Skip advert
Advertisement

Burmester High-end Surround Sound System

Burmester might not be a household name in the UK, but in Germany it’s synonymous with high-end hi-fi.

Burmester might not be a household name in the UK, but in Germany it’s synonymous with high-end hi-fi. In the car world it’s most famous for the system in the Bugatti Veyron – although in the Panamera it disappoints.

Like your bass big and bad? This is for you. There’s no denying the sheer power of the low notes, but it’s more suited to a car park sound-off than sophisticated listening. It’s all top and bottom, too – subtle this system is not. In the Surround DSP setting the echoes are so pronounced it’s like listening to music in your bathroom. In Live, with no thumping bass, you get a pleasantly wide and involving soundstage – separation is a strong point. As is the price – the Burmester upgrade costs about half of its German rivals.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Rating: 3/5

Price: £2,565

Output: 1,000w

Speakers: 16

Skip advert
Advertisement

Steve Fowler has previously edited Auto Express, Carbuyer, DrivingElectric, What Car?, Autocar and What Hi-Fi? and has been writing about cars for the best part of 30 years. 

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £8,012 off RRP*Used from £11,500
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £38,030Avg. savings £3,499 off RRP*Used from £11,274
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £19,785Avg. savings £6,556 off RRP*Used from £9,562
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £4,588 off RRP*
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Long-term test: BYD Sealion 7
BYD Sealion 7 - front tracking

Long-term test: BYD Sealion 7

Second report: all is not rosy in the garden when it comes to driving our BYD
Long-term tests
13 Mar 2026
Are car headlights too bright? How hi-tech LED lights prioritise the driver but risk dazzling everyone else
Vauxhall Grandland - lights on

Are car headlights too bright? How hi-tech LED lights prioritise the driver but risk dazzling everyone else

LED headlamps on cars may improve visibility at night, but some people say they’re too bright. We investigate the issue and what can be done
Features
9 Mar 2026
New Jaecoo 8 challenges the Hyundai Santa Fe with seven seats, 83-mile EV range and £45k price tag
Jaecoo 8 - front

New Jaecoo 8 challenges the Hyundai Santa Fe with seven seats, 83-mile EV range and £45k price tag

Flagship seven-seat SUV features 422bhp all-wheel-drive plug-in powertrain, plus Land Rover-style Terrain Response system
News
11 Mar 2026