I’ve been an Apple devotee for quite a few years now, with far more iDevices in my tech gadget collection than any rational person should have.  But as much as I love Apple, the one thing that has constantly plagued me with their mobile devices is their headphones.  I’ve never liked them, and in the event I’m actively doing something (running, biking, etc.), I absolutely hate them.  Their fit is horrible, so any time I’m moving, they’re constantly falling out of place.  This, of course, is not only exceptionally annoying, it’s extremely detrimental to sound quality.  And they look terrible.

This led me on a mission:  find a pair of headphones whose design and function is on par with the iPhone and iPad themselves.  Enter Bowers & Wilkins.  They offer a range gorgeous, highly acclaimed home audio and theater solutions, and when I found their C5 headphones, it was love at first site. They’re beautifully engineered, and while they offer exceptional sound quality, they also take an incredibly unique approach to the fit. In short, no matter what I’m doing, they stay in place.  Compared to other in-ear headphones I’ve tried, there’s no comparison.  The C5’s rock.

I loved them so much, in fact, that when I wanted a pair of over the ear headphones, I went back to Bowers & Wilkins and picked up a pair of their P3s.  As is the case with the C5s, they’re beautifully crafted and note superb sound quality across the board.  They’re also incredibly comfortable, which makes them a pleasure to wear.  In short, I absolutely love them.

Because this is part of Gift Guide 2012, I’ll make it simple:  if you’re looking for a pair of headphones for someone active, get them the C5s.  For those that take a more leisurely approach to listening (i.e. at home, on the subway/airplane, etc.), the P3 fits the bill perfectly.

Read on for a more detailed look at both.

Bowers & Wilkins P3 ($199)

As the newest member of the Bowers & Wilkins family, the P3 headphones build on technology found in their more expensive counterpart:  the P5.  With the P3, B&W notes the goal was to combine pristine, natural audio quality with maximum wearability.  And when you try the P3 headphones, you know instantly they’ve succeeded in doing exactly that.

From a design and build standpoint, the B&W P3s are just beautiful.  Available in either black or white variants, the P3 headphones are gorgeous, with brushed aluminum accents on the outer ear pads as well as a selected chrome accents.  For the inner headband and ear pads, a bespoke acoustic fabric is used, while the outer headband and ear pads utilize a rubber that pairs beautifully with the fabric and metal.  In grading the P3’s appearance, they look stunning.

Functionally, the P3 headphones are made to move.  Unlike their bigger sibling (the P5), the P3 boasts a folding design, allowing you fold in both ear pads – significantly reducing its footprint in your bag, purse, coat pocket, etc.  The P3’s also include a folding clamshell case, which keeps your P3 headphones looking pristine when you’re on the go.  For iPhone users, the P3 includes two cords – one standard and one with a remote/mic (like the one included with the iPhone).  To replace the cord, simply remove the P3’s magnetically attached ear pads, switch the cords, and you’re done.

In terms of the fit, I love the P3’s.  Bowers & Wilkins did a great job finding the perfect amount of snugness – they’re not to too tight, but they’re tight enough to form the perfect seal for listening.  I’ve worn them for hours at a time on various flights, and they’re incredibly comfortable.  In louder environments, such as in the city, the P3’s also do a good job keeping unwanted noise out.  While there are certainly headphones more effective at noise canceling, when you’re commuting, it’s important to be somewhat aware of what’s going on around you.  And in that respect, the P3’s excel.  They let enough in to keep you connected to your environment, but not to the point it deteriorates your listening experience.

And speaking of listening, you’re probably wondering how the P3’s sound.  The answer:  they sound fantastic.  While sound is subjective based on personal tastes and the music you’re listening to, I’m a huge fan of the P3’s.  Bass is deep and powerful, without being overwhelming.  Unlike at home where you want perfect tonal reproduction across the board, when I’m on the go in louder environments, I prefer slightly stronger bass, and the P3 delivers.  Not too much, but enough to hold up in louder environments.

