'22 Limited with B&O *Not Unleashed Subwoofer question.

[TonyR0206]

I'm considering replacing the factory sub with a Rockford Fosgate R2SD4-10 shallow subwoofer, using the factory enclosure. It's a shallow depth sub. Does anyone know the maximum depth of the enclosure? The sub requires 3.5" depth. I'm going to keep the factory amp, knowing it's a little underpowered. I want to replace the sub solely to improve the sound and maybe get a little deeper bass response. Anything would sound better than the factory sub!

I know people have replaced the sub using the factory enclosure. What modifications to the factory enclosure was required, if any, to get the proper fitment? I'm hopeful to be able to just remove the old and replace with new with minimal additional work.

I'm not lazy...I'm dealing with some medical issues, and I don't want to have to do more than absolutely necessary right now, which is why I'm asking about this on the forum. (I have bone cancer and had half of my femur replaced because of it.) I'm far from 100%, bit I think that I'm well enough now to remove and replace the sub without a major amount of work to make it fit. Anything over and above that, I'll have to wait until next Spring to do it.

Thanks in advance for any input you can provide!!!!

 

[Mr Big]

Don't waste your money if you have the B&O system, as the B&O system is totally balanced.
My 12 speaker B&O system in my Platinum sounds great.
Try these settings:
Set treble to max or your desired highest setting, (I like to hear the tweeters mixed well).
Set the bass to full or one click lower, (this gives rich bas response)
Set the mid to 50% or less, (you will hear a very balanced sound with very good sub tone and gain)
Turn on Surround if you have that feature, (It enhances the entire sound and offers great separation)
Now if you are looking for a super bass response that is out of balance with the sound system, you will not only need a new sub-woofer, but new amps with more power.

 

[Rob6805]

Don't waste your money if you have the B&O system, as the B&O system is totally balanced.
My 12 speaker B&O system in my Platinum sounds great.
Try these settings:
Set treble to max or your desired highest setting, (I like to hear the tweeters mixed well).
Set the bass to full or one click lower, (this gives rich bas response)
Set the mid to 50% or less, (you will hear a very balanced sound with very good sub tone and gain)
Turn on Surround if you have that feature, (It enhances the entire sound and offers great separation)
Now if you are looking for a super bass response that is out of balance with the sound system, you will not only need a new sub-woofer, but new amps with more power.

I am going to try these settings. I am a bit underwhelmed with the 12spk B&O in our 21 Limited...

 

[Mr Big]

I am going to try these settings. I am a bit underwhelmed with the 12spk B&O in our 21 Limited...

I was disappointed with mine when I first got the Platinum. Then I used a tuner file and this was the final setup.
Now I love it and crank it to 15, and it is crystal clear with great tone and balance.

 

[SilverStealth]

I was disappointed with mine when I first got the Platinum. Then I used a tuner file and this was the final setup.
Now I love it and crank it to 15, and it is crystal clear with great tone and balance.

Tuner file you say? More info please...

 

[TonyR0206]

Don't waste your money if you have the B&O system, as the B&O system is totally balanced.
My 12 speaker B&O system in my Platinum sounds great.
Try these settings:
Set treble to max or your desired highest setting, (I like to hear the tweeters mixed well).
Set the bass to full or one click lower, (this gives rich bas response)
Set the mid to 50% or less, (you will hear a very balanced sound with very good sub tone and gain)
Turn on Surround if you have that feature, (It enhances the entire sound and offers great separation)
Now if you are looking for a super bass response that is out of balance with the sound system, you will not only need a new sub-woofer, but new amps with more power.

I've previously set the levels in a similar manner similar to what you've suggested. I often waffle back and forth between stereo and surround. While the surround setting does offer better separation, I believe that the stereo setting offers a warmer sound and pushes the bass levels a bit more. It may be balanced, but compared to other OEM stereo offerings, the B&O in the Expedition is a bit thin sounding. The OEM Sony in my 2016 F-150 Platinum sounded MUCH better than the B&O. The Harmon Kardon OEM in my wife's Palisade Calligraphy is a beautiful sounding system, one of the best OEM systems I've ever heard, in fact; In a car that costs $30k less than my Expedition. Like I stated, I'm not looking for a booming bass sound as I don't want to run a new amplifier, but just looking to enhance the sound. The reason I'm looking at this Rockford Fosgate is that it's a lower wattage subwoofer that really doesn't require a lot of power.

