B&O sound system

[Boarderbra]

What are your thoughts on the sound system in your truck? I like having a nice sounding stereo. The wife’s Lincoln has the B&O and I think it sounds great! I usually upgrade my truck with aftermarket systems, but am excited to maybe not have to do that. Reading other comments, I see that some are not happy with the speakers. I want to hear more opinions.
Thanks

 

[ICT Tremor]

The B&O isn't terrible, it just isn't fitting of being called "premium" or carrying the B&O label. It's certainly better than the standard systems in most non-premium vehicles today. Personally, I think it sounds a little muddy and lacking in clarity, but like any system that's properly powered it can get reasonably loud before distortion is a thing.

I would have happily paid another $2K or $3K for a truly premium system, and its too bad that isn't an option. I bet it will be in the next gen Super Duty, if the new F-150 is any indication. The new F-150 has what some consider to be a legitimate premium option sound system.

 

[abill]

It is OK, but nothing absolutely spectacular. If you are used to upgrading I would only assume that you will ultimately want to upgrade this one as well. While its not the worst system I have ever heard, it is most definitely NOT equal-to or better than the "nice " systems that many luxury SUV's come equipped with. JMHO

 

[Daimyo68]

I think the B&O system is ok. It doesn't su@k, but it isn't omg.

Definitely see myself upgrading speakers and possibly other aspects in the future.

It's not as loud as my previous f150 Sony 700w system, but does sound better imo

 

[Deus]

It's not a bad system but far from a good one. At higher volumes you'll turn up the volume knob and notice the highs and lows aren't getting any louder, the quality of the bass is rapidly degrading, and just the mids are louder.

Unfortunately, there is a premium for having this upgraded system in that you pay more for it up front and pay more when you want to upgrade as its $250+ in parts just to get a clean signal.

 

[strogg]

The system works. It's not the worst I've heard by any stretch of the imagination, but it's not jaw dropping spectacular. My initial impression when I first heard it was very disappointing. I was hoping for a lot more. To be honest, I was just as disappointed when I demoed their home audio systems. To most people, it will sound just fine.

Just for kicks, I went ahead and did a frequency response and THD test on the system. It is difficult to do since all the speakers are mounted inside a vehicle with me in the driver seat. Not to mention that I had to push the audio through bluetooth. When I listened to the output sweep, I definitely heard a lot of audible distortion mainly on the lows and highs. The THD measurement didn't surprise me, but keep in mind some of the distortion is so extreme that the program didn't pick it up. That is, tweeter frequencies coming from the bass sweep, as well as frequencies lower than the target frequency being output above 5khz. I'm guessing most if not all of that is coming from the bluetooth audio compression. Lastly, this is just a baseline THD measurement. Distortion will climb up as volume goes up. I merely measured it at around the same levels I listen to while on the road. I don't exactly blare my music.

 

[davidb1841]

I play my music loud, and I find with the B&O I run out of volume......I wish it had about 25% more power. The sound is decent - but a better amp and cleaner sounding speakers with more defined base would be a huge improvement. So a speaker replacement would be cheap but only a small upgrade. If you want truly good sound and tight base (rock or country), your probably gonna spend 1.5-3K and that is with keeping the factory head unit.

 

[Jonnyguitar]

I only listen to Motorhead and Led Zeppelin so it isn't a problem. LOL! I had an F150 King Ranch way back that had a subwoofer under the rear seat and I would say that Ford Premium sound system beats the current B & O, but I can't complain. My significant other has an Audi with a B & O, and it sounds about the same. She listens to a lot of Thin Lizzy. That's right, we old!!!

 

[Boarderbra]

Thanks for the comments. I guess I will put more items on my list of things to buy. I think it will be ok for the meantime. Kinda how I feel about the suspension, wheels and tires. They are fine for now, but once I pay the truck off I would like to upgrade. I don’t have the money to buy a new truck and then immediately start upgrading it. I keep my trucks for a long time so it’s nice to things to do to it over the years. I think it’s the nicest stock truck you can get, can’t wait for mine!

 

[Jericho]

I sincerely think the system is garbage, made of garbage materials.

Plastic baskets? Really?

I've purchased replacements for every component in the system, save the sync display. Even then I would consider swapping that out if the quality of the aftermarket tablet screens were to improve.

 

[Boarderbra]

I sincerely think the system is garbage, made of garbage materials.

Plastic baskets? Really?

I've purchased replacements for every component in the system, save the sync display. Even then I would consider swapping that out if the quality of the aftermarket tablet screens were to improve.

What did you install? I currently have JL Audio sub and mb quart speakers in my old truck.

 

[MTTremor]

• ZEN A2B module from NAVTV
• JL AUDIO VX800/8i
• JL AUDIO VX600/1i
• JL AUDIO 10TW3-D4
• FOCAL FLAX 165FX
• FOCAL FLAX 165FC

 

[Dutch061]

It will far exceed my expectations, especially since I rarely turn a radio on. They do nothing but give me a headache, makes my wife scratch her head when I can drive for hours in complete silence outside of conversation. My mind is constantly whirring, like a hamster on a wheel.

 

[ccw]

Would there be enough benefit to swapping the amp without changing speakers to save on cost?

Should get more volume and a better signal, right?

 

[RedZilla]

It's better than anything I've ever had. I'm more than satisfied with the system as is. If you are an audiophile you probably won't be.

 

[Jjetjock]

My 2017 F250 has the Sony system in it while my 2018 F150 has the B&O system. They are both King Ranch trim. The Sony in my opinion is ten times better.

 

[theringworm8]

The B&O in the 19-21s is better than the Bose system in the 17 model. However the best stock system I have heard was in the 15. The sub was amazing for a stock setup.

 

[Jericho]

What did you install? I currently have JL Audio sub and mb quart speakers in my old truck.

You're a solid step above me. I had to budget my own against the other upgrades to be purchased.

Hertz MP 70.3
Hertz MPK 165.3
Hertz MPX 165.3
Kicker CompRT 12"

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Rockford Fosgate T400X4ad (x2)
Rockford Fosgate T750X1bd (x1)
Zen-A2B

 

[davidb1841]

Would there be enough benefit to swapping the amp without changing speakers to save on cost?

Should get more volume and a better signal, right?

Speakers are not expensive

 

[Dark Horse Fred]

I only listen to Motorhead and Led Zeppelin so it isn't a problem. LOL! I had an F150 King Ranch way back that had a subwoofer under the rear seat and I would say that Ford Premium sound system beats the current B & O, but I can't complain. My significant other has an Audi with a B & O, and it sounds about the same. She listens to a lot of Thin Lizzy. That's right, we old!!!

me too