How good is the new B&O sound system!?

[Richie647]

I have a A3 Sportback (S Line) on order and amongst a long list of options I have added the B&O sound system. I love my music from classic to heavy metal and I'm not making it up! So I was wondering if anyone else already has this system and can give a review?

Best Regards

Richie

 

[RichardT]

Plenty of reviews on here - search is your friend.

 

[Richie647]

Plenty of reviews on here - search is your friend.

Ta very much!

 

[sukrw]

Hi

I have the B&O system in my S3 and it is very good. I'm no music enthusiast but I read a lot on here people very unhappy with their stock Audi sound system. The B&O system is very configurable and allows for loud playback without distortion, well not that I can notice but I'm not in my 20s lol

So I would have thought if you like your tunes and spend a decent amount of time in the car and can afford the upgrade, I would say go for it. You won't be disappointed my friend.

My review is based on a 2013 S3 so I'm unaware of progression in the new version tho

To be certain I'm sure your local Audi dealer would let you listen to a stock system and a B&O system in side by side car type thing.

 

[Simon L]

I have a A3 Sportback (S Line) on order and amongst a long list of options I have added the B&O sound system. I love my music from classic to heavy metal and I'm not making it up! So I was wondering if anyone else already has this system and can give a review?

Best Regards

Richie

Not sure if the FL B&O has been tweaked but I've got it in the PFL, it absolutely rocks!! (similar tastes to you by the sounds of it)

Was blaring out Lamb Lies Down In Broadway this afternoon while cleaning the interior..............imagine half the road could hear it!! lol

 

[Richie647]

Hi

I have the B&O system in my S3 and it is very good. I'm no music enthusiast but I read a lot on here people very unhappy with their stock Audi sound system. The B&O system is very configurable and allows for loud playback without distortion, well not that I can notice but I'm not in my 20s lol

So I would have thought if you like your tunes and spend a decent amount of time in the car and can afford the upgrade, I would say go for it. You won't be disappointed my friend.

My review is based on a 2013 S3 so I'm unaware of progression in the new version tho

To be certain I'm sure your local Audi dealer would let you listen to a stock system and a B&O system in side by side car type thing.

Thanks sukrw

 

[Richie647]

Not sure if the FL B&O has been tweaked but I've got it in the PFL, it absolutely rocks!! (similar tastes to you by the sounds of it)

Was blaring out Lamb Lies Down In Broadway this afternoon while cleaning the interior..............imagine half the road could hear it!! lol

Thanks Simon lol!

 

[deanshaw24]

I'm not that impressed by my b and o in my facelift s3 if I'm honest. The base isn't that punchy and the speakers start vibrating at as low as 2/3 max volume.

 

[Simon L]

I'm not that impressed by my b and o in my facelift s3 if I'm honest. The base isn't that punchy and the speakers start vibrating at as low as 2/3 max volume.

Appreciate we all have different expectations when it comes to audio equipment but lacking bass? Jeezus I can feel me rib cage rattling if I crank mine lol

Certainly don't get any speaker vibration either.

 

[Scottyg]

Neighbour has just bought a FL Saloon with B&O. I have to say it is superb. Very bassy and loud. None of the volume cut off that's in my normal system which I can now say is utter mince in comparison. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[deanshaw24]

Appreciate we all have different expectations when it comes to audio equipment but lacking bass? Jeezus I can feel me rib cage rattling if I crank mine lol

Certainly don't get any speaker vibration either.

I sat in an 8p with Bose and the base difference is night and day! Maybe mine is broke lol

 

[Simon L]

I sat in an 8p with Bose and the base difference is night and day! Maybe mine is broke lol

Maybe worth getting it checked mate, the speaker vibration doesn't sound too clever tbh.............

 

[davc]

Appreciate we all have different expectations when it comes to audio equipment but lacking bass? Jeezus I can feel me rib cage rattling if I crank mine lol

Certainly don't get any speaker vibration either.

Same here the bass is amazing and no vibration

I sat in an 8p with Bose and the base difference is night and day! Maybe mine is broke lol

Wow. There must be a problem then with your B&O then, because the Bose setup in the 8p is gash.

