EXCLUSIVE: First closeup look at the new Bang & Olufsen advanced Audi sound system in the S8

Awesome!!! Could this be the ultimate sound system? very futuristic and neat.

Awesome!!! Could this be the ultimate sound system? very futuristic and neat.

I have always thought b&o looked good, but never sounded all that great (kinda like bose, but better looking). They are certainely not a Levinson, Mcintosh Or Carver. Not horrible but somewhere in the middle like HK.

I cannot believe someone used the word Carver in the same sentence as Levinson and McIntosh. It could be the first time that has ever happened, and should be the last.

Also, McIntosh did the Subaru Outback 5 years ago. Not sure if they still do, but it was nothing super special. No meters or anything. Just a pretty black face on a Clarion head unit.

Have any of you ever owned a Mark Levinson or McIntosh home system? If you have, then you would be appalled by the OEM systems that these companies try to pass off to the general car buying public. With some consession given to those brands for the strict limitations given them by the auto manufacturers for weight, space, and price, these systems are best described as acceptable to an audiophile or musician. They are in no way representative of anything close to what they make for home use. Consider them marketing labels only. The B&O system for the A8 takes these limitations to a much higher level than has ever been attempted by an auto manufacturer. B&O was given generous space and weight allowances and was allowed a price window much higher than normal, thereby providing a decent product instead of just a marketing ploy. This system will not be cheap. Expect a price in the US of around $5000-$8000 for that option alone! By the way, even that sum will barely buy you a power supply for a Mark Levinson home Preamp. If you think that you really have something special in your Lexus LS by buying the $6800 luxury package which just happens to include a 240watt 11 speaker ML system, then you need to go visit your local ML retailer (if you can find one). You will learn a thing or two about marketing. If for $6800 you expected something more, like the 1000 watt 14 speaker system from B&O on the A8, then let me know so I can place your order now!

[i]By the way, even that sum will barely buy you a power supply for a Mark Levinson home Preamp.[/i]

So obviously YOU haven't owned any either. If you had, you'd know that for $8k, you can get a pretty damned nice Levinson preamp. Although I did sell mine for the McIntosh tubed pre.

In short, don't be a poser.

I experienced the B&O system in the S8 in person. It's a site and sound to die for! The head designer of B&O spoke and tested the system himself. I heard it'll be a $7,800 option. I'd take this over the W12 A8.

Oh, so now you want to call me out on the Levinson thing huh? I am currently building a home theater and have a friend that owns a high end audio shop that sells Levinson. I am using the MHT200 Mac as the basis for the system but he couldn't resist showing me the latest Levinson set up. A No32 reference he had on display has a base price of like $16000. If you want a phono preamp included then it's like $18500 or so. The power supply is a seperate chassis that if you had to replace it would cost at least what I quoted. Do I get a poser pass?

Well get me a deal on one! ;-)