Audi B&O option on the A8/S8 is amazing. No disagreement there.

I digress.

I feel the ML doesn't shine unless the volume is 30-40. I listen to mostly Pandora / Spotify / Apple Music via my phone ( not the slow buggy enform app )

 

The RC350 I traded in did not have the ML system and I regretted it...the Bose system in my 370z sounded much better than the stock system. Now the ML system in the RCF I am completely satisfied with. Definitely worth the cost.

 

Just picked up USB last night with ML. This sound even better than the ML in the '14 IS. Definitely worth it if you appreciate music at all. The sound stage is much smaller than my IS and the speakers are diff size too for some like the front door panels.

 

the ML system is embarrassing - the balance is off and, as one youtube reviewer stated, it sounds like you're listening through a long, hollow tube. i regret dropping the $$ on the upgraded stereo. perhaps it's a blessing in disguise, as i get to pay more attention to the v8 than i may have otherwise. at the end of the day, though, the sound system is downright awful for any vehicle, let alone a luxury brand.

unless you only want overpowering bass. then you may be satisfied.

 

I've played the same playlist off an ipod w/ direct connection and a CD back to back on the ML (CD generated from same mp3 files). The difference is quite noticeable, the CD sounds WAY better IMO. It may be old school, but I'm burning my favorite playlists to CD's and really enjoying the ML stereo.

 

Have you tried a flash drive with direct MP3 files?

thats interesting.

I think the iPhones/ipods introduce too much of their own sound settings

 

are yall testing audio on actual CDs or high bit rate MP3s? Anything bluetooth, satellite radio, radio, or low bit rate MP3 is a terrible terrible source. A good audio system will amplify how bad a crappy audio source is.

 

No I haven't, but I can try this weekend