Overall, I would describe the sound as natural and warm – not as bright as other headphones I’ve tried, which I personally prefer.  Tonal balance is superb and there’s no annoying distortion, while on the whole, I find the listening experience quite detailed, vibrant and exciting.  While there’s certainly no substitute for listening to the P3’s for yourself, I’m a huge fan of my P3’s, and in the event you’re looking for pair of commuter headphones, I think you too are going to love them.

To learn more about Bowers & Wilkins P3 headphones or to purchase a pair for yourself, head over to the official Bowers & Wilkins website.

Bowers & Wilkins C5

Take everything great about B+W’s P3 over-the-ear headphones – their design, sound and fit – apply it to in-ear headphones, and you’ve got the Bowers & Wilkins C5.

With the C5s, and any in-ear headphones for that matter, the most important element is the fit.  If you’re using in-ear headphones, chances are you’re moving, so you want a pair of in-ear headphones that stay in place.  And the C5’s do.  It doesn’t matter if you’re running, biking or doing the 100m hurdles, the B&W C5s stay put, better than any other in-ear headphones I’ve used.

Making the magic happen, B&W has invented what they call the Secure Loop design, and while it seems simple, it’ really quite brilliant.  As opposed to other in-ear headphones with traditional cords, the cords of the C5s extend up and around, forming an adjustable loop that applies a small amount of pressure against the inner ridge of your ear.  This loop, while comfortable, does a remarkable job keeping the C5s in place, irregardless of how active things may get.  As if this wasn’t enough, the C5’s also note a tungsten balanced sound tube, which weights the headphones toward your ear, as well as a total of four different sized tips, ensuring a perfect fit in your ear canal.

All of this equates to fantastic sound, because unlike other in-ear headphones that shift during use (deteriorating sound quality), the C5s stay ideally positioned during listening, meaning the sound is exactly as B&W intended it to be.  In addition, while not offering active noise canceling, the C5s do a great job eliminating unwanted outside sound, further enhancing the listening experience in louder environments.

So how do the C5s perform?  As is the case with the P3 headphones, I’m a huge fan of my C5s.  They provide deep, booming bass, but again, not at the expense of being overpowering.  While not a prerequisite for classical listening by the fireplace, when you’re at the gym hitting the treadmill for a 5 mile run, you gotta have it.  And like the P3s, I would say the overall sound is one that’s warm, natural and quite lush.  Comparing the two, the C5s are brighter, but the overall sound is one that’s exceptionally clear, rich and very, very enjoyable.

Part of this is undoubtedly due the C5’s micro porous filter, which acts as a diffuser to deliver a more spacious sound than other in-ear headphones.  And part of it comes from the fit, which is an area unrivaled by other in-ear headphones.  Put them together, and the sound produced by the C5s is incredible, easily rivaling significantly more expensive in-ear headphones and making them well worth the $180 retail price.

So whether you’re looking for a pair in-ear or over-the-ear headphones, you have to check out the offerings from Bowers & Wilkins.  After owning both, I can tell you they’re both well worth the price of admission.

To learn more about the Bowers & Wilkins C5 in-ear headphones or to pick up a pair for yourself, head over to the official Bowers & Wilkins website.

I’m a huge fan of new technology.  Phones, tablets, computers, cameras, you name it.  But as much as I love innovation and the benefits innovation brings, there’a a byproduct of technology that I absolutely hate:  cords.

I simply can’t stand them.

And yet every time I buy a new piece of technology, I’m once again forced to add to my cord collection.  It’s as if companies think about every element of their new product’s design and feature set, and yet never consider how to eliminate the one thing everybody wishes wasn’t there.

And then I met Libratone.

Libratone is a Copenhagen-based company whose self-described purpose is “to liberate sound.”  How do they do it?  By combining kick-ass sound quality in a gorgeously designed package.  Best of all, however, is that they deliver sound wirelessly.  So if you have a piece of Apple hardware (computer, iPhone, iPad, etc.), any music or media you listen to on your device can be streamed wirelessly to your Libratone speakers, no cables required, with superb sound quality.  It’s as simple as that.