No highs, no lows, it must be Bose

 

[Jassyo06]

I sat in an 8p with Bose and the base difference is night and day! Maybe mine is broke lol

Maybe they left the Bang out of your Olufsen ...lol


Although l must admit, l know what good bass is,buy a REL Subwoofer....you'll know what l am on about,the B&O....is ok for a compact car of its size....its best attribute is it's clarity...bass is ok

 

[Simon L]

Maybe they left the Bang out of your Olufsen ...lol


Although l must admit, l know what good bass is,buy a REL Subwoofer....you'll know what l am on about,the B&O....is ok for a compact car of its size....its best attribute is it's clarity...bass is ok

You won't get much bass on that 80's comp mate..........should have said and 'd have stuck some Ozric Tentacles on there........................reckon they can hear those bass lines on Mars!! lol

 

[SpeedyFrog]

I'm not that impressed by my b and o in my facelift s3 if I'm honest. The base isn't that punchy and the speakers start vibrating at as low as 2/3 max volume.

As low as 2/3 max volume!?!?!
are you deaf? lol

 

[4K]

Have you geeza's turned up the sub in your B&O S3's? By the sounds of it, not sure if you have, considering you have 1200W of power coming from your amp. There is plenty of bass in there.

More than enough. It's the treble that's not that great IMO, I think the tweeters could be improved. However, B&O is night and day better than the *** etc.

 

[Simon L]

Have you geeza's turned up the sub in your B&O S3's? By the sounds of it, not sure if you have, considering you have 1200W of power coming from your amp. There is plenty of bass in there.

More than enough. It's the treble that's not that great IMO, I think the tweeters could be improved. However, B&O is night and day better than the *** etc.

Treble is very source dependent in my opinion. All my music is ripped as high quality as possible but the production on some tracks just isn't up to scratch. Chuck something well produced at it and it really shines.

 

[The_Ironist]

Only went for 3 options on my PFL S-Line, B&O being one of them.

If you're at all into your music go for it if you can afford it.

It's better than my house system and I can turn it up as loud as I like as I'm not disturbing the neighbours.

Wondering what source people are using to require 2/3 max volume though.

Mines usually around 16-18 for non distracting background level and up to 22-24 for reasonably loud for something I'm enjoying. Playing from iPod via USB set to full volume. 320 or high vbr sounds great but lossless superb.

I've done iPhone via BT before and it didn't sound as good or have as much bass.

If you need more bass than this can provide though, perhaps it's broken.

 

[Simon L]

Only went for 3 options on my PFL S-Line, B&O being one of them.

If you're at all into your music go for it if you can afford it.

It's better than my house system and I can turn it up as loud as I like as I'm not disturbing the neighbours.

Wondering what source people are using to require 2/3 max volume though.

Mines usually around 16-18 for non distracting background level and up to 22-24 for reasonably loud for something I'm enjoying. Playing from iPod via USB set to full volume. 320 or high vbr sounds great but lossless superb.

I've done iPhone via BT before and it didn't sound as good or have as much bass.

If you need more bass than this can provide though, perhaps it's broken.

Spot on with my music volume.

It can be a lot quieter on bluetooth so guess that must account for it? I'd like to see anyone try mine at 2/3 volume..........they're eardrums would be bleeding!! lol

 

[sukrw]

I thought that about the 2/3rds volume. I regularly have it around 18 or needing some sounds then push it to 23 or 24 but I'm sure that's less than half volume? What does it go up to? 50?

Any higher than 25 and I would be bleeding from my ears and I'm in late 40s so my ears a pretty poor lol and I've had to turn the bass down from the sub as my insides start jumping about! But then I'm an 80s fan so most of my music is from a synth lol although I love my rock so that pushes the system a bit harder.

I'm my previous TTS it had the bose upgrade and I ended up removing the sub as it sounded rubbish but that was a 2008 model.

 

[SteveMcB]

I'm into my sounds, always had good gear at home and upgraded all of my previous car's systems but the Bose in my cabby is the best in car audio I've ever owned, bass is incredible with absolutely zero distortion even at ear bleeding volume. Hood down, shades, lotion on the (small) bald patch, 'Dancing Queen' never sounded better
Not sure but don't think it's ever been up full.
The BnO in the SQ5 took a lot more setting up and is pretty good but the Bose knocks spots off it.

 

[WarwickL]

The B&O in the S3 is not bad but not what I would call good either.

Bass from the sub is sufficient for most music but pretty woeful for bass mekanik type tracks. The rest of the speakers produce muddy bass to be honest.

