I didn't get to listen to the base Audi audio when I got my A4 because I was set on the B&O just from reading about it's technology. In the A4 it's been said that B&O/Audi spend about 1000 man hours developing the stereo to the most precise audible experience ever. And they've truly done it.

I'm not sure how it will sound in the Q5 but if you are expecting *** thumping base that will shake your mirrors then your wasting your time and insulting the system. The B&O system is absolutely magnificent in that it produces all levels of audio in the purest form possible. I mean, the base is clean and solid. I generally keep it a little over the centre mark as I get a head ache if all I hear is THUMP THUMP THUMP. But when I'm really in the mood and the song has a great beat I'll put the bass to max and damn I suddenly find myself smiling.

I find the even when the side windows are open, the audio is still incredibly crisp. The side surround speakers just behind the ears really kick in and it's like no drop in audio quality. When I have passengers in the car and I play music (not too loud but just enough for them to hear the quality) I get compliments all the time. That's when I bust out my whole B&O lecture. It's a great conversation piece...

If there is one thing you should pair with your Audi, it's the B&O sound system. Go for it.... trust me you will NOT regret it one bit.

 

I have to hand it to you OH9EH4, what a great comment. Well said. I agree with every single word. The B&O upgrade was the first thing I asked for hands down the best money ever spent. Clear, crisp, smart, precise a marriage between art and technology such a well crafted master-piece. Unreal you have to hear it. The Q5 and the A4 almost have the same size interior but it all has to do with how incredibly the speakers are positioned all 14 of them. I can't be happier with this upgrade. I have a friend who rides my car whenever he can just so he can listen to it. He drives a C300 and says this system can't even come close to his upgrade. I've used with with original CD, DVD, copied CD, SD, Ipod and Sat radio and consistent breath-taking sound is what I ALWAYS got.

Don't even think twice about getting.

Enjoy.

 

Thank you guys I listened to B&O in A4 and it's such a difference, totally worth the upgrade! You're right, bass needs to be a little over mid-point, but I'm not into extreme bass *thump thump thump*, so I think B&O is perfect. It didn't lack in volume either. A more clear concert-like reproduction of sound with B&O. Decision reached on this one!

 

I'm going to agree 100% with the above. I've had the killer stereo's when I was younger. Not just the bass head achers, but a true high fidelity 3000 watt killer SQ (Sound quality) dream machine in a Jeep Wrangler convertible that pushed impressive SPL #'s and SQ placing both with and without a top. Zapco Amps, JL subs, MB Quart mids and highs, Alpine head unit, and a very time consuming SQ Laser Straight Install. If I wanted a bass thumper I'd go that route again. In my last 5 cars though, I've "Settled" for the stock system and let me tell you for an audiophile it has been rough going. This time I spent literally a few hours on test drives and on a trip to TO in a friends Q with the B&O and it is worth it. No it's not going to give you that killer bass or that extremely high volume peak, but then again it's not a $10,15, or 20K option either. For the music I listen to now, which funny enough is somehow classic rock (did I get old along the way and if so when did that happen?), I really do enjoy the bang for the buck offered by the B&O.

To qualify my statements, I have *some* experience in the stereo department. I've had numberour cars with SPL and SQ stereo's and the most challending project I ever undertook was the Jeep. It was fun to drive but had to be fully decked out to compete with the wind noise with the top off. Link to my last SQ machine. I had a total of 3 different stereo's in her before I traded her in. I'm not a fan of the Pioneer Subs, much preferred the JL's back in the day. I'd also never go any larger than a 10" sub now. I prefer the punch from the 10 versus the rumble punch of the 12 or the rumble of a 15. I've another project car that I'll be doing in the next few years, altough it will be more of a challenge than the Jeep. Much less space a louder larger engine to contend with and virtually no room to mount amps in an attractive manner while still leaving room for the golf clubs, lol. Should be fun and make the Jeep look like a day at the park... Enjoy the B&O. Go for it, it will be the best $1k you spend on the car.






Oh... and if you want to Feel the bass without pumping out some serious coin for an SPL monster get a set of these... Bass Shakers... Work really well...

 

What the...!

Looks like Futureshop vomited in your car!

Nice setup tho

 

Lol, you can't buy any of that stuff at Futureshop. Once an audiophile always an audiophile.

 

Have a new Q5, spent almost $1k on the B&O upgrade... and now I find out it's VOLUME LIMITED? Unacceptable, Audi. Please issue a software release fix for this asap and/or let us know how we can adjust via Vag-com.

 

Exactly why I refuse to buy B&O...I think I mentioned this issue in another post somewhere here (and I think everyone thought I was stupid). B&O can't make a decent set-up full stop. I have had B&O in my home theatre...I threw that out. I had B&O in a car before, complete garbage. If Audi wants to charge an upgrade for audio, put something decent in your cars.

 

Congrats on the car. Can you elaborate on your volume issue? I have the B&O and don't have volume issues.