Audi Sound system vs B&O System

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Sootchucker

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Hi guys, as you may have read in some earlier posts, I'm getting ready in the next month or so, to pull the trigger on a S-Line Sportback. With the exception of the engines (see other thread), I'm pretty sure of my spec (as I like my toys and luxury), but the one thing I'm not decided about is the £500 ish difference betwwen the Audi Sound System option (£255.00) vs the B&O System (£750.00).

Looking at the specs, the B&O system is obviously more powerful with 705watts vs 180 watts of the Audi system. But looking a little deeper, it "seems" that the B&O system's main difference (apart from power) is the 5.1 surround sound mode with the extra 4 speakers in the pillars for the surround effect ? As I don't really expect to be playing movies in the car but love my music, then for just music listening, is the B&O system worth the additional £500 or does the Audi system still do very well ? I appreciate that the B&O system probably uses higher quality main speakers in the doors.

I notice the Audi system still uses a centre speaker and it looks like a similar sub in the space wheel well as the B&O, so has anyone actually listened to both systems and can draw any comiparisions ?

Thanks.
 
I demo'd an A3 sport with the Audi sound system. Sounded good to me!
I understand that the Audi sound system is unbranded Bose!

Not heard the B&O system on purpose, as I could not justify the extra cost!
 
I just ordered an S-line hatchback yesterday with the B&O speakers. I'm like you - I love the gadgets and I'm far more interested in what I'm going to be sitting in front of for the next few years than mechanical specs. I think the look of the light-strip around the door speakers is a big plus.
 
Not heard the Audi System so can't compare but have the B&O and love it. It will obviously sound better but whether it's £500 better I doubt tbh - law of diminishing returns etc.
 
Might be worth checking my earlier post about the radio . The radio in the tech pack seems a higher spec than the standard one and I would therefore think that would be a better match to the B&O system

chester
 
TreborA4 said:
I understand that the Audi sound system is unbranded Bose!
Click to expand...

I'd heard that too. When I checked, there were no Bose markings on the sub and it wasn't as good as the Bose in my S3. It was much better than the standard set up though.

I'm sure it was stamped DAS.
 
I had Bose in my 8p and specced the B&O in my 8V.

B&O makes the bose in my old A3 sound crap, It's in a different league to anything iv'e ever heard in ANY car.
 
cotball said:
I had Bose in my 8p and specced the B&O in my 8V.

B&O makes the bose in my old A3 sound crap, It's in a different league to anything iv'e ever heard in ANY car.
Click to expand...

You need a copy of the THX/DTS/DD demo DVD I have - the 5.1 surround is a great party trick :)
 
Question for Vertigo1 please.

As you have the B&O system in your A3, could you answer the question as to whether the car also is able to carry a spare wheel (in conjunction with the Subwoofer), and with this combination, do you loose the double height boot floor (i.e. does it always have to be set at it's maximum height ?). Any chance you have any photos of the boot area showing the setup please (pretty please........:salute:)
 
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That's an interesting question! I've specced the B&O sound system in my A3 too and I hadn't thought about it.
 
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selar said:
That's an interesting question! I've specced the B&O sound system in my A3 too and I hadn't thought about it. Sootchucker - do you mean Bose or B&O? Might be different if you're looking for the Bose that comes in, say, the A1 rather than Vertigo's B&O. Would still be interesting to see what the A1 Bose boot looks like though - my partner has ordered that.
Click to expand...

Mine has the B&O and still has the 2 different height setting for the boot floor.
 
Sootchucker said:
Question for Vertigo1 please.

As you have the B&O system in your A3, could you answer the question as to whether the car also is able to carry a spare wheel (in conjunction with the Subwoofer), and with this combination, do you loose the double height boot floor (i.e. does it always have to be set at it's maximum height ?). Any chance you have any photos of the boot area showing the setup please (pretty please........:salute:)
Click to expand...

As cotball has already said, the boot floor is still the same and has the two height settings. The subwoofer sits inside the space-saver spare wheel but is flush with the top of it and doesn't protrude any higher so doesn't affect the floor panel.

Can take some pics at some point if you like :)
 
I'll try to remember tomorrow when there's some daylight :)
 
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I currently have an A5 Courtesy car with the B&O system, my 8P has the Bose and I really don't think they are worlds apart!
 
Simmo_Sportback_S_Line said:
I currently have an A5 Courtesy car with the B&O system, my 8P has the Bose and I really don't think they are worlds apart!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say they were "worlds apart" either but the B&O in my 8V is definitely a step up from the Bose in my 8P (both of them).

Forgot to take a pic today, sorry, will try again tomorrow.
 
Here you go :)

sub.jpg
 
Wow, talk about seamless design (cabling aside). Though I would have thought that floating a speaker on top of a removable, metal component would have compromised sound quality. I'm even more surprised when I remember that it's B&O. Can you explain how its all stacked?
 
