OEM High End Gets Boost From Bose, B&W

By Amy Gilroy On Mar 26 2007 - 6:00am

Bose and B&W announced new OEM car systems including one of the first OEM car radios that can playback nearly every optical disc format, including SACD and DVD-Audio as well as DVD-Video, CD, MP3 and WAM from Bose.

The new advanced Bose radio, to be offered on the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, also provides Bluetooth connectivity and interfaces for iPods, MP3 players and USB flash drives. When asked if the system will be offered in other car makes, the company said it does not comment on future plans.

Other advanced features include a proximity sensor in the unit. When the driver is listening to the radio and starts to reach for the radio controls, the display of the radio station is automatically enlarged and highlighted on the screen.

Home audio speaker maker B&W is offering its first OEM car speakers in a Jaguar XKR Portfolio, but is referring to the car speakers by its formal name, Bowers & Wilkins (reportedly to avoid confusion with the car maker BMW). The new Bowers & Wilkins speakers will be standard equipment on the XKR starting in July.