B&O Sound System with 10 speakers including a subwoofer (Is it worth it? How about stand-a-lone purchase $$

Gpscharron

Sep 01, 2020

I have a question regarding B&O Sound System with 10 speakers including a subwoofer (Lux Package). Is it worth it? Are they really that good?
How about if they offer it as a stand alone for $1,000 or less.
Would you get them if you are a speaker person?

Thanks!

2021 Bronco - Badlands - 4 door - 2.7 - Upgraded Rims/MT tires - V.B.

Hobgoblin, BroncoMax

Last edited by a moderator: Sep 01, 2020

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Sep 08, 2020

#40

Deano Bronc
So where do you get the most bang for your buck if you were to upgrade to get better sound out of the Bronco, the head unit or the speakers?
Would getting the B&O system give you a good foundation to build better later - ie amps, subwoofer or extra speaker locations?

Replacing the head unit has gotten harder over the years as the auto makers are tying more systems into the screens and the buslink systems they talk to. Some after market companies like iDatalink sell interface systems to allow you to add new head units or amps and speakers and retain the Sync systems and all your steering wheel controls, climate control, and other stuff. It seems to be much easier to buy a small interface to allow you to upgrade the speakers (Big improvement as most OEM speakers including the upgraded B&O and the like are very poor compared to even low end after market speakers) and add a solid amplifier (Preferably with a DSP or an Audio Control LC2i or the like that can put the bass back in your music). It may be that the 10 speaker system may make it easier to add later (Rarely is the center channel used in aftermarket systems, but the amplifier in the back gives an easy place to tap in for a new amp) but honestly any good stereo shop should be able to custom in speakers where you want them. Biggest issue with the Bronco and getting good sound is the fact you really don't want to put anything in the doors since they will be removed on occasion. Also you have the same issue as any convertible (especially with doors off) with the lack of reflections. Means you will lose sound quality and have to push a lot of power to stay louder than the road noise and wind. Also, even with the top and doors on you will have less insulation then a normal vehicle (Even with the "Extra Sound Dampening" options. This is where you can make a huge difference in sound in a car is when you properly dampen most covered surfaces in your car (Doors, floors near any subs, rear tailgate, roof, etc). Dampening lessens the road and wind noise, amplifies mid-bass, and limits rattling and reverb from causing sound issues. I am definitely going to upgrade the speakers and add an amp with DSP. Probably will just go with the high package and add a couple of the options separately.

bek, Mangelo

Sep 08, 2020

#41

may be I'm asking the wrong questions .... about the B&O radio setup
what do you get for the lux package ?

Sep 08, 2020

#42

ziggy
may be I'm asking the wrong questions .... about the B&O radio setup
what do you get for the lux package ?

Hobgoblin, ziggy

Sep 08, 2020

#43

I'd start with the speakers. I've never had a B&O, but having the extra locations would be ideal. I'm not sure how the setup on these will be with the standard and premium audio packages.

Raptor w/ lux package, orange belts. Code Orange.
BN #306

bek, Deano Bronc

Sep 08, 2020

#44

TCopp
That's the problem, Bose and Beats. You're just paying for the name on both of those. Most audiophiles I've talked to never recommend those two brands.

Yep that was my point they are just the Name you are paying for. My favorite set up was a Pioneer head unit and a set of ADS Component speakers I installed in my 1994 Camaro all I had in the car was the Components and a 10" sub. I miss that sound system.

Bronco Nation 1100. Everglades, Desert Sand
Res: 7/30/20 ordered 1/22/21 reorder 10/15/21 changed to Everglades 3/9/22 schedule 8/29/22 bumped to 9/5; 9/7/22 blend, 9/9 Mods, 9/26/22 completed, 10/7 shipped, 11/3/22 delivery

Sep 12, 2020

#45

SandboxGeneral
Wow! Did they give you a line item estimate? I wonder how much of that cost was for labor.

If you could DIY installation and just buy the components, say from crutchfield.com, what would the cost have been in that scenario?

Yes a lot of that was for labor and they really hit you hard for all of the incidentals like wiring harnesses, speaker wire etc.

Sep 12, 2020

#46

Vantcrst
Yes a lot of that was for labor and they really hit you hard for all of the incidentals like wiring harnesses, speaker wire etc.

I ended up doing exactly that. Bought the components online and had a friend of mine install it for me. Mine was a total custom job where we mounted 2 amps under the seats and he had to build custom brackets to hold the amps. I will say the time and labor Involved was a lot more then I expected and was way beyond my ability. If you have a talented friend that’s the way to do it :)

Sep 12, 2020

#47

SierraHotelBronco
That and the integration into the Sync system. There is value to me in a single interface, especially with Apple and Android integration.

Yes that is a good point. I don’t think there is a problem interfacing aftermarket components/maintaining steering wheel controls on Fords but it does require a wiring interface. In my case I was installing a stereo in a Mercedes van and the interface alone was $150 not to mention all the the time and effort it took to install it and trouble shoot it. Mercedes is notorious for not playing well with non OEM components.

SierraHotelBronco

Sep 12, 2020

#48

Deano Bronc
So where do you get the most bang for your buck if you were to upgrade to get better sound out of the Bronco, the head unit or the speakers?
Would getting the B&O system give you a good foundation to build better later - ie amps, subwoofer or extra speaker locations?

I think if you go with the upgraded B&O system the expectation would be that you won’t need to upgrade it. But to answer your question, it depends on where you start. Simply upgrading factory speakers can make a real difference. But don’t go overboard on the speakers if you are just going to be powering them through the factory head unit because it won’t have the power needed for more expensive/powerful speakers. A good set of component speakers, amp and sub can make just about any head unit sound good.