Stacked as in arranged in the spare wheel? No as I've not tried taking it out yet :)

The central nut obviously holds the whole thing down so there's no movement possible as that would obviously be fairly catastrophic for sound quality, especially with the serious thump this thing puts out. I've had the bass incredibly loud and the original THX trailer (THX Deep Note - original uncompressed audio - YouTube) on my demo DVD literally shakes the seats at around 2/3rds volume but never heard nor felt any rattles from the sub :)
 
Am partial to a bit of classical now and then although haven't really tried any in the car as yet. Will have to do so :)
 
I was a little shocked when I found the sub in the boot of mine but the sound quality certainly isn't compromised by it.

It's completely on another level than the Bose in the 8P, The Bass is ridiculous!, The rear windscreen vibrates alot and if you get out you can see the roof skin moving lol..

Thankfully you can turn it down although it's great when you're heading on a night out with some mates in the car!
 
Thing is, how do I get a Youtube clip into the car to try it? I could play it on my phone I guess and pipe the audio through the car. Bluetooth would compromise the audio quality too much so I could connect it to the AMI via cable but then Youtube audio quality isn't the best to start with.
 
I have B&O and listen to a fair bit of classical music. My findings so far are it's excellent, but I still had to boost the bass a little to overcome some of the road noise. Certainly still a big improvement over my previous car sound systems.
 
I've had a new A6 3.0TDi Black Edition on loan today instead of my A4. It had Bose sound so I had a chance to compare with the B&O in the A3 back to back.

I have to say, the B&O sounds much better - crisper with more clarity and bass. I was expecting the opposite to be honest so pleasantly surprised.
 
My a3 SB has the Audio sound system. I had a wobble and tried to change it to B&O at the last minute but had missed the cut off date.

Had my car for 2 days now and I'm more than happy with the sound that's coming from it and I like my music.

Cheers.
 
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Vertigo1 said:
Thing is, how do I get a Youtube clip into the car to try it? I could play it on my phone I guess and pipe the audio through the car. Bluetooth would compromise the audio quality too much so I could connect it to the AMI via cable but then Youtube audio quality isn't the best to start with.
Click to expand...

I use this website to get an mp3 out of a YouTube clip, though I still would have downloaded a good quality version from a music service to make sure I get the full whack of the bass from the Widor Toccata. I'm planning to use Spotify for my car music but no-one was able to answer my question in another thread about the quality played through the B&O.

Incidentally - where did you get your THX sound file? My car comes this week and I'd love to try it out after the hype you've given it.

YouTube to MP3 Converter - Fast, Free - ListenToYouTube.com
 
My THX stuff is on a home-brewed demo DVD that someone put together. It's got all the Dolby Digital, DTS and THX trailers/demos that you remember from the cinema, plus a compilation of various film clips and the POD race sequence from Phantom Menace.

I downloaded it from somewhere but can't find it any more. If you want a copy let me know and I'll stick one in the post - already promised mjcourtney one but not got round to sending it out yet :)
 
any pictures of the B&O speakers which are "illuminated" ?

is the lighting permanent or just when the system is turned on ?

is the B&O as good on standard set up ie, if you don't go for the full tech pack ?
 
The lighting is on the front woofers. It only comes on when the rest of the cabin illumination is on in low light. If you have the interior light pack you can adjust the intensity of illumination from within the MMI.

Vertigo1 took some stunning photos of the interior - including the speakers here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-8v-chassis/171806-you-wanted-pics.html#post1708222

I have the B&O with the Tech Pack and the sound is fantastic, i've not compared it to the standard MMI system though.
 
Wow, they were excellent pictures cheers.

The interior lit up at night looks great doesn't it.
 
Yep, i've been doing two viewings for my car - once during the day, and then inviting people back for a repeat visit in the evening to view the 'illuminations'! The B&O finishes it off a treat I think
 
mjcourtney said:
The lighting is on the front woofers. It only comes on when the rest of the cabin illumination is on in low light. If you have the interior light pack you can adjust the intensity of illumination from within the MMI.

Vertigo1 took some stunning photos of the interior - including the speakers here:

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/new-a3-8v-chassis/171806-you-wanted-pics.html#post1708222

I have the B&O with the Tech Pack and the sound is fantastic, i've not compared it to the standard MMI system though.
Click to expand...

With the standard tec pack it is still very very good well worth the money and the illuminated door speakers look amazing a really nice touch.
 
A3sportbackrob said:
With the standard tec pack it is still very very good well worth the money and the illuminated door speakers look amazing a really nice touch.
Click to expand...


Cheers mate - that is good to know.
My extras list is getting bigger and bigger so having to cut some corners somewhere.
I was not initially speccing B&O but now I am feeling I "need it" to add to the wow factor ! :)
Great to know the B&O is a good addition, even without the full tech pack so thanks for that :thumbsup:
 
Vertigo1 said:
I downloaded it from somewhere but can't find it any more. If you want a copy let me know and I'll stick one in the post - already promised mjcourtney one but not got round to sending it out yet :)
Click to expand...

I've been sat on the doormat by the letter box for so long I can't feel my legs! :sob: ;)
 
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