Bang & Olufsen

[Rob6805]

I wish I splurged for the package with the B&O. The standard audio in my 2020 is terrible. There are mid but no rear speakers with the standard.

Ford's base audio systems have always been notoriously bad. Really cheap speakers is the issue.

 

[techdude99]

I use the Sirius app for $5/month. A lot better than the satellite source. The fidelity is comparable to the high quality streaming services while driving. USB files sound the best. Streaming from my Plex server is good, too.

As someone that used to be an audiophile 30 years ago, the B&O system is okay. It lacks bass below 100Hz and the soundstage could be more defined. Aftermarket, I don't know what's best now but I always liked Focal, MB Quart (pre-buy out), JL Audio, and Hybrid Audio.

When Ford licenses the B&O name they charge a premium and don't use the best components. For an OEM system it's a nice step up from typical entry level systems. As previous posts mentioned, some aftermarket bass will help elevate the sound. I wish a JL Audio Stealthbox was designed for the 2018+ but no luck. It looks like a custom solution is the only option at this point.

The best OEM systems I've personally experienced were in Lexus and Porsche.

 

[FlyBry]

Ford's base audio systems have always been notoriously bad. Really cheap speakers is the issue.

So true. I have always replaced factory Ford speakers with MB Quart.
I am happy with the sound quality from the B&O, but I have yet to pull a door panel, to see if the B&O speakers are manufactured at the same Ford Plant in Mexico, as most Ford paper cone speakers are. Has anyone pulled a door panel to see if the B&O speakers are high quality?

 

[Rob6805]

So true. I have always replaced factory Ford speakers with MB Quart.
I am happy with the sound quality from the B&O, but I have yet to pull a door panel, to see if the B&O speakers are manufactured at the same Ford Plant in Mexico, as most Ford paper cone speakers are. Has anyone pulled a door panel to see if the B&O speakers are high quality?

The B&O speakers are build by Harman at their plant in MX. Harman supplies the amp/speakers for the B&O system to Ford. They should be pretty decent speakers. Probably no as good as the New Unleashed or Revel but decent. Certainly better than base audio.

 

[MIK01]

I’ve gone back and forth between the Stereo and the Surround settings. I think the stereo actually sounds better. Anyone else?

 

[techdude99]

Subjectively, I like stereo better with rock and old new wave. Surround is better to my ears with other genres.

 

[lv2drive]

+1 for the regular stereo mode. that’s how songs were mixed in the studio - so adding software based “artificial” surround just messes with the artists’ intended mixes IMO. they may sound “bigger” but the imaging & instrument separation smears & gets weird.

 

[FlyBry]

Subjectively, I like stereo better with rock and old new wave. Surround is better to my ears with other genres.

Thank you Gentlemen for the suggestion.
Changed my setting from Surround to Stereo yesterday. What a dramatic improvement. I was very impressed. Manfred Mann's Earth Band cover of Blinded by the Light never sounded so good.