 

[Mr Big]

I've previously set the levels in a similar manner similar to what you've suggested. I often waffle back and forth between stereo and surround. While the surround setting does offer better separation, I believe that the stereo setting offers a warmer sound and pushes the bass levels a bit more. It may be balanced, but compared to other OEM stereo offerings, the B&O in the Expedition is a bit thin sounding. The OEM Sony in my 2016 F-150 Platinum sounded MUCH better than the B&O. The Harmon Kardon OEM in my wife's Palisade Calligraphy is a beautiful sounding system, one of the best OEM systems I've ever heard, in fact; In a car that costs $30k less than my Expedition. Like I stated, I'm not looking for a booming bass sound as I don't want to run a new amplifier, but just looking to enhance the sound. The reason I'm looking at this Rockford Fosgate is that it's a lower wattage subwoofer that really doesn't require a lot of power.

You still won't achieve any better bass response. And if you go with a lesser wattage sub than what is in the current system, you may risk distortion at higher levels. The best thing to do is find a more efficient speaker with a better sensitivity level. Old Altec Lansing speakers rated at 35 watts rms were so efficient that 35 watts driven to them would produce a sound level equivalent to a 100 watts driven to a less efficient speaker.

 

[dlcorbett]

I've previously set the levels in a similar manner similar to what you've suggested. I often waffle back and forth between stereo and surround. While the surround setting does offer better separation, I believe that the stereo setting offers a warmer sound and pushes the bass levels a bit more. It may be balanced, but compared to other OEM stereo offerings, the B&O in the Expedition is a bit thin sounding. The OEM Sony in my 2016 F-150 Platinum sounded MUCH better than the B&O. The Harmon Kardon OEM in my wife's Palisade Calligraphy is a beautiful sounding system, one of the best OEM systems I've ever heard, in fact; In a car that costs $30k less than my Expedition. Like I stated, I'm not looking for a booming bass sound as I don't want to run a new amplifier, but just looking to enhance the sound. The reason I'm looking at this Rockford Fosgate is that it's a lower wattage subwoofer that really doesn't require a lot of power.

Unfortunately your comparing other high end systems to expys mid tier system. One thing i didnt like about the 18 expys system was that it sounded muddy at high volumes, but other than that, it was a great sounding system. No matter who drove or sat in it, it was universally beloved by every one who heard it. I have test drove a Palisade with the high end system, and compared to that expy, was far away from it. I also lik listening to my music via USB stick, it sounds way better than bt or phone stream. The unleashed system is way better than the 12 or 10 speaker system, from the times I heard it, it would be fine in a luxury suv. I do believe the 19 speaker Macintosh is the best overall high end system, but All the mainstream fs suvs have rele good systems except the tahoe and denali, but the mid tier system b&o in your expy isnt going to give you the best experience. If you want better richer and fuller sound, it be best to take it to a audio shop, have them replace your woofers and sub and recalibrate the dsp on the amp.

 

[Mr Big]

Tuner file you say? More info please...

Unfortunately your comparing other high end systems to expys mid tier system. One thing i didnt like about the 18 expys system was that it sounded muddy at high volumes, but other than that, it was a great sounding system. No matter who drove or sat in it, it was universally beloved by every one who heard it. I have test drove a Palisade with the high end system, and compared to that expy, was far away from it. The unleashed system is way better than the 12 or 10 speaker system, from the times I heard it, it would be fine in a luxury suv. I do believe the 19 speaker Macintosh is the best overall high end system, but All the mainstream fs suvs have rele good systems except the tahoe and denali, but the mid tier system b&o in your expy isnt going to give you the best experience. If you want better richer and fuller sound, it be best to take it to a audio shop, have them replace your woofers and sub and recalibrate the dsp on the amp.

I've installed a lot of high-end systems. IMHO the B&O 12 speaker system, if properly working, is the best-balanced system I've heard. It's up there with McIntosh for balanced tone and crystal clear. I wish there was a way to demonstrate the way it sounds.
If the B&O sounds bad or lacks low end, I would say there may be an issue with it or a previous owner modified it.

 

[TonyR0206]

Unfortunately you’re comparing other high end systems to expys mid tier system. One thing i didnt like about the 18 expys system was that it sounded muddy at high volumes, but other than that, it was a great sounding system. No matter who drove or sat in it, it was universally beloved by every one who heard it. I have test drove a Palisade with the high end system, and compared to that expy, was far away from it. I also lik listening to my music via USB stick, it sounds way better than bt or phone stream. The unleashed system is way better than the 12 or 10 speaker system, from the times I heard it, it would be fine in a luxury suv. I do believe the 19 speaker Macintosh is the best overall high end system, but All the mainstream fs suvs have rele good systems except the tahoe and denali, but the mid tier system b&o in your expy isnt going to give you the best experience. If you want better richer and fuller sound, it be best to take it to an audio shop, have them replace your woofers and sub and recalibrate

I've installed a lot of high-end systems. IMHO the B&O 12 speaker system, if properly working, is the best-balanced system I've heard. It's up there with McIntosh for balanced tone and crystal clear. I wish there was a way to demonstrate the way it sounds.
If the B&O sounds bad or lacks low end, I would say there may be an issue with it or a previous owner modified it.

