Subwoofer Extremely Lacking in B&O System

[RiotfunK]

The B&O is probs one of the worst sounding systems I’ve ever had in a vehicle. At low volumes you get this incessant buzz with any bass and at higher volumes you get buzz and distortion. Sounds like some of the speakers are blown.
Then try to listen to it with the windows down while driving and it’s barely audible even at 20+. I’m gonna gut the oem speakers and swap for better ones and see if it makes a difference. I don’t need thumping bass, just good sound. Not the dollar store Bluetooth speaker sound in these things. I bet the b&o speakers are the same as the base models. They just add more speakers.
I can’t drown out the headliner and roof creaking and rattling because then I get buzz, creaking and rattling.

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[Adam CW]

The B&O is probs one of the worst sounding systems I’ve ever had in a vehicle. At low volumes you get this incessant buzz with any bass and at higher volumes you get buzz and distortion. Sounds like some of the speakers are blown.
Then try to listen to it with the windows down while driving and it’s barely audible even at 20+. I’m gonna gut the oem speakers and swap for better ones and see if it makes a difference. I don’t need thumping bass, just good sound. Not the dollar store Bluetooth speaker sound in these things. I bet the b&o speakers are the same as the base models. They just add more speakers.
I can’t drown out the headliner and roof creaking and rattling because then I get buzz, creaking and rattling.

Is it really that bad? It sounds like there is something wrong.

Does anyone have pictures of the B&O drivers and amplifier used in the BS?

Personally, I would not buy B&O hi-fi equipment as I think it is overpriced. However, I would expect there to be at least some level of quality with their products, even in cars. It should at least be above average.

 

[RiotfunK]

You aren’t buying B&O actual components. They license their name out to manufacturers who build it to, a spec, not a standard. Amount of speakers, claimed wattage, ohm, etc. Call B&O and ask about the vehicle system and what’s in it. They won’t have any idea.
The BS speakers are the same part number as the Sony speakers from a 15 Edge.

 

[bjbena]

You aren’t buying B&O actual components. They license their name out to manufacturers who build it to, a spec, not a standard. Amount of speakers, claimed wattage, ohm, etc. Call B&O and ask about the vehicle system and what’s in it. They won’t have any idea.
The BS speakers are the same part number as the Sony speakers from a 15 Edge.

Yeah, I’ve heard that also on the Fusion forums with regards to the Sony branding.

 

[13MikeH]

I'm growing very salty, and I started off salty ahead of it...ITS AN ECONOMY OFF ROAD CAPABLE ENTRY LEVEL BUDGET MINDED COMPACT SUV....IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE TOP OF THE LINE SURROUND SOUND, THEATER QUALITY BLOW YOUR HAIR BACK BLAU PUNCT...For the love of GOD...some of you need a serious reality check. You WANT TOP tier every feature ever created for $40K. Yep that is a large sum for a car...but it's 2022...you want LUXURY pay up. This incessant whiny I want I want is absolutely nauseating. Drive a stock vehicle from the 70s for a few weeks then see how far it's come. Unreal the utter bitching over the most trivial things. YOU BOUGHT THE WRONG VEHICLE....OWN IT.

 

[M3H7363]

Unreal the utter bitching over the most trivial things.

Ain't that the truth. I swear some people aren't happy unless they are complaining.

And for the record, I think it sounds good. (cue the "you must be deaf" comments)

 

[BigPhatPaulie]

For what its worth I am extremely impressed with how the system performs given its specs. It is very balanced and has good bottom end, the sub adds to the system instead of overpowering it IMO

 

[ScareCrow]

For what its worth I am extremely impressed with how the system performs given its specs. It is very balanced and has good bottom end, the sub adds to the system instead of overpowering it IMO

Yep, I really like the B&O system, switched it from stereo to surround and it sounds great.

 

[RiotfunK]

We’re complaining because we paid for a premium sound system and didn’t get it. Ford also states it has a sub, it doesn’t. So yeah, it’s a valid gripe. Is really my only complaint on the vehicle. That and the BS buzzes and rattles brand new.
If you like the B&O, cool. Just means your hearing is shit.

 

[kingtj]

I'm growing very salty, and I started off salty ahead of it...ITS AN ECONOMY OFF ROWD CAPABLE ENTRY LEVEL BUDGET MINDED COMPACT SUV....IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE TOP OF THE LINE SURROUND SOUND, THEATER QUALITY BLOW YOUR HAIR BACK BLAU PUNCT...For the love of GOD...some of you need a serious reality check. You WANT TOP tier every feature ever created for $40K. Yep that is a large sum for a car...but it's 2022...you want LUXURY pay up. This incessant whiny I want I want is absolutely nauseating. Drive a stock vehicle from the 70s for a few weeks then see how far it's come. Unreal the utter bitching over the most trivial things. YOU BOUGHT THE WRONG VEHICLE....OWN IT.

Yeah, sorry buddy -- but I don't buy into your rant here, just like I didn't when Chrysler upcharged me $1800 or so for the "Alpine Premium" stereo system in my Jeep using a junky paper-cone excuse for a bass subwoofer and mediocre sound quality, at best, coupled with a poor quality GPS nav system that they'd been putting in their minivans for 8 years or so before it.

A lot of us care about our car audio because we listen to it the whole time we're driving. I don't need some system that's so loud, it wins decibel level measuring contests at car shows! But I want something worthy of the premium brand names they're paying to slap on the name-plates.

