kezo, the Renault Scenic is a great new addition to our EV options, but it didn’t ‘float my boat’. As I’ve mentioned before this is possibly my last new car choice due to my age and gradually declining health. This is why this new car has to tick all my boxes. If it isn’t as close to my idea of perfection as possible, it will simply stand parked on my drive largely unused. It has to put a real smile on my face and make me want to leave the house and drive for the fun of it. As for the “money tree,” if I don’t spend some of it while I’m still mobile enough and half sensible, then I never will, lol. PS: kezo, you know how important crystal clear music reproduction is to me. I had a good Harman Kardon audio in my BMW which I was happy with, but when I switched to the Peugeot with the Focal hi fi audio I was amazed at the huge upgrade, and the new E-3008 still has the same 690 watts French manufactured premium system. I’ve read that since Samsung took over ‘HK’ in 2017 their components have been sourced from China. The output is now down to 410/490 watts and the results are disappointing for such a previously top drawer and reliable brand.
If I’m honest it doesn’t, float my bat either but, just thought I’d mention it.
As said before automotive audio can’t be compared to that of the same brands Hifi systems. Automotive audio is only as good as a manufacturer wants to pay, in a similar way a consumer has a price cap on what they can afford for home HiFi. Some manufacturers licence their brand to third party manufacturers.
Harman have or are about to open another factory in Dandong China with R&D sites to bolster manufacturing, built specifically to meet HARMAN’s global audio quality standards. The automotive factory at Dandong will produce advanced audio components and systems to meet the increasing demand from not only western and Asian automakers but Chinese automakers as well. In the past year, HARMAN has announced contracts for premium branded audio systems from Chinese automakers such as Geely Motors, BYD, and Dongfeng (Peugeot) Passenger Vehicle. The second operation in Dandong will house manufacturing for audio electronics and loudspeakers sold under a range of HARMAN’s premium brands in the Professional and Consumer sectors. Does that make them any worse no, not all, just like Europe there is crap, medioca and excellent quality goods.
Samsung/Harman would be a fool if they lost automotive brands (AKG, Harman Kardon, Infinity, JBL, Lexicon , Mark Levinson, Bang & Olfsen and Revel), especially the premium market by using lower quality materials.