I met Libratone when I picked up their Libratone Lounge – a large, five-speaker soundbar that I use for my television as well as my iTunes library.  I loved the Lounge so much I picked up the Libratone Live, which is a smaller, more portable speaker set, still with awesome sound in a smaller package.  I’m going to share my thoughts on each, detail how they work and tell you why you need one.

Read on and find out how to enjoy unadulterated wireless audio bliss.

The Libratone Lounge ($1,299)

My first forray into the world of Libratone was the Libratone Lounge, the largest of Libratone’s offerings.  I purchased it for the simple fact that I hate the look of conventional surround sound setups, but I wanted more than the standard audio my television could produce.  The Libratone Lounge was the perfect medium, a beautifully designed speaker that offered superb audio quality without the distraction of a full surround setup.

At one meter long the Lounge is substantial, but it’s designed in a way that makes it an accent to your home’s style, as opposed to a distraction.  With key design elements including a fine Italian cashmere wool cover and a piano finish, the Lounge looks more like a piece of furniture than a speaker.  You can mount it on a wall (with the included wall mount), set it on a bookshelf, media center, etc., and because it’s available in five color options (which are user changeable), you can make it blend in or stand out from your home’s style as much as you want.

Audio wise, the Libratone Lounge is brilliant.  Inside, five dedicated amps power one 5-inch 50W bass, two ribbon-based 1-inch 25W tweeters and two 3-inch 25W mid range speakers, combining to offer 150W total.  From there, Libratone takes audio quality a step further thanks to their patented FullRoom technology.  Unlike conventional speakers that beam sound in one direction, creating a so-called “sweet-spot” in each room, Libratone’s FullRoom technology sends the sound waves multiple directions, bouncing them off walls and creating superb audio throughout the entire room.  Libratone calls it 360-degree listening, and it’s fantastic at enveloping the room with sound, even in different positions.  For more fine tuning, there’s even a Libratone app that lets you adjust the sound from your various mobile devices.  Simply input a few basic pieces of information about the Libratone’s positioning as well as the type of music you’re listening to, and sound quality is enhanced even more.

And then there’s the wireless functionality – the single greatest feature that makes the Lounge (and other Libratone speakers) so awesome.  Thanks to Apple’s AirPlay, any device that uses AirPlay can stream sound through the Libratone Lounge.  Setup takes a minute or two at the most, and once completed, you can select to play sound through the Lounge on any device that supports AirPlay (which is a feature built into iTunes).  For me, this includes my iPhone, iPod, iPad, and both Mac and PC computers, and all have worked flawlessly.

Best of all, it’s not just iTunes that utilizes AirPlay –  there’s a wealth of apps that incorporate AirPlay, so you can send music from apps like VEVO, YouTube, and iHeartRadio straight to the speakers.  On my Apple devices, browsing mp3’s online works through the Libratone wirelessly.  And on my newer Mac computers, I can even opt to set audio to output to the Lounge, so all sound from the computer is sent to the speakers wirelessly.

In short, if you have an Apple device and want to listen to music wirelessly, it’s not going to get better than the Libratone.  Every source that I use to music through my Apple device works with the Libratone speakers; they’re just significantly more awesome now that there’s no wires necessary to use them with my speakers.

Of course, should you wish to listen to music with wires, you can do that too.  Both the Lounge and Live include a minijack, meaning you can also choose a wired analog or digital connection.

The Libratone Live ($699)

I love my Libratone Lounge, but the one thing it doesn’t offer is portability.  At a meter long, it’s not exactly easy to transport around the house.  That’s where the Libratone Live comes into play.

Take all the great features of the Libratone Lounge, put them in a smaller, more portable package, and you’ve got the Libratone Live.

