Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System

When it comes to drama, the sight of tweeters rising from the A8’s dash takes some beating – as does the sound they create. They use the same Acoustic Lens Technology as in the Mercedes S-Class (below) and to similar effect, with a real sound purity. This combines with the superb electronics to give an encompassing surround-sound experience.

As with the Merc the bass is powerful, but the excellence of the tweeters overshadows it, so the bass can sound like it’s playing catch-up, especially on thumping dance tracks. Fast drums sound crisp and clear, while the mid-range is more detailed and expressive than in the Merc. Better door speaker positioning helps. Audi’s MMI control system is a step ahead of that in any other car here: it’s intuitive and has a high-quality feel, as you’d expect. And while the Advanced Sound System isn’t cheap, it’s less expensive than the B&O upgrade in the Merc – and sounds better.

Rating: 5/5

Price: £5,565

Output: 1,400w

Speakers: 19