As reported earlier, Chrysler is extending its rap association by providing a Beats by Dre audio system in the blackened 2012 Chrysler 300 S. And although the setup looks a lot like the Kicker systems in other Chryslers -- down to the subwoofer stashed one corner of the trunk -- the automaker claims that Dr. Dre personally tuned the system.
Judging from the quick listen I gave the system on a rotating stand at the New York Auto Show, that could indeed be the case since it's definitely at its best blasting low bass.
I kicked off the listening session with Outkast's bangin'' "Ain't No Thang," and the system in the 300 S handled it as well as any I've tested -- and was better than most at going low. Bass was strong and nearly bottomless, marred only by interior-panel rattle. And even with the 8-inch sub way back in the trunk, the lowest frequencies still had a solid up-front feel.
The system didn't fare as well on the folky, pop and jazz tracks. With all tones controls set flat, per usual, midbass was overpowering and upper-treble frequencies were harsh. But the soundstage was expansive and imaging almost pinpoint, thanks to the speakers staking out each corner and the center of the wide and deep dash.
Of course, no one is gonna go for this system expecting pristine, antiseptic sound quality. And although it does a more than decent job of reproducing any type of music, if you're rollin' in this car and you're not rockin' rap or some other bass-heavy music most of the time, it kinda misses the point.
moparbad says:
09:09 AM, 04/22/11
What subject is Dre's doctorate in?
mazdamike17 says:
09:16 AM, 04/22/11
Haha, IF I had to guess, I'd say, Thugonomics...
bodyblue says:
09:18 AM, 04/22/11
So does it sound better than the Fender in the VW?
dougnewcomb says:
09:36 AM, 04/22/11
@bodyblue: No
bodyblue says:
09:43 AM, 04/22/11
Really? Interesting...I imagine it just has too much bass?...and thanks for answering so fast!
euphrentic says:
10:37 AM, 04/22/11
Wow... Your contempt is palpable! That was really the subject of this article.
inlinesix says:
11:22 AM, 04/22/11
A whole entire 8" sub? Dre may have "tuned" it but someone at Chrysler picked the components.
e90_m3 says:
01:10 PM, 04/22/11
As if there aren't enough boom cars around already....
e90_m3 says:
01:27 PM, 04/22/11
"What subject is Dre's doctorate in?"
Astrophysics--oh wait that was Dr. Brian May.
carraway says:
08:58 AM, 04/23/11
I just want to say thanks for the audio reviews. I don't typically comment, but I always read them. I used to not worry much about car audio, since I always expected the stock systems to be poor and planned to replace them, but modern systems and integration have made this fairly difficult.
arbiter says:
09:30 AM, 04/23/11
Dr. Dre tuned it, huh? So basically this sound system is going to appeal to those that don't realize there are frequencies above 200hz or, put another way, the "all bass, no brain" crowd.
Either that or it will be the sound system of choice for Taiko drum aficionados. Didn't think so but at least THAT would be pretty cool compared to what is actually going to emanate out of this system.
blackadder5639 says:
10:02 AM, 04/26/11
Doug, I would love for you to write an article about the increasing (IMO, disturbing) trend of stock car stereos being so integrated these days that it's nearly impossible to replace them with aftermarket systems. It's a terrible idea! No matter how good a stock system might currently be, it will probably get outdated in 5 to 10 years time and need to be replaced! My car has Bluetooth, MP3 and iPod connectivity because I replaced the head unit........ They're now making it impossible to keep up with new advances without replacing the whole car. Is this a ploy by manufacturers to force the public to by more new cars?
luckyorphan says:
06:18 PM, 04/30/11
Simple fact to consider: This is the first attempt at car audio from Beats. So I expect their quality, from the sound to the materials used, to be similar to their inaugural headphones lines—underwhelming, unnecessarily flashy and cheap. But you can certainly expect them to market the heck out of it.