Newest B&O sound system quality

[rwolfcastle]

Hi, I work for Harman, so the B&O system comes from us, based on the specifications provided by Ford to Harman. Having a Ranger and hearing other systems I would rate the ranger B&O sytem as an 8.5 out of 10.

Im comparing it with my previous vehicle sound system, which was a BMW x6 with Harman premium system. I would rate that one at 9.5, and my wifes vehicle whis is an Audi A7 with a B&O system, that would be a 9 from my perspective.

The difference with the B&O system from the ranger is basically the amount of bass the system provides and how early you hear it. In the ranger the system is tuned to provide heavy bass from 30% of the volume upwards, so if you hear it low the bass is very low too. While in the BMW and Audi specs you can hear the bass kick even at low volumes.

One of the cool features from the B&O system in the Ranger dough is the way the resonance of the bass is done, its a new technology that uses the chassis as resonance, not just a box as its traditionally done, which takes a lot more space. The X6 for example had a sub in the trunk and another one on each of the front seats. While the A7 has a large subwoofer box in the spare tire. In the ranger everything is achieved by a very small sub oval speaker and literally no box.

The system sounds very good above 30% volume, based on the notes that sound better I would say its tuned for coutry music or something alike. If you want more bass I would recommend to add an external powered bass only (Harman offers generic JBL and Infinity under seat powered subs that could work for that application), but taking the signal from the OEM bass lines. The new systems control not only audio but other features, so I would not recommend butcher the OEM harness and install an aftermarket system like you could do in older vehicles. If upgrading do only tried install configurations and harnesses.

I hope the info is useful.

Are there any tricks that can be done to kick the bass in from a lower volume? Any settings to tweak on the amp or anything? Or is the 30% a factory designation that can never be altered?

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[Ivan Baez]

You can do that in the B&O system from my wife's car (Audi A7), but you can't on the ranger as far as I know. I talked to the design team and they told me they did not recommend just boosting up the bass ony, but suggested they could do a 20% boost al accross the amp range so it is louder in general. We both are extremely busy now to do the reflash in my amp, si I have not tried that mode yet.

To enhance the bass I thought about installing an additional independent under the seat amplified JBL or infinity (blth made by harman) bass unit, I have the unit there, but have not had the time to install it yet.

 

[goalieThreeOne]

Are there any tricks that can be done to kick the bass in from a lower volume? Any settings to tweak on the amp or anything? Or is the 30% a factory designation that can never be altered?

If it’s like the F150 there is a gain adjust you can make in Forscan. They’re still trying to figure out the right values for the 14th gen though. So there might be an option but someone’s going to have to dive in and figure it out.

 

[Yague]

You can do that in the B&O system from my wife's car (Audi A7), but you can't on the ranger as far as I know. I talked to the design team and they told me they did not recommend just boosting up the bass ony, but suggested they could do a 20% boost al accross the amp range so it is louder in general. We both are extremely busy now to do the reflash in my amp, si I have not tried that mode yet.

To enhance the bass I thought about installing an additional independent under the seat amplified JBL or infinity (blth made by harman) bass unit, I have the unit there, but have not had the time to install it yet.

Hello my friend… Ivan too, from Brazil.
Have you tried the sub unit under the seat or any other configuration to improve the bass?
Cheers

 

[Ivan Baez]

Hello my friend… Ivan too, from Brazil.
Have you tried the sub unit under the seat or any other configuration to improve the bass?
Cheers

Hi, I have not installed it yet. I will post any results when its done.

Take care,

 

[Phlfwd22]

Following up on this thread.
Anyone find a way to increase the bass and/or overall volume/amp output?

also - side question. Would installing an aftermarket amp and bass void the warranty on the truck?! I’ve never heard of that but someone told me it might

 

[MJE]

also - side question. Would installing an aftermarket amp and bass void the warranty on the truck?! I’ve never heard of that but someone told me it might

If I understand the warranty right, Ford would have to prove that your install caused the failure. So they might deny a warranty claim for something on the infotainment system if they could prove the added components caused damage. But they couldn’t deny something on the powertrain for example just because you modified the stereo.

 

[Arsenall11]

Pretty easy to make it sound better!

 

[twaderobyn]

Any suggestions on what to fiddle with to maximize the sound? Just EQ or settings?

Underwhelming. My experience with B&O in my ‘19 Ranger Lariat was that I could never adjust it enough for it to sound good for the supposed quality. It never met the expectation of having an upgraded stereo. Save your money. In fact, I think the factory stereo in my current 2024 XLSTX is far better.

 

[Dry0atmeal]

For a factory system I am impressed with the b&o system.... I'll be keeping it in for awhile...and I have a list of other stuff I wanna do and that is far down the link st

 

[HyperM3]

I was extremelly disappointed with the B&O system. Completely redid the whole system with Morrel speakers, JL Stealth sub and mObridge amp.

 

[Phlfwd22]

Pretty easy to make it sound better!

You mind listing the links to these? I’m assuming that’s a kicker 8 inch hideaway and kicker key lock line out converter? Anything else you used?

between this and the led lights on front I’m basically trying to emulate your truck lol

 

[Arsenall11]

You mind listing the links to these? I’m assuming that’s a kicker 8 inch hideaway and kicker key lock line out converter? Anything else you used?

between this and the led lights on front I’m basically trying to emulate your truck lol

I couldn’t find the link on sounds goods website for the kicker with the harness,it is plug and play with the factory sub. The sub is the JBL bass pro 2

 

[Phlfwd22]

I couldn’t find the link on sounds goods website for the kicker with the harness,it is plug and play with the factory sub. The sub is the JBL bass pro 2

https://soundsgoodstereo.com/products/factory-connection-harness-to-add-a-new-subwoofer-amplifier-while-retaining-factory-b-o-including-unleashed-read-description-below

This or something different? Thanks!

 

[Arsenall11]

https://soundsgoodstereo.com/products/factory-connection-harness-to-add-a-new-subwoofer-amplifier-while-retaining-factory-b-o-including-unleashed-read-description-below

This or something different? Thanks!

That’s the keyloc, go to sounds good for the plug and play patch cord. There is a string on this here, I think it is OEM sub size.

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