Mark P

2014 Q5 TDI
Glacier White Metallic / Black Interior
Sport Interior Pkg
S Line Plus Pkg
MMI Navigation plus
Tow Hitch

I figure I'll get a trunk mat separately, perhaps at a better price. I see ECS has the OEM one for about the same price as bought with car, and another version for only $50 (however the non-slip stuff looks like it would be a pain to clean, kind of defeating the purpose of the mat in the first place).

I'm tempted by the B&O, but honestly have not listened to either unit. I just assumed I would get the stock system so I haven't paid attention. Now I am starting to think about getting the upgrade. Should I consider it? I used to be a big audiophile but then went cold turkey to stock stereo in my '02 S4 and ever since. I typically just leave the same Top40 station on the radio or maybe 1 CD in the player. I have iPods but rarely use them... Anyway, what are others' experiences?

I also don't like the dark titanium S Line 20" wheels, so I'll have to trade or buy aftermarket after delivery. Hartmann HRS4-252-GS 20" would be my choice of their wheels, or maybe the silver version of the titanium ones (HRS6-204-GS), or the 2013 S-Line 20" wheels...

idale

Obviously it's all subjective for each individual, but I just yesterday went in to do a quick listen to base and B&O in a Q5 (they actually had non-B&O vehicles on the lot) with some of my various music to see how they worked. My expectation was that either would be fine but the B&O would be better, and that seemed to hold up with the B&O sounding a bit clearer and the bass wasn't as boomy as in the base system (turning down the bass in the standard system to -2 or so helped that a little, though).

Of course, them both being reasonable enough systems for my usage (low volume high-bitrate MP3s) doesn't make for an easy determination, but I figure I'll try and get the B&O and just cut it if I need to control costs (which is where most options are -- don't know how much in option costs we'll be comfortable with until pricing is released).

As long as you aren't being critical, I would expect the base system to be fine for your purposes, too, especially if you listen to the radio a lot ("overcompressed mess" should sound equally bad ). You could always check with your dealer if they have any non-B&O vehicles on the lot to compare with (in addition to the Q5, the allroad, A4 and A5 share the same setup so should be "close enough" if there's not base-audio Q5s around -- B&O should be easy enough to find). I just brought an SD card with me with songs I wanted to use, but you could use a CD as well and just spend a few minutes playing with the audio controls and see how each works for you.

D_Frost

Echoing what idale said, if critical listening is a must then B&O definitely has a bit of advantage. However, road noise and environmental factors will probably cut into that advantage a bit. Also, as noted, the B&O's bass is slightly 'weaker' than the stock system and the subwoofer is often considered for aftermarket upgrades.

MP4.2+6.0

That is, that options costs are controllable. I of course get what you mean, but being sober from watching prior Audis like this with an already warmed up following: Won't surprise me at all if car is at least initially allocated, and could be for a year plus. Having watched it on the Q7's w/ TDI for their first few years, they were quite the local (SF BAY Area) fashionable large SUV for a while. Led to the vehicles being really packed on options, and I expect not much way around it.

If I were a dealer with an allocated car, I would likely be doing the same thing to improve my margins. And while an order might seem a way around it, that assumes they will both write an order and that the order doesn't count against allocations. But I expect the order would counrt against any allocations on U.S. deliveries.

Best hopes I guess are either it doesn't go on allocation, or getting order in before the larger demand hits, if it does beyond the initial pent up enthusiast demand.

soonerfan

I have the B&O now and was wondering about deleting it on my 2014 TDI order, so I went to the dealership and listened to the Concert radio in a 2013 Q5. Now, I don't play the stereo at a high volume and listen to the news, my iPod music, and some FM. Some of the time it is muted....so the bottom line is: No B&O for my next Q5. I'm positive I'll be just as happy with the Concert system.

FOUR FLUSHER

I'm very happy with the base radio, but considering what you're ordering, what's another $850. I love the S-Line wheels on white.

Parsec

Mark: First, congrats on deciding to take the plunge. Which car is this replacing, your A3 or the wife's Tiguan?

Here is a pretty good summary of both systems written by a member who owns both systems:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...46&postcount=4

Q5 Bob

I bought my '13 off the lot and it had the B&O system on it. I don't usually order cars and ordinarily I wouldn't have ponied up the $850 for it, but it does sound good. I listen to satellite radio a lot and it does a good job with that format.

No regrets. I'm glad to have it but could have easily lived without it too.

Mark P

Thanks, good info! Replacing the A3 as my daily driver - more space *and* better fuel economy The Tig is perfect for her.

larryV

I had the B&O in my '10 and on several occasions had a Q5 loaner without it. Honesty, it's not worth the premium because it's nothing special. The B&O in the A4/A5/Q5 is nowhere near the sound fidelity of the B&O in the A6/A7/A8. I understand that the latter costs quite a bit more but having heard the base system in my loaner Q5s, which already sounds decent, I still don't feel the Q5 B&O is worth it despite the relatively modest premium compared to the A8 system. For the record, I'm only a recovering audiophile (2 years sober) but by no means an audio expert. The fact that this is going in a car that doesn't have the greatest road noise isolation among Audi models thanks to the panoramic roof and other factors, makes it not so great of a value.

Having said that, I did order my SQ5 with the B&O only because I wanted all the other stuff that comes in the prestige package that it's bundled with (rear window shades, thermo cup holders, etc)