B&O Sound System

[HWill]

Any sound clips aren't really gonna give a good idea of how good the system is cause it depends on how good the microphone that is being used to record and then how good the speakers you are using to play it back on.

Here are my thoughts after having mine for a little over a week now.

the system is pretty good overall it won’t blow your socks off but is definitely more than enough sound for the price. I have listened to a wide variety of music on it and it definitely favors pop/hip-hop music which I feel like is expected I think the highs could be a little more crisper but not a huge issue. Volume is great and I couldn’t hear any distortion even at max volume there is a surround sound mode but I found stereo to sound better and you loose volume in surround.

For reference I was listening through CarPlay and Apple Music lossless

Just got my mustang and I was surprised by the B&O system. I had a very good system in my F150 that I replaced the B&O system it had. This system is pretty good, Id say the best I have heard from Ford.
I agree the highs could be better. Volume is also great unless you want to be heard down the block.
I don't see myself using it much though. But nice to know it does sound pretty good.

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[IFFV68]

I have the b&o package and still waiting delivery of my vehicle, anybody wanna share their opinion on theirs? This would be my first rodeo with b&o being that i am coming from chevy and used to the bose system. Anyone willing to share video of a demonstration? Loudness, Bass, Quality

No highs, no Lowe’s, must be bose.
I have a 2024 GT401 a package with a 12 speakers.
it’s a good system. I enjoy it. You have to remember what source you are playing to get the best audio quality.
Some people downplay it because they want more, but I’m very satisfied with my 12 speakers
I test drove a Dodge charger scat pack 392 hemi it had 18 speakers Harmon Cardin, and theirs was really impressive.
It’s very subjective.
I’ve spent tons of money, switching out speakers on my F150’s and it’s a wasted money unless you keep your vehicle forever and ever.
personally, the 2024 Mustang 12 speaker 401 -A package sounds better than my 2020 F150 4 x 4 Limited with 10 speakers. You may want to go to a Ford dealership and compare a Mustang with a nine speakers or the 12 speakers?
I usually use music from CarPlay from my phone some mastered recordings others are just 1960s. Just depends on your source.
Good Luck

 

[dusman59]

The B&O system isn't that bad. It doesn't distort at very high volume. Music source makes a difference. Stay away from sources that compress content. It can use more bass. I am satisfied overall. In my 2011 however factory system 1000 it beats the B&O system hands down.

 

[Farmer Fran]

Total Crap

 

[cosmo73]

Swap out the subwoofer and its a 7.5-8.

 

[MustangMitch69]

It's fine. Nobody buys a mustang for the sound system. I probably wouldn't have paid extra for my b&o system, but it came with the high equipment package so I got it anyway, and can't complain.

For city driving, I love the sound of my GT's engine and don't want the music so loud that it drowns that out anyway. When I drive on the interstate and put the exhaust on "quiet mode" the b&o system sound is great even for a 3 hour drive. Sometimes, depending on the song, I actually have to turn the bass down so that it doesn't give me a headache. When I was much younger, the bigger the sound system the better, but now that I'm in my mid 30's I care more about quality sound than high decibels.

Some people who are more "particular" about the sound have been replacing the b&o subwoofer in the trunk with a Pioneer and report better sound from that, which can be done for less than $100. Here's a video of a guy doing it:

 

[Topdown]

I have 2 S550's both with the B & O sound systems, i play Spotifier through android auto in both and maximum volume is 30 and its barely medium loud.

Can any audiophiles out there guiding me to what i can do to try and increase the volume? I've tried settings with no luck thus far. Had one car 3 years and one a year, the sound volume is the same in both.

Reading in these pages I'm hearing the speakers are rated at 25w do you think these are the offenders?

 

[Alan Applegate]

It is like horse power; The more you spend the louder the output! I suspect there is a limit(s) set by the vehicle manufacturer. Imagine proving you have hearing loss due to the loudness of your car stereo, and the possible effect on manufacturer? Doesn't keep you from going to a decent car stereo shop and adding a bunch of dBs to get to an ear-splitting level! It is only the money!

 

[BobInOmaha]

so on a scale of 1-10 what would you rate it? Me personally I like to play my music loud about 85% of the time but other than that I care about quality and to have some thump of course lol

Yep. All about that

so on a scale of 1-10 what would you rate it? Me personally I like to play my music loud about 85% of the time but other than that I care about quality and to have some thump of course lol

Yep I agree. Its All about that bass bout that bass.

 

[smurfslayer]

Swap out the subwoofer and its a 7.5-8.

All swapping the sub does is prepare you for adding an amp to the sub, it makes zero db difference in the cabin. none. Nada. zip.

It’s a good first step, but without an amp, it’s going to sound the same or largely the same as there could be different ranges of sound represented, if you’re able to hear them.

It's fine. Nobody buys a mustang for the sound system. I probably wouldn't have paid extra for my b&o system, but it came with the high equipment package so I got it anyway, and can't complain.

For city driving, I love the sound of my GT's engine and don't want the music so loud that it drowns that out anyway. When I drive on the interstate and put the exhaust on "quiet mode" the b&o system sound is great even for a 3 hour drive. Sometimes, depending on the song, I actually have to turn the bass down so that it doesn't give me a headache. When I was much younger, the bigger the sound system the better, but now that I'm in my mid 30's I care more about quality sound than high decibels.

Some people who are more "particular" about the sound have been replacing the b&o subwoofer in the trunk with a Pioneer and report better sound from that, which can be done for less than $100. Here's a video of a guy doing it:

The sound system is 302 cubic inches, powered by Ford. The radio is a nice add on.
See above for the subwoofer mod.
I even wrapped the sub box in dynamat, and the sound “difference”, if any, is indiscernible.

