Introduction & Main Facts
In the luxury automotive sector, the transition to electrification has forced manufacturers to rethink the cabin experience. Without the mechanical hum and exhaust note of an internal combustion engine, the interior of an electric vehicle (EV) becomes an acoustic vacuum, magnifying every road hum, wind whistle, and, most importantly, the quality of the onboard entertainment system. Porsche’s best-selling model, the Macan, has officially entered this electric era. To complement this quiet cabin, Porsche offers a top-tier audio option: the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System.
Priced at £2,916 in the United Kingdom, the Burmester system represents the pinnacle of Porsche’s in-car audio catalog for the Macan, sitting above the mid-tier Bose Surround Sound System, which retails for £963. For this premium, buyers receive an advanced acoustic network consisting of 21 individually controlled loudspeakers, 21 channels of active amplification, and a total system output of 1,470 Watts.
According to an extensive evaluation by What Hi-Fi?, the Burmester system delivers a highly engaging, dynamically expressive, and rhythmically precise performance. It successfully avoids the clinical, flat sound delivery that plagues many modern automotive systems, earning a rare five-star rating and cementing itself as an essential upgrade for audiophiles purchasing the electric SUV.
Chronology: The Evolution of Porsche and Burmester’s Acoustic Partnership
The collaboration between Stuttgart-based Porsche and Berlin-based luxury audio manufacturer Burmester Audiosysteme began in the late 2000s, debuting in the first-generation Porsche Panamera in 2009. The goal was to translate Burmester’s high-end home audio philosophy—characterized by ribbon tweeters, robust amplification, and uncompromised tonal neutrality—into the challenging acoustic environments of sports cars and SUVs.
Over the last fifteen years, this partnership has evolved alongside Porsche’s drivetrain innovations:
- 2009: Introduction of the first Burmester Surround Sound System in the Porsche Panamera, establishing a new benchmark for luxury automotive audio.
- 2012–2016: System adaptation across the model lineup, including the 911, Cayenne, and the original internal combustion engine (ICE) Macan.
- 2020: The launch of the all-electric Porsche Taycan. This marked a crucial milestone. What Hi-Fi? tested the Taycan’s optional Burmester system and described it as a "night and day difference" compared to standard audio options. The lack of engine noise allowed the system’s micro-dynamics and quiet backdrops to shine.
- 2024: The release of the all-electric Macan. Building on the lessons learned from the Taycan, engineers integrated a bespoke 21-speaker Burmester system directly into the EV platform’s structural architecture, rather than retrofitting it into an existing ICE chassis.
During the evaluation of the new Macan Electric, testers performed comparative listening sessions against the baseline £963 Bose system to determine if the premium Burmester upgrade justified its substantial price tag.
Supporting Data: Technical Architecture & System Configuration
To understand why the Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System performs at such a high level, one must examine its complex physical layout and signal-processing options.
Speaker Layout and Hardware Specifications
The system distributes its 21 speakers throughout the Macan’s cabin to establish a fully immersive three-dimensional soundstage:
| Speaker Type | Location | Driver Technology / Details |
|---|---|---|
| Tweeters (Front) | Top of Dashboard (Left, Right, Center) | Three Air Motion Transformer (AMT) ribbon tweeters |
| Midrange (Front) | Top Center of Dashboard & Front Doors | Ribbon-paired center driver; dedicated door drivers |
| Woofers (Front) | Front Doors | High-excursion woofers for low-mid transition |
| 3D Height Speakers | Front A-Pillars | Full-range drivers to elevate the soundstage vertically |
| Tweeters (Rear) | Rear Doors | Traditional dome tweeters |
| Midrange (Rear) | Rear Doors | Dedicated midrange units |
| Woofers (Rear) | Rear Doors | Door-mounted woofers |
| Surround Drivers | Rear Parcel Shelf | Pair of surround tweeters and midrange drivers |
| Subwoofer | Boot (Under-floor) | 400W active subwoofer utilizing Class D amplification |
The inclusion of Air Motion Transformer (AMT) tweeters is a signature Burmester design choice. Unlike traditional dome tweeters, AMT drivers utilize a folded ribbon diaphragm that squeezes air out rather than pushing it. This results in exceptionally fast transient response, ultra-low distortion, and superb high-frequency clarity.
Digital Signal Processing (DSP) & Sound Presets
The Burmester system features several software utilities designed to customize the listening experience:
- Sound Enhancer: Designed to restore high-frequency detail and dynamic range lost during lossy compression (such as MP3s or low-bitrate streaming). Testers noted a subtle but clear improvement in definition with this mode active.
