The THX II Certified Audio System
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This article focuses on your getting great sounding car (vehicle) audio. Sure, it’s easy to get great sounding music in an expensive ride.  However, what about obtaining great sounding audio in vehicles that cost under $25,000 or even less?  Furthermore, what about aftermarket brands that offer great sounding audio systems for your current drive?  This article covers all three areas of the automotive scale!

Your might be thinking, rather than spending money on an expensive factory system in a new vehicle, why not just buy a great ‘aftermarket’ sound system?  Well, in today’s automotive game, vehicle manufacturers have ‘engineered good sound’ into vehicles from the start.  Thus, aftermarket sound systems might not offer as much bang for the buck as in the past.  Therefore, let’s start with the top end factory installed music systems.

Let’s face it; if you’re like me, you want to know what is considered to be ‘the best’ but also what is the best you can afford!  The lists below cover both among factory audio systems. 

The Burmester High-End Surround Sound System includes an over 1,100-watt 16-speaker system that reproduces all octaves down to the lowest bass foundation for all music genres.  It provides a live-like music atmosphere.  This audio system is available in the Porsche Panamera.

The 9VE Premium Sound System includes a 600-watt 16-speaker system that is considered to provide some of the best factory audio listening on the planet.  It is described as ‘going for the jugular’ and it sets out to ‘blow you away!’  This audio system is available in the Volkswagen Phaeton.

The Harman/Kardon LOCIC7 Digital Surround Sound System includes a 600-watt 14-speaker system that produces a realistic and dynamic range. This audio system is available in Mercedes CL-Class, BMW 7-Series and Land Rover Range Rover.

The Bowers and Wilkins System includes a 440-watt 13-speaker plus subwoofer surround sound system.  Of note is that B&W speakers are the choice among professional recording studios.  This audio system is available in Jaguar XF and XJR (Alpine).

The Mark Levinson Audio System includes a 450-watt 19-speaker 7.1 channel surround sound system that has a harmonic distortion of less than .1 percent. Additionally, it has a range of 20-20.000 Hz that is beyond the hearing level of most people. This audio system is available in the Lexus LS 430.

The Bang and Olufsen Advanced Sound System includes a nearly 1,100-watt 14-speaker (each with its own amplifier) sound system. It has won an international audio award.  This audio system is available in the Audi A8.

The THX II Certified Audio System includes a 600-watt 14-speaker system that is THX II Certified (focuses on dispersion pattern, loudness and distortion).  This audio system is available in the Lincoln MKX.

The Dynaudio Audio System includes a 650-watt 12-speaker (each with its own filter) system. It features impressive reproduction from all locations of the vehicle’s interior. This audio system is available in the Volvo S80.

Although the systems in the vehicles listed above might be out of reach for many drivers, here are great sounding factory systems in vehicles that cost less than $25,000 (Note that a base vehicle would be purchased with the premium audio system added as an extra cost option).

The 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 can be equipped with a 265-watt 10-speaker Bose sound system that provides clear and balanced sound.

The 2012 Volkswagen GLI can be equipped with a 400-watt 9-speaker Fender sound system that provides clarity at any volume.

The 2012 Dodge Nitro can be equipped with a 386-watt 8-speaker Infinity premium audio system that provides distortion free sound.

The 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Outlander can be equipped with a 710-watt 6-speaker Rockford Fosgate Punch sound system that is described as terrific.

Now, let’s say that you do not want to buy a new vehicle but prefer to get great audio sound in your current ride.  Here are some of the best names in aftermarket audio system.

The Becker name might not be as recognized as the other, however, it makes top car stereos.  Becker is exceptionally strong with CD changers.

The German Blaupunt has been popular with audio aficionado since the 70s.  Although it is expensive, Blaupunt builds high quality car stereos.  And as a side note, many Blaupunt stereos are named after cities.

The Clarion name has not been around as long as some of the other brands, but it has gained a solid reputation with car stereos. Clarion is especially strong with digital audio systems.

The Japanese JVC is known for its home and car stereos.  JVC offers excellent quality and is considered to be a very good value for the money.

The Kenwood brand specializes in all areas of car audio systems including speakers, multimedia DVDs and GPSs.  Kenwood is highly popular with CD changers.

The Sony brand is highly recognized for its car stereos.  The company is always on the cutting edge of technological innovation and its products score well in consumer reviews.

So there you have it, a solid audio system hat trick that you can use for further investigation.

Great cars (vehicles) and great music were made for each other.  Here’s to your highest enjoyment of both!