B&O System is garbage

[Zengineer]

I have a convertible. I use my XM through my phone app. I have no problem with the top down. I have no problem with the quality.

Same here. It's a metal box the size of a closet. I don't need or expect it will sound like my home theater.

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[agreywolfe]

I don't have any issues with the sound system, windows up the radios enough to overpower any road noise at 14 volume. Windows down 16 is enough for highway speeds. Granted I'm not listening to regular FM or satellite radio, I've got Spotify on Android auto getting boosted by Dolby Atmos.

 

[Zig]

$90 sub will be more than almost any OEM speaker value in any car.

Click on ignore if you don't want to read my comments

Although the mach 460/1000 from days gone by wasn’t exactly terrible.

 

[rugedraw]

When you go to a concert, be it Rock, Pop, or classical, where does the sound mainly come from?
From the front. Rear is only acoustic reflexion, called "reverb".
In audiophile, especially car hifi audiophile world, what is tried to establish with priority #1 is therefore the so called "Front Staging".
You unlikely turn your back towards the stage of a performer and so focus on front speakers also in a car makes sense.
Many car hifi guys either disconnect their rearspeakers altogether and use all their money and amplifier channels for the front speakers, or install cheaper speakers in the rear just for what is called in car hifi "rear fill" where they are playing very quietly.

I completely agree with this.

With that said and to the OP's point: I hate it. I prefer to listen to my music in a true surround format instead of a "front staged" strategy. Unfortunately, the only way it seems you can get around this in Ford vehicles tuned by B&O is to go aftermarket.

 

[LETHAL]

My biggest complaint with the B&O, is the consistency of the volume and power. Even with speed volume turned off. Songs start off strong, and then weaken. Mostly with the sub frequencies. My guess is the factory amp heating up.

I will be adding one of my subs and amp to the'24 at a minimum. I may even use the OEM enclosure with a few aftermarket subs in mind.

 

[smurfslayer]

Not sure why you would drive at 70mph in a modern car with the windows down?

Because sport mode sounds musical, that’s why ;-)

 

[rugedraw]

My biggest complaint with the B&O, is the consistency of the volume and power. Even with speed volume turned off. Songs start off strong, and then weaken. Mostly with the sub frequencies. My guess is the factory amp heating up.

I will be adding one of my subs and amp to the'24 at a minimum. I may even use the OEM enclosure with a few aftermarket subs in mind.

That is a common problem with bass roll off at high volumes on the B&O systems. I have an amp with aftermarket subs in my truck and it would do the same since I tapped into the factory sub to get a signal to the aftermarket amp. I had to use an LC2i module to circumvent the issue. A Kicker Keylock would be the best way to go, but I was able to get a really good deal on an LC2i and went that route instead. You may want to consider doing the same because I'm sure the bass roll off will still be there for you, too.

 

[LETHAL]

That is a common problem with bass roll off at high volumes on the B&O systems. I have an amp with aftermarket subs in my truck and it would do the same since I tapped into the factory sub to get a signal to the aftermarket amp. I had to use an LC2i module to circumvent the issue. A Kicker Keylock would be the best way to go, but I was able to get a really good deal on an LC2i and went that route instead. You may want to consider doing the same because I'm sure the bass roll off will still be there for you, too.

I have an LC7i from a previous install.

 

[jboogie1289]

I completely agree with this.

With that said and to the OP's point: I hate it. I prefer to listen to my music in a true surround format instead of a "front staged" strategy. Unfortunately, the only way it seems you can get around this in Ford vehicles tuned by B&O is to go aftermarket.

Thank you for pointing that out @rugedraw, the system is “Designed/Tuned” by B&O but is still a Ford Stereo build. I myself, can tell the differences from the S550 to the S650 and it does sound quite nice to my ears. There are subtle differences that can be heard and I do not have to crank my volume past 13 on the freeway doing 70~ mph with windows midway down. It’s a satisfactory system for the car and may or may not touch on the “Premium“ side. The Bose System in my Wife‘s Porsche is nice but I feel like the GT‘s sounds has it beat. Again, everyones ears are different and hears things differently.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I agree, the B&O sound system is pretty crap. The only reason I care was because I was paying extra for it and I was excited to have an upgraded sound system. I've heard Bose sound systems in other cars that sounded great, so I was excited. Not sure why the B&O system sounds muffled and not high quality. I've even created a thread here about it as well. I've just come to terms that it is what it is, and just enjoy the car. As someone who loves to listen to music, I wish it was better, but there is not much you can do at this point except what most people have done which is change out the sub.

 

[BoostRabbitGT]

I completely agree with this.

With that said and to the OP's point: I hate it. I prefer to listen to my music in a true surround format instead of a "front staged" strategy. Unfortunately, the only way it seems you can get around this in Ford vehicles tuned by B&O is to go aftermarket.

If the B&O had a true surround format I think it'd be worth optioning. But from my S650 test drive experience I felt like I had to change the car equalizer settings per song from my phone in order for it to sound passable/good, which I think is worse than the nine speaker setup I currently have in my '19 EcoBoost.

 

[Farmer Fran]

This could explain it, or not

2024 Ford Mustang To Offer Reduced Capacity Amplifier Option (fordauthority.com)

 

[Gregs24]

My biggest complaint with the B&O, is the consistency of the volume and power. Even with speed volume turned off. Songs start off strong, and then weaken. Mostly with the sub frequencies. My guess is the factory amp heating up.

I will be adding one of my subs and amp to the'24 at a minimum. I may even use the OEM enclosure with a few aftermarket subs in mind.

That is the source - especially radio where the signal is flattened. Nothing to do with the car

 

[135Hoser]

$90 sub will be more than almost any OEM speaker value in any car.

Click on ignore if you don't want to read my comments

Okay bud, Feel free to take your own advice too.

Also, I don't have the buying power of Ford, GM, Hyundai, BMW, etc.

Again, it's a $2650 USD option on GT premium cars, and a single component gets outclassed by a $90 retail sub?

The value for money here is sub-par imo.

 

[Farmer Fran]

The fact is Ford and BO should be ashamed of themselves for even acknowledging this system let alone putting it in a vehicle.

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