- Auro 3D Processing: An upmixing algorithm designed to create a three-dimensional envelope. Testers recommended using caution with this setting; keeping the intensity low allows the A-pillar height speakers to expand the soundstage naturally. Pushing the intensity too high can cause a disorganized, messy presentation where individual speaker locations become distracting.
- Eco Mode: Inherited from the vehicle’s power-saving configurations, this mode reduces the amplifier’s power consumption. However, testers strongly advised against using it, noting that it results in "a shrinking of scale, diminished dynamics, and a more laid-back and less expressive sound."
Sound Field Focus and Profiles
The system offers two spatial focus settings:
- Symmetrical: Distributes sound evenly across the cabin. This pushes the virtual stage forward toward the windshield, creating a relaxed, expansive soundstage ideal for journeys with passengers.
- Driver: Optimizes the arrival times and levels specifically for the driver’s seat. This tightens the stereo image, shifting the soundstage closer to the driver’s left ear and simulating the "sweet spot" of a high-end home stereo system.
Users can also select from three distinct sound profiles:
- Pure: The recommended setting. It bypasses aggressive DSP manipulation to present the recording as closely to the original master as possible, offering maximum clarity and tonal accuracy.
- Smooth: Softens high and low frequencies. Testers found this setting dull, noting a lack of clarity and rolled-off frequency extremes that robbed the music of its energy.
- Live: Boosts the high frequencies to make the sound "pop." However, this disrupts the natural tonal balance, causing high notes to sound splashy and fatiguing over long periods.
Performance Evaluation: Track-by-Track Analysis
With the system set to Pure and the focus set to Driver, the Burmester system underwent rigorous acoustic testing across multiple genres.
1. Rock and Rhythm: Orpheus by Ash
From the opening bars, the Burmester system displayed exceptional timing and transient speed. The track’s aggressive drum kit entry was rendered with striking physical impact. Every strike of the kick drum felt clean, fast, and deliberate, without any of the loose, muddy overhang that often ruins car audio bass. The AMT tweeters captured the crispness of the cymbals, while the electric guitars maintained their raw, distorted bite without sounding harsh. The system’s timing kept the fast-paced rock track moving forward with addictive energy.
2. Soul and Midrange Dynamics: Hold On, I’m Comin’ by Sam and Dave
This classic soul track highlighted the system’s mid-frequency performance and dynamic range. The brass section punched through the soundstage with realistic bite and texture, capturing the natural resonance of the saxophone and trumpet. The dual lead vocals of Sam and Dave were separated clearly in the virtual space, allowing the listener to appreciate the expressive dips and swells of their performance. The system’s ability to render fine micro-dynamics gave the recording an authentic, live feel.
3. Bass Extension and Control: Let’s Get It Started by Black Eyed Peas
To test the lower limits of the 400W under-floor subwoofer, testers played this bass-heavy hip-hop track. The Burmester system delivered a powerful, heavy bassline that retained its agility. Rather than dissolving into a monotonous, boomy drone, individual bass notes were clean, distinct, and well-integrated with the midrange. The transition from the sub-bass frequencies of the subwoofer to the mid-bass of the door woofers was seamless, demonstrating excellent crossover tuning by Burmester’s engineers.
Comparison: Bose vs. Burmester
The direct comparison between the standard £963 Bose Surround Sound System and the £2,916 Burmester 3D High-End system revealed a substantial difference in performance.
While the Bose system is a respectable mid-tier option, it lacks the resolution, transient speed, and customization options of the Burmester upgrade. The Bose presentation felt comparatively flat, with less defined imaging and a narrower dynamic range. In contrast, the Burmester system offered far greater clarity, a wider soundstage, and a level of musicality that easily got the listener’s foot tapping. For buyers who view their car as a primary listening space, the Burmester system represents a clear step up in quality.
Implications: The Role of Premium Audio in the EV Era
The success of the Burmester system in the Porsche Macan Electric highlights an important trend in modern car design. As electric vehicles eliminate traditional engine noise, cabin acoustics have become a key differentiator for luxury brands.
By integrating high-end hardware like Air Motion Transformer tweeters and powerful Class D amplification directly into the vehicle’s design, Porsche and Burmester have created an outstanding mobile listening room. While the £2,916 price tag is significant, it is a worthwhile investment for those who appreciate high-fidelity sound, turning every drive in the electric SUV into an engaging musical experience.