Whereas the Libratone Lounge notes a long, rectangular design, the Live boasts an upright design, making it substantially easier to fit into a variety of spaces (its exact dimensions are H 18.5 in. x W 7.7 in. x D 6 in.).  And like the Lounge, the Live boasts a gorgeous Italian cashmere cover in five color options, meaning it fits perfectly into both modern and classic home settings.  I use mine in the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and office, and it fits everywhere easily (and looks great at the same time).

Inside, the Live boasts specs similar to that of the Lounge.  Five dedicated amps provide power for a 5-inch bass unit, a pair of 1-inch ribbon-based tweeters and a pair of 3-inch midrange drivers, offering up a total of 150W.  In terms of sound quality, the Live again offers exceptional sound from a single unit.  Bass and clarity are both fantastic, as is the ability to listen anywhere in the room with little deterioration in quality.  This again is thanks to Libratone’s patented FullRoom technology, which like an acoustic instrument, bounces soundwaves off walls and throughout the room, as opposed to in a linear path like other speakers.

And like the Lounge, you can also fine tune the sound of the Live with Libratone’s free app.  Enter the details of your Live’s positioning in the room as well as the type of music you’re listening to, and sound is delivered based on your unique configuration.

Lastly, there’s the wireless.  The glorious, glorious wireless.  The defining feature of the Lounge is wireless, and the same holds true for the Live.  Any AirPlay capable device works brilliantly with the Live, whether it’s your Mac/PC, iPhone, iPod, iPad, Apple TV, etc.  Your entire music library from iTunes can be listend to wirelessly; apps like YouTube, VEVO and iHeartRadio can be listened to wirelessly; and any websites offering up mp3’s online can be listened to wirelessly.  Chances are, if you’re listening to it on your Mac or other Apple device, you can send it wirelessly to your Libratone Lounge.

Want music throughout your house?  You can even combine multiple Libratones speakers (both the Live and the Lounge) on the same network, and control each individually through iTunes.

Libratone Lounge and Live Conclusion

Ultimately, if you’re looking for superb audio quality in a gorgeously designed and crafted package, the Libratones need to be at the top of your list.  They look exceptional in any setting, bass and clarity are excellent, and the wireless functionality means you can listen to music from an incredible amount of sources wirelessly.  There simply isn’t an easier or better looking way to bring superb quality into your home wirelessly than the offerings from Libratone.

You can check out both the Libratone Lounge and Live in the gallery blow, or head over to the official Libratone website to check out the full lineup of Libratone products.

Mercedes-Benz AMG in cooperation with prestigious hi-fi specialist Bang & Olufsen have developed a custom-designed sound system for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. With a total output of 1000 watts, eleven loudspeakers and sound distribution which can be configured to suit your personal preference, this system offers a very special listening experience.

The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end sound system, which is available on request with the SLS AMG, gives the gullwing model’s occupants a very special hi-fi experience. This is thanks to the perfect tone, the high-quality technical specification, the exclusive design, the excellent quality of materials and workmanship, as well as the simple, intuitive operation.

The combination of eleven loudspeakers as well as the two amplifiers giving total output of 1000 watts make for thrilling sound reproduction. The algorithm used for the digital sound processor allows a choice to be made between the high-end “Reference” studio sound system and voluminous surround sound; in addition, the sound fields can be directed precisely to the driver’s seating position, the passenger’s seating position or to a central point. The system is operated via the specially-created Bang & Olufsen menu in the 17.8 cm COMAND APS colour display. The distinctive – and also illuminated – lens-shaped tweeters in the instrument panel and the two subwoofers on the parcel shelf with their striking “Silver Shadow” aluminium trim give a first visual indication of the exceptional performance that is to come.

A unique listening experience which is both natural and dynamic

Whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion, the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end sound system delivers consummate listening pleasure. The precision sound reproduction guarantees that original recordings can be heard as clearly as if they were being heard live. In other words: in acoustic terms, nothing is added, amplified or taken away. The virtual sound stage in the SLS AMG as perceived by the listeners is permanently in front of the passengers and thus equates to the natural and normal way people listen to and enjoy music. Every instrument, whether it be a guitar, a string instrument, a wind instrument, piano or synthesiser, is convincingly natural, fresh and dynamic. The same applies to the different types of voices: male and female singing voices sound as authentic as normal voice reproduction in news programmes, for example.

