[BeeLightning]

So far what I’ve noticed in any car is that direct connect sound is always better than Bluetooth connect. When connected via Bluetooth the phone’s audio settings dominate. I think the exception is wireless Apple CarPlay sounds a lot better thank Bluetooth but i still think direct connection is the way to go.

 

[[email protected]22]

So far what I’ve noticed in any car is that direct connect sound is always better than Bluetooth connect. When connected via Bluetooth the phone’s audio settings dominate. I think the exception is wireless Apple CarPlay sounds a lot better thank Bluetooth but i still think direct connection is the way to go.

Yeah I’m Bluetooth on iPhone. I will say that SXM and lossless tracks on AMusic sounded a bit better.

Gonna try direct plug today to and from work

 

[ChasingCoral]

Yeah I’m Bluetooth on iPhone. I will say that SXM and lossless tracks on AMusic sounded a bit better.

Gonna try direct plug today to and from work

Your best quality will probably come playing lossless music files directly off a USB drive.

 

[GDN]

I've never had Carplay and I don't know what protocol is used between the phone and the truck, but I'm hopeful it is a bit better than bluetooth, however I figured the music still played over bluetooth.

I only know that I don't plan on paying for Sirius XM. I did for 10 years. I have a cheap Pandora plan just to get rid of commercials so hoping that works well and or my aging music library dumped onto a USB drive.

 

[klossfam]

Just a quick review on the 8 speaker B & O in the Lariat Lightning (took delivery 6/9).

Overall, it is a little better than I expected. I've centered in on running treble FLAT (setting it up to even +1 makes it too bright), midrange FLAT and bass at MINUS 1. I set Speed Compensation to LOW and the Stereo or Surround to SURROUND (gives a little more airy feel that I like). Mostly listen to classic and semi-recent alternative i.e. Interpol as well as current bands like The National. Also a lot of Tragically Hip being from the Buffalo area.

I was a little nervous with all the audio branding that goes on now days...Doesn't mean much for sound quality (I'm looking at you Bose and the 8 speaker system in my wife's Ioniq 5 Limited). Brand name is no guarantee as the Honda Premium Audio in my last Ridgeline had a ton of balance and solid fidelity (believe it was a Clarion head unit with Panasonic Mobile speakers). Good sound even with the sub only being an 8".

There is no sub adjustment on the B & O (there was on the Honda) but overall, the B & O is well balanced and plays loud with minimal distortion. Sounds good with USB files and even with wireless AA. All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised.

 

[FM_Jack]

I feel like they should have made the top trim the Limited since that trim always seems like the one you get the least options with. The Lariat should then have the options to add in more "premium" features like an upgraded sound system. I definitely wanted that unleashed system. I just didn't want to lose 20 miles for "nice-to-haves".

 

[ChasingCoral]

I feel like they should have made the top trim the Limited since that trim always seems like the one you get the least options with. The Lariat should then have the options to add in more "premium" features like an upgraded sound system. I definitely wanted that unleashed system. I just didn't want to lose 20 miles for "nice-to-haves".

and $10K is a lot for an upgraded stereo in a truck!

 

[dcfdgaloot]

Overall I'm disappointed with the 8-speaker B&O, especially the low end. The bass rolls off so dramatically it's like there is no subwoofer. But after seeing it is a tiny 6x9 sub, I now understand why! Terrible! I'll be looking into an upgrade.

 

[btreece]

Top end volume is 30? I know I am older and have some hearing loss but with the windows down and moonroof open the B&O 8 speaker system is not loud enough for me to rock out!

 

[Russr]

I would expect that over time, as EVs become the norm, there will be more development work done on amps, efficiencies, etc. I mean, we could put one HELLUVA system in, 2,400 watts, blah, blah, blah with a built in coffee-maker, but do we want that on an EV platform?

There are entire industries that need to pivot to a (hopefully) EV future... accessories, cooling, lighting, etc. Audio is no different.

I did not know that Tesla had "rolled their own" audio system... could be kinda interesting to dig into that a bit more and see what decision points drove their component and performance selections.

