XFR - B&W sound system

[johnag007]

Hello,
Would anyone have a view on whether this option is worth it, unfortunately I have not found a car to test it on?

Sincerely,

JAG

[Triple7]

Excellent, but if you intend to use an Ipod/MP3 player to listen to your music collection, then it could be seen as a waste of money, as those files are so compressed you won't be able to enjoy the sound the B&W system can provide. If you will listen to CD's then it will be awesome. I was surprised the XFR doesn't have it a s standard......

[johnag007]

No in Greece unfortunately, and it costs €1.900 extra...

[FWDRacer]

If you don't order it, and spec it on your car and then you hear it at a later date you'll be kicking yourself...

[johnag007]

Just went back to them on this

[Triple7]

johnag007 said:

No in Greece unfortunately, and it costs €1.900 extra...

Didn't make myself clear, it isn't standard on the XFR, but it is on the XKR, that's what I was surprised with........

The speakers look pretty too....

[eddy_hyde]

johnag007 said:

Hello,
Would anyone have a view on whether this option is worth it, unfortunately I have not found a car to test it on?

Sincerely,

JAG

yes its definately worth it, the B&W is the best OEM system i have heard by a long way

[craigjm]

It is a different system to that in the XK and it is also worth remembering that it isnt a B&W system but an Alpine system with B&W speakers. The system is very good and I specced it. Yes it does show up the compression on the Ipod so to get the best out of it you need lossless files on your ipod or use CDs. However, it is not the BEST car system available, it suffers from B&Ws typical weakness in its home system which is a lack of bass definition from the subwoofer. Read any home cinema magazine and you will see that this is evident on all home B&W systems aswell. Apart from that it is really good but the BEST system is really the B&O system on the Audi A8 etc.

[FWDRacer]

Lack of Bass definition

Jagyur Drivers don't listen to Drum'n'Bass and don't appreciate their trim rattling. Different demographic old boy bhouy!

[a8hex]

FWDRacer said:

Lack of Bass definition

Jagyur Drivers don't listen to Drum'n'Bass and don't appreciate their trim rattling. Different demographic old boy bhouy!

We certainly expect the canons in the 1812 to be faithfully reproduced and heaven forbid that the plucked double base in my Madeleine Peyroux collection gets messed up.

[JimexPL]

craigjm said:

However, it is not the BEST car system available, it suffers from B&Ws typical weakness in its home system which is a lack of bass definition from the subwoofer. Read any home cinema magazine and you will see that this is evident on all home B&W systems aswell. Apart from that it is really good but the BEST system is really the B&O system on the Audi A8 etc.

The low bass is the only thing lacking in the XFR system. Aside from this, it's pretty good for a factory fit system, but if you're not going to go to the trouble of using CDs and lossless ipod tracks I'd stick with the standard stereo for two reasons -
If you're not the type of person that is concerned about natural high quality audio you wont hear £xxxx of benefit over the standard fit stereo/sub.
Listening to poor quality ipod/mp3 files can become tiresome after a while with the B&W tweeters.

I would disagree about the A8 being the BEST system. You've obviously not heard the Dynaudio set up in the current shape Volvo C70. The most natural sounding set up that I have heard from a car manufacturer, along with window shaking bass if that's your thing from the 2 10"(I think) subs buried in the rear seat backs. Almost compensates for the slightly dull driving experience!