2021 Volvo V90 - Bowers & Wilkins Sound System Review | Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Demo

We always get excited when we have a Volvo coming to Daily Motor HQ because their Bowers & Wilkins sound systems are some of the best in the automotive industry. This 2021 Volvo V90 Cross Country was certainly no disappointment. In fact, it's one of the best systems we've ever tested.
Real-world highway fuel-economy test coming soon!
Full review: • 2021 Volvo V90 CC - PO...
0:00 Infotainment, sound settings, speakers, inputs
7:06 Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
7:48 Lo-fi/Chill (ChillShop)
8:55 Classical (The Travelling Symphony)
10:37 Rock (Homeworld Collapse)
12:20 Bass (Redlips)
13:15 Electronic (Muffin)
14:27 Electronic (Aimless Lyrics)
15:32 Final thoughts
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Intro music by Skyler Benn.
This video was filmed with in-ear, binaural microphones, so if you listen with headphones, it will sound like you're sitting in the driver's seat!
WAV uncompressed audio tracks used:
Muffin by Raven & Kreyn | • Raven & Kreyn - Muffin...
ChillShop and Redlips by Deoxys Beats | / deoxysbeats1
Homeworld Collapse by Arthur Vyncke | / arthurvost
Aimless Lyrics and Illuminate by Punch Deck | / punch-deck
The Travelling Symphony by Savfk | / savfkmusic
Twenty Nineteen Americana Instrumental by Wayne John Bradley | / ayneohnradley
Music promoted by www.free-stock...
Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License
creativecommon...
#volvo #v90 #bowers&wilkins #b&w #bowerswilkins

[@mhsmit]

[EDIT BELOW] I own a 2018 Volvo S90 and have been very happy with its B&W system. However, this video peaked my interest in the 2021 upgrade and today I had the opportunity to listen in both a 2021 V90 and a 2021 XC90. (Background: I’m an audiophile and mastering engineer. In my studio I use B&W 802 Diamond speakers for monitoring) Volvo V90 2021: I agree with Charlie that this system sounds awesome. I hear a clear improvement in soundstage, detail and instrument positioning over the pre-2021 B&W system. The subwoofer is more powerful and the amp seems more dynamic (great example: the drums that kick in at the beginning of Pink Floyd’s “Hey You”). I would rate my 2018 S90 a 8.8/10, and I would rate the new V90’s sound system a 9.4/10. The V90 is a low car and IMO the music is still slightly constrained by the acoustics. I found bass slightly too loud (listening with all settings flat and EQ off of course) and a bit warm compared to the XC90: Volvo XC90 2021 (my dealer says the 2022 models are unmodified): While Charlie says in the video that the V90 sound is as good as the XC90, I definitely found the XC90 another significant step up. Notably, bass is dryer and more accurate. And soundstage is even more accurate. The individual strings in a quartet came out extremely impressively. And a cello sounded warm yet totally controlled, exactly as I would hope. The opening drum in “Hey You” was as dynamic and clean as I ever heard it in a car, approaching my acoustically treated room. Truly magnificent. I rate the B&W system in the 2021XC90 a solid 9.8/10. Three reasons I imagine the system is even better than in the V90: 1. I suspect B&W’s engineers started with the XC90. Frequency response seems absolutely flat here. 2. The XC90 has more volume and air around the listener. It sounds more open. 3. The XC90 has a separate housing for mids and highs in the front speakers, whereby the tweeters have grilles that have holes of varying diameter. This definitely improves the clarity and “freedom” of the very high frequencies, resulting in better resolution. I have now put the XC90 on my wish list. I hope it’ll be my next car, if I can afford one. [EDIT OCTOBER 25, 2021:] I have been contemplating the XC90 but various issues were against it - price and environmental consciousness/fuel economy being major factors. I don’t *really* need a 7 person SUV as my stereo system on wheels. So I revisited the B&W system 2021 Volvo V90 and gave it another good listen. I discovered that the CARGO COVER notably changed bass response when closed. When it is open (I.e. nothing but air between listener and subwoofer), IMO the bass is much closer to what I experienced in the XC90. Impressively clean and punchy. In fact, I want to revise my subjective score for the V90 sound from 9.4 to perhaps 9.6/10. The XC90 still is *slightly* better, but not so much in bass but in soundstage. I concluded that the V90 was the more practical car so today I traded in my 2018 S90 for a slightly used 2021 V90. Extremely happy with this upgrade. The audio improvement is astounding. Note that the 2022 V90 comes with the new Google infotainment system that actually removes the equalizer and doesn’t support CarPlay yet. That’s why I specifically looked for a 2021 V90. Got a great deal on one that has only 10k miles on it.

