounter with A8 system… yeah it sounds great; but think of the extra sound quality you could extract out of $6K had part of it not been spent on an expensive, unnecessary patented technology showcase that pops out of the dash when you turn on the radio.

I’m sure all the systems will sound fine, and I agree they’re better, even superior to Bose; but that’s not very hard. Audi’s choice to go with B&O is likely based on public perception, and most importantly a sweet business deal (Afterall, great marketing = great markup). For pure audio quality, though, they could have made a better choice.

Threepoint1415926 - 2/28/2007 3:59:29 PM

+1 Boost

I agree webguy, that the marketability of a name is the primary reason for using any of these brand name home audio systems in cars. However, I also think that car audio is a wholly different field from home audio and hence it's bad form to judge an audio system solely on its home audio line of products.

On another note, when people start talking about audio like they know what they're saying, I tend to hear lots of acronyms, talk of material and invented jargon. To a large extent all of this info is invented by marketing departments. The sole purpose of any of these audio companies is to sell their product after all. They do a good job of it by confusing their customers into thinking they're getting something special. Image5, being a dealer, is more versed in this jargon than others and doesn't suade me into believing his products are better with talk.

This leads me to the conclusion that if a buyer is concerned with the audio in his car, his best way to evaluate is to listen. In the end, many people won't notice the difference as they listen to their FM station or NPR on the way to work. Never mind the little things that will give them awful sound interference like tire noise, road noise or screaming kids. None of which are indicative to hi-fidelity. Personally, for this reason alone, any reasonably good sounding system (available on nearly all luxury marques) is good enough for me in my car even if I am a self proclaimed audio enthusiast and semi-professional speaker builder. I keep my hi-fi ears at home and they don't listen to B&O, Bose or anything of the like.

batrambo - 5/9/2013 7:08:38 PM

+1 Boost

And...WHY such an advanced and pricey system on my S8 will have one of the pop-up tweeters collapsed all of a sudden,without popping up from the dssh?
Nice sound,but reliability?

batrambo - 5/9/2013 7:08:45 PM

+1 Boost

And...WHY such an advanced and pricey system on my S8 will have one of the pop-up tweeters collapsed all of a sudden,without popping up from the dssh?
Nice sound,but reliability?

batrambo - 5/9/2013 7:13:22 PM

+1 Boost

Why then on such space age and $$$$-ey system one of my S8's pop up tweeters suddenly won't pop up anymore?
Reliability?...

image5 - 2/27/2007 6:38:49 PM

+2 Boost

Mark Levinson? Ooooops. I apologize for the error.

EL34 - 2/27/2007 6:46:20 PM

+1 Boost

From what I understand this B&O is better than the Mark Levinson in the LS600hL.

hmmm.

answer - 2/27/2007 7:11:01 PM

0 Boost

I didn't think there was anything you could understand.

DriveFastSkiFast - 2/27/2007 7:23:01 PM

+3 Boost

First of all, The B&O system in the S8 is by far the best system to come as a dealer option ever in any car. I have heard nearly everything and I am a car audio guy with a significant aftermarket system in my car. My system costs just slightly less than the S8's however the sound in the S8 is PERFECTLY ballanced and MADE for the car, there is no tweaking or calibrating necessary, it just sounds perfect from the get go! Mark Levinson if garbage, Bose systems sound like they are being played through a paper plate. Don't get me wrong, the bose and ML systems are ok, but if you want true audiophile sound, its either B&O or aftermarket. Even the Mark Levinson and bose top of the line systems still use paper cones on their woofer and midrance drivers!!! What kind of crap is that. The only system that I would ever get as an option in any car at this point would be a B&O system, otherwise i would get no option at all and build the system from the ground up myself.

I also agree with JRobUSC, the new system in the A5/S5 will have to come in at a much better price point than the S8 system, hopefully 3,000 at the verry top end.

chewy - 2/27/2007 8:00:58 PM

0 Boost

Very nice, Audi is now putting Bang & Olufsen on much cheaper 40 vs. 100k.

BTW, is any one else having problem with viewing Auto Spies?

image5 - 2/27/2007 8:35:08 PM

+4 Boost

I won't get into a contest, but suffice to say, Bang & Olufsen's and Bose's company philosophies could not be more different. They just happen to represent the extremes of lifestyle audio.

One of the reasons I enjoy Autospies is that you can have opinions over subjective stuff and nobody should care. When there are real facts behind opinions, I would think people would enjoy that as well. That doesn't mean facts matter, however.

For instance, Lexus may very well be a better car than S-Class in every functional way, but I would buy S 10 times before a Lexus. And for a 4 seat sport sedan, I cannot imagine anything better than an M3, though I wouldn't buy one. And you could build an Alfa out of concrete blocks and it would fall apart. See?

Reality is in the eyes of the beholder. Cheers.

no1listensanyway - 2/27/2007 8:44:16 PM

+1 Boost

Why do I have the feeling the A5 is going to get pricey?

chewy - 2/27/2007 8:44:41 PM

+1 Boost

BTW, S5 real world pics:

http://forums.audiworld.com/a5/msgs/1207.phtml

http://forums.audiworld.com/a5/msgs/1209.phtml

http://forums.audiworld.com/a5/msgs/1210.phtml

rom64 - 2/27/2007 9:49:44 PM

+2 Boost

Great looking picks chewy!

Now there's something worth posting on autospies instead the constant reposting of recently.

Thanks chewy, very well appreciated!

S4cabriofoxone - 2/27/2007 10:39:29 PM

+1 Boost

WOW. After seeing the relatively uninspired pictures released by Audi, seeing the real life pictures really made an impact on me. While not a huge departure from my car, it's a huge improvement, and I'll definitely look at the A5/S5 coupe as a winter car.

germeezy2 - 2/28/2007 2:12:22 AM

+2 Boost

The A5 and S5 are beautiful cars, only a spirited test drive will tell if the advancements in the MDS chassis have finally cured Audi's biggest problem(handling)

batrambo - 5/9/2013 7:18:30 PM

+1 Boost

Any ideas hot to fix one of my collapsed B&O tweeters on Audi S8 without committing a suicide at the Audi dealer? It simply does not pop up anymore...