I am the first owner. The system doesn’t sound bad, it just lacks a bit in the lower end, at least to my liking. I appreciate everyone’s input, but nobody has answered my question of the depth of the stock box. It’s funny that you mention McIntosh Labs, as I live 10 minutes from their headquarters!

 

[Mr Big]

I'm not sure of the dimensions. I guess the best way to answer your question is to remove the sub and measure.
If you try my settings, you may like it better.
I've installed many McIntosh systems. That's why I feel they are the best. Their systems are as flat as you can get, offering a great reproduction of how the music was meant to be listened to.
Here's an idea for more sub gain that we have done in the past. Get a separate sub amp and sub enclosure, or a powered sub. wire from the existing sub to the amp using a line input converter. If you are worried about impedance, you can always disconnect the existing sub and wire direct, through the LIC to the external amp. I'm mentioning this because I don't think you will be satisfied with just replacing the speaker and using the same wattage amp. My sub-woofer system, in my Excursion was an Alpine PDX 600:1 amp with 2-12s in the back doors, in custom enclosures. It slammed. This B&O system is perfectly balanced, but does not have the vehicle shaking rattle that my Excursion did.

 

[rd618]

I'm not sure of the dimensions. I guess the best way to answer your question is to remove the sub and measure.
If you try my settings, you may like it better.
I've installed many McIntosh systems. That's why I feel they are the best. Their systems are as flat as you can get, offering a great reproduction of how the music was meant to be listened to.
Here's an idea for more sub gain that we have done in the past. Get a separate sub amp and sub enclosure, or a powered sub. wire from the existing sub to the amp using a line input converter. If you are worried about impedance, you can always disconnect the existing sub and wire direct, through the LIC to the external amp. I'm mentioning this because I don't think you will be satisfied with just replacing the speaker and using the same wattage amp. My sub-woofer system, in my Excursion was an Alpine PDX 600:1 amp with 2-12s in the back doors, in custom enclosures. It slammed. This B&O system is perfectly balanced, but does not have the vehicle shaking rattle that my Excursion did.

With that setup you could probably rattle the doors in the cars next to you. Lol.

 

[CDNRabbit]

@Mr Big thx for the suggestion, those settings really bring the system to life.

 

[DieselMonk]

I had to adjust my 22 speaker B&O in the settings a bit. Now it pounds my brains out, giving a back massage, making the rearview mirror and the side mirrors unusable. There is definitely a certain sweet spot and it does sound awesome.

 

[dlcorbett]

I kno this is 4th gen threads. I wonder if anyone has been able to use the new beosonic feature and how well it works if any?

 

[Mr Big]

I kno this is 4th gen threads. I wonder if anyone has been able to use the new beosonic feature and how well it works if any?

My B&O 12 speaker system does not have that feature. Also, with any presets that may be available in systems, they're never 100% accurate. They are configured as a guideline to the common approach of balance and tone. So, they are a starting point when you want to tweak your system to your liking. Same goes for tuning with a tuning app like Alpine TuneIt or a spectrum analyzer. They will get you in the proximity of what you desire, then you can tweak from there. Also, some don't, but I prefer to turn on the surround, especially for HD streaming and radio. Even my suggestion is a starting point for most, as I prefer to hear balanced mids with crisp highs and dynamic lows. I also set my front/rear fade, where it is just behind my ears, so I can hear all the speakers. That helps for back seat passengers too.

 

[dlcorbett]

I was disappointed with mine when I first got the Platinum. Then I used a tuner file and this was the final setup.
Now I love it and crank it to 15, and it is crystal clear with great tone and balance.

When we had our 18 expy, on our road trips, I usually sat the volume at 14-15 as well. 17 was way too much. I remember i had to load the expy with tables we had, I thought it would take like 5 min, but it took longer. I opened the hatch and had my music at 15. The sub was booming, but was playing an rnb music. My neighbor was home at the time and came outside and was like "is that you", I apologized, saying I had an issue inside and was supposed to be gone by now, and he was like naw that things sounds incredible.