[@kaywalther2583]

There has been some suggestion that the Volvos equipped with the Google Infotainment system lose the ability to have music inputed from a usb stick. Is that what you understand to be the case?

[@mhsmit]

@@kaywalther2583 I only have that info (which I think applied to the lack of wired playback from iOS, not necessarily direct USB playback) from comments under the two (negative) reviews I found on KZbin. I understood that things like CarPlay would be released “in due course” and I hope the same would go for wired playback over USB. Hopefully Volvo will realize that for many of us, the awesome sound system is what brought us to the brand. The lack of CarPlay, wired playback and the general (hopefully temporary) regression in UI played a major role in my purchase of a slightly used 2021 model V90 instead of ordering a new one with the upgraded drive train and battery. It saved me a lot of money which i can always use for my next upgrade. The XC90 T8 II with Sensus that will arrive in January should be the most awesome car for audiophiles. For now I would hold off on the Google infotainment system in the rest of the range if audio is your primary consideration.

[@reynoldsaristeia6260]

Have to say, a great review as a person who also is an audiophile. One of the main reasons I would consider swapping my daily to another car is exactly the Sound System, and exactly "how it sounds like" is what I'd love to try out. Knowing that the new one is better than the e.g. 2016/2019 version, I'll know to pass 'til the prices come down a bit. - Thank you, Mark!

[@karolisk63]

Hey Mark! Thank you for your detailed review! I see you are using Apple Music and Tidal? Most of the time I use Spotify app on iOS with a streaming quality set to very high. Did you try a Spotify ? Also I would be really happy to try your equalizer/sound experience settings if you are willing to share it. Cheers!

[@mhsmit]

@@karolisk63 in my experience lossless audio sounds more spacious and “easy”. The step up from Spotify is quite shocking actually. Both Apple Music lossless and TIDAL HIFI sound awesome. I heard that Spotify announced Spotify HiFi so that may be an option for you if you have a lot of playlists that you don’t want to move. In my Volvo V90 I don’t use the equalizer. The Studio setting set to “Driver” is very precise to my ears. Sometimes I use the Gothenburg concert hall for orchestral music. In the S90 (which had the first gen B&W) I did use the equalizer but only one nudge up or down somewhere in the upper mids (I don’t remember exactly). I had the fader favoring the front speakers by one nudge. And I often used the Individual Stage setting with both sliders all the way down. But note that I’m a purist - for studio recordings I prefer to hear every detail without extra reverb and with flat frequency response. IMPORTANT for the V90: remove the luggage cover for the very best sound. I find the bass to be cleaner and more impactful when the subwoofer (which is on the left in the rear) has free room around it.

[@ivanlowjones]

The Bowers & Wilkins system in my XC90 is sublime.

[@nanospace2389]

Best I’ve heard is v60 with bowers and Wilkins but didn’t have the chance to turn it up but I’ve had the chance to turn up an xc60 standard system and it’s begging for a subwoofer. The woofers work too hard to make bass and just move so much which makes a lot of noise

[@rallysauruswrex]

thanks for another B&W demo!! it sounds amazing 😍

[@DailyMotor]

Austin my man, glad to see you're still watching! From 100 subs to 10k! I wish I could give you an honorary membership

[@rallysauruswrex]

@@DailyMotor haha thanks man!! I love your content and will continue to support ya :)

[@timothybracken1728]

dude i love the new addition of Electronic Muffin!!! I love that song, thanks man

[@Ro-zj5ls]

Pure enjoying this review of the B&W sound system test , I like the quality of recording and how everything is explained how it works , keep on making good videos like this one! ;-) greetings from Belgium 🇧🇪

[@SuperUndying]

10:00 Concert Hall and acoustics are God-tier!

[@enasnirercos7626]

Thanks for "Homeworld Collapse", the music is so melodious and head bangable, wish it also had some lyrics, but nothing the less, one beautiful instrumental marvel.

