Is the B&O really that bad?

[DUSTYcazOREGON]

Have on order an OB with the Lux package. Pretty pricey. Keep seeing posts and YouTube videos about how bad the speakers are in the upgraded system. Anyone enjoying it? Is Lux the only way to get the larger screen in an Outer Banks?

I have the B&O in my Ranger Tremor but not in my Bronco. Personally...I think it is great and I don't get the negativity. That said when it comes to music and listening quality...we all have different "standards" and likes/dislikes. EX: My stereo at home cost $800.00. I have a friend that is a listening connoisseur...his is over $60K.

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[BostonSasquatch]

I ordered a "High" package Badlands, ended up buying a "Lux" off the lot. (Yeah, obscene markup, but no regrets.) With this disclaimer: I'm 76 and my hearing is not what it used to be, I'm very satisfied with the B&O sound. If I'm working near the truck, I can crank it up without distortion.

DUSTYcasOREG, above you make an interesting point with your friend's $60K home music system. He's obviously a high-maintenance aficionado, and I wonder about how "the law of diminishing returns" applies to that much investment.

If you're unfamiliar with that "law," it goes like this: "As your costs increase exponentially, your product quality goes up arithmetically. Suppose you buy a Chevy at $50K, and your neighbor buys a Cadillac twin at $100K. Did he get twice the car quality for twice the price? No, he probably got 1/4 or 1/3 "more car."

Something to think about as you indulge in accessories and upgrades on your truck!

 

[Inlinejohn]

Each ear is different and expectations all over the place but I love my B&O except now I got a rattle in the sub to fix..I plan to tighten up everything and put some sound proofing material around it

 

[najay]

The B&O does not sound as good as some of my other systems. I upgraded the speakers and it was minimally better, but I am still not happy with it.

 

[Bikeric]

I initially liked the B&O because it was much better than my previous two vehicle stereo's, but I later wanted to improve it. I swapped out the dash, kick panel and rear pod speakers and that made a big improvement, for me. Now I want to swap the amp on the sub and replace the sub with something better (and fix the current rattle).
B&O is OK, but not as good as my 2001 Silverado with factory Bose, which was about 5 vehicles ago.

 

[timhood]

I wonder if most complaints are from Bronco XL owners and relate partly to how far back the rear speakers are. I don't find that issue in the 2-door. I made minor adjustments to the sound stage and found the overall sound is very good. I haven't had any issues with vibration from the sub, which I can see would be annoying, but I'm not sure that would be a fault of the stereo as opposed to the installation. Also, I don't listen to satellite radio because the sound quality is 1990s MP3-level of crap. HD radio (for free) is far better. My personal library is 256-bit AAC, which is comparable to CD quality or 320-bit MP3.

 

[SouthEnd]

I have it in my 2 door WT - it's pretty good overall, but the sub does rattle at some frequencies, I want to see about getting that fixed, and i'll be happy.

 

[bradcd]

I find it depends greatly on the quality of the music, standard radio sounds like garbage. Lossless Apple music sounds good I'd say. Biggest complaint is the sub vibrations

Well that's a sign of good speakers then. Good speakers bring out all of the imperfections and let you hear everything.

 

[Panzer948]

This entire thread is very confusing to me. For "all" on here that say you like the B&O (or feel it is adequate), have you ever driven with your top off on the highway? If not, then you need to indicate that as this vehicle is very different from your average Camry. Hey, I think it's ok for normal driving too, but as soon as my top comes off (and doors for that matter) and I take it on a road with 55 mph and up, I can't hardly hear a thing. That is the problem I have with it. Its like Ford designed the B&O with no thought in mind for a topless vehicle. At least my 81 Jeep CJ5 is simple enough that a few cheap DIY upgrades can get some decent sounding audio with the top off. I'm still trying to figure out the best way to update the B&O while keeping the Ford Sync system (hence why I am reading this thread).

Also, there is a similar thread going on (that I just replied too) that indicates those of us that replaced our factory speakers (which I am one) did so at a disservice to topless sound quality. See here: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/b-o-stereo-upgrade-save-some-money.76034/#post-1965171 Evidently the factory speakers are designed to play louder than most aftermarket high fidelity speakers for the designed OEM power. So when driving topless, the B&O is now harder to hear. Just cant win to lose...

 

[Phil B]

You know, I think I'm getting some crackles out of my middle dash speaker. If it is busted I'm taking back my defense of this B&O system...

I'm having issues with my middle dash speaker too. Not just music, crackles listening to audiobooks. Sounds like the cone is rattling to me.

 

[bradcd]

I'm having issues with my middle dash speaker too. Not just music, crackles listening to audiobooks. Sounds like the cone is rattling to me.

Is your center dash USB cover uncapped? Was listening to music loud the other day and wondered if the speaker vibrations were making my cap flop around and rattle.

 

[Phil B]

Is your center dash USB cover uncapped? Was listening to music loud the other day and wondered if the speaker vibrations were making my cap flop around and rattle.

I have a phone plugged into the USB port there

 

[bradcd]

I have a phone plugged into the USB port there

Lol so your cap's flopping around then?

 

[Phil B]

Lol so your cap's flopping around then?

Yes. It's rubber, so probably not the source of what I'm hearing. It sounds just like a blown speaker when it makes the noise. What's got me scratching my head is that sometimes it's bad, sometimes it's not. It definitely makes the same noise if I play the same song, but is it possible it's not the speaker?

 

[5GENIDN]

Look I am an audiophile.... I have a listening room at home where I have Martin Logan electrostatics. For my surround I have Magnapans. I drive them with a 400 watt per channel Onkyo chosen because it has a slight roll off at about 15000 + which offsets the electrostatic tendency to be ever so slightly bright.

I am happy with the B&O system. NO it is not an audiophile system by any means, not even close. There is a lot of muddiness even in the 3000 - 5000 range which is NOT good..... But the Bronco is not and never will be a good listening room. By itself it is boomy. Lots of reflections and cancelations.... No matter how good a system you put in there it will never be "good". For what it is and where it is... it does a fine job. Can it be improved? Absolutely, but the cost does not equal the pay back in my opinion.... I would rather spend my money on things that make it even better at what it is good at. Your experience may vary.

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