Thing is? I've done a lot of car audio installations over the years, including on those 70's cars that came with nothing but an AM radio. And you can make almost any vehicle sound "really good" for maybe $800 worth of components. All you need is a respectable quality power amp and name-brand speakers that are matched well to the wattage the amp provides. Then add a second amp just for a bass subwoofer and put an 8" or 10" sub in the back, and you're done. But no ... most of the auto-makers are asking at least twice this much money to sell poor quality junk instead.

I don't care if the audio is just an afterthought in the base model vehicle. But the B&O system for the Bronco Sport is an extra cost option. I had the same complaint about the "Premium" Bose system in my Nissan 370Z. What was I paying the extra money for besides getting the Bose name-plate on the speaker covers? It seems like they try to fool people by talking up the extra number of speakers they come wih "12 speaker system!" and "14 speaker system!", etc. In reality, they're stuffing small paper cone, low wattage speakers all over that are worth about $5 each and sound worse than 4 *good* speakers would.

 

[13MikeH]

Yeah, sorry buddy -- but I don't buy into your rant here, just like I didn't when Chrysler upcharged me $1800 or so for the "Alpine Premium" stereo system in my Jeep using a junky paper-cone excuse for a bass subwoofer and mediocre sound quality, at best, coupled with a poor quality GPS nav system that they'd been putting in their minivans for 8 years or so before it.

A lot of us care about our car audio because we listen to it the whole time we're driving. I don't need some system that's so loud, it wins decibel level measuring contests at car shows! But I want something worthy of the premium brand names they're paying to slap on the name-plates.

Thing is? I've done a lot of car audio installations over the years, including on those 70's cars that came with nothing but an AM radio. And you can make almost any vehicle sound "really good" for maybe $800 worth of components. All you need is a respectable quality power amp and name-brand speakers that are matched well to the wattage the amp provides. Then add a second amp just for a bass subwoofer and put an 8" or 10" sub in the back, and you're done. But no ... most of the auto-makers are asking at least twice this much money to sell poor quality junk instead.

I don't care if the audio is just an afterthought in the base model vehicle. But the B&O system for the Bronco Sport is an extra cost option. I had the same complaint about the "Premium" Bose system in my Nissan 370Z. What was I paying the extra money for besides getting the Bose name-plate on the speaker covers? It seems like they try to fool people by talking up the extra number of speakers they come wih "12 speaker system!" and "14 speaker system!", etc. In reality, they're stuffing small paper cone, low wattage speakers all over that are worth about $5 each and sound worse than 4 *good* speakers would.

Sorry...and not looking for buddy's so thanks for the offer. It's not a luxury car, it's a Bronco sport. Want a luxury sound system suv get an escalade or another similar mall model Lincoln Navigator....you just don't get it. The Bronco/sport was never designed for comforts of home. YOU and many others seem to miss the entire point of recreational vehicle. I don't picture myself listening for the C minor as I roll through mud and mountain trails. Again...you bought the wrong vehicle yet so many of YOU expect Ford to cater to every single option...there is a cost efficiency point and a premium sound system isn't part of it. Since you can make it sound like a Dolby sound studio for $800...guess you screwed the pooch with the B/O upgrade. That is poor consumer purchasing.

I'm gone wear my ignore button right quick.

 

[13MikeH]

Ain't that the truth. I swear some people aren't happy unless they are complaining.

And for the record, I think it sounds good. (cue the "you must be deaf" comments)

I have the basic system no less. I can set it to 10 and hear just fine. I set it to 13, I can pick up all the sounds deep and rich. I'm nowhere near deaf and hear better than most...I can still hear those stupid mosquito tones without issues

 

[BigPhatPaulie]

We’re complaining because we paid for a premium sound system and didn’t get it. Ford also states it has a sub, it doesn’t. So yeah, it’s a valid gripe. Is really my only complaint on the vehicle. That and the BS buzzes and rattles brand new.
If you like the B&O, cool. Just means your hearing is shit.

I mean it does have a sub. It just isn't in a format people are used to. Also no need to be a dick and say others hearing is shit when sound quality is just as much subjective as it is objective

 

[Adam CW]

The B&O system is an extra cost. It’s part of the premium package costing $2000+.

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect higher quality speakers and a higher quality amplifier to be used.

I haven’t had chance to listen to the B&O system in my Badlands yet as I‘m still waiting to get it! I’ll reserve judgement until then. I expect it to be about the same as the Sony system in my Escape as I don’t want to be disappointed. It really wouldn’t take that much to beat it.

Anyway, I’m sure there was a Ford video from around two years ago where they said B&O engineers were designing the system.

 

[Mark S.]

junky paper-cone excuse

small paper cone, low wattage speakers all over that are worth about $5 each and sound worse than 4 *good* speakers would.

I'm not saying the speakers used in the Bronco Sport are top of the line, but some of the most highly-rated consumer speakers available are made using paper cones. It's not necessarily the material that makes them sound bad.

I used to consider myself an audiophile, not so much now that my ears don't work so well any more. My advice to friends who asked was to set a budget, then plan to spend HALF your budget on speakers. And then, because sound "quality" is so subjective, ignore the speaker reviews and stats. Instead, go out and listen to as many different brands and styles of speaker as you can. You may find you will not be happy without the most expensive drivers in the store, or you may like a pair that some audiophile knucklehead told you were cheap garbage. You never know...

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