[@wantsanewvehicle]

I rented a 2020 s60 with the B&W system and then put about 400 miles on it, I was very impressed! Also, I was complemented multiple times with that car lol.

[@iPankBMW]

Thanks for demo and this video - It always sounds better in Universal cars. :)

[@misterpimlott6330]

I have watched since u had 937 subs, u have grown fast

[@rosminihendro3746]

How does it compare with the Lexus' M.lv sound system

[@changshengwu6795]

Just discovered The Travelling Symphony here. Thanks :D

[@a.v.9561]

I heard this system, it's amazing. I am ready to buy a car if it has this!

[@Nickoncars]

My s90 b&w is and amazing system

[@timothybracken1728]

Charlie, what is your fav system so far after many tests?!! Regardless of price that is!

[@ashifahumed2478]

My favorite sound system 😍

[@Wasabi9111]

I really need to listen to one of these some day... I agree...It would be helpful to a wider spread of ratings. I seems like most of your ratings cluster around 8+, so it’s hard to distinguish which systems are truly exceptional vs slightly above avg. Most of your ratings should land around 4-7.

[@gamesucht2379]

can you maybe show how the sound system from Harman&Kardon in the Volvo works?

[@ypsircxd5814]

14:24 i love your missclicks because i always have a fun time trying to find the song :D this one is from Delain and it's pretty good 😏

[@DailyMotor]

Ha! You got it! I'm actually not a huge fan of that album, but I bought it, so I have the uncompressed files on my flash drive. You'd like the video I shot with my personal music. I'm trying to see if there's a way I can gift memberships to people

[@ypsircxd5814]

@@DailyMotor Have u heard Delain - Stardust? Was my favourite but i feel like it lacks bass, i tried youtube, mp3, flac, but i still feel like something is missing there...

[@DailyMotor]

@@ypsircxd5814 Of course! I've seen them live three times, they're one of my favorite bands. Unfortunately they just disbanded a few weeks ago. Idk about the bass lacking, perhaps just personal preference?

[@andrerappsilber977]

Very cool car, very cool sound system together with the Mark Levinson sound system the best money can buy 💰. Fantastic absolutely extraordinarily beautiful sound ... both systems are simply number ... !!!

[@degou3438]

Naim for Bentley…

[@rafmota7622]

@Daily Motor Can you review 2011-2015 Ford Explorer’s Sony sound system?

[@MusicAnirban]

The Volvo lease offers are ridiculous else really wanted to have one with the Bowers n Wilkins.

[@mywalter7568]

great demo! What is the title of the song at 2:23?

[@jandersen6802]

How good is the sound insulation in Volvos? Is it good enough to justify having a Bowers and Wilkins?

[@vaportung]

I just ordered one with B&W still little unsure about the price.. Might still change for harman&kardon

[@reynoldsaristeia6260]

V90 is vastly more quieter than the V60 as an example, so in this field yes.

[@dmoreland9]

Double pane glass on all four doors in the V90. Don’t think that’s the case in V60 and below.

[@stefanguddat4125]

Does the Volvo support gapless playback?

[@vishtux7]

Awesome!

[@nhantranho4629]

Is it better than burmester high-end 3d ?

[@isaiahdunphy]

does dolby atmos work on this puppy?

[@mohammedalomari1998]

Try classical music, so we can judge the system properly. Thanks

[@whyareyoucry2512]

Can you do the Burmester in the A class as well?

[@chenwei95]

its dog shit, i had it, traded it in for e53 with non upgraded burmester, still very disappointed, hopefully you havent bought it yet

[@stijnhs]

@@chenwei95 yeah, the burmester sound system is not good at all. 590W only. Compare that to this 1400W and you know why it's not good

[@DJR5280]

What was the song at the beginning ?

[@cdcm1959]

Wayne John Bradley, Twenty Nineteen Americana Instrumental... kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4uvnYGbdsRgqZY

[@OutOfNameIdeas2]

Why would anyone ever use FM/am when it has digital radio? "DAB"

[@2crytex2]

Bowers in my s90 sucks ass, much better in v90

[@professorb8583]

Hmmm sounds like my iPhone speakers.... not impressed

[@degou3438]

Wtf?