Mangelo, Bronco V-8

Sep 12, 2020

#49

Vantcrst
But don’t go overboard on the speakers if you are just going to be powering them through the factory head unit because it won’t have the power needed for more expensive/powerful speakers. A good set of component speakers, amp and sub can make just about any head unit sound good.

The B&O system should be a component amp system with a just dead head unit in the dash . Some of those you can intergrate speakers fairly easily with and have better quality sound . I remember working on the old Nissans with Infinity/Bose systems that had individual amps attached to the bottom of each speaker . Those were a pain in the arse . Then there is the question of how the dash of the Bronco is going to look if the main display is changed out and what factory features you will miss out on that are shown on that display .

2Dr Badlands - MIC - Area51 - 2.7 Auto - MGV - Headliner - High Pkg
Reserved 7/20/20 Delivered 5/6/23
"Ford said, hey we're gonna fulfill all reservations and pre-orders before we build stock units."

Sep 12, 2020

#50

Mostly, I hope that the Bronco's stereo system is marine grade.

I wasn't there...

bek, Mangelo

Sep 12, 2020

#51

SandboxGeneral
The adaptive cruise control is the primary reason I'm going for the lux package, too. I've never had a car with it and recently test drove a Continental as a potential next car after my MKZ, and the Continental had this feature and I absolutely loved it. It takes all the road rage out of you as the car handles all the speeding up and slowing down. I think this should be a standard feature on all vehicles.

Drove my MKX from Dallas to Fayetteville, AR without touching the gas or break one weekend with adaptive cruise control...

Deano Bronc

Sep 12, 2020

#52

I can't figure out the math behind this 10 speaker system, even if you account for separate tweeters and woofers. Are there dual subs in the rear?

Or is there a weird center channel we haven't been told about?

Deano Bronc

Sep 12, 2020

#53

Rusty Shackleford
I can't figure out the math behind this 10 speaker system, even if you account for separate tweeters and woofers. Are there dual subs in the rear?

Or is there a weird center channel we haven't been told about?

Here is my guess.

1 - subwoofer
2 - mids or woofers in the back (2-door) or on the doors (4-door)
2 - mids or woofers in the front doors
2 - tweeters in the front doors
1 - mid or woofer in the top center of the dash
2 - mids or woofers up high in the rear of the vehicle facing inward and downward

Totals 10

MadMike, SierraHotelBronco

Sep 12, 2020

#54

SandboxGeneral
Here is my guess.

1 - subwoofer
2 - mids or woofers in the back (2-door) or on the doors (4-door)
2 - mids or woofers in the front doors
2 - tweeters in the front doors
1 - mid or woofer in the top center of the dash
2 - mids or woofers up high in the rear of the vehicle facing inward and downward

Totals 10

View attachment 3186

There are no speakers in the doors. The doors can be taken off like the Jeep so they do not put speakers there. This so far is the guesstimate on locations of speakers:

6 Speaker Standard:
Front Dash Left/Right - Mid-Woofer x 2
A Pillar Left/Right - Tweeter x 2
Pods on rear Rollbar left/right - Coaxial x 2

10 Speaker B&O:
Front Dash Left/Right - Mid-Woofer x 2
A Pillar Left/Right - Tweeter x 2
Pods on rear Rollbar left/right - Tweeter & Mid-Woofer separates x 2 (4 speakers)
Center Channel Speaker (Has been seen on the mules) - 1 Mid-Range
Subwoofer (Rear Passenger side quarterpanel) - 1 SubWoofer

Rusty Shackleford

Sep 12, 2020

#55

MadMike
There are no speakers in the doors.

Is that confirmed for the Bronco? I could see speakers still being in the doors and when you remove them, you just lose the speakers for a time.

MadMike

Sep 12, 2020

#56

I consider myself a mid-high audiophile at home and in my cars. I just heard the B&O system in a 2020 Platinum F150 and 2020 Raptor. I was not impressed. It was tinny and lacked a "stage" or general location from where the sound originates. Tinny and bright. Lacked thump. The amp did not seem efficient and had to be turned up to ~75% to get a rock beat sounding any good. The guy who bought the truck heard it differently, but we all hear differently when you kick out $70K. I attached a link of a YouTuber who has an opinion too. I have the FE on order so I don't have a choice, but would argue that the stereo upgrade is not worth the price alone. The lux package may be.

I hope the layout for the Bronco works better and that the speakers don't go out with the doors. You need the sound when the top and doors are off.

2021 FE Cactus Grey

Sep 13, 2020

#57

SandboxGeneral
Is that confirmed for the Bronco? I could see speakers still being in the doors and when you remove them, you just lose the speakers for a time.

Confirmed, no speakers in the doors. Ford has said the front spots are in the Dash on the left and right side (As well as the center channel on the B&O). And we have tons of shots of the doors that show no speakers in them. They have a net pocket where speakers would normally be.

GO_SOONERS_TXSUX!

Sep 13, 2020

#58

MadMike
Confirmed, no speakers in the doors. Ford has said the front spots are in the Dash on the left and right side (As well as the center channel on the B&O). And we have tons of shots of the doors that show no speakers in them. They have a net pocket where speakers would normally be.

You can see the location here:

Mangelo, Rusty Shackleford

Sep 13, 2020

#59

Nice, that's where I was expecting the fronts to be, just like in my old camaro. The experts all seem to agree that kick panels and lower door speakers make for a better sound stage, but with the doors being removable it certainly beats having NO sound stage lol

Deano Bronc, MadMike

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