The Diamond Surround Sound System by Bowers & Wilkins, whichalso featured in the launch of the new BMW 7 Series models,combines expert engineering and elegant design to deliver an audiophile-grade experience throughout the vehicle’s interior.
Dan Shepherd, Vice President of Licensing and Partnerships at Bowers & Wilkins, said: “We are proud to be continuing our partnership with BMW Group to incorporate our high-performance Diamond Surround Sound System in the BMW XM.”
“BMW drivers expect only the best when choosing their vehicles,making the Diamond Surround Sound System in the all-new BMWXM the right choice for elevating their in-car audio experience.”
Inspired by Bowers & Wilkins’ flagship 802 Series Diamond loudspeakers, which are used in recording studios across the globe,most notably Abbey Road Studios in London, the vehicle’s sound system features 20 high-performance speakers to deliver high-fidelity audio for all occupants.
Bowers & Wilkins worked alongside designers and sound engineersfrom BMW Group from the very start of the vehicle’s developmentto bring its world-leading sound reproduction to the XM. Together,
the engineering teams ensure that speaker position around thevehicle is optimised for maximum performance, delivering anunparalleled in-car listening experience that is accurate and true tothe original recording, a philosophy Bowers & Wilkins calls ‘True Sound’.
Key features of the Diamond Surround Sound System include fivealuminium tweeters, two Rohacell central bass speakers under thefront seats and two Diamond Dome tweeters in the driver andpassenger side
A-pillars – bringing the same engineering and technology used inBowers & Wilkins flagship home speakers to the vehicle.
The high-frequency Diamond Dome tweeters have been carefullycultivated under laboratory conditions using chemical vapourdeposition and temperatures approaching that of the surface of thesun. These very light and extremely rigid tweeters push unwantedresonances far beyond what a human can hear.
As a result, the Diamond Dome tweeters create realistic treble,providing incredible accuracy with minimal distortion and deliveringsound as it was intended to be heard. The car also features fiveContinuum™ midrange speakers in the front and rear doors, thedashboard and at the rear of the cabin to give an authentic recreation of music as the artist intended.
The XM is the second BMW vehicle to feature Continuum™ cones,born out of eight years of development and an enormous stepforward in midrange speaker performance. The stainless-steelspeaker grilles boast an exclusive pattern design that illuminatesto help visually highlight the system’s outstanding sound quality.
Dan added: “Our continued partnership with BMW highlights Bowers & Wilkins’ position as the brand of choice for customers across a whole range of BMW vehicles, bringing our True Sound experience to more and more people around the world.”
The Relationship Between BMW and Bowers & Wilkins Speakers
Bowers & Wilkins, a British loudspeaker manufacturer founded in 1966, has developed partnerships with several automotive brands to provide high-performance in-car audio systems. One of its most prominent relationships is with BMW, the German automotive manufacturer known for its emphasis on engineering and driving performance. The collaboration began in the mid-2010s and has grown to include a wide range of BMW’s premium models.
BMW selected Bowers & Wilkins as an audio partner to develop systems tailored to the acoustic environments of its luxury vehicles. The first implementation of a Bowers & Wilkins sound system in a BMW vehicle appeared in the 2015 BMW 7 Series. This system featured technologies derived from Bowers & Wilkins’ home loudspeakers, including the use of Nautilus-style tweeter enclosures and Kevlar midrange drivers. The goal was to replicate a detailed and accurate listening experience within the confines of a car cabin.
Since that initial integration, Bowers & Wilkins audio systems have become available in several BMW model lines, including the 5 Series, 6 Series GT, 7 Series, 8 Series, X5, X6, X7, and the i7 electric vehicle. The systems are generally offered as optional equipment, positioned above the standard and mid-tier audio packages. Each Bowers & Wilkins system is custom-engineered for the specific model, taking into account cabin shape, material selection, and potential sources of resonance or noise.
The speaker systems often include 16 or more drivers, depending on the model, with tweeters, midrange drivers, subwoofers, and ceiling-mounted speakers working together through digital signal processing (DSP). Key design elements include aluminum or stainless steel speaker grilles, illuminated detailing, and visible branding. BMW and Bowers & Wilkins have collaborated closely on both acoustic tuning and visual integration to ensure that the systems align with BMW’s overall vehicle design language.
Bowers & Wilkins has incorporated proprietary technologies into these systems, such as Continuum cone materials and Diamond Dome tweeters in higher-end applications. DSP is used to account for cabin reflections, seat positioning, and material absorption, with selectable audio profiles and customizable sound staging provided through the BMW iDrive interface.
This partnership reflects a larger trend in the automotive industry where high-end audio brands work with car manufacturers to differentiate premium models. For Bowers & Wilkins, the BMW relationship complements its other automotive partnerships with brands like McLaren and Volvo, expanding the brand’s presence across a broader customer base.
BMW has positioned Bowers & Wilkins audio as a key luxury feature, particularly in its flagship and electrified vehicles. As BMW continues to roll out new electric models and expand digital features in its cars, Bowers & Wilkins systems have remained a consistent offering in vehicles where sound quality is a priority for buyers.
The partnership continues as of 2025, with Bowers & Wilkins systems featured in new BMW model launches. Both companies emphasize the collaborative nature of their work, involving joint development during early vehicle design phases and extensive testing to ensure acoustic accuracy and reliability over time.
