Top 25 Best High-End Car Audio Systems and Brands

VEHICLE AUDIO is equipment installed in a car or other vehicle to provide in-car entertainment and information for the vehicle occupants. Until the 1950s it consisted of a simple AM radio. Additions since then have included FM radio (1952), CD players (1984), navigation systems, Bluetooth telephone integration, and smartphone controllers like CarPlay and Android Auto. Once controlled from the dashboard with a few buttons, they can now be controlled by steering wheel controls and voice commands.

Initially implemented for listening to music and radio, vehicle audio is now part of car telematics, telecommunication, in-vehicle security, handsfree calling, navigation, and remote diagnostics systems. It is also used to create fake engine noise. For the 2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost, an "Active Noise Control" system was developed that amplifies the engine sound through the car speakers. A similar system is used in the F-150 pickup truck. Volkswagen uses a Soundaktor, a special speaker to play sounds in cars such as the Golf GTi and Beetle Turbo. BMW plays a recorded sample of its motors through the car speakers, using a different samples according to the engine’s load and power.

Telematics is an interdisciplinary field that encompasses telecommunications, vehicular technologies, road transportation, road safety, electrical engineering (sensors, instrumentation, wireless communications, etc.), and computer science (multimedia, Internet, etc.).

Car Audio System News, Reviews & Resources

• 8 Best Car Stereo Systems to Buy in 2018 - "Pump up the jams in your car with these car stereos."
• Apple Carplay News & Information - Autoblog.
• Audi’s latest infotainment system is a smarter driving companion - "Testing the tech powering the new A7’s dashboard."
• Best Car Audio Speakers 2018 - ProCarReviews.
• Best Car Audio Systems of 2018 - TopTenReviews.
• Best Car Audio Systems Compared - Business Insider.
• Best Car Stereos for 2018 - CNET.
• BMW to switch Apple CarPlay to subscription service - engadget.
• CAR AUDIO - Wikipedia.
• CAR AUDIO Systems: speakers, amplifiers & stereos - Best Buy.
• Head unit - sometimes referred to as a deck, is a component of a stereo system either in an automobile or a home which provides a unified hardware interface for the entire system.
• ISO 7736 - International standard ISO 7736 defines a standard size for car audio head units and enclosures.
• List of car audio manufacturers & brands - Wikipedia.
• Pioneer debuts three new wireless CarPlay systems - The Verge.
• Spotify launches a sleek standalone app for Cadillac vehicle - The Verge.
• Telematics - interdisciplinary field that encompasses telecommunications, vehicular technologies, road transportation, road safety, electrical engineering (sensors, instrumentation, wireless communications, etc.), and computer science (multimedia, Internet, etc.).

