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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.

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Rating: 3/5

Price: £2,565

Output: 1,000w

Speakers: 16

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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. 

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