It is like horse power; The more you spend the louder the output! I suspect there is a limit(s) set by the vehicle manufacturer. Imagine proving you have hearing loss due to the loudness of your car stereo, and the possible effect on manufacturer? Doesn't keep you from going to a decent car stereo shop and adding a bunch of dBs to get to an ear-splitting level! It is only the money!

The Mustang is a relatively poor sound stage, TBH. If you have a handling package car, just the road noise is on the order of a lifted truck on 37 KM3’s, which is to say: Loud.

The B&O isn’t audiophile quality, but it’s a step closer to, say, Lincoln’s Revel system.
But if you want to feel the bass, you’ll need about 300w rms to start. More if you want the stereo itself louder.

Louder isn’t necessarily better. It’s already loud enough to hear with reasonable “clarity” at 70mph with both windows down, it’s just not overpowering the wind and road noise.
I’ll get to stereo upgrades probably next year-ish. It’s enough for now, and way better than the stock ’17 Raptor radio for sure.

 

[Gregs24]

All swapping the sub does is prepare you for adding an amp to the sub, it makes zero db difference in the cabin. none. Nada. zip.

It’s a good first step, but without an amp, it’s going to sound the same or largely the same as there could be different ranges of sound represented, if you’re able to hear them.

That isn't quite true. The OEM sub is diabolical and just produces a monotone boom. The Pioneer is far more musical and more tightly controlled. It isn't louder as you say, but the musicality is night and day better.

 

[smurfslayer]

That isn't quite true. The OEM sub is diabolical and just produces a monotone boom. The Pioneer is far more musical and more tightly controlled. It isn't louder as you say, but the musicality is night and day better.

That’s a fair point, I should have elaborated. You will get better frequency response and the quality of the sound should be better with almost any aftermarket brand.

But my point is that there is a lot of rationalization going on proclaiming the mere act of replacing the sub completely changes the audio experience. It doesn’t.

 

[Gregs24]

That’s a fair point, I should have elaborated. You will get better frequency response and the quality of the sound should be better with almost any aftermarket brand.

But my point is that there is a lot of rationalization going on proclaiming the mere act of replacing the sub completely changes the audio experience. It doesn’t.

It changed it for me from something that sounded horrible to something that sounded much better and going on the S550 thread it did the same for a lot of other people, to the point I should have been on commission with Pioneer! However any comments about audio quality should always be qualified by what the user desires. For some they want volume to make their ears bleed, some want enough bass to shake the whole car and some want to listen to music!

The trouble is most comments are just 'its' awful' 'its great' which is pretty meaningless.

 

[smurfslayer]

I didn’t think it sounded horrible to begin with first of all. I used my phone to play my base evaluation songs for me and it actually did pretty well for a stock system. I’m sure that my sub replacement and wrapping of the enclosure has improved the range represented and provided some enhanced sound in those ranges, but it’s not what the YouTube videos claim and I didn’t expect it to. It’s certainly not the best $100 I’ve spent ;-) I’m just readying for the amp and cancelling out the bass roll off.

The 302 is the star of the show, even in quiet mode, any music you play is simply the supporting instrumentation to complete the music. There’s way too much road, engine and exhaust noise from the car to really appreciate audiophile quality sound. Not that it’s a waste of money to upgrade, but this isn’t a luxury car and it isn’t going to be.

In the interest of my perspective:
Favorite band: The Eagles
range of music played: 70’s through current rock, blues, modern-ish country and western( concession to the wife, she likes to two step/triple two), motown, some jazz, and a few more.
not played: talking and rhyming with a lot of bass in the background.

My automotive ’standard’ is precise, clear music audible at 70mph with all windows down; about as much audio interference you can practically introduce and that’s about 105-110db on my meter IIRC, which is a cheap, amazon unit, but seems to read within expected ranges. I don’t play at this level for extended times and in Texas, windows down days are pretty rare, usually it’s AC, windows up.

IMO, solid bass is a requirement. Every audio system I have has a decent sub and amp. I want bass that can be felt, but not rupturing ear drums. If you run the volume to a permanent hearing loss level, what’s the point?

The OEM sub is diabolical and just produces a monotone boom. The Pioneer is far more musical and more tightly controlled. It isn't louder as you say, but the musicality is night and day better.

I have the Redline, not the Pioneer so not a precise comparison. Your use of the word musicality is rare choice of words, something typical of who spent time in music. It’s not a common descriptor of listeners. For my part, it was all bass clef. No treble.

 

[mlauden65]

All swapping the sub does is prepare you for adding an amp to the sub, it makes zero db difference in the cabin. none. Nada. zip.

It’s a good first step, but without an amp, it’s going to sound the same or largely the same as there could be different ranges of sound represented, if you’re able to hear them.



The sound system is 302 cubic inches, powered by Ford. The radio is a nice add on.
See above for the subwoofer mod.
I even wrapped the sub box in dynamat, and the sound “difference”, if any, is indiscernible.



The Mustang is a relatively poor sound stage, TBH. If you have a handling package car, just the road noise is on the order of a lifted truck on 37 KM3’s, which is to say: Loud.

The B&O isn’t audiophile quality, but it’s a step closer to, say, Lincoln’s Revel system.
But if you want to feel the bass, you’ll need about 300w rms to start. More if you want the stereo itself louder.

Louder isn’t necessarily better. It’s already loud enough to hear with reasonable “clarity” at 70mph with both windows down, it’s just not overpowering the wind and road noise.
I’ll get to stereo upgrades probably next year-ish. It’s enough for now, and way better than the stock ’17 Raptor radio for sure.

Agree 100%. I put a better sub in mine and it didn’t make much difference. That said, I like the sound of the Coyote, so music comes second!

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