The personal taste in music of the people sitting in the SLS AMG is of secondary importance here, as is the source of that music: the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end sound system reproduces every type of music perfectly, from classical to blues, jazz, pop, rock, electro through to hip-hop, regardless of whether it is from a CD, DVD, TV/video, MP3 or radio – and surpasses expectations, even those of listeners accustomed to the highest quality. “Audiophile gourmets” appreciate the precision of the sound reproduction, which has a powerful bass output modified to do justice to the high-end concept, as well as a broad and clear tonal range covering the middle and top notes, even for complex musical arrangements such as would be heard, for example, at live concerts in which many instruments are being played.

The software in the surround sound menu, which can be selected as an alternative to the “Reference” menu option by the driver, analyses the degree of reverberation in any musical piece continuously and in real time. The effect of this is to reproduce a convincing concert hall atmosphere without distorting voices and instrument sounds. The “sound mode” offers a further possibility of tailoring the sound setting to one’s own personal preferences: with this, the so-called sweet spot – described by hi-fi experts as being that point at which sound is optimally received – can be shifted, from on the left, when the driver of the SLS AMG is sitting on his/her own in the vehicle, to the centre when there are two occupants, to on the right if the sound setting is to be directed at the passenger, or for those countries in which the SLS AMG is delivered as a right-hand drive vehicle. The optimised sound delivery, above the instrument panel, gives a listening experience such as can normally only be attained with high-end home systems through adjusting the seating position down to the millimetre.

The optimum achieved in component selection and in matching the system to its surrounds

The musical experience offered in the SLS AMG is the result of a sophisticated composition of high-quality loudspeaker systems, high-performance amplifier technology and optimal tuning. When designing and developing the sound system, the AMG and Bang & Olufsen experts focused on the specific characteristics of the gull-wing model. In contrast to a luxury saloon or an SUV, which have spacious interiors and luggage compartments, the challenge here was to develop and match the components in such a way that, despite the comparatively limited space available, the passengers would still be able to enjoy a superlative sound experience.

Both the limited space available for loudspeakers and amplifiers, as well as weight considerations – after all, the new super sports car from AMG and Mercedes-Benz, with its kerb weight of 1620 kilograms, has been systematically and intelligently designed to be a lightweight construction – had to be borne in mind. The squaring of this proverbial circle was made possible by the expertise of the Danish high-end specialists from Bang & Olufsen, who came up with some unusual solutions.

Eye-catching illuminated and lens-shaped tweeters

Neodymium loudspeakers, which distinguish themselves through their light weight coupled with excellent output, are solely deployed in the SLS AMG as a matter of principle. Through their exciting design the two 50-watt lens-shaped tweeters, which are located in the instrument panel, serve as a real eye-catcher. As soon as the sound system is switched on, a white band of light lights up – a well-known feature of Bang & Olufsen’s loudspeakers for the home. This discreet band of light is linked to the instrument lighting and its intensity is regulated automatically, for example at dusk or when entering a tunnel. This unobtrusive show effect is complemented by the unusual shape and form of the tweeters, which operate using Bang & Olufsen’s patented Acoustic Lens Technology.

Their special shape, with the lens fitted under a special disk, makes broad horizontal and minimal vertical sound distribution possible – this provides the typical virtual stage sound for the passengers. Both 19-millimetre tweeters work at a frequency response of 5000 to 20000 hertz. Both the Acoustic Lens Technology and the futuristic design were taken from the BeoLab 5 home loudspeakers, which have absolute reference status in specialist circles.

Five mid-range speakers in optimal positions

A mid-range speaker with a diameter of 90 millimetres is located in the centre of the wing-shaped instrument panel. Two further mid-range speakers with the high-quality “Silver Shadow” aluminium trim are positioned in the doors in exposed positions to enable optimal sound radiation. Two surround loudspeakers, located in the B-pillars behind the seats, complete the sound chamber for the passengers.

