Aston announces B&W as official audio partner
'Sensorially supercharged' Bowers & Wilkins' system promises high performance, ultra luxury audio in DB12
We all know that car audio is more important than ever. Customers don’t so much demand as expect the pinnacle in connectivity, sound quality, and style from their in-car systems. It’s reflected in just how much effort is invested by manufacturers to achieve the very best; nowhere is that better demonstrated than with the new DB12, which will be the first Aston Martin to feature Bowers & Wilkins' newly developed Surround Sound System as an option.
The headlines are dominated by the numbers, of course, with 1,170W of power, 15 speakers, a 14-channel amp and five B&W Nautilus Aluminium Double Dome Tweeters. But there’s far more to this latest collaboration than just being able to blast out inappropriately loud ABBA via the smart new interior controls. The very fact the tie-up exists is notable for starters, Aston and Bowers & Wilkins today confirming their status as official partners ‘striving for heightened levels of performance’. Furthermore, while we’re used to car engineers working with their equivalents in suspension and tyre companies, there’s now cooperation with sound engineers as well. For the DB12, that meant ensuring the location, direction and symmetry of the speaker position was spot on to get the right immersive quality for the system.
Like a new car, a new audio installation features the latest in technology as well. There are five B&W Continuum mid-range speakers in the DB12, said to represent eight years (!) of development to deliver ‘a great step forward in midrange speaker performance’ thanks to a carefully damped woven composite construction. The aforementioned tweeters should reduce resonance, and their location separate from the rest of the cabinet reduces what’s called coloration and minimise acoustic reflection. We’re hoping this makes more sense to proper audiophiles. But even to us laypeople, the promise of a sound that is ‘more detailed, clear and natural’ is very promising. There aren’t many great journeys that aren’t improved by a great audio experience.
Dan Shepherd, Vice President of Licensing and Partnerships at Bowers & Wilkins, said: “The alignment of Bowers and Wilkins with Aston Martin is an entirely natural one, with both celebrating their British heritage while being renowned for innovation and creating thrilling experiences. As well as car-audio integration, this exciting new partnership will also lead to elevated brand co-operations in the future. We proudly look forward to the next chapter.” And with Aston already confirming that there will be B&W systems available in upcoming cars, this really is just the start.
In a perfect world, I'd have Naim (Bentley's choice) for the head unit and amplification, allied to B&W speakers.
I'm not a fan of BOSE (Buy Other stereo Equipment), and B&O is more furniture than hifi; B&W hit the mark for me.
I'll disagree on B&O though. Had this on my 2015 Audi S3 Saloon, and for the price, it's been one of the best, if not they best sound systems I've had in any car.
Recently (last week) took delivery) of a car fitted with Burmester. Not really had chance to play around with it yet, but first impressions are good. Should be for the price !
That said, the B&W car systems I’ve heard have been very good, so I have high hopes for this one.
Unfortunately it's all so "integrated" these days you have little choice other than to pick from the OE offerings. I typically head for the middle ground, base equipment typically being hopeless and the flashy stuff grossly overpriced.
That being said, the very fact they're British means the price point would be absolutely outrageous; certainly more than most would be prepared to pay!
That being said, the very fact they're British means the price point would be absolutely outrageous; certainly more than most would be prepared to pay!
I always thought the likes of Bentley/ Aston missed a trick by not offering Genesis products for their cars and integrating them in an OEM way.
Would annihilate any of these so called top end systems, which are basically branded cheap speakers and low power amplifiers with far too many channels.
https://thegenesisstoreuk.com/
That being said, the very fact they're British means the price point would be absolutely outrageous; certainly more than most would be prepared to pay!
I always thought the likes of Bentley/ Aston missed a trick by not offering Genesis products for their cars and integrating them in an OEM way.
Would annihilate any of these so called top end systems, which are basically branded cheap speakers and low power amplifiers with far too many channels.
https://thegenesisstoreuk.com/
That said, the B&W car systems I’ve heard have been very good, so I have high hopes for this one.
That being said, the very fact they're British means the price point would be absolutely outrageous; certainly more than most would be prepared to pay!
The alignment of Bowers and Wilkins with Aston Martin is an entirely natural one, with both celebrating their British heritage while being renowned for innovation and creating thrilling experiences
Seems to be pushing a point from Aston's side. the thrills come from AMG, it is not British and the real design innovation mostly care of Zagato & recently A. Newey.
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