2023 Volvo XC60 - $800 Harman/Kardon vs $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins Sound System

Are you looking at a Volvo XC60 and not sure which audio system to get? In this video, I go into depth comparing the Harmon/Kardon system to the Bowers and Wilkins system.. At the end of the day, it comes down to what YOU want.. Watch the video to see if the $3,200 Bowers and Wilkins system is justifiable for you OR if the Harmon/Kardon is good enough..
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[@twothbeave]

Agreed. The Volvo B&W is the absolute best in any car. I’m an extreme audiophile with a 500K home system. I get just about as much pleasure sitting in the XC90 as sitting in front of my Wilson Audio X2s!

[@Karim-ik5ij]

500k home system. What the actual fuck man. You do know, it's all snake oil right?

[@rafael6693]

@@Karim-ik5ij 500k you can get a really fantastic house

[@janzvacek2674]

500k? Lol.. I used to own 2016 xc90 with B&W. I have also owned 2013 Audi A6 with $5,000 after market system and I can’t begin to tell you how much better the A6 was. So when you compare such an expensive home audio to the factory car audio I’m sorry but that’s laughble

[@twothbeave]

@@janzvacek2674 You paid almost twice as much for your aftermarket system. Now that’s laughable

[@janzvacek2674]

@@twothbeave B&W is $3,500 my friend. I paid $1,500 more to have a better sound system in the car. When start comparing 500k home audio to $3,500 B&W that to me is little weird since I was able to accomplish better sound for just 1,500 more. Everybody is entitled to their opinion. Good luck

[@cougargold]

Thanks for demoing and filming this. Shorter content is better for more views. A lot of extra commentary that was a bit unnecessary. That said, thanks again. I drove this car last weekend and listened to the BW and I decided to buy the Volvo XC60 over a Lexus 500H.

[@kunamahendran104]

Harmon kardon u gotta play with the system settings to get it max potential. But overall it’s probably one of the best out there

[@DDDoesGaming]

Could you put the setting you use for your speakers? I just got a Volvo and speakers could use some improvement

[@italosmx]

X2​@@DDDoesGaming

[@cougargold]

I test drove an xc60 worn HK and BW. There’s no comparison. BW system blows it out of the water.

[@ryanshannon6963]

Did you play that through Bluetooth? You know that even with the latest bluetooth signal (5.3, I believe) the signal is limited to maybe 2mbps and will be highly compressed audio (codec limitations involving transmitting sound over Bluetooth). You can definitely hear the quality of sound degradation over that connection in the video. It's like a grainy picture from the early 20th century as compared to a Full-Frame sensor using a Sigma Art at F/1.8 Next time use the connection in the center armrest for a nearly lossless audio connection between your device and the car. Also, make sure the song source isn't Spotify or YT Music (these are heavily compressed and are not anywhere representative of what these two sound systems can deliver). I know what the BW system should sound like since I own a 2019 S90 with the BW system, and you can tell the difference between Amazon Ultra HD and Tidal MQA. It's not *significant*, but the transparency offered by Tidal is slightly greater than that of UHD offered by Amazon. I have multiple family members that use it, so while I can hear 99% of MQA when listening to UHD, I'm not too concerned about the enhanced clarity offered by MQA as compared to UHD. If you want a song with a pounding bass beat, you need to get up on Erykah Badu featuring Common - Love of My Life (An Ode to Hip-Hop). When I listen to that in my S90 BW system the mirrors are basically useless but the clarity of her voice is an excellent contrast to the rest of the track. Plus, it'll drown out most of the garbage Trap that people try to bounce on their pitiful 800w system with 400 driven to their sub. Keep it classy, people.

[@703Speed]

I did play music through Bluetooth. I should’ve played it through a cord - but I didn’t have one

[@juanshow09]

What a good explanation!

[@ivanlowjones]

Bowers and Wilkins in an S90 is so middle class. B&W is best enjoyed in an XC90 like mine with its cavernous interior which truly maximizes the audio experience....lol. I'm just kidding. The S90 is an amazingly underrated sedan.