Two woofers with a diameter of 165 millimetres are ideally located in the footwells: the loudspeakers are located directly in the extremely stiff aluminium cast node of the aluminium space frame. In contrast to sheet steel, the advantage is that the cast node does not give, even at high volume, and it therefore helps the sound system to produce a true and powerful bass sound. In this way the aluminium cast node also takes on the function of loudspeaker housing.

Subwoofers with special metal covers

Apart from the acoustic lens tweeters with their typical Bang & Olufsen design, the two subwoofers which are fitted in the parcel shelf are also distinctive features appreciated by those in the know. The high-quality “Silver Shadow” aluminium trim with its large surface area has laser-engraved Bang & Olufsen lettering; and its special, undulating perforated pattern is also ideal for distributing the low-frequency sounds in the car. The subwoofers, each with a diameter of 165 millimetres, have a frequency range of 30 to 65 hertz and guarantee the desired volume.

The smaller and lighter-weight Bang & Olufsen ICEPower® 750-watt amplifier

The perfect complement to the eleven Neodymium loudspeakers is the 750-watt ultra-compact Bang & Olufsen ICEPower® amplifier. ICE stands for Intelligent, Compact and Efficient – which a glance at the extremely light and space-saving amplifier makes clear. The Bang & Olufsen amplifier converts 93 percent of the energy fed in into output; conventional car hi-fi amplifiers manage around 30 percent. This results in significant benefits not only in terms of effectiveness and energy management but also in terms of reduced heat dissipation. With dimensions of 63 x 261 x 194 millimetres (depth x width x height) and weighing only 2930 grams, the Bang & Olufsen ICEPower® amplifier is significantly smaller and lighter than normal – and, as such, is almost predestined to be installed in a super sports car with an optimised lightweight construction. The components in the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end sound system weigh less than 10 kilograms in total.

The 750-watt ICEPower® amplifier is closely interlinked with the DSP amplifier, the DSP standing for digital sound processor. This 250-watt amplifier converts the stereo sound and the Dolby Digital 5.1 signal into surround sound and is really the “brain” of the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end sound system. The DSP amplifier contains a microphone input for dynamic driving noise compensation, five outputs for the ICEPower® amplifier and ten outputs for the loudspeakers. It is additionally fitted with a MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) interface, which is needed for the communication with the COMAND system.

Meticulous sound tuning with the aid of the digital sound processor

The decision on where to locate all eleven loudspeakers, and their characteristics, are as specifically geared to the layout of the SLS AMG interior as is the meticulous configuration of the digital sound processor – that is to say, the sound tuning. As the driver and passenger in a car are almost never seated in the one hundred percent ideal position between the loudspeakers, the so-called sweet spot, each loudspeaker necessarily needs a different amount of time for its output to reach the ear of the passenger. Thus, for example, the sound waves from the right-hand tweeter take longer to reach the right ear of the driver than the left ear. The DSP compensates for this physical time lag – for each of the eleven loudspeakers.

A further limitation, which is typical for cars, is the comparatively small passenger compartment which has natural resonances which can lead to an overshoot in the lower frequencies. In addition there is the usual driving noise, from the tyres, wind, the engine, transmission and possibly also rain, all of which can impair the perception of the music quality. All of these factors have been taken into account by the experts from AMG and Bang & Olufsen when designing and then developing the sound system in a series of complex tests – and a perfect solution found with the help of the digital sound processor.

Dynamic road noise compensation

Listening pleasure is also possible on long journeys in the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, without having a tiring effect. A significant part of the reason for this lies with the dynamic road noise compensation: a microphone built into the roof lining between the gull wings is constantly delivering data on the current level of interior noise. The digital sound processor analyses all the wavebands and increases the volume as required depending on the vehicle speed – and not just generally, but individually for each speaker and for the different frequencies. The reason for this is it makes a difference to the human ear whether background noise is diffuse, as it is when it comes from airflow or from the tyres; or direct, as it is, for example, from the sports exhaust system when the AMG is accelerating.

