If you’ve been looking into luxury vehicles or even newer models of any vehicle that claim to have “all the extras” it’s likely that you’ve come into contact with what manufacturers and carmakers claim to be “serious sound systems”.
Luxury Vehicles by the Numbers
Research shows that the luxury car market achieved a $495.7 billion value in 2018. The same market is projected to hit $733.2 billion globally by the year 2026.
Certain reports also show forward-thinking brands such as Tesla taking domain and revealing themselves as major players in the market. Tesla, for instance, is powered by Audio Weaver sound systems.
Most (if not all) of these major vehicle manufacturers feature branded high-end car audio systems as an extra available for those who are willing to spend more coin.
Some Examples of High-End Car Audio Systems
Branded high-end car audio systems are more and more commonplace among vehicles consumers pay top dollar for. For example, Bang & Olufsen feature their products in Aston Martin Racing, Audi, Bentley, Ford, and Lamborghini — just to name a few.
Bose Audio is featured in more economical vehicle options, like the Buick Regal, Nissan Maxima, Cadillac ATS Coupe, the Mazda6, Audi, and even the Fiat 124 Spider.
Vehicle Manufactures and Audio/Stereo Systems
Vehicle manufacturers are relying more and more on novel technology features, which, of course, includes high-end safety solutions as well as high-end audio systems from some of the world’s most reputable brands. Names like Mark Levinson are synonymous with Lexus, Meridian with Land Rover, and Burmester often accompanies vehicles like Mercedes and Porsche.
Some of these companies more commonly design audio products and solutions that are meant for use in the home — variables such as size, weight, not to mention cost aren’t of huge concern for some of these manufacturers. Some have more synergy with the driving experience than others. Not all branded car audio systems are created equal, either.
In a high-end luxury vehicle, any sort of weight introduced to the vehicle can have a tremendous effect on overall performance as well as fuel economy.
Some of these high-end branded car audio systems can cost around $10,000 — which is added to an already-expensive asking price for a vehicle. Some people out there spend that much on their vehicles. If you’re paying this much for a branded high-end car audio system, you should make sure that they are giving you some sort of distinct experience.
Aftermarket Car Audio Systems
Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) stereos can often be problematic even though they carry high-end names. Some car stereo enthusiasts continue to swear by aftermarket audio solutions, which have an advantage of being wired and set up by actual experts when it comes to each component that a quality car audio system consists of.
If you’re considering opting for the aftermarket car stereo route, it’s important that you conduct independent research and have an idea of what you are looking for before you head into a car audio solutions provider, or else you may end up spending top dollar for a bunch of equipment that you don’t necessarily want or need.
In the End, Do Your Own Research!
Researching all of the details and information about aftermarket car audio systems is a great idea — and you may just end up spending hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars less on your total car audio package than you would while going the high-end branded car audio system route. In the end, it’s all about preferences and taste.
You’ll also want to make sure that your aftermarket audio system is installed by a pro. After all, you don’t want to end up having something go wrong when you’re looking to play your tunes, or, even worse, having your check engine light flash on for unknown reasons.