 

[FM_Jack]

Top end volume is 30? I know I am older and have some hearing loss but with the windows down and moonroof open the B&O 8 speaker system is not loud enough for me to rock out!

It definitely isn't enough with the windows down. Right there with you. Upgrading the system is in the back of my mind. The most I've found before I got the truck was a sub that went under the back seat which doesn't work for me.

 

[dcfdgaloot]

I contacted Sound Good Stereo. They’re out of Nashville. They have some sweet prefab setups for ICE f150s. I inquired if they have anything in development for our Lightnings. They just need a local truck to work on. I’d be there in a second if I didn’t live in California 😂

 

[LightningFast]

Did anyone try to change forscan setting changes to the ACM to see if one of the 12 EQ settings make this system louder and less clipping at higher volume?

 

[Kevin2991]

Just a quick review on the 8 speaker B & O in the Lariat Lightning (took delivery 6/9).

Overall, it is a little better than I expected. I've centered in on running treble FLAT (setting it up to even +1 makes it too bright), midrange FLAT and bass at MINUS 1. I set Speed Compensation to LOW and the Stereo or Surround to SURROUND (gives a little more airy feel that I like). Mostly listen to classic and semi-recent alternative i.e. Interpol as well as current bands like The National. Also a lot of Tragically Hip being from the Buffalo area.

I was a little nervous with all the audio branding that goes on now days...Doesn't mean much for sound quality (I'm looking at you Bose and the 8 speaker system in my wife's Ioniq 5 Limited). Brand name is no guarantee as the Honda Premium Audio in my last Ridgeline had a ton of balance and solid fidelity (believe it was a Clarion head unit with Panasonic Mobile speakers). Good sound even with the sub only being an 8".

There is no sub adjustment on the B & O (there was on the Honda) but overall, the B & O is well balanced and plays loud with minimal distortion. Sounds good with USB files and even with wireless AA. All in all, I'm pleasantly surprised.

Is there a dedicated sub in the Lariat B&O?

 

[LightningFast]

Is there a dedicated sub in the Lariat B&O?

Yes, behind middle back row. In the lariat b&o, the sub lacks power to hit hard.

 

[dcfdgaloot]

Is there a dedicated sub in the Lariat B&O?

yup, a little 6x9 behind the seat

 

[shocker]

Back to the original question, Model Y is superior to Lariat. IMO. Somewhat disappointed that a name brand audio system doesn't match up.

 

[klossfam]

I'll admit the no name system in the Tesla Y is very solid. In defense of B & O, my son has the Genesis GV60 with the 17 speaker B & O and that smokes the Tesla.

 

[GDN]

As I started the thread, I've kind of gone off the deep end. It continued to grate on me how bad the factory stereo was. Reminded every day when I'd get back in my partners Model 3, then back to my truck. So I've spend a bit of money to make this thing smoke. Money like this I just typically don't spend, but it grated on my nerves and pushed me over the deep end.

I've updated everything after the head unit. Removed all factory equipment. Bought it from a stereo shop, so they did the tune on the DSP and mounted amps to a board, but I did the install. I'd say likely 30 to 35 hours worth. Started with sound absorption stuff added to both layers of all 4 doors. Installed Focal Flax speakers in all 4 doors, running active tweeters in the A pillars. The sub is a 10" shallow from JL Audio. Amps are a JL Audio VXi 600/6 for doors and tweeters and a dedicated 500/1 for the sub. Using a NavTV Zen A2B device to capture all standard truck sounds, bluetooth phone and stereo signal for input.

Very pleased so far. It may be tuned a bit rich on the tweeters for me right now, but those things are fairly easily taken care of with some tuning in the DSP/amp.

There isn't even a slight comparison to the factory system. A bit pissed overall that you have to go to this point with the factory system having a big name on it like B&O then we get what we got.

The factory amp is pitiful, the factory speakers are simple paper with small magnets and the sub is a fraction of what the older F150's had in them from Sony (which were also on the very low end.)