Top 25 High-End Car Audio Systems & Brands

• Alpine - since 1967. "Our premium in-car entertainment systems have helped people enjoy their drives since 1978." Offers innovative in-car multimedia, headunits, amplifiers, speakers, tweeters, subwoofers and signal processing equipment.
• BANG & OLUFSEN - since 1925. "The Speed of Sound."Transform the ordinary drive into a symphony for all senses.
• BANG & OLUFSEN Aston Martin - "Both companies were founded by a pair of pioneering engineers at the start of the 20th century, and through a commitment to manufacturing skills and design values, each has grown into an iconic global brand, bringing together technological and design excellence with the strongest possible emotional appeal."
• BANG & OLUFSEN Audi - "Bang & Olufsen entered the hi-fi automotive sector in 2005 together with Audi and defined its ambition to combine superb in-car sound integration and outstanding visual design."
• BANG & OLUFSEN BMW - "When matching brands come together, spectacular things can happen. Bang & Olufsen and BMW combine an unrelenting quest for technical excellence and an uncompromising commitment to quality and style, with the Bang & Olufsen high-end Surround Sound system as the perfect embodiment of this philosophy."
• BANG & OLUFSEN Mercedes-AMG - "The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG High-End Surround Sound System for Mercedes-AMG is the perfect marriage of brands with an unrelenting focus on excellence and superior quality."
• BLAUPUNKT - since 1923. "Car Radios & Multimedia." All models.
• BLAUPUNKT DASH CAMERAS - "Record your drives with the Blaupunkt Video HD DashCam. The automatic starting and looped recording makes sure you never miss a moment. Night Vision keeps recording at night bright and clear."
• BOWERS & WILKINS - since 1966. "Car Audio." All models.
• BOWERS & WILKINS BMW - "The audio system for the luxury-class BMW 7 Series features Diamond Dome tweeters. Working with BMW engineers we developed a Diamond Surround Sound System for the new 5 Series."
• BOWERS & WILKINS MASERATI - "Working closely with the engineers at Maserati, we’ve developed a Surround Sound System for the latest generation of high-performance Maserati road cars."
• BOWERS & WILKINS McLaren - "Together with McLaren, we have created amazing sound systems for the Sports Series range."
• BOWERS & WILKINS VOLVO - "Together with the engineers at Volvo we have created an amazing sound system for the Volvo XC90 and S90."
• Burmester Automotive - since 1977. All models.
• Burmester Automotive Bugatti - "In the case of the Bugatti EB 16.4 VEYRON Burmester and the Bugatti engineers designed a superlative sound system as this out-of-the-ordinary car called for out-of-the-ordinary ideas, also for listening to music."
• Burmester Automotive Mercedes-AMG - "With the new Mercedes-AMG GT the sports car brand of Mercedes-Benz aims to set new standards in a highly competitive segment, and here again their motto is: the best or nothing. For this reason the Mercedes-AMG GT offers even two optional Burmester Surround Systems to pick from – and thus for the first time Burmester sound in an AMG."
• Burmester Automotive Mercedes-Benz - "When two visionary companies that passionately follow their ideas come together, the result is something very special. Together, we have taken the art of engineering to a new level and created a perfect synergy: a car sound system with a clear mission – to be the very best there is,” Dieter Burmester explained the partnership with Mercedes-Benz."
• Burmester Automotive Mercedes-Maybach - "The Mercedes-Maybach S-class demonstrates the fusion of the Mercedes-Benz S-class perfection with the exclusivity of Maybach. For this very special luxury limousine Burmester has developed two extraordinary audio systems highlighting the superior character of this outstanding automobile."
• Burmester Automotive Porsche - "An icon from Zuffenhausen meets with an icon from Berlin. Since the introduction of the Burmester High-End Surround Sound System with the launch of the first generation of the Porsche Panamera, Burmester has been considered a benchmark for factory-integrated car hi-fi systems. As the first car audio system ever the Burmester Sound System received the “Image Hifi Award”. Moreover, this pole position was successfully defended with the follow–up projects in the Porsche Cayenne, the 911 Carrera and also in the Boxster, 918 Spyder and Cayman. With the new Porsche Panamera, Burmester has entered a totally new sound dimension of audiophile listening quality that is truly unprecedented."
• Car radio at amazon.com - as of October 27, 2018: 40,000+ results.
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• CarPlay - since 2014. "Apple CarPlay. The ultimate copilot." Available on select cars, CarPlay is a smarter, safer way to use your iPhone in the car. CarPlay takes the things you want to do with your iPhone while driving and puts them right on your car’s built-in display. You can get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music, all in a way that allows you to stay focused on the road. Just connect your iPhone and go.
• Dashboard cameras at amazon.com - as of October 27, 2018: 2,000+ results.
• DYNAUDIO - since 1977. "High-end in-car audio systems." A car manufacturer like VOLKSWAGEN leaves nothing to chance, when developing a new generation of its best selling model. So the goal for its designers and engineers was to set new benchmarks and achieve perfection. This included the sound system, and Volkswagen entrusted its delegated sound system supplier, Dynaudio, to deliver a solution. Experience the sound system in: GOLF, GOLF SPORTSVAN, PASSAT B8, SCIROCCO, TIGUAN, TOUAREG, SHARAN & TRANSPORTER.
• FOCAL - since 1979. "The Spirit of Sound." Car Audio Kits & Solutions.
• Harman - since 1980. "HARMAN is the market leader in connected car solutions to the world’s automakers." More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with HARMAN audio and infotainment systems, making up for 35 percent of the world’s cars.
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• Ixoost - since 2012. "The Birth of Sound Dedicated to Lamborghini Cars." Not designed for all, but aimed at those who nurture a real passion for the Lamborghini. It has taken 2 years to produce ESAVOX, our dream come true. We strived to create a unique object that represented our land, our passion and the authentic "Made in Italy" concept.
• JL AUDIO - since 1975. "Car Audio: loudspeakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, processors, connection products & more!"
• JVC car entertainment - since 1927. "In-Dash Receivers."
• Kenwood car entertainment - since 1947. "Live connected. Drive connected." Receivers: all models.
• Kenwood dashboard cameras - "Safety & High-Definition." The camera records in full HD video capturing every event that occurs on the road ahead, and also provides safety features such as collision avoidance. All models.
• Lexicon - since 1971. "The Grammy award marks Lexicon’s 40+ years of helping make recorded music a reality. We’re happy to get the recognition, but we’re thrilled to keep revolutionizing the art and science of recording for decades to come."
• Mark Levinson - since 1972. "In LEXUS Mark Levinson - Custom Designed for Perfection." Experience the pinnacle of acoustic technology on the road. For years, no automaker could provide the superior acoustic environment necessary for premium Mark Levinson audio systems. But LEXUS - scientifically engineered for a quiet and refined ride - was the first who could. And over a decade later, our systems are exclusively designed for every Lexus model.
• Meridian - since 1977. "In-Car Audio." Meridian is committed to working with partners who share our passion for quality, luxury and innovation. We are dedicated to the recreation of the most authentic and immersive sound possible while on the move. Automotive partners: JAGUAR, LANDROVER & MCLAREN.
• NAIM FOR BENTLEY - "Since 2008, we’ve partnered with Bentley Motors to deliver the world’s most advanced music systems - inside the world’s most prestigious road cars."
• Nakamichi - since 1948. "In-Car Entertainment." Makers of the highest quality car audio products, including head units, speakers and more.
• PARROT CAR KITS - since 1994. "Automotive: With the most extensive range of hands-free communication and infotainment systems for vehicles on the market."
• PIONEER - since 2010. "Car Entertainment." CD / DVD / MP3 / iPod / iPhone Head units, Speakers, Subwoofers, Amplifiers, Apple CarPlay compatible Head units, Android Auto compatible Head units, Sat Nav / Navigation / GPS systems.
• PURE - since 2002. "DAB Radio and Bluetooth Car Adapters." Pure produces award-winning DAB digital radios, internet radios and music streaming devices, including portable, hi-fi and in-car models. The easiest way to enjoy more from digital radio as well as your own music, all with your existing car audio system.
• REVOX - since 1948. "Best sound quality. Optimised for the driving position."
• Sonus Faber - since 1983. "Artisan of Sound." Acoustic loudspeakers for high-quality powerful cars. Sonus faber and sports car manufacturer and design atelier Pagani have developed in co-design an exclusive premium high-end audio system for the Pagani Huayra.
• SONY - since 1946. "Sound that drives you." In-Car Receivers & Players. Fine audio, video, and wireless options and a range of media formats. Whether you want to crank the volume for a day on the water or simply liven up your daily commute, Sony’s innovative audio systems make it safe and easy to connect and control your music on the go.