Stock S3 Stereo VS B&O

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Sep 2, 2017 | 10:28 PM

arU4ic

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From: San Francisco, CA

Stock S3 Stereo VS B&O

I'm kind of an audiophile, but don't put much money into my car systems - I save it for the home set-up. When ordering my 2018, I wanted the B&O upgrade - I liked the stock system, but this is really a different system, everything is better, much better:

- The system definitely covers more range and with much better definition, I think the sub really hits the 20hz range and the mains seem to fill in starting around 50hz - pretty good for an OEM car system.
- Efficiency is up considerably, particularly the sub and bass - much better sound at lower volume
- Even with the surround sound off, there is great sound separation in stereo
- All methods of playing music sound good now (Well, expect ****ty, compressed Sirius.) CD is the best sound - it was ok in the 2015 Stock system, but the pre-amplification is better in the B&O
- I use my iphone with a low-compression music player so I can play flac and aiff files and control equalization - when I compared this app and the standard AAC files playing in iTunes there is much less quality difference than the standard system in my 2015 - the B&O really, somehow, seems to make-up for the difference in compression
- I don't use bluetooth audio - but might do a test just for posterity

Short version: get it - I know it's part of the tech package for the S3, but in the future or in the A3 - get it - its worth the money... no doubt.

Sep 3, 2017 | 04:37 AM

Nachos Libres

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From: Tyler, TX

Thanks. I'm not an audiophile, but I don't like to listen to crap either. Can you tell me what your audio settings are? Also, I've spent probably 15 minutes in my car playing music via bluetooth and then switch to USB and I honestly can't tell a sound quality difference in either. I prefer bluetooth because it is just easier to use, it usually automatically starts playing where it left off when you start the car, and the album art seems to work better on it. I had read that USB has better sound quality but I honestly couldn't tell a difference and I really tried to hear it.

Sep 3, 2017 | 10:37 PM

arU4ic

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Joined: May 2004

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From: San Francisco, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nachos Libres

My audio settings are Bass 50%, Treble 90% and Subwoofer 100%

DO NOT DO THIS IF YOU LIKE Bluetooth - and I get it, it is WAY more convenient, I agree;

If you want to hear a difference listen at medium to high volume to something is good bass, or listen to something with high-hat drum sounds - the bass won't be as low and the high frequency high-hat will sounds like your listening to it through window fan.

At low volume I can really tell either - so be happy - ignore me.

Sep 4, 2017 | 12:31 AM

festuc

Audiworld Junior Member

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 25

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From: Madrid

Hello,

So for example, playing from an iPhone music, or spotify, does bluetooth have less quality than cabled / carplay?

What's the recomended source from music, CD/ SD / USB Drive / CarPlay / Cabled from iPhone (without car play), etc...

Thanks.

Thanks!

Sep 4, 2017 | 09:08 AM

perryaj

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Joined: Sep 2017

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Now I am starting to wonder if there it something wrong with the B&O in my RS3.

I'm not an audiophile. I am generally happy with mid-range systems that have decent balance and range. My car sounds flat, muddy, and piercing all at the same time. The mids are almost non-existent, and the bass - when present - is horrible. The door components distort at around 60% volume, and the sub causes rattles in the back deck.

I've tried every input aside from SD cards (Bluetooth, Android Auto, Wifi, USB) and they are all similarly bad when above 50% volume regardless of source material.

I was not planning on touching the stereo at all, but already started getting in touch with reputable installers to see about getting a DSP + speakers & amps to replace the stock stuff. Feel like I'm taking crazy pills.

Sep 4, 2017 | 12:17 PM

Timmay

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Joined: May 2005

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Certainly sounds like something is wrong with your B&O because it's a very good system. You may want to have it looked at.

Sep 4, 2017 | 07:34 PM

arU4ic

Thread Starter

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Joined: May 2004

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From: San Francisco, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by festuc

With most streaming services (like you mention here) AND using bluetooth - you are dealing with multiple compression schemes - 1 for the streaming and then the one bluetooth is using. Basically this is the worst option (well, really second worst, sirius is the worst - super high-compression/bad quality). If you really love steaming services, USB or Audio AUX cable for best listening.

CD has the lowest compression/ highest quality - scientifically the best option. I'd put listening options in this order:

1. CDs - btw, 1411kbps
2. Low-compression audio files from SD card or Smartphone/iPad (FLAC, AIFF, Apple Lossless files) - around 400-600 kbps
3. Streaming (iTunes/Apple Music, Spotify, etc.) - about 192 kbps
4. Satellite Radio - 64 kbps
5. Your kids singing Lorde songs

Order of connection options for external devices

1. Analog Audio AUX connection* - no bit rate limit
2. Plain USB* - but with no DAC*
3. Bluetooth

(If you noticed, I left out wireless internet - I have no data on stream rates or frequency bands for this method)

* USB can be 'bridged' with a high-end DAC to increase quality, sometimes significantly, but this is rare in a portable device.
* Lower kbps mean that music definition is reduced