[@ryanshannon6963]

@@ivanlowjones I wish they made it more middle class with a R-Design suspension with Inscription interior. Almost got an XC90, but it was just myself and the wife at the time with no kid in sight. I test drove the XC90 with 20' and 21' wheels and would only drive it with the 21' because I felt the tires deflecting along with body roll too much. I love the XC90, but I'm not big on airbag suspension either, prefer more how the X5 handles (which is probably the best vehicle they make that isn't badged with any sort of "M"). However, the Volvo interior was basically unmatched at that time. MB was at least competitive but BMW/Audi was like...a bit barren comparatively. I prefer sedans so the S90 for me. However, *you are not wrong* about the acoustics of the BW system in the XC90: it's much better resonation than the sedan. I firmly believe BW tuned the speakers for the XC90 and then they just applied a similar set-up (although missing some speakers in the rear on the sedan) to the S90. It doesn't sound as good in the S90. But, even the HK system sounds better than the B&O we currently have in our '21 Q5. Talk about disappointing.

[@ivanlowjones]

@@ryanshannon6963 I have a 2017 XC90 T6 R-Design fully loaded (B&W, air suspension, carbon fiber interior, heated windshield, 20" wheels, etc.) I actually prefer the B&W individual stage setting with full intensity and envelopment to listen to music. I plan on keeping my XC90 for at least 2 or 3 more years because it's that good.

[@florinmusat6193]

Be sure you hear the "entire voice" because you excite the treble... also you have turned way up the bass and sub... I can tell you that the compare is making no sense because you tested B&W with Treble, bass and subs excited where on Harman Kardon you had them all at 0 where they should be. I am very disappointed about how you want to make people to buy B&W by cheating. B&W is better than HK, yes, but you procedure to compare them is deeply wrong here.

[@Navreview]

Nice explanation precisely, informative without wasting time

[@jtuk2000]

I mean, the video could have been 5 minutes shorter if he hadn't kept repeating the same shit over and over and the sum total of analysis he gave to sum up the demoing was to put one hand 6 inches higher than the other. This was a trash review from someone with zero expertise.

[@EjectoSeatoCuz.]

You don’t even have to get a new Volvo to get the Bowers and Wilkins. I’m still looking for a V60 T6 with one but it’s hard still. But in my search I’ve seen s60s, s90s etc. with the Bowers system sitting on lots under $25k for months. Great video still, I’ve actually been needing someone to make this comparison

[@703Speed]

V60's in general are relatively hard to find, so I bet it is pretty hard to find one with the B & W.. Thank you! I hadn't seen any videos doing a comparison so I thought I'd made one myself.. Not too many views on it.. Oh well

[@EjectoSeatoCuz.]

@@703Speed Of course. You've done a great service for those of us who need it.

[@ryanshannon6963]

If you're seeing V60 T6's on for under $25k, they must be higher mileage Momentums. I haven't seen a decent mileage S90 or S60 for under $28k with B&W. The V60s are usually at a premium compared to the Sedans.

[@EjectoSeatoCuz.]

@@ryanshannon6963 Nope most I've seen are decent with miles. 75k or less. of course I've seen some with over 100k but that's a given. Also I specially mentioned not seeing a v60. but the dealers around me are having hell moving anything so everything's coming down, especially Volvos older s90s aside from SUVs. People around here just don't buy Volvos.

[@marceloktav9043]

harman kardon offers you a sound system at an affordable price,so just keep up with it

[@Navreview]

Nice video, exactly what I was looking for the comparison,, thank you, subscribed you

[@migottt]

why didn't you set the bass etc in harman?

[@justabrokeredneck]

i don’t think he messed with either. probably assuming they’re both set to default

[@mentalmadness9783]

And then people stream from Spotify with low bitrate so it doesnt make a big difference in the end

[@amirjafariasl6974]

Great video i really appreciate this

[@tarang9263]

Can you let me know the placement/location of all Harmon Kardon 14 speakers & subwoofer in XC60? I see only 11 in total (8 in doors, 1 in dashbord and 2 in cargo roof)

[@ukaszt.5506]

Wydaje mi się , że w drzwiach przednich za maskownicą metalową są 2 głośniki, tak samo jak w BW.