In addition, those aspects of noise which are specific to a sports car are also always taken into consideration. That is to say, the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end sound system is in no way intended to overlay the typical sound made by an eight-cylinder AMG. After all, the driver of an SLS AMG wants to experience the power of his/her super sports car acoustically as well, even when listening to music.

Integration with the design philosophy behind the SLS AMG

The design is every bit as important as the sound and the technology deployed – in two respects. On the one hand, it is important that the sound system perfectly matches in optical terms the design philosophy behind the SLS AMG interior. On the other, it should be made clear to all hi-fi connoisseurs in particular that the SLS AMG is fitted out with high-quality Bang & Olufsen components. These requirements are met by the sound system with the “Silver Shadow” loudspeaker trim, which harmonises perfectly with the galvanised air outlets with adjustable cross-shaped nozzles, the round dials and all the controls. An important aspect of the Danish firm’s design philosophy is the clear design idiom – it stands for genuineness, which also characterises the sound of Bang & Olufsen products. The design language is also to be found in mechanical elements such as the materials used, the surface finish, the sound system’s appearance and its shape.

Apart from their power to convince in aesthetic terms, Bang & Olufsen products also impress with their supreme functionality, quality and user-friendliness. High expectations with regard to perfect quality and longevity, such as also apply to products from Mercedes-Benz and AMG, are therefore fulfilled.

Intuitive operation and optimal ergonomics

The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end sound system is operated through the COMAND APS multimedia system, which is fitted as standard. With the aid of the COMAND controller, the Bang & Olufsen menu giving the different sound settings can be called up. The turn/push control can be moved in seven different directions: by turning the controller, the desired function can be selected on the display and then confirmed by pushing. The keys next to the controller labelled “R” and “C” make it possible to exit menus quickly or to cancel entries. Really simple and intuitive operation is combined with the best possible ergonomics as well as the suitability for everyday use that is so typical for Mercedes.

When switched on, the 17.8-centimetre colour display in the dashboard shows the unmistakable AMG logo for ten seconds – and thereafter, depending on the function, a high-resolution map, radio station or music track information, or the telephone keypad is displayed. The Europe-wide navigation system has a 30‑gigabyte hard disc on which the navigation data are stored, which means that route calculation is extremely rapid. The car radio, which has an integrated CD/DVD player, has an FM/MW/SW/LW twin tuner with automatic station search and an RDS function. In addition to this, the COMAND APS has a music server with storage capacity of 6 gigabytes.

A DVD player for video and audio is also on board, and an integrated 6-disc DVD changer is available on request. Below the DVD aperture the unit has an adapter that enables various PC memory cards for the reproduction of music files to be used. External audio devices such as an “iPod” can be connected to COMAND APS via the optional Media Interface. As a standard feature, Mercedes-Benz combines COMAND APS with the LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system and the Bluetooth interface, which provides a wireless connection between the mobile phone and the hands-free system.

A tough testing programme to ensure perfect quality and safety

The development and testing of the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end sound system for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG proceeded in parallel on two levels: apart from the pure sound tuning necessary, the in-car testing – in which every component of the sound system was tested to breaking point – had to be completed. The development of the sound system took around 1 1/2 years. The AMG and Bang & Olufsen sound experts spent roughly 300 hours in various SLS AMG test vehicles listening to, analysing and optimising the system. Of course, all the different styles of music were taken into account; and all the different sources for the music were used.

In the exhaustive testing programme, in which the SLS AMG test vehicles had to prove themselves in all the climatic regions of the earth and in various different test stations, the sound system was also the focus of attention. Whether in heat, cold, dust, high and low humidity, crash tests or corrosion tests, an important objective was to establish whether all the components could guarantee trouble-free functioning as well as perfect quality and safety, even under the toughest conditions. The electromagnetic capability of the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end sound system was also examined and verified, in order to ensure it could meet all standards in force around the world.