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Learn More About The 36-speaker AKG Sound System In The 2021 Cadillac Escalade: Video

The 2021 Cadillac Escalade is available with a high-end, 36-speaker audio system developed by Harman, which is officially referred to by the American luxury automaker as the AKG Studio Reference sound system.

Cadillac hired American rapper, actor, filmmaker and record producer Robert Diggs, better known by his stage name RZA, to appear in an advertisement highlighting the exclusive AKG audio system in the 2021 Escalade, which the automaker uploaded to its YouTube channel this week.

“Perfect sound can only arrive through symmetry and function,” RZA says in the voiceover for the 60-second long advertisement. “Each speaker must deliver a specific sonic tone, in perfect harmony so that new sounds can arrive at the auditory nerves with the precision of a sharpened blade.”

The Studio Reference sound system is the first-ever AKG audio system installed in a production vehicle. AKG has its roots in the music industry, with legendary musicians like Frank Sinatra, The Rolling Stones and Aerosmith, using the company’s microphones and headphones when in the recording studio and when performing live. The 36-speaker sound system is powered by 28 amplifier channels, providing an intimate, 360-degree sound experience for vehicle occupants – whether they are in the driver’s seat, or way back in the third row.

The AKG Studio Reference system comes standard on the 2021 Cadillac Escalade Premium Luxury Platinum and Sport Platinum trim levels, and is also available on the Premium Luxury and Sport trims. The audio system has generated quite a buzz for Cadillac, with Motor Trend referring to it as one of “the best car audio systems on the market, period.”

Check out the 60-second ad spot embedded below to hear what RZA has to say about the studio-quality AKG audio system available in the 2021 Cadillac Escalade.

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Sam loves to write and has a passion for auto racing, karting and performance driving of all types.

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Comments

  1. Although not in the market for a vehicle like the Escalade, I can’t wait to hear one in person. I’m no expert, but do know what I like for sound with the type of music I like. In my CT4, I have the 14 speaker Bose and it’s nice. In my Volvo S60, that has the Harmon Kardon upgraded speakers. They are also ok, but don’t have the sound my Bose has. Volvo also offers the Bowers and Wilkins sound which is great, but at a steep price of $3200. No thanks.

    The absolute best sound system I’ve ever listened to was in the Cadillac CT6 with the Bose Panaray system. To this day, I dream of having a really clean and low miles used CT6 with the Panaray. If this AKG is as good or better than the Panaray, then that’s a great thing.

    Reply
    1. This AKG system is impressive. I stayed in the Escalade for an hour after my test drive listening to different music. I like everything about the Escalade except its ICE powered, if it was EV I would have bought it in a second.

      I was so -so on the Bose Panaray system in the CT6, it was good, but not “best car system I have ever heard good”.

      Reply
      1. Please buy that EV. Then I’ll enjoy laughing when you end up stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery.
        Seeing a Tesla on a tow truck makes my day.

        Reply
        1. Wow, Sucks to be you… a person who gets rise out of another persons struggles… Yuck!

          Reply
      2. Donavan: Thanks for sharing that. I’m excited to hear it although I won’t be buying one. But maybe the AKG system will make it’s way down stream?

        Isn’t the Slade supposed to be coming out with a hybrid or all electric one soon?

        Reply
        1. EV escalade will be unveiled soon..

          Reply
          1. Do u have an info about it?

            What about the Celestiq show car?

            Reply
            1. Patience, you will see both, and other Ev models from GM this year. I am not in GM marketing, and have no idea when they want to show each of these models, but the show cars are all built, and could be unveiled anytime, it’s just a matter of GM’s marketing plan.

              Reply
  2. It will be amusing to watch fools throw away serious $$$$$ trying to fix this silly 30+ speaker sound system.
    I’ll stick to my 12 speaker Harmon Kardon Logic7 system.

    Reply
    1. This is a Harman Kardon system. AKG is a brand of Harman International, which is owned by Samsung.

      Reply
      1. Yes, they were acquired by HK, but AKG still designs their own equipment.

        Reply
  3. Wondering if a factory system can outpace aftermarket systems, especially not cutting out interior panels to fit the customer’s stereo inside, that’s a big plus.

    Reply
  4. Why rely on a rapper whose songs are full of N-word, misogyny, racism, sexual degeneracy… Is this character the right brand representative for Cadillac. You don’t sell sneakers to teenagers, how much of the hundred grand luxury car buyer audience overlap with this dude’s fanbase.

    What? You say you have to give away your three billion dollar advertisement budget to blacks or you get blackmailed. Yeah that was what i thought.

    Reply
    1. Where you’re from you don’t need a rap song nor blacks to hear the N-bomb. Probably never even heard of a vehicle outside of a pickup or a woman outside the family…..

      Reply
  5. I’d be happy with a CD player in my CT4. The Bose sound system is compromised by the quality of Sirius/XM broadcasts.

    Reply
    1. Get a USB stick or portable hard drive and load it with FLAC or WAV files. I believe it also does ALAC if you got Apple devices, but never tried.

      Reply
      1. Yeah, I’ve heard that crap before. You’re not helping. It’s a royal pain the ass to download all your CDs on a thumb drive. I want a CD player as part of a top drawer sound system.

        Reply
  6. I’ve said it before……….take a gorilla, put on high end designer clothing, jewelry, make-up, a wig, lipstick…..whatever, and you still have a gorilla………..a Chevy Suburban, is a Chevy Suburban, is a Chevy Suburban……..the Escalade will NEVER be a flagship luxury vehicle and doesn’t even come close to my 2020 Cadillac CT6 Platinum with a TT V8, reclining heated and cooled rear seats with lubar , a Panaray sound system, DVD screens that rise from the seat backs, power rear sunshade, and side window sun shades, but most of all………a TRUNK, that isolates whatever you have in it, from the passenger compartment………..also a better, more stable ride, with the world famous Omega chassis, than you can get from a Chevy truck chassis. The second, and third row seats are about as comfortable as school bus seats……………..All this, for only $100,000+

    Cadillac /GM must make $30,000 on each one they sell,…………….but then as a stockholder I luv it………………………….

    Reply
  7. I would love to buy one but Escalades are $10K to $30K over MSRP right now and take 90 days from the time you place your order.

    Reply

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