The volume output is over the top and not necessary and at anything more than 30-40% volume really shows the inadequacy of the system.

However, if you throw flac or 5.1 at it from SD cards or the JB, it does well enough at lower volume levels.

The car environment is a tough place for audio systems. I didn't have high expectations from the B&O as really, it is entry level for the Audi S range and clearly Audi and B&O have cut corners.

A custom install with quality gear would deliver a much better experience but this is a mass produced entry level S car after all.

As for Bose - meh, yet to hear any of their in car systems deliver much and their home systems are decidedly average.

 

[allanmb]

I'm into my sounds, always had good gear at home and upgraded all of my previous car's systems but the Bose in my cabby is the best in car audio I've ever owned, bass is incredible with absolutely zero distortion even at ear bleeding volume. Hood down, shades, lotion on the (small) bald patch, 'Dancing Queen' never sounded better
Not sure but don't think it's ever been up full.
The BnO in the SQ5 took a lot more setting up and is pretty good but the Bose knocks spots off it.

Yeah, the Bose in my B7 A4 was better than both B&O setups I've had since. The B&O is ok, but the Bose was great!

 

[WarwickL]

Yeah, the Bose in my B7 A4 was better than both B&O setups I've had since. The B&O is ok, but the Bose was great!

The B7 Bose was so underpowered. The front speakers were paper cone disasters

Such a rip

 

[allanmb]

The B7 Bose was so underpowered. The front speakers were paper cone disasters

Such a rip

Yet it somehow still sounded better than the B&O in my B8.5 A4 and this new S3 :-S

 

[WarwickL]

Yet it somehow still sounded better than the B&O in my B8.5 A4 and this new S3 :-S

You would be on your own on that one - hearing loss as old age sets in perhaps ?

 

[SteveMcB]

You would be on your own on that one - hearing loss as old age sets in perhaps ?

Haha, bought the A4 used so don't know how much extra Bose was but it was worth it. I can only assume the cabby has a better system than those you've heard and I've not got a clue what the speakers are made of but the system sounds the nuts, you can literally feel the sound waves against your leg and the quality is very impressive.
BnO was a £550 option on the SQ and a slight disappointment by comparison, actually more than slight, probably why it cost less than a pair of almost decent floor standers.

It may well be an age thing, I know a lot of you 'youngsters' prefer to listen to music from small rubber blocks and that wireless is king! My parents were always telling me to 'turn that racket down', I used to tell my kids to turn that tinny crXp off and hook it up to a decent system. I won't listen to music unless it sounds good.

PS not a Bose 'fanboy' I don't own any of their other stuff. Yammy amps with B&W speakers and sub at home.

 

[4K]

Treble is very source dependent in my opinion. All my music is ripped as high quality as possible but the production on some tracks just isn't up to scratch. Chuck something well produced at it and it really shines.

Very true. It's inconsistent somewhat I've found too.

 

[Simon L]

Very true. It's inconsistent somewhat I've found too.

Was blaring out Witch Hunt by Rush earlier (yeah yeah I know am a sad old rocker!!) but friggin jeezus it sounded like I was sitting inside Neil Peart's drumkit...............unbelievable sound!!

 

[WarwickL]

 

[4K]

Was blaring out Witch Hunt by Rush earlier (yeah yeah I know am a sad old rocker!!) but friggin jeezus it sounded like I was sitting inside Neil Peart's drumkit...............unbelievable sound!!

I find Bonobo sounds good on the B&O; not many vocals on his tracks mind you, but the clarity is pretty good.

 

[Simon L]

I find Bonobo sounds good on the B&O; not many vocals on his tracks mind you, but the clarity is pretty good.

Nope, you've lost me there mate? lol

 

[pburv]

Was blaring out Witch Hunt by Rush earlier (yeah yeah I know am a sad old rocker!!) but friggin jeezus it sounded like I was sitting inside Neil Peart's drumkit...............unbelievable sound!!

 

[Simon L]

Great film mate, happy days!!

 

[pburv]

Great film mate, happy days!!

Now you must have known this was coming.....lol.........

 

[Simon L]

 

[pburv]

 

[davc]

Great film mate, happy days!!

Yeah top movie.

 

[4K]

Nope, you've lost me there mate? lol

Bonobo - genre of music most likely associated with progressive/chillout type. Anyway, yea, the clarity is good IMO on the B&O.