2023 Volvo S60 - Bowers & Wilkins 15-speaker Sound System Review

[@peteyification]

It literally sounds like I'm listening to spotify through my speakers. The clarity and bass coming through is amazing. I've been tempted to buy a Volvo before just for the B&W stereo, but the driving experience always leaves something to be desired compared to the competition...

[@OG_ArthurSlugworth]

100% agree. I rent over 50 cars a year…. Depending on what cars I can choose from when I see the Volvo with at least Harmon system it’s in the running if I will take it. Sounds amazing to be honest coming from a car guy who would rather have power but this system makes it in one of the top picks

[@nanospace2389]

the quality on spotify is d tier quality compared to the quality of this system.

[@Johnny91832]

The first line is very odd.

[@w1ll0dn84]

Currently watching this video/listening in my Volvo. Amazing

[@kamilk6241]

I had to sold my v90 with B&W. I want to buy the same new car due to sound system. Really !!! I’m audiophile. Every ride was incredible.

[@richardwang9657]

Had a 2019 s60 with that B&O. Man do I miss the music. Nothing compares to that sound system! Thanks for the review, and taking me back to the old days!

[@gudwns2354]

B&W systems is always perfect

[@v12-s65]

not always. BMW 5 series nothing like the Volvo

[@Mark-rt6fy]

Volvo engineered the cabin with B&W from the ground up, so it makes a lot of difference

[@v12-s65]

@@Mark-rt6fy yeah and it's a different setup. BMW is known to not care that much about speakers imo. Same placing since the 90s

[@iDiOt5]

@@Mark-rt6fy really? that's thoughtful of Volvo.

[@christopherrmcg]

The harman/kardon mid level system is also really good for the money. Same subwoofer size, DIRAC, Quantum Logic surround sound, etc. it's a little better than the XC40 harman system too. Ofc the clarity, staging & power is not as good as the B&W but it's definitely a step up from the base system. Some midlevel systems aren't even a step up, they just sound a little different.

[@pintoacr3800]

thank you for the comment. which one is the best car audio system that we can buy now ? is it bowers (in volvo) or burmester (in roll royce) or anything better than them ?

[@voodooturbo]

The XC40's H/K system is incredibly disappointing. If Volvo offered it with the B&W system, there'd be one in my driveway already.

[@nino_kO1]

I have it on my 202q s60 and its absolutely amazing

[@voodooturbo]

I finally got to experience this system in a coworker's S90, and my gods is it incredible. I was pretty sold on a TLX with the ELS system, until I heard his B&W S90. It made the ELS sound like a base model stereo in a Kia. I'm not a fan of DSP processed soundscapes, putting the sound "around" you . I prefer to listen to it as it was originally engineered, for two channel audio played through different speaker ranges. It just sounds fake and synthetic and ultimately annoying. That said, the immersion mode on the B&W is really, really good. I dialed back the intensity of it because it was too synthetic, and hit a pretty sweet spot for it. But the real joy is all of the speakers that are properly crossed over and only do specific frequency ranges, allowing them to do what they do best. Combined with an incredibly quiet cabin, it reminds me of sitting in a high end listening room. This is how I'd like to listen to, and experience, new music. Incredible. Can't wait to get my own.

[@voodooturbo]

I should point out that I never would have known that this existed without this channel and videos. I wouldn't have even given Volvo a second thought. After all, the better Swedish brand did not survive :P But now, no question, a B&W equipped Volvo will be in my driveway.

[@migofrmdaa3182]

My 03 s80 with the dynaudio was so killer..so I can image the newer models

[@nanospace2389]

the dynaudio in volvos even the c30 is like near the level of systems like these

[@kaizen5180]

Incredible sound

[@denilzonmunoz6171]

Hey Daily Motor and sound. I was wondering if you could review the Volvo’s core sound system. Might be a cool comparison to the upscale bowers and Wilkins sound system.

[@DailyMotorSound]

We'll try! Volvo doesn't often stock those in their press fleets, but we'll try at a dealer.

[@jeffmao850]

Please do the base volvo systems if you have the chance.

[@airborneonthetrack8573]

Was looking forward to this, thanks for the review!

[@BlackboX5_]

the best sound system in the car actually, even compare with the bmw models

[@glorifiedbusdriver7036]

I do think that the Homeworld Collapse splits between good and bad sound systems. But Aimless Lyrics, being so underrated, splits the good and the excellent. Listen to that song in this S60 and the i4, then compare them to something A tier, then you'll get what I mean.

[@OG_ArthurSlugworth]

I’ve actually been in situations where I just went for a drive because of the sound system and wanting to hear some music. It will def shake the mirrors 😂. Depending on the music choice it may even adjust the mirrors.

[@travispettit9762]

Curious where you would rank the Volvo H/K system.

[@thepaperfeet8972]

Great review !

[@lukabosnjak3829]

Very beautiful system by B&W, shame that their wireless speakers suck... Is there any chance that you could test the Teslas new Model S and X 23 speaker systems?

[@kyle8711]

bit confusing because this B&W is actually made by Harman using the B&W name.

[@RioPutra_]

the b&w zepplin is quite impressive for its size though

[@lukabosnjak3829]

@@RioPutra_ Its a toy in comparison with Vifa Stockholm for example or even Vifa Copenhagen 2.0 which is way smaller and portable...

[@RioPutra_]

@@lukabosnjak3829 ah i see , did you tried both irl tho?

[@lukabosnjak3829]

@@RioPutra_ Heard Zepplin in the store, own the Vifa... Not even close

[@iamlukebc]

It’s odd how the older Volvos had a 9 band equalizer but these ones don’t. My 2015 xc60 has one but the new ones don’t.

[@AJtheSwede]

The older SPA plattform models with Volvos own Sensus system had eq too (even the Harman Kardon systems). These new Android ones are different. My parents 2019/2020 XC60 has Sensus powered B&W system with eq capabilities :). So not having eq or the ability for usb playback are quite the setbacks. On top of that, the old sensus system allowed for 4 different themes across the gauge cluster + center console :). So I say to get the best off both worlds, get a 21-22 model which has Senus and the upgraded B&W (easily spotted by the grey/silver midrange in the doors) :D.

[@pintoacr3800]

which one is the best car audio system that we can buy now ? is it bowers (in volvo) or burmester (in roll royce) or anything better than them ?

[@DailyMotorSound]

Bespoke in RR Phantom.

[@pintoacr3800]

@@DailyMotorSound thank you . could you please tell the best audio system from below cars? volvo xc90 or merc GLE suv or lexus gx or tx or audi q8 or cadillac xt6 or BMW X5

[@v12-s65]

@@pintoacr3800 I don't know about the cadillac and lexus but: xc90 b&w > merc burmester high-end > x5 bowers The mid level sound systems aren't that impressive though. For my likings I prefer the L405 Meridian Signature though. I listen a lot of hip hop, and bass is insane in here

[@pintoacr3800]

@@v12-s65 thank you for the message . since bmw and volvo use same company Bowers and wilkins . could you please tell why do u think volvo music system is better than bmw's ?

[@crazykidgaming]

@@pintoacr3800 I think volvo gives more money for bowers and wilkins to engineer the system. I checked once and I recall that the bowers and wilkins option costs more in the volvos than it does in the bmws.

[@zzzaaa01]

Whats audio system in the basic trim?

[@MrSilus2000]

Why does this sound better than Spotify directly?

[@onesteeltank]

Spotify heavily compresses audio

[@alfredomunoz2069]

Daily Motor, what do you think is better? The Mark Levinson System in a Lexus IS350 or the ELS System in a Acura TLX?

[@sambitdas9416]

The Mark Levinson is reportedly slightly better

[@derbagger22]

I've been trying to make my base S90 stereo better. This makes me sad, lol...

[@LousyHealer13]

I would buy an S60 tomorrow if they had ventilated seats.

[@conner7712]

Ultimate trim does!

[@ray_f]

@@conner7712 2023 s60 does not

[@angrypotato857]

My S60 2020 inscription has it.

[@LousyHealer13]

@@angrypotato857 2023s do not. They removed it as an option

[@angrypotato857]

@@LousyHealer13 Rofl why? Thats just ridiculous

[@stephenbay9564]

Your videos are great! And I have to ask a dumb question (since I didn't see this spelled out).....A, B, and C, seem obvious regarding ranking. Please....what is "S"? Obviously it is super-good, but what does the "S" stand for, and how much better than "A" is it?

[@travispettit9762]

Superlative

[@duffyt26]

If the actual car was any good i'd own one long ago for the audio system alone but it's.......sub-average sadly, both in terms of driving, comfort, especially reliability and fuel consumption. If it had a 6 cylinder, a better gearbox, proper seats and a working infotainment system it'd be great! And less rattles. :P (Swede by the way, sadly having to admit our now chinese-owned brand lost their way with the premium branding attempt.)

[@Mark-rt6fy]

They stuck with 2.0 4-cyl to avoid substantial engine displacement tax in China to keep the price low. From what I see in the Chinese market right now, everything is going full ev, and they'll probably invest on polestar more.

[@hyperbandit]

Have you actually driven one of these though, and specifically the 2023 model, not the previous models with the "undersized" electric engine? Asking because quite a bit has changed, and a lot of what you said doesn't apply as much. I own one, but have driven pretty much all of it's competitors, as well as the previous recharges. This model is lightyears better than the old one. It not being a 6 cylinder is not an issue with the bigger electric motor, there's more power than most competitors at it's price range. Fuel consumption is dependent on your driving style being a plug-in hybrid, but regardless you'll get better MPG with this car than any gas equivalent, there's no 400-450 HP gas cars that'll give you 30+mpg in the city. And the gearbox isn't an issue either, because you don't feel it at all in normal driving because of the electric engine; even when you are completely on gas just the act of slowing down for a light will charge the electric engine enough that it'll get you mostly back up to speed without any interaction with the gearbox. And if you're driving this like you would a plug-in hybrid, you're really only feeling the shifts while on the highway at speeds (because the route planning will always save the battery for city and stop-and-go driving) or when pushing the car, but in those cases the shift times are quick enough, especially considering you still get power in-between the shifts from the electric motor. And in terms of reliability, the biggest issues with the previous models seems to be with the supercharger, which is gone in these models. So we can't really speak to reliability yet since everything has changed so much, but the biggest issue with the previous models was removed.

[@whygamewhy]

@@hyperbanditi don’t think he own or care about the car at all, he just want to grief on the Chinese ownership.

[@srilanka.paradise]

BMW iX xDrive50 + B&W 4D Sound System :)

[@sunshadow9704]

In which country did you record the video? The roads are so bad. Looks likes third world.

[@Hasekura_117]

I'm pretty sure it's Michigan State

[@subway8322]

orchestra

[@fasttracklap8480]

it's a speed limit, upper limit, but it doesn't mean you should stick to it, you can drive slower than the limit, some people want to consume less fuel, some people might have a problem with their car, they need to slow down and go to the nearest workshop... just overtake it, people have to understand this, and stop to make a big deal out of this.