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It is better than the midlevel BMW stereo that was standard on my 2014 428i. The US version got an upgraded stereo that was put together by Harman Kardon. I thought it was okay for a base stereo, but the branded premium HK stereo was much better from when I listened to it. Clarity was much better.
From what I have read on here, the base stereo is pretty horrific and shameful. So unless you just listen to AM or talk radio, the B&O is a must. That said, I think B&O is one of these companies that market better than what they actually produce. It is how I feel about Bose as well. For me that the stereo causes so much buzzing is a big negative - shouldn't be the case on an upgraded stereo. I also think the coupe buyers have it better since we get a 10" woofer in the deck and the sportback gets a small 6.5" in the spare tire. |
I don't get any rattles or anything and I think when tweaked it sounds very good. I posted some suggested settings in another thread that could make a difference:
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud.../#post24995802 I think 3D set at the lowest level is important since the system won't use all the speakers with it turned down but IMO it sounds too hollow set any higher than that. Some find that changing the Focus setting to Rear helps -- I don't like that setting to so I don't know why that seems to help for some. |
For my part I think there is definitely a major issue with the rattles. Some base tones will set off the worst rattles i've seen in a car. While other tones will produce a clean sound.
My other issue is the front door speaker, again these have a serious issue with some base frequencies and just sound like pure crap. Ideally i would like to upgrade the front door speakers and rattle-proof the rear deck and front doors. |
Originally Posted by bk6000
(Post 25146841)
Agreed. What are your thoughts on the 3D / Surround settings? Those seem gimmicky to me and make the sound quality worse IMO.
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Originally Posted by bk6000
(Post 25146677)
Does anyone agree with me that the upgraded B&O sound system sucks? I'm wondering if it is just a licensing deal where Audi gets to put the "Bang and Olufsen" name on the sound system when they aren't really anything special.
Both of my older Volvos (S60 and S40) had better sound systems and weren't even the upgraded versions. Just drove a 2018 Mazda 3 rental that also had a better sound system. My issues with it are that just about every speaker buzzes/rattles and lacks proper bass. Turning up the subwoofer and bass a little bit improves the bass but also just amplifies the buzzing and rattling. I know Audi sometimes fixes these issues by adding material around the speakers, but I doubt I would be able to complain about the entire system and see if they can stop the rattling on every door panel. It just lacks a feeling of fullness and tightness in the sound. I've thought about installing a subwoofer in the trunk which I've heard would help quite a bit, but I would still be annoyed by all the door panel noise. Does anyone have any suggestions or solutions? I used to to be an audiophile when in my 20s and 30s but my high feq hearing is gone. Sucks but it is what it is. When I worked for philips recording company, I could hear a 2db drop in frequencies but not now lol. I think for the average enthuest, they would be very happy. For the true audiophile, maybe not but come on. A car is not an ideal listing room |
Originally Posted by caranddriver
(Post 25147015)
That said, I think B&O is one of these companies that market better than what they actually produce. It is how I feel about Bose as well. For me that the stereo causes so much buzzing is a big negative - shouldn't be the case on an upgraded stereo. I also think the coupe buyers have it better since we get a 10" woofer in the deck and the sportback gets a small 6.5" in the spare tire.
The low quality "B&O" in the A4 has more to do with HK. Bose on the other hand, is just terrible, period. They are nothing but a marketing genius. |
Originally Posted by JDA_yeg
(Post 25147427)
B&O produces excellent quality products with great sound quality. The real B&O out there do produce well. The problem with these "B&O" speakers in our automotive is that they are not made by B&O anymore, but by Harmon Kardon. HK bought out the automotive share of from B&O. The B&O system you can purchase for the Q7 for instance (a whooping $5000 upgrade+) is what a real B&O should sound like.
The low quality "B&O" in the A4 has more to do with HK. Bose on the other hand, is just terrible, period. They are nothing but a marketing genius. B9 was designed around 2011-2012 and the development was completed in 2015. HK acquired B&O in April 2015 so the B&O in the B9 is not an HK designed/developed system. B&O in the B8 was also pretty inexpensive $800 option and sounded like a true premium audio system. Rear parcel shelf and speaker trim rattles are more likely the result of factory defects not a flow in the sound system. |
Originally Posted by djworland
(Post 25147268)
mine sounds awesome. XM not so much. I guess it’s the compression used. I don’t have the hearing I used to, I’m in my late 50s but I don’t get buzzing from base till I get so loud it hurts to listen. Right around the distortion level. I used to to be an audiophile when in my 20s and 30s but my high feq hearing is gone. Sucks but it is what it is. When I worked for philips recording company, I could hear a 2db drop in frequencies but not now lol. I think for the average enthuest, they would be very happy. For the true audiophile, maybe not but come on. A car is not an ideal listing room I agree: problem is a car is a terrible acoustic space. That's why B&O is doing lots of DSP gimmicks - trying to make it more immersive. I'm fine with it. |
So what's everyone's recommended settings for everything? Treble, bass, 3D surround, focus, etc?
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Originally Posted by chemengin
(Post 25147494)
So what's everyone's recommended settings for everything? Treble, bass, 3D surround, focus, etc?
I still think Driver focus in the B8.5 was way better. And with the subwoofer swap I did it was sexy. But I'm happy enough with these settings. |
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