[@Teddy-be1wv]

I think more important things is adjusting and installation.

[@ivanlowjones]

The B & W system in my XC90 is amazing. Any time I see an XC90, I always check to see if it has the Nautilus dash tweeter speaker. If not, I smugly smile to myself as I drive past.

[@Kokomo365]

The HK system is plenty adequate for $800. Use the savings to buy something else that's more fun and useful. A used jetski or 4x4 perhaps. Fools and their money...

[@ivanlowjones]

@@Kokomo365 Fools and their money? The key words are "their money". People can spend their money however they see fit and shouldn't rely on financial advice from an anonymous jabroni in the YT comments section.

[@flautadossonhos]

To make the most of these speakers, with this quality, we must have audio files with the best quality... it is not justified for those who only listen to the radio as the quality that arrives is very low... we spent €3200 to listen to how much time in a car's useful life?

[@md8744]

Is it back seats recline or just like Mercedes and bmw x5? Good review anyway. Thanks

[@CarsandTechInfo]

No they don't recline in the XC40 or XC60. They only recline in the XC90. Even for Mercedes they only recline in the GLE (if equipped) & up (but I'm not sure about the new GLC) & the BMW X3 & current X7 have that

[@LG-ky6lo]

I have an S 60 on ORDER!!!!! and I had to go with the sound system🎉. I’m getting so stoked just watching this video.

[@703Speed]

It sounds sooo good!

[@RajSharma-uv4nx]

How good is the Bowers in the S60?

[@Noirfury]

s tier I own one

[@michaelgrow8630]

Did that sunroof change color or was it the sky?

[@703Speed]

Haha, what time stamp in the vid are you referring to?

[@michaelgrow8630]

@@703Speed near the end last 90 seconds

[@703Speed]

@@michaelgrow8630 I'd assume it was the camera doing some weird color thing lol

[@Ramesh_Muthusamy]

Can you upgrade it from Harmon ?

[@Kokomo365]

Sure, money can buy anything. Sky is the limit with audio stuff. Why, or what do you want to upgrade though? The HK speakers are good quality. You could add a better powered sub without too much difficulty or expense.

[@wrinkleneckbass]

I tried the Bowers in a new S60 and although it sounded really nice, it's still stereo only without any support for discrete 5.1 audio. I used a USB stick with multiple file types including stereo and 5.1 FLAC files, MP3, and uncompressed wav files. It read and played all the file types, but it could not correctly play the 5.1 test files. The system is very powerful and clear, the bass is visceral, and it does not distort even at high volumes. It's a system made for people like the reviewer who listens to modern bass heavy rap music. Unfortunately I did not get to test the Harmon. I tested the same 5.1 FLAC files in a new Acura RDX and MDX with ELS 3D systems which do support discrete audio, and to my ear, they both sounded way better than the Bowers. Beautiful multi-channel sound coming from every direction. MP3's and wav files did not sound as good as in the Bowers though. Depending on the type of music you listen to and the quality of the music source you use, one might be better than the other for you.

[@hejsanjagejag]

Whats the name of the song?

[@jisu7377]

Song name please!

[@703Speed]

Higher self by Xavy Rusan

[@jisu7377]

Thanks

[@janzvacek2674]

If you were audiophile you wouldn’t use bluetooth and you would not use the concert hall mode as thats more of a gimmick. I’ve owned xc90 with B&W

[@prick1965]

Man, you talk to much!

[@703Speed]

I like your username.. Lol

[@phasespace4700]

Maybe a billion dollar sound system could make rap "music" not sound like worthless crap. I doubt it, however. Good video, though. Getting an XC60 with HK this week. Great deal so I can't justify all the extra cash for an ultimate with BW, though I'm sure I'd love it.

[@703Speed]

Yeah, I’m not too big of a fan of rap